Complete Update on Filomena – Critical help needed today Feb 16th 2010 if you are able. Please read.
Tuesday 16 February 2010 | 3:33 pm | Laura -I am writing right now with the very latest on Filomena. Her need is now critical.
Please continue with the prayers but here are the practical ways that you can help.
I am going to work backward because the immediate need is for finances for travel to Zimbabwe.
The first need I will list here is immediate but it is not our only option so I in no way want to imply any pressure. I am just making the need and opportunity known.
1) – Last night I contacted a pilot who serves with Iris but he and his wife are currently in the US. They referred me to MAF, Missionary Aviation Fellowship, which is based in Nampula, Mozambique. I was able to talk with them just in the last hour and they do have a plane and pilot who are available to transport her. The missionary cost would normally be US $2400.00 but Dave, my contact there, spoke with his boss and he wanted to help and said they would charge only $1000.00. I know this is still a great amount of money for many but for some it may not be, or together it could be doable. I would need to let them know today or possible first thing tomorrow morning, and we are 8 hours ahead of Central Standard Time. They would need to fly down here to Beira tomorrow, overnight and then fly her out early Thursday morning. MAF can accept payments made by credit or debit card over the phone. I will include that info at the end of this letter. If you desire to make a payment to help cover this maybe you could email me 1st with the amount and I would email you back to confirm we had enough before you directly contact them unless it is something that you feel led and are able to cover individually. (Is there a business you know of who would like to do this.)
2) Our other option is to send one of our Mozambican drivers to personally escort them there. His name is Sergio. He has a servant’s heart and a passport and is just a good guy. He also happens to be a great driver and a mechanic. We will send him in out best vehicle to provide the most comfortable ride possible for Filomena for what will probably be about a 10 hour trip counting the delays at the border. The cost with this option is the gas (approx $150.00 – $200.00) and a $120.00 fee for bringing a vehicle into the country.
Even with this option we want to get them out of here on Thursday morning. The money for this option can either go through Iris or a second account I have that is not used for anything else. Details on these will be given at the end also.
A report of praise is that a young man named Lovemore, who is our main translator here at the center, has volunteered to accompany them. He is very appropriately named because every time there is a need he always has more love to give! This is a huge answer to prayer because English is spoken in Zimbabwe and Pastor Salmo does not speak English.
We have somebody going to Immigration with the photos from yesterday to try and ensure that Pastor Salmo’s is ready to pick up, maybe even this afternoon.
Pastor Salmo will then leave this afternoon or very early Wednesday morning to go home to see his wife and 5 other children whom he has not seen since arriving at the hospital in early November. He will return either the same night or very early the following morning to leave for Zimbabwe.
I was able to go and visit Filomena yesterday afternoon and she is in very poor condition. The tumor has increased in size pretty significantly since the photo taken Feb 4th 2010. It shows greatly in not only the size but also in her mouth area. She no longer closes her mouth. Her teeth had previously been shoved to the center of her mouth but now I think part of the white area showing in the photo is actually part of the tumor. It has been at least 2 ½ weeks now since she has been able to eat and is only taking in juice and water. She was much more lifeless yesterday lying mostly motionless on the bed. The pain medications she is receiving are not adequate.
I have included all the correspondence with the doctor in Zimbabwe in an attachment if you are interested in reading that. They are very willing to help treat her if at all possible. They have done other surgical procedures like this if it is a Mandibular Tumor. They will not know for certain until they see her in person to examine her. There is a possibility it could be a form of cancer and that will require other treatment.
3) The estimated cost of the surgery is $300.00 and the approx. fee for the hospital stay is $150.00. These again are estimates until they see her in person. They also have a place where family can stay for $1.00 a night but they will have to purchase cooking utensils, food and possibly bedding. She will need follow up visits and the best option we have is for them to stay in Zimbabwe while these are necessary due to the distance from here and the cost of travel. The expenses for the hospital can be made directly to the parent organization. Details will be below.
We will need to send them with the money for the extras because it will be very difficult to get additional funds to them once they are there. Details will be below.
DONATION DETAILS –
1. MAF – Missionary Aviation Fellowship - Immediate need of US $1000.00
Contact Number – 1 (208) 498-0800 extention1692
Contact Person – Pam Ficke
Invoice Number – 100217 – Mozambique
Remember please contact me 1st unless you are able to make the whole amount. If through multiple people the $1000.00 is available I will respond and ask that you go ahead and call in the donation.
I really need to know this today for this option to be implemented.
2. Transportation by Vehicle and for Food and Other Upfront Expenses –
Donations may be made one of three ways –
First Community Credit Union – For those in the St. Louis area (This is a secondary, unused account I have at my bank. The benefit to this is that all money put here will be accessible immediately and is totally separate from my personal funds) –
Website to find branches – www.firstcommunity.com
Account Number – 920172722
My Paypal Account – Accessible Immediately but not as ideal due to mixed with personal funds and there is a 3% fee. Make clear notification that this is for Filomena and all funds donated for her will be used for the purposes surrounding this situation.
http://www.laborofloveforthenations.com/donate.html
Use the yellow “Make a Donation” button at the bottom of the page
Iris Ministries – In the gift note section please specify that this is for “Filomena via Dondo” – https://www.irisministries.com/get-involved-giving.cfm?
3. Karanda Mission Hospital, Zimbabwe – I do not have specific info on making payment directly for the surgery yet but here is the link to their site –
http://www.teamzimmoz.org/kmh.html
With any of the options please drop me a note so that I can thank you and keep you informed of how the money is spent and of Filomena’s progress.
Thank you so very much on behalf of this precious little girl!
God bless you abundantly for any and all prayers and assistance in this situation!
In His service,
Laura Eubanks