Shoes to Romanians

Dear friends of Assist International,

In August, I was with President Radu Tirle, the President of Bihor County of Romania. We have been friends with him for a number of years and our plan is to do some medical projects at a couple of major hospitals in his County during his tenor as President of the County.

As we had our time together, he was very thankful for our partnership with Soles4Souls, who provide footwear to impoverished families around the globe. Through Soles4Souls and the generous donations of many shoe companies, we were able to donate hundreds of pairs of quality boots and shoes to the poor of Romania, many of whom are gypsies.

President Tirle is concerned for the gypsies of his County. There are more gypsies in his county than any other county in Romania and Romania has the largest population of gypsies than any other country in Eastern Europe. There is a lot of animosity towards these people, but the President has a burden to help them.

There are also a lot of poor people in the hinterlands who were wearing shoes with holes in them. The children put cardboard in their shoes to try to escape the cold when going to school. The people in these regions were so grateful to receive boots that would actually keep them warm. They had never before experienced this kind of comfort or generosity. It was one less worry on their minds.

Below you will see a few images of the many families that were blessed by our relationship with Soles4Souls. These are also the kinds of families that will enjoy the better care, training and new medical equipment in their hospitals when the medical projects are complete.

Thank you to Soles4Souls and all of their supporters for allowing us to make a huge impact in many lives in Romania.

Warmest regards,
Bob Pagett

People Making a Difference

Dear Friends of Assist International,

We have all heard the words, "making a difference" many times. What we need to understand is that are many unknown people, people maybe only known to God, who have chosen to put their fingerprints on the needs of our time and have chosen to MAKE A DIFFERENCE. They possibly may never be in the headlines, but they will certainly one day in the headlines of heaven as: PEOPLE MAKING A DIFFERENCE BY CHOICE, NOT BY COERCION. It is people who are motivated, in my view, by a higher calling.

Two of the people we featured in the last mailer were a big part of the recent projects and successes at the FELIX FAMILY VILLAGE in Surat, Thailand. The new homes constructed for orphans was quietly funded by Jim Sankey, a friend of Assist International and Caminul Felix. Lars Hornburg of Sweden is the founder of Caminul Felix Ministries, a ministry Assist International has chosen to partner with since its beginning in 1990. It was a privilege as a member of the FELIX INTERNATIONAL BOARD OF DIRECTORS to attend the inauguration of the FELIX FAMILY VILLAGE on May 9, 2009. As a 'stand in' for Jim Sankey, who could not be present, I cut the ribbon for one of the orphan homes with the mayor of Surat and Lars Hornburg.

We at Assist International salute Lars, Jim and others who are making a difference. There are many people, young and old, over the nineteen years of existence who have and are making a difference. Many of you have chosen to partner with Assist International and together we have committed to HELP HUMANITY... A CHOICE. AS JESUS CHRIST ONCE SAID, "AS MUCH AS YOU HAVE DONE IT TO THE LEAST OF THESE, YOU HAVE DONE UNTO ME." Assist International has chosen to help "the least of these"... and with your help, a difference is in the making.

Thank you for your partnership and thank you for helping us do what cannot be done without your help.

Bob Paget

There is Power in Partnerships

God has blessed Assist in so many ways through the eighteen years of our existence and as our nineteenth year begins. We've completed over eighty (80) medical projects in forty-two (42) countries around the world. Only God knows the many lives that have been saved as a result. Also, these endeavors have inspired and deepened peace and understanding in Muslim countries as Americans come and help.

Our assignment in addressing the needs of this world has taken us to dangerous areas like Kabul, Afghanistan, Israel and in some of the poorest and neediest places on our planet. Yet, for missionaries and Americans working in these troubled and dangerous places, these great gifts of outstanding critical care medical equipment and training ensure their capacity to stay in the country and continue the essential work they are doing.

