Gerson Mendez Mella was 4 months old and weighed just 8 lbs when I first met him. Gerson was born into generational poverty with a cleft lip and pallet. He was unable to nurse because of the opening in the roof of his mouth. His parents were and are unemployed and live in a two room wooden house with no clean water, no toilet, and sporadic electricity (about 2 hours a day). Consequently there was no formula for the baby and no medical help.  I was on a medical mission trip to the Dominican when Gerson was brought to the clinic. The doctor was able to perform surgery on Gerson's lip only. Without the proper equipment available the repair of the cleft pallet would have to wait until the next mission trip in Oct 2005. We would bring the necessary equipment with us on that trip. In the mean time bottles and formula were provided for him. To put things in perspective, to purchase a plastic baby bottle in the Dominican costs $3.00. A lot of money for a Dominican family. We can buy the exact same bottle here in the USA for $1.00.

Gerson grew healthier but was still plagued with allergies and illnesses. One week before the medical team was to arrive in the Dominican for the second time, Gerson passed away. He died of cardiac arrest due to dehydration caused by diarrhea. He was 13 months old. This is the last picture taken of him just the week before he died. When I received the call I was devastated. It just seems so unfair that people die because they do not have clean drinking water. I thought of all the times I leave the facuet running while I pour my coffee in the morning. Taking for granted the gift that I've been given. I know when I flick a switch, the lights will come on, I know when I turn the heat on I will be warm, I don't fear even drinking from the hose in the yard. I was born in the United States and with all the problems we have I know I am blessed to have been born here. It was a gift I never really appreciated until the moment I realized the joyfully anticipated trip back to the Dominican would be a heart breaking trip.  A sad story, but God’s way of touching hearts and putting wheels in motion. After arriving in the Dominican, visiting Gerson’s unmarked grave, praying and crying with the family. I went back to my hotel room asking the Lord, WHY? I soon I realized this tragedy was all part of His plan for Habanero and Gerson's short life would have a huge impact on the village. A year earlier God had put together a tiny baby and a woman with a heart for children and called them both into His service. Through this heart breaking experience Evergreen Ministries was born. To read the rest of the story of the founding of Evergreen Ministries, click here

Gerson - the Inspiration of Evergreen Ministries

Founded in
March 2005,
Evergreen Ministries/
Evergreen4Kids
is a State of Oregon, Non-Profit organization.

The registry number is # 276265-97
Evergreen Ministries/
Evergreen4Kids is a Federal 501(c)3
non-profit organization

Federal Employer ID # 20-252-4553