REACHING OUT MINISTRIES - ROM

(a life for God's Glory)

Recently, Trevor and Regina Derstine visited Kenya. This is not the first time they were here...since they are reaching out to many people caught in the unfortunate straits of life-the dilemma of being HIV+. It is a Kenyan epidemic. Many living in ungodly life styles have escalated the disease and now there are many innocent victims, of spouses and children. Although the disease is not curable, many Christians are given hope to lead a fairly normal life.

The Derstines began this mission of bringing medication to Kenya in the Spring of 2003. Regina's brother, LeRoy Hershberger was involved including Trevor's father, Nevin. They are working through Agape Development Ministries. This time travelling with Trevor and Regina were her parents, William and Elizabeth Hershberger. Being abit elderly, they will both be turning 70 years old this year and are celebrating their 50th anniversary. The Derstines make Oregon their home and the Hershbergers are from Kansas. Having known the Hershberger family for many years, it was especially touching for me having them visit while our family is here. Behind Regina's life is an interesting story.

Trevor and Regina are both in their late 30's and have been married almost 11 years. At their wedding is where we met Trevor, but before that I have known Regina since she was a wee girl. (photo credit goes to Sarah Esh)

Our parents had known each other for some time while they were still in the Amish church in different Iowan areas. Their interests separated and eventually in 1976; our families both moved to northern Missouri; the Brookfield area. I taught 2 years of school there with Regina's older sister, Rose Anna, and had Regina for a student in the upper grades. We had great times, especially in singing and softball. Regina was a normal, exceptionally bright student, but little did we dream what God had in store for her life. Our family moved to Lancaster, PA and I heard Regina married Duane Troyer when she was 18 years old. This was in 1989.

Prior to Duane and Regina's marriage, they had the routine blood test taken for the marriage license...and behold! Duane tested HIV+! What a shock! AIDS?! what now??? this in our Amish/Mennonite world??? why??? many questions....heads spinning..... Duane had a heredity disorder of hemophilia and it was discovered he contracted the disease through a blood transfusion. That was before the days of intense screening. Being in love, Duane and Regina did decide to get married for better or for worse. They started doctoring, but twenty years ago little was known about what to do or what to expect. They did the best they could. Little Sarah was born in May of 1992 and Duane passed away later that year in September. Regina hit the bottom.

By now, Regina also tested positive... and little Sarah. Living in the same Brookfield area with her family, she spent much time with them. In 1995, Regina was really beginning to feel the affects of the disease and one day she went to her mother to make funeral plans. Elizabeth thought surely there HAD to be a way...and upon voicing her frustration to a friend, they were recommended to try a doctor in Kansas City. It was a long hard road, but there they found help. It was emotional therapy as well as physical. They suffered rejection, their friends were scared of them, including the church. Back then, with the disease being relatively new in the states, people didn't know how contagious it was or how to relate or what to say.

As of now, Regina and Sarah are both taking a drug enabling them to live a normal lifestyle. Regina has been on this medication for 15 years and is a picture of health. So is Sarah!

Regina lived a widow for almost 7 years. She matured beyond her years, afterall life WAS a gift!

One day in PA, Sam and I recieved a wedding invitation from Regina in MO. She was getting married to Trevor Derstine from Oregon. They had known each other slightly before in their very early teens but became better aquainted when they both went on a Greece tour with the Overholts from Sarasota, FL. Upon reading the invitation, I imploringly looked at my husband, "please, this is one wedding we need to go to!" We went! It was May, 1999.

They made Oregon their home and ever and anon I would hear about her...... Regina is doing well...... Sarah is growing up .....and what? they are adopting a sibling group of five?! How?Incredible! We met again; this time in Kenya and tried to catch up. We talked about past memories. We shared our adoption experiences.....

Trevor and Regina spent some time visiting our CBF members with HIV+. They visited the local hospital hoping to also make the drug also available to the children and not just adults. Currently there are approx 64 members assisted with ROM. Some are being sponsored but they are still in need of about 20 more. Readers, can you please help? If you feel inspired or have questions, contact them : star@valleyhayco.com. Regina is personally sponsoring, Lillian, our fruit and vegetable lady.

With Trevor and Regina being busy with their schedule, Sam and I were delighted to take William and Elizabeth around to various places. (Whoever thought I would be able to escort these old friends around the mountians of Kenya?) We visited Elida, one of our Kajulu members. Getting to her house was a hike through a deep ravine and around a narrow trail. Elida served us a wonderful Kenyan meal. Wilburforce, a Kajulu brother, was our interpreter.

During their stay here, one evening, Trevor treated the whole compound to grilled chicken. The rest of us brought the trimmings. Later, we sat reminiscing in our living room. I picked Regina's memory for a few lines of song this rusty teacher's brain had forgotten. We sang......in that nostalgic moment, Regina said maybe they should leave before we all dissolve into a puddle of tears. It was good timing. :)

The extended Derstine family has a large hay business in Tangent, Oregon. Being blessed with this wealth, Trevor's parents, Nevin and Dorothy, wanted to get involved in some mission. Being aware of their sweet daughter-in-law's HIV+ status and the needs in Kenya, thus was born "Reaching Out Ministries"! There are now five men on the board and it's still growing.

This is the family of Trevor and Regina. Sarah is in red and almost 18 years old. Two years ago, Trevor and Regina had 5 siblings sorta 'drop into their laps'. They came up for adoption and are now part of the family. Two more (sisters) are also now in their home and they are thinking about adopting them as well. God works amazing things in a person's life that's dedicated to helping others. Truly our lives are in the hands of the Lord!

More visitors! John and Barb Glick are happy to have 2 of their sons arrive yesterday, Ernest from Lancaster and Lester with his wife, Crystal, from NY. Linford and Kay Bontrager (former missionaries from IN) are also around for a short visit. Later this week, Joseph and Becky Hostetler are anticipating the arrival of several of his siblings and a cousin. Keep them coming....it's encouraging!

Mattie Kauffman