This blog describes the final bush clinic provided by the Medical Team, on August 24th. Even though the team is safely home, they wanted to share this day's adventures with you....
Once again we were up early and ready to go, anticipating another great day for our final clinic. We took group pictures at the Vanderwals, then for our last time did our customary hand holding in a big circle, singing to the Lord and then praying. Just as sports teams get into a circle and put their hands together, we did the same each morning with a zealous “TO THE WORK!”.
The sky was overcast and the temperature was a bit chillier today as we headed out. We were on a tar road for about 1 ¼ hours then on a dirt/sandy/bumpy/washboarded/hilly/rutted road for ¾ hour. There are not many named roads, so how people get to where they are going is amazing. When we were about ½ hour away from the school we met up with the pastor from the area who, on a motorcycle, led us on a shortcut, fording a stream and over rough terrain. When we arrived at the school there were about 400 people awaiting our visit.
The people were gathered together and listened intently as Harry spoke and Sipho interpreted into Siswati. They clapped as Harry talked about Jesus then at the end of Harry’s message sang a beautiful song. Their language is very melodic and lovely to listen to. As the medical stations were being set up we unloaded Operation Christmas Child boxes. The children were all assembled under a tree and Harry (and Sipho) explained how the free gift of the boxes is like the free gift that Jesus gives us with eternal life. We had the honor of distributing them and sharing the joy as they opened their boxes.
The bush wheelchairs were assembled and 3 of these were distributed to the disabled. One of the mothers of a child with cerebral palsy cried because she was so thankful to Jesus and rededicated her life to Him. Over 300 patients were seen for medical evaluation and treatment, over 60 HIV tests done, blood pressures checked, 30 bad teeth pulled and about 100 eye glasses were provided.
After the clinic, people lined up to receive Bibles in Siswati or English. They were very grateful. Those with new eyeglasses could now to see to read! Everything was packed into the trailers and we headed back on the bumpy road towards home, having finished the clinic by 7:30 -earlier than anticipated. Echo, the boys and some of the Swazis headed for home around 6:30 to prepare dinner; she had a flat tire along the way so did not get back much earlier than the rest of the group.
Harry, Jim and the Swazis were in the lead van pulling a trailer as Sipho was driving behind with the CLC team. As the lead van was barreling along the sand and gravel road, all at once there was a loud noise and they stopped -abruptly. It was as if they were in a plane, landing on an aircraft carrier that had just hit the arresting hook! They all looked at each other in disbelief when to their amazement, the wheel that had just broken off from the trailer passed them on the right –rolling down the road, disappearing into the night. The Swazis ran down the road and proudly recovered the tire and wheel. Everyone got out and stared at the trailer sitting lopsided in the sand. After sorting out the situation, the CLC team headed back in one van while Harry and the Swazis waited for the tow truck. Harry did not get back until three-thirty am. So much for the early evening we thought we would have to share with each other! But God was gracious to all. If the wheel had been on the tar road the wheel may have not been able to be found and the trailer would have crashed down onto a hard road rather than landing in sand.
We returned to Echo and Harry’s house for a delicious dinner that was previously prepared. By now we had become quite comfortable with mealtime routines which allowed Echo to take care of everything for Harry and the trailer.
Although this was the end of our bush clinics and our mission to Africa was rapidly coming to a close, it was only the beginning of our true mission. We all are in unity to help The Luke Commission by procuring equipment, supplies and financial support, in order to share the love and compassion of Christ with the Swazi people. We have all had our heart strings pulled and have developed a great love, admiration and caring for the VanderWals and The Luke Commission. Their mission has become our mission to assist them in any way we can. Having had the opportunity to serve them has been an honor and huge blessing to each of us. Words cannot express what all we experienced. We felt God’s presence throughout all the work that was done and are called to continue His work in Dayton.
Even though CLC does not have a medical team currently in Swaziland, you can continue to hear the stories of The Luke Commission by visiting their website:
www.lukecommission.org
Monday, August 31, 2009
Friday, August 28, 2009
A Time to Plant
The Outreach Team that is currently serving in Swaziland, has three main areas of focus:
* A week-long Women's Retreat
* Men's discipleship classes
* Seeds for Swaziland (S4S)
We'd like to tell you a little about the Seeds for Swaziland (S4S) project.
