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+ Boy in Ukraine learns a practical way to "love your neighbor" + Now we're up to 9 people going to Peru on January 7, 2005 + Look at the new map page on www.HorizonsFoundation.com + Get 100% of donations to victims of "Ring of Fire" Tsunami MOLDOVA - The school in Chisinau where all the school-age children living at Bethany Christian Center orphanage may be closed immediately. The 5-year license to operate the school expired in October, 2004. Many other private schools including the only other Christian school in Chisinau have been closed by the Moldovan government. As Doru Cirdei, Executive Director of Bethany Christian Center explained, "The communist government wants everyone to be the same. They do not want schools where the students are clearly receiving an above average education. They want everyone to be at a low level. People are easier to control in that environment. The Parliament has just passed this law that requires every school to a) hold property in their name and b) have proof that they have 500,000 Moldovan Leigh (over $42,000 in the bank). No private schools, to my knowledge, have met this requirement, and in fact many schools including the only other Christian school in Chisinau have been closed. After the first of the year, we could have inspectors walk into our school at any time and demand to see proof of these two things in our files. With a great deal of problems, we were able to get some of our property re-titled into the name of the school. I came to America to raise the $42,000 to keep the school open. If we do not have the proof of the funds in the bank when the inspectors walk in, they can legally close the school. And the same law states that if a private school is closed, it can not re-open for another 5 years." During the 6 weeks that Doru was in the United States raising the money, the inspectors did not come in to close the school. Also during the 6 week period, he drove approximately 8,000 miles and raised almost $16,000 before returning home to Moldova in time for Christmas. While here in Missouri, Horizons Foundation helped put a safety net under the school, but another $26,000 in cash is needed in a Moldovan Bank, so they can give Bethany an affidavit stating that the school has the funds in the bank. As soon as the proof is in Doru's hands, the school may apply for a 10 year license, with reinspection at the 5 year mark, For those of you who contributed to keeping the school open, both Doru and the Lockhart's say a hearty THANK YOU!! Thank you for your donations for this school! When Doru returned to Moldova we sent with him a bunch of new software, i.e. new XP operating systems, new copies of Office 2003 and a bunch of Norton utilities and firewalls. This battle is not over. The kids attending this school have a student to teacher ratio of less than 6 students' to one teacher (the former street kids require a lot of one-on-one teaching); they are taught a standard Moldovan elementary school curriculum plus a) bible studies, b) English and c) computer skills. This school sets the standard of excellence in Moldova. We can continue to pray and give. We must continue to pray and give if the school is to remain open! The school must remain open to give these former street kids a chance. Whatever improvements these children have made in their self image by living at Bethany, these improvements would be destroyed in a non-caring public school. Things are different in Moldova. We must prevent this disaster! UKRAINE - During the last several weeks, Vova, a teenage boy now living at Hope House learned a very valuable lesson in how to 'love your neighbor as yourself.' From Odessa Ukraine, Kerry Allison sends this: "Hope House now has a trailer which allows for quicker and easier access to building supplies, chicken feed, etc. without paying transport. That mud hole in the road just before you get to Hope House got so bad that cars couldn't even get through it. So, Sergei (the Executive Director of Hope House) stopped at a house with a big pile of old broken cement and bricks in front, and asked if we could load it onto the trailer to fill the hole. Vova, Sasha (the dad of this new household), Sergei and Kerry shoveled about 5 trailer loads in that hole. All of the neighbors said "Spaceeba" (Thank you). About 5 more loads will probably be required in the spring." And from another email, "The whole neighborhood is aware that Hope House is fixing the road as well! Two guys who are building new houses just beyond us, stopped to say "spaceeba". Vova was delighted. He ended up with a few blisters but said that it was "OK, when can we do this again?" Kerry and Carole Allison have been building and repairing all kinds of stuff (e.g. barns and bathrooms) at Hope House during the last 3-4 months, and they will be there another 2-3 months. They plan to possibly spend 8-9 months per year at Hope House making much needed improvements to that home. Thank you Kerry! You showed Vova a very valuable lesson. Isn't it amazing that we all share the universal feeling that it's better to give than to receive. Vova gave from the heart! PERU - As of today, 9 people are going to Peru. We have 6 people going to Pacasmayo from the St Louis area, one from Houston and two from San Diego. Wow, things are really popping around here trying to get ready. One couple is going to Peru to gather all the film footage to prepare a documentary on what has happened, what is happening and what can happen to help desperate children. Another couple is going to review the plan for the tech school and then to build plans to bring North Americans to Peru to add significance to their lives by teaching English or computer skills or ?. Another couple is going to begin their legacy of family giving to orphans in Peru. Another gentleman is going to hold a class in 'How to start a Business' and teach on the 'Prayer of Jabez' and another couple is going to explain the benefits of microlending to the evangelical community in Pacasmayo. The concept of microlending is a concept now being recognized by the UN as the number one method, worldwide, to eradicate poverty, one family at a time. In fact, the UN has declared 2005 to be the "Year of Microfinance." One successful businesswoman in Pacasmayo, when asked if she would consider being a non-paid member of the Horizons Foundation' Board of Directors in Peru for Microlending, said, "I've always wanted to help my people, but I couldn't find anyone I could trust." With God's help, we will be that trustworthy organization. We'll also be meeting with a couple of mayors from nearby cities to ask them to donate over 30 hectares (over 65 acres) of land to our partners - Go Ye Ministries, for future use by the orphanage in Pacasmayo. We'll be taking computers, web cams, and ear phones with microphone attached, eyeglasses, jeans, shirts, baby clothes and so many clothes we can hardly stuff them into our bags. But, we still have room for you to come and join us. It will be a blast! Come teach and learn! Lima is only about a 7 hour flight from Houston and then 7-8 hours by van to Pacasmayo. Come on, it'll be fun. We'll be staying right on the beach at one of the better hotels in town for about $20 a night per couple. WEBSITE - The website is being continually improved. Please check out www.HorizonsFoundation.com to see the newest page showing the map of the countries that Horizons Foundation is actively trying to improve people's lives. Also, please take a minute to check out the project Sponsorship page. We would love to feature your company or family here. Join us in saving one life at a time. It's exhilarating! P.S. If you would like to donate to the victims and the families of victims of the 'Ring of Fire' Tsunami, please feel free to send your funds to Horizons Foundation as we have a reliable contact in Malaysia to pass the funds onto. As always, 100% of your donation will be passed onto the need! In His Service, Al & Charlotte Lockhart Donations may be sent to: Horizons Foundation PO Box 6022 St Charles MO 63302 Al Lockhart Past Newsletters: 30 November 2003 31 December 2003 01 January 2004 01 February 2004 01 March 2004 01 April 2004 31 May 2004 30 June 2004 01 July 2004 01 August 2004 30 September 2004 31 October 2004 30 November 2004 31 December 2004 31 January 2005 28 February 2005 31 March 2005 02 May 2005 02 July 2005 31 August 2005 11 October 2005 18 December 2005 02 April 2006 30 June 2006 31 October 2006 |
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