Mission Update - Fall/Winter 2010

It is our sincere desire that the Lord will bless you and yours during this Holiday Season. We know that the economic downturn has affected everyone and, therefore, we are that much more grateful for your sacrificial support in partnering with us to reach this nation. Despite all the challenges of trying to establish a solid, ongoing and developing ministry in this country, we see God fast at work in touching and changing people's lives. The Gospel of Jesus Christ is as relevant today as it was 2,000 years ago!

Impacting A Culture

One of the greatest recent victories we've seen at House of Hope is the shutting down of one the brothels located in a large open air market in Managua. The women in this brothel have been reached by the House of Hope ministry - they have received the Lord and have been helped to find honest employment. To see God's transforming work in their lives is a blessing that is hard to describe. From hopelessness to a hope in Christ is what it is all about. The following are actual testimonies from some women in their own words(translated, of course).

Karla

I am 26 years old. When I was a little girl, my brother abused me. I started living on the streets and doing drugs to escape for a small moment of time. I became addicted to the drugs and would do anything for them, they were all I wanted. In the same city that I lived I was raped. I began prostituting myself, often times to Russian customers, for even a little bit of crack.

“All I want to do is be with my daughter and to know my mother.”

Karla has been at House of Hope for a short time. She doesn't miss the drugs and she doesn't want to leave. She feels the possibility of love at House of Hope.

House of Hope

Helen Mejia Chavarna
Age 19
Two Years at House of Hope

I was working as a prostitute in the Oriental Market when Brother Oscar approached me and shared the good news about Christ. Six months later, I decided to leave my current lifestyle behind me and began selling cold drinks and water.

Then I visited House of Hope. After seeing the commitment I made to change my life, House of Hope blessed me with $75 and helped me start my own business. Now I sell a variety of beverages outside a government office. I am very grateful to God because he hears my prayers and knows all my needs. I always pray that Sister April and Brother Oscar will continue to be a blessing in other women's lives.

Dominga del Cocorro Chavaria Cerna
Age 42
Two Years at House of Hope

I was a prostitute and an alcoholic. I did not have a home, and my kids were living at a shelter. I knew I needed a new life after one night when some men threw a glass bottle at my feet. I could barely walk, I was stabbed, raped, and I was just so tired. Some other prostitutes knew about House of Hope and they introduced me to Brother Oscar. I talked with him and he invited me to House of Hope. After a while, House of Hope gave me $75 to start my own small business. I now sell coca-cola on the streets and I'm very grateful to God. He is the only one that knows me well. Now I attend church and live a completely different life.

Tuesday Morning Special

It has been amazing to watch the growth of the Tuesday morning program. Over 350 women now come and it is quite literally Standing Room Only. We've already started and extension to the dining facility where these ladies meet at. After an hour of devotional time of singing, praying and preaching, the break into different work groups making cards and jewelry. Over 70% attending the Tuesday morning program are no longer involved in prostitution and, often, many receive Christ as a result of the devotion time.

The road out to House of Hope has virtually been destroyed due to the record monsoon rain season we've had. On Tuesdays, the buses that pick the women up can't come in and the women have to walk all the way in - more than a mile. They've walked in during drenching downpours - in fact, seven women were washed away by a rogue creek only to be rescued by neighbors - carrying everything from the items they sell on the streets to their babies. One U.S. ministry team that came during the rainy season walked in using local ox carts to carry their stuff on. Hopefully, the local but impoverished municipality will be able to level out the road after the rains have finally stopped.

It truly is exciting to not only watch God at work but to work alongside His purposes for these desperately needy women in this country. Again, we thank you for partnering with us both in financial support and prayer.

Pray for little Alma. Only 11 years old, she was brought to us after having been chained to a brothel wall for seven months. She does not have any paperwork of any kind - birth certificate, etc. She is literally off the grid. She was duped by a pair of adults recently who came and took her from us and since we did not have any kind of legal documentation on her there was nothing we could do. She is the face of the innocent child, duped and forced into sexual trafficking.
Pray for our Havlin monthly support base. Our own personal support needs to be raised in order for us to continue living in Nicaragua. We know times are hard everywhere and we greatly appreciate the monthly support that we receive.

Again, we thank you so much for your support and prayers. If you desire to send monthly support or a onetime gift, please send your tax deductible contribution to:

PLEASE NOTE THIS IS A NEW ADDRESS

HARVEST CHURCH
2020 W. 15th St
Washington, NC 27889

Please make your check out to Harvest Church and memo it either to the Havlins for personal support or to House of Hope. We and House of Hope receive 100 percent of whatever is givien.

Happy Thankgiving and Christmas Seasons!

Your Partners in Christ,

April, Mike and Hope Havlin