God first "planted" the S4S idea in the heart of Kevin R. after he traveled to Swaizland in May of 2008 to help rennovate the building that would become the home to Pastor Augustine and his family on our first ICBC. Kevin felt God was calling him to plant seeds of love and faith and grow the Kingdom of God in Swaziland through the simple act of providing a source of food for people in need. Kevin wanted to be obedient to God's command in Matthew 28:19 where God tells us, “Go therefore and teach all Nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit”. Kevin knew he may not have the ability to preach like Paul, but he could certianly figure out what food sources could be grown in Swaziland and what tools were needed to get a garden started and maintained. He trusted God to use him (and others) to show God's love to others.
The purpose of S4S is to provide seed packages and gardening tools to select homesteads in the area surroung the ICBC church. The pastor of the church identifies which homesteads will be included in the program. Once selected, the S4S team:
1. Helps the families prepare their garden plot
2. Provides the tools and seed (including fencing to protect the plot once planted)
3. Assists the family in planting the seeds
4. Teaches the family how to maintain the garden until harvest and for coming
seasons.
The long-term goal of the project is that the gardens not only provide a source of food to the families, but in the long run, will yield enough produce that extras can be sold as a way to earn income for the family.
Because this is a new endeavor, this Outreach Team is conducting an initial 'test run' of the program. The team planned to put in 3 gardens; one on the church site and two at separate homesteads. However, once they arrived, they decided to plant four separate gardens on four separate homesteads, and not plant something at the church at this time.
One of the homesteads that was selected belongs to a Gogo (grandmother). She was attending the Women's retreat and the S4S team said she was a great lady, who had a wonderful "feeling" about her. What a blessing to be able to tend to this woman's soul and garden all in one week!
The four plots were prepared earlier in the week and planting at all four sites should have happened today. Preparing the ground for planting was a bit tricky because the ground was hard due to a lack of rain over the past few months. The team commented, "How great and God-like it would be if we could have some rain before we begin planting on Friday." And ofcourse, everyone was grateful and only a little surprised when it began raining Thursday afternoon and rained for several hours. Praise God!
Please continue to pray for the team. But also, pray for the families who received the gardens. May they seek God and find Him. May they realize that God not only cares about and provides for their physical needs, but more importantly He cares about and provides for their spiritual needs. In Him they will find all that they could ever need or want. As their garden harvests grow and produce food, so may their spiritual lives grow and produce the fruits of the spirit than can only come through a life abiding in Christ.
* A week-long Women's Retreat
* Men's discipleship classes
* Seeds for Swaziland (S4S)
We'd like to tell you a little about the Seeds for Swaziland (S4S) project.
God first "planted" the S4S idea in the heart of Kevin R. after he traveled to Swaizland in May of 2008 to help rennovate the building that would become the home to Pastor Augustine and his family on our first ICBC. Kevin felt God was calling him to plant seeds of love and faith and grow the Kingdom of God in Swaziland through the simple act of providing a source of food for people in need. Kevin wanted to be obedient to God's command in Matthew 28:19 where God tells us, “Go therefore and teach all Nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit”. Kevin knew he may not have the ability to preach like Paul, but he could certianly figure out what food sources could be grown in Swaziland and what tools were needed to get a garden started and maintained. He trusted God to use him (and others) to show God's love to others.
The purpose of S4S is to provide seed packages and gardening tools to select homesteads in the area surroung the ICBC church. The pastor of the church identifies which homesteads will be included in the program. Once selected, the S4S team:
1. Helps the families prepare their garden plot
2. Provides the tools and seed (including fencing to protect the plot once planted)
3. Assists the family in planting the seeds
4. Teaches the family how to maintain the garden until harvest and for coming
seasons.
The long-term goal of the project is that the gardens not only provide a source of food to the families, but in the long run, will yield enough produce that extras can be sold as a way to earn income for the family.
Because this is a new endeavor, this Outreach Team is conducting an initial 'test run' of the program. The team planned to put in 3 gardens; one on the church site and two at separate homesteads. However, once they arrived, they decided to plant four separate gardens on four separate homesteads, and not plant something at the church at this time.
One of the homesteads that was selected belongs to a Gogo (grandmother). She was attending the Women's retreat and the S4S team said she was a great lady, who had a wonderful "feeling" about her. What a blessing to be able to tend to this woman's soul and garden all in one week!
The four plots were prepared earlier in the week and planting at all four sites should have happened today. Preparing the ground for planting was a bit tricky because the ground was hard due to a lack of rain over the past few months. The team commented, "How great and God-like it would be if we could have some rain before we begin planting on Friday." And ofcourse, everyone was grateful and only a little surprised when it began raining Thursday afternoon and rained for several hours. Praise God!