Many times when these American workers are involved in these projects it inspires the national authorities to renew their visas and to see them as they are, friends of the people. A tangible act of love and mercy which saves the lives of the children and residents and enables the medical staff to work at their best levels, brings understanding and affirmation in powerful ways. Some Egyptian doctors on loan to the Islamic Republic of Djibouti highlight this great dynamic.

One evening, during the installation, we took the Egyptian doctor working with us as our translator to dinner (we also included his wife and two children). About halfway through our meal he stood and asked for the attention of the entire team.

"You're the first Americans I've ever met," he said. Then, he teared up and continued, "And you're nothing like I thought you would be."

I could go on and on with saving children through our work in orphanages in Romania and Africa. However, the point of this is: THESE ACHIEVEMENTS COULDNOT HAVE BEEN DONE BY ASSIST INTERNATIONAL ALONE. THERE IS A POWER IN PARTNERSHIPS.

The Scripture says something about doing things alone, noting that when two work together it is ten-times more powerful. We have found this to be universally true, and as a result, Assist rightfully gives the credit to the many organizations, companies, churches and individuals who have partnered with us over the years. THERE IS POWER IN PARTNERSHIPS!

On most of our projects Assist takes little or no credit for what's been done. All the credit goes to the hospital, organization or partners we're working with no matter where we are; Tibet, Sudan, Sri Lanka or Djibouti. For example, when we partner with Rotary International, we are happiest when Rotary gets the credit. ASSIST INTERNATIONAL IS CALLED TO GIVE AND SERVE ... AND THE MOST EFFECTIVE WAY FOR US TO DO THIS IS THROUGH PARTNERSHIPS.

So, from the individuals who support us to hospitals, churches and organizations, we would never have accomplished all this without your help. However you view your relationship with Assist, we view you as an essential partner. Thank you for all you've done.

I hope you'll agree THERE IS POWER IN PARTNERSHIPS.

Bob Pagett - President

New Beginnings

Dear Friends,

As we begin our 19th year of Assist International and our first issue of this New Year, all of us at Assist International are thankful for your partnership and grateful to be among those who make a difference in the lives of others. Our partnerships. personal and corporate, are the reason so many lives have experienced a new beginning.

Cheri Reynolds, who has dedicated her life to empower the women of Africa through Enzi Imports, inspired us with a story worth hearing and acting on. Her story is of a mother with beautiful twin daughters. It is both heart breaking and inspirational:

"The New Year brings new lists, commitments, determination, the 'new' you... yell less, work harder or smarter, save more, lose more, exercise more...the list can be endless. As we all look to a New Year of new beginnings, new resolve, let me share with you a way that you can help others with a new beginning as well. As I have travelled and met women, I am always amazed and humbled at why I wasn't born in Africa, but instead was born in land where I am presented with the same opportunities as the next person. Women in most African countries have little to no rights and they suffer unspeakable indignities on a daily basis.

Consider the real life story of Emma. She lives in Webuye, Kenya, and is the mother of twin girls, Shirlyne and Sandra (pictured). In her tribe, twins born first are considered a curse, and the legend states that the father will die (ten years later, he is still alive); however, when anyone connected with Emma dies, the tribe blames the death on the twins. Legend has it that the only way to break the curse is to kill one of the twins. Her tribe, including the father, has set out to kill one of Emma's girls. Because of these death threats, Emma has left her tribe and is trying to provide for herself so that her twins can live.

She is starting to make jewelry for Enzi Imports, and aside from being able to provide the basic needs for her family, her work allows her to remain independent and her precious daughters to live.

Africa is full of courageous, hardworking women who are looking for opportunities to rise out of poverty and care for themselves and their children. Perhaps a chance for us also to have something new in our lives as well; how many of us can say we helped change a life in a tangible and lasting way? How many of us know that a small amount we give as seed money can change the destiny of a family in need?" - Cheri Reynolds

What better way can we change the destiny of a family than to help them begin a new life with a new destiny under the direction of Cheri Reynolds who is dedicated to "empowering women of Africa?" The seed money you give will change the destiny of a family in need. It's worth considering.

For the poor and needy,

Bob Pagett