Please continue to pray for the team. But also, pray for the families who received the gardens. May they seek God and find Him. May they realize that God not only cares about and provides for their physical needs, but more importantly He cares about and provides for their spiritual needs. In Him they will find all that they could ever need or want. As their garden harvests grow and produce food, so may their spiritual lives grow and produce the fruits of the spirit than can only come through a life abiding in Christ.
Medical Team Returns Home
There were plenty of smiles and hugs to go around as CLC's medical team returned home. After spending 10 days with The Luke Commission - 4 of which were dedicated to day-long medical bush clinics- the team returned home to the cheers of many family and friends. Though a little tired from the 28 hours of travel, everyone appeared to be in good spirits. There are plenty of stories to tell; some happy, some harrowing and some heartbreaking.
Though CLC has supported The Luke Commission financially through our missionary outreach, this was our first actual partnership with the organization - and hopefully not our last! If you speak with any team member, they will tell you what an amazing, God-led ministry it is. It changes lives - spiritually and physically- day after day. We look forward to sending future teams to join them in their mission. Will you please pray for TLC? One specific prayer request came through as the team was returning home:
This week we have had a midnight tow for the broken axle on the big trailer (now repaired & ready to go!), our big vehicle is terminal & beyond repair (one that pulls the trailer), and another vehicle was involved in an accident today. Thankfully, no one was injured today & thanks to awesome ministry partners (and God) - we have a vehicle that will tow the big trailer to clinic tomorrow!
In just a few weeks, CLC will launch a three-week, Next Step class on Wednesday nights entitled "The Untold Stories of Swaziland". Various travelers will share their experiences of serving in Swaziland, and members of the Medical Team will be a part of that testimony. We invite you to come hear the amazing and miraculous things that God is doing in Swaziland and how He is using our teams to serve others.
Welcome Home Medical Team!
Thursday, August 27, 2009
The Spirit is Moving Through the Women's Retreat
Today we received to separate updates from CLC members who are traveling with the Outreach Team. Both ladies are involved with the Women's Outreat Team. They have wonderful news to share!
FROM CASSANDRA:
What an experience!!! We are finished with the 4th day of the Women's Retreat - believe it or not! The ladies have been responsive. We were repeatedly told - at home and here - that they would not; could not, but they have been very responsive. All your prayers were worth it! On Tuesday, I asked those to come forward who had never asked Jesus Christ into their hearts. Ten ladies came forward!!! One of the ladies that I prayed with said she had said the prayer before, but she had "gone way, way far away from God, and I want to come back to Him!" The next day she asked for a couple more booklets because two women could not come because they had to work, and she was going back and telling them what she had learned that day.
We went to a homestead where a wife and husband and six children lived. The father has been walking on crutches for the last 20+ years. It was absolutely amazing to see him walk up the mountain to his house on crutches! He said he never saw God's blessings before his ailment, but since then God has been so good to him!!! I said to his wife, "We have two more days of retreat." She said, "No, I want five more days!"
By the way - it is still Winter here! When we got here, it was in the 30's! We were sooooo cold. We have had no heat in the room we are staying!!! It is colder in the mountains.
Don't stop praying Intercessors - we have one more day to go. Thank you, again, soooooo much for your prayers. I could honestly 'feel' them!!!
FROM STACEY:
The women's retreat has been far more incredible than any of us had ever imagined. All along the way people were telling us, even the pastors, that the women, especially the ones that only spoke Saswati, would be very reluctant to open up and share. That it would take several days of the retreat to get them to respond. However the Lord decided to totally move in all of them...it was as if someone had taken a bottle of water and just poured it out all over the place.
They were talking the very first day, even about things that were personal and difficult to talk about. Every single day I go in there thinking, "ok God, I am so emotionally tired...I hope that today is good too." And He ends up doing something even greater than the day before
The women worship so beautifully and with such power of the Spirit.
They are responding with excitement and joy to everything Cassandra is teaching them, sometimes they just randomly burst into song. One woman gave her testimony and became so moved during it that she began to cry and could not continue. The other women all started to praise Jesus with loud and joyful voices to comfort her so she could finish. On the second day, atleast 10 women either came to accept Jesus as Savior or said they had turned away from God and now wanted to come back.
We have been praying constantly that these women would hear with their hearts, that they would be truly repentant, that there would be no veil over their hearts, that God would bring to us rich soil that would produce real fruit. As far as we can tell these women who are crying out to God are coming to Him with full sincerity of soul. We can all feel the Holy Spirit moving through them. We have reiterated and reiterated that we must accept Jesus not only with our words and minds but also with our heart and it must bring about genuine repentence and a change of behavior. That we should put off our old selves and walk with Jesus as our only God. Today we talked about forgiveness because many of the women had admitted to us that one thing they are having trouble with is forgiving people who have hurt them. Some of them were crying very hard as we all prayed that God would help us to forgive.
God has been awsome. Once, after worship the women all started praying very loud in Saswati and it became louder and louder until I felt almost that I was witnessing pentacost, so tangible was the presence of the Spirit moving in them, and I was so overwhelmed I had to sit down.
Please continue praying and praising God for the incredible faithfullness He has shown in answering our prayer, even more than we had expected or asked He would do. "
FROM CASSANDRA:
What an experience!!! We are finished with the 4th day of the Women's Retreat - believe it or not! The ladies have been responsive. We were repeatedly told - at home and here - that they would not; could not, but they have been very responsive. All your prayers were worth it! On Tuesday, I asked those to come forward who had never asked Jesus Christ into their hearts. Ten ladies came forward!!! One of the ladies that I prayed with said she had said the prayer before, but she had "gone way, way far away from God, and I want to come back to Him!" The next day she asked for a couple more booklets because two women could not come because they had to work, and she was going back and telling them what she had learned that day.
We went to a homestead where a wife and husband and six children lived. The father has been walking on crutches for the last 20+ years. It was absolutely amazing to see him walk up the mountain to his house on crutches! He said he never saw God's blessings before his ailment, but since then God has been so good to him!!! I said to his wife, "We have two more days of retreat." She said, "No, I want five more days!"
By the way - it is still Winter here! When we got here, it was in the 30's! We were sooooo cold. We have had no heat in the room we are staying!!! It is colder in the mountains.
Don't stop praying Intercessors - we have one more day to go. Thank you, again, soooooo much for your prayers. I could honestly 'feel' them!!!
FROM STACEY:
The women's retreat has been far more incredible than any of us had ever imagined. All along the way people were telling us, even the pastors, that the women, especially the ones that only spoke Saswati, would be very reluctant to open up and share. That it would take several days of the retreat to get them to respond. However the Lord decided to totally move in all of them...it was as if someone had taken a bottle of water and just poured it out all over the place.
They were talking the very first day, even about things that were personal and difficult to talk about. Every single day I go in there thinking, "ok God, I am so emotionally tired...I hope that today is good too." And He ends up doing something even greater than the day before
The women worship so beautifully and with such power of the Spirit.
They are responding with excitement and joy to everything Cassandra is teaching them, sometimes they just randomly burst into song. One woman gave her testimony and became so moved during it that she began to cry and could not continue. The other women all started to praise Jesus with loud and joyful voices to comfort her so she could finish. On the second day, atleast 10 women either came to accept Jesus as Savior or said they had turned away from God and now wanted to come back.
We have been praying constantly that these women would hear with their hearts, that they would be truly repentant, that there would be no veil over their hearts, that God would bring to us rich soil that would produce real fruit. As far as we can tell these women who are crying out to God are coming to Him with full sincerity of soul. We can all feel the Holy Spirit moving through them. We have reiterated and reiterated that we must accept Jesus not only with our words and minds but also with our heart and it must bring about genuine repentence and a change of behavior. That we should put off our old selves and walk with Jesus as our only God. Today we talked about forgiveness because many of the women had admitted to us that one thing they are having trouble with is forgiving people who have hurt them. Some of them were crying very hard as we all prayed that God would help us to forgive.
God has been awsome. Once, after worship the women all started praying very loud in Saswati and it became louder and louder until I felt almost that I was witnessing pentacost, so tangible was the presence of the Spirit moving in them, and I was so overwhelmed I had to sit down.
Please continue praying and praising God for the incredible faithfullness He has shown in answering our prayer, even more than we had expected or asked He would do. "
Saturday, August 22, 2009
Luke Commission Bush Clinic Day Three and Indy 500 in Swaziland!
We left the compound after our melodious prayer and singing led by the Swazi team members. After 1 ½ hours we arrived at Mbowane School, in southeastern Swaziland. As we drove up we could see a few hundred people there waiting for us. The team quickly set up while Harry welcomed, prayed, and instructed the crowd about the happenings of the day. The people clapped as they were told about Jesus. While we were in prayer a former patient’s mother presented Echo with a chicken and 3 straw basket homes for chickens. The mother wanted to thank them for their kindness and care for her son, Lucky, following his burn injury.
The clinic started with our interpreter telling everyone to line up behind the tall white man who was “number one” in line. Imagine how astonished Niles, our dentist, was when nearly 300 Swazis rushed to line up behind him. The look on his face was priceless! The rest of the clinic went smoothly.
In the middle of the day Echo invited us to tour Lucky’s homestead. Thus began our version of the Indy 500. The “roads” to the homestead were incredibly bumpy- and by this we mean that they would have been challenging for a 4 wheel drive. We were NOT in a 4 wheel drive vehicle; we were 10 people in a van made for 8. Words cannot describe the terrain. The drop-offs on the narrow road were steep and challenging and Echo laughed at our fear.
We arrived at Lucky’s homestead, where we toured separate structures which included: his one-room home, kitchen, mother’s home, sister’s home, maize storage building, and guest home, which is where Lucky was burned and disfigured 3 years ago. There was a cattle kraal (corral). As females, we were told to avoid going near there because only the woman that marries the men of the homestead were allowed to enter. On their wedding night, it is customary that the mother-in-law wake up the new daughter-in-law half way through the night and she is to get up and go to the kraal and cry until sunrise.
Our trip back to the clinic was even more harrowing, as we met a tractor coming down the hill. Echo had to create a new way up. Echo laughed and had fun, zigzagging the car up the road at our expense. Then once on flat road, we figured out the answer to “why did the chicken cross the road?” It was to get out of Echo’s way!! Then we stopped for a herd of cattle as they crossed the road. Once the cattle crossed, we were able to continue. A truck tried to pass us and thus began our (Indy)Swazi 500 race. Of course, Echo came out the winner. We returned to the clinic and began work again.
We presented a 10 year old child with cerebral palsy a crank type wheel chair and a 60 year old stroke victim a crank wheel chair.
The families were delighted. We continued with the clinic once again until everyone was seen. Our count for the day was 403 patients total, with 60 HIV tests, 135 eye glasses distributed, 29 dental patients treated with 36 extractions done and physical therapy for 4 patients.
Thus ended our third clinic. By the way, there was a big mistake in our last blog. The world record for “how many people you can fit into the back of a truck to travel home” is held by the Swazis that piled into the truck…not the CLC medical team.
The clinic started with our interpreter telling everyone to line up behind the tall white man who was “number one” in line. Imagine how astonished Niles, our dentist, was when nearly 300 Swazis rushed to line up behind him. The look on his face was priceless! The rest of the clinic went smoothly.
In the middle of the day Echo invited us to tour Lucky’s homestead. Thus began our version of the Indy 500. The “roads” to the homestead were incredibly bumpy- and by this we mean that they would have been challenging for a 4 wheel drive. We were NOT in a 4 wheel drive vehicle; we were 10 people in a van made for 8. Words cannot describe the terrain. The drop-offs on the narrow road were steep and challenging and Echo laughed at our fear.
We arrived at Lucky’s homestead, where we toured separate structures which included: his one-room home, kitchen, mother’s home, sister’s home, maize storage building, and guest home, which is where Lucky was burned and disfigured 3 years ago. There was a cattle kraal (corral). As females, we were told to avoid going near there because only the woman that marries the men of the homestead were allowed to enter. On their wedding night, it is customary that the mother-in-law wake up the new daughter-in-law half way through the night and she is to get up and go to the kraal and cry until sunrise.
Our trip back to the clinic was even more harrowing, as we met a tractor coming down the hill. Echo had to create a new way up. Echo laughed and had fun, zigzagging the car up the road at our expense. Then once on flat road, we figured out the answer to “why did the chicken cross the road?” It was to get out of Echo’s way!! Then we stopped for a herd of cattle as they crossed the road. Once the cattle crossed, we were able to continue. A truck tried to pass us and thus began our (Indy)Swazi 500 race. Of course, Echo came out the winner. We returned to the clinic and began work again.
We presented a 10 year old child with cerebral palsy a crank type wheel chair and a 60 year old stroke victim a crank wheel chair.
The families were delighted. We continued with the clinic once again until everyone was seen. Our count for the day was 403 patients total, with 60 HIV tests, 135 eye glasses distributed, 29 dental patients treated with 36 extractions done and physical therapy for 4 patients.
Thus ended our third clinic. By the way, there was a big mistake in our last blog. The world record for “how many people you can fit into the back of a truck to travel home” is held by the Swazis that piled into the truck…not the CLC medical team.
Outreach Team Settling In
The Outreach Team arrived safely and on time in Manzini, Swaziland on Friday evening. They were greeted at the airport by Pastor Augustine (the pastor at Hawane CLC) and his wife Elizabeth, who were very happy to see them. Their squeals of joy could be heard in the background! Augustine and Elizabeth live on the CLC property, in a house that one of teams helped renovate last summer. (Kevin R. worked on that project).
P. Augustine and Elizabeth transported the team back to the property and got them settled into their living quarters.
This morning the team got up and toured the Hawane CLC property and unpacked all the supply bags they transported. Kevin and Helen Ward them had them over for lunch at their home. According to Helen, " They seem to be a good mixture of people, and we are looking forward to what the Lord is going to do in this next 10 days!".
After lunch, the team headed for a tour of Hawane Farm/Lighthouse Care Center, which is just down the road from the church property. Hawane Farm has become the prototype for the ICBC model; but is a much larger version with several children's homes, a medical clinic, life-skills training school, a home for teen girls and much more. After touring the facility, the team will have the chance to visit with the children house moms who live at Hawane Farm.
Tomorrow, the team will worship "Swazi-style" at Hawane Christian Life Community Church. The medical team, who were part of a medical clinic at the church earlier in the week, will also attend the service at Hawane CLC. That means we will have 16 CLC'ers from Dayton worshiping with close to 200 CLC'ers in Swaziland.
Like Helen, we are looking foward to what God is going to do over the next 10 days through and to this team. Already He continues to do more than we have imagined...... as of this morning there are now 150 women signed up for the Ladies Retreat next week! That's three times more than we origianlly anticipated. That is cause for joyous celebration and makes us wonder just how many men will show up for the discipleship classes?????
Please continue to keep the Outreach Team in your prayers and pray specifically for these team member requests:
* God's perfect will be done
* The team members will remain flexible and patient
* God will help them make connections with the people they will serve
* They will be sensitive to the promptings of the Holy Spirit and act obediently
* Peace and comfort for the emotional toll this kind of work can take
* Protection, guidance and comfort for the family members here in Dayton who
have to manage without their loved one at home
May God bless the work of the team and all those who intercede on their behalf in the coming week.
P. Augustine and Elizabeth transported the team back to the property and got them settled into their living quarters.
This morning the team got up and toured the Hawane CLC property and unpacked all the supply bags they transported. Kevin and Helen Ward them had them over for lunch at their home. According to Helen, " They seem to be a good mixture of people, and we are looking forward to what the Lord is going to do in this next 10 days!".
After lunch, the team headed for a tour of Hawane Farm/Lighthouse Care Center, which is just down the road from the church property. Hawane Farm has become the prototype for the ICBC model; but is a much larger version with several children's homes, a medical clinic, life-skills training school, a home for teen girls and much more. After touring the facility, the team will have the chance to visit with the children house moms who live at Hawane Farm.
Tomorrow, the team will worship "Swazi-style" at Hawane Christian Life Community Church. The medical team, who were part of a medical clinic at the church earlier in the week, will also attend the service at Hawane CLC. That means we will have 16 CLC'ers from Dayton worshiping with close to 200 CLC'ers in Swaziland.
Like Helen, we are looking foward to what God is going to do over the next 10 days through and to this team. Already He continues to do more than we have imagined...... as of this morning there are now 150 women signed up for the Ladies Retreat next week! That's three times more than we origianlly anticipated. That is cause for joyous celebration and makes us wonder just how many men will show up for the discipleship classes?????
Please continue to keep the Outreach Team in your prayers and pray specifically for these team member requests:
* God's perfect will be done
* The team members will remain flexible and patient
* God will help them make connections with the people they will serve
* They will be sensitive to the promptings of the Holy Spirit and act obediently
* Peace and comfort for the emotional toll this kind of work can take
* Protection, guidance and comfort for the family members here in Dayton who
have to manage without their loved one at home
May God bless the work of the team and all those who intercede on their behalf in the coming week.
Thursday, August 20, 2009
Miracles and Send Offs
They still happen, you know. You should watch for them. You should expect to see them or experience them. Sometimes they are big. Sometimes they are small. Sometimes they come as an answer to prayer. Sometimes they are just an unexpected blessing. They are always extraordinary.
We're talking about miracles.... and we know a thing or two about them because they have been happening as we have prepared to send the Outreach Team to Swaziland. Here are two examples from within the last 48 hours:
1. As a part of the Seeds for Swaziland project, we needed to take specific varieties of seeds with us. Earlier in the summer Kevin R. had spoken with a local home and garden center about purchasing seeds from them for the project. The plan was that as time got closer for the team to leave, he would stop in and pick up the seeds. Well, time passed a little too quickly and suddenly we realized we didn't have the seeds we needed. When Kevin called the local company he was told that unfortunately, since planting season was over, all of their seeds had been shipped back to the distributor. Kevin got the same response from the next several businesses he called. With panic setting in, Kevin prayed. He asked God for some divine intervention and for the patience to deal with the situation. Then he picked up the phone again. A "funny thing" happened when he talked with the folks at Knollwood Garden Center in Beavercreek. They too had returned all their seeds to their supplier a few weeks ago; but some how one of the boxes of seeds had just been returned to them. They had no idea what they were going to do with them.... until Kevin called. They sorted through the box, found the varieties and quantities of seeds we needed, and then they donated them to the project! They were pleased to support the mission trip. Praise God!
2. When we first began planning for the Women's Retreat portion of the Outreach trip, Cassandra requested that we form an intercessory prayer group to pray specifically for the Women's retreat; its leaders, the curriculum and the women who would attend. For the past several weeks prayer warriors have lifted up those requests. One of their prayers was that the Holy Spirit would begin stirring the hearts of the Swazi women who needed to hear the message. At the outset we were told to expect between 35 and 50 women at the retreat. Imagine our surprise to get a message last week that 60 women had preregisterd for the event and that a few more might show up the day of the event. Imagine our even greater surprise to find out this morning (just 6 hours before the team was to leave) that the registration total had climbed to 111 women! We can't wait to see and experience what God has in store for the women of the retreat.
And so, the Outreach Team began its journey today humbled and joyous, anticipating more miracles in the coming weeks. Please be in prayer for them.
The team left the gate on time, but had to sit on the runway for 45 minutes before taking off. They then had to circle Dulles Airport for a while because of weather. When they finally touched down, they had just enough time to walk to the international terminal, check in with the gate attendant and then board the plane. They are now winging their way over the Atlantic Ocean. Hopefully they are enjoying some much needed rest!
To the family, friends and CLC staff members who came to the airport to see them off, thank you for coming. Your love and support mean so much. May you experience God's presence and peace until they are safesly back in our midst.
We're talking about miracles.... and we know a thing or two about them because they have been happening as we have prepared to send the Outreach Team to Swaziland. Here are two examples from within the last 48 hours:
1. As a part of the Seeds for Swaziland project, we needed to take specific varieties of seeds with us. Earlier in the summer Kevin R. had spoken with a local home and garden center about purchasing seeds from them for the project. The plan was that as time got closer for the team to leave, he would stop in and pick up the seeds. Well, time passed a little too quickly and suddenly we realized we didn't have the seeds we needed. When Kevin called the local company he was told that unfortunately, since planting season was over, all of their seeds had been shipped back to the distributor. Kevin got the same response from the next several businesses he called. With panic setting in, Kevin prayed. He asked God for some divine intervention and for the patience to deal with the situation. Then he picked up the phone again. A "funny thing" happened when he talked with the folks at Knollwood Garden Center in Beavercreek. They too had returned all their seeds to their supplier a few weeks ago; but some how one of the boxes of seeds had just been returned to them. They had no idea what they were going to do with them.... until Kevin called. They sorted through the box, found the varieties and quantities of seeds we needed, and then they donated them to the project! They were pleased to support the mission trip. Praise God!
2. When we first began planning for the Women's Retreat portion of the Outreach trip, Cassandra requested that we form an intercessory prayer group to pray specifically for the Women's retreat; its leaders, the curriculum and the women who would attend. For the past several weeks prayer warriors have lifted up those requests. One of their prayers was that the Holy Spirit would begin stirring the hearts of the Swazi women who needed to hear the message. At the outset we were told to expect between 35 and 50 women at the retreat. Imagine our surprise to get a message last week that 60 women had preregisterd for the event and that a few more might show up the day of the event. Imagine our even greater surprise to find out this morning (just 6 hours before the team was to leave) that the registration total had climbed to 111 women! We can't wait to see and experience what God has in store for the women of the retreat.
And so, the Outreach Team began its journey today humbled and joyous, anticipating more miracles in the coming weeks. Please be in prayer for them.
The team left the gate on time, but had to sit on the runway for 45 minutes before taking off. They then had to circle Dulles Airport for a while because of weather. When they finally touched down, they had just enough time to walk to the international terminal, check in with the gate attendant and then board the plane. They are now winging their way over the Atlantic Ocean. Hopefully they are enjoying some much needed rest!
To the family, friends and CLC staff members who came to the airport to see them off, thank you for coming. Your love and support mean so much. May you experience God's presence and peace until they are safesly back in our midst.
Luke Commission Bush Clinic Day Two - Visit to Hawane CLC - Visit to Local Hospital
Wednesday, August 19, 2009
We began our day by gathering at Echo and Harry’s house where all eight of us, plus the six VanderWals, and ten Swazi Luke Commission translators sang and prayed before we began our journey to the Hawane Christian Life Community Church.
Almost four hundred people were there waiting for us for medical care. We were excited to be at CLC Hawane and see what all the prior CLC teams had built and refurbished. First we stopped at Hawane Farm (a Teen Challenge Swaziland project - learn more at www.swazitc.com/Vent/Haw/hawpage.html)
We met people from the Potter’s Wheel Church who were here from London, England who took us on a tour of Hawane Farms. We were impressed by the physical outlay of the farm and were able to meet some of the children. We were there for about an hour when Helen Ward came to pick us up for the newly set up clinic at Hawane CLC Church.
The people were already in lines when we arrived back at the church, so we began putting together more bush friendly wheelchairs. There were a few young men and women from Hawane Teen Challenge that helped fill out registration cards, and translated for us, which was very helpful. As each station was readied we began our individual tasks to minister to the people. The main medical clinic was set up in the sanctuary with the prayer department next to them. It was a beautiful sunny day and Kathy and Phyllis were set up outside to triage the patients. For several hours one of our tour guides, who was a nurse, assisted in the triage department.
Today we saw 396 patients, with over 90 of them having received HIV testing, 175 fitted with glasses, 30 dental patients with 75 tooth extractions, and 3 patients fitted with wheelchairs. We tried to fit one man with a crank type wheelchair, but due to his severe leg and body stiffness (which he has had for twenty years) he was unable to utilize what we tried to give him.
At one point during the clinic, a horse ran through the church compound and out into the road. It got hit in the rump by a truck; bounced into a ditch with all four legs straight up in the air; then got up and tried to run back into the church compound. Luckily, someone quickly closed the gate and the horse ran down the road. The truck’s windshield was shattered and the front of the truck smashed in. This goes to show that not even a wild horse could drive us away from our clinic!
Thursday, August 20, 2009
Echo took us on a tour of Raleigh Fitkin Memorial Hospital. We started in the lab then toured the surgical ward, emergency room, pharmacy, medical records, and made a stop in the male medical ward. In the male ward we saw a man who had suffered for thirty nine years with a draining wound due to a bone infection caused by an accident. He pulled a hankie from his pocket and in it was a fragment of petrified bone that had been surgically removed. He proudly showed all of us and praised Jesus.
We then continued on to the pediatric ward where we passed out clothes, paper and crayons, and tracts to the families and children. The mothers and children clapped and giggled with delight.
We ended the tour with the male and then female medical wards. At the very end of each ward were patients in the end stages of HIV. They received very basic care as they struggled to breathe. Their family and friends were at the bedside caring for them. We sang and prayed for them with our lead translator praying in SiSwati. It was very sad and many of us were moved to tears. They are just like us.
We left the hospital and went back to Echo and Harry’s house for yet another delicious homemade meal. All the meals have been different and we have appreciated them very much. After our meal we left for the Manzini Market where we bargained and haggled for the best prices on souvenirs and new treasures. Back to the house for fellowship, more delicious food, and to watch a South African film called “Faith like Potatoes”. We highly recommend it.
It's been a long day and we are now getting ready to head off to our house. Please stay tuned for Bush Clinic Day Three.
We began our day by gathering at Echo and Harry’s house where all eight of us, plus the six VanderWals, and ten Swazi Luke Commission translators sang and prayed before we began our journey to the Hawane Christian Life Community Church.
Almost four hundred people were there waiting for us for medical care. We were excited to be at CLC Hawane and see what all the prior CLC teams had built and refurbished. First we stopped at Hawane Farm (a Teen Challenge Swaziland project - learn more at www.swazitc.com/Vent/Haw/hawpage.html)
We met people from the Potter’s Wheel Church who were here from London, England who took us on a tour of Hawane Farms. We were impressed by the physical outlay of the farm and were able to meet some of the children. We were there for about an hour when Helen Ward came to pick us up for the newly set up clinic at Hawane CLC Church.
The people were already in lines when we arrived back at the church, so we began putting together more bush friendly wheelchairs. There were a few young men and women from Hawane Teen Challenge that helped fill out registration cards, and translated for us, which was very helpful. As each station was readied we began our individual tasks to minister to the people. The main medical clinic was set up in the sanctuary with the prayer department next to them. It was a beautiful sunny day and Kathy and Phyllis were set up outside to triage the patients. For several hours one of our tour guides, who was a nurse, assisted in the triage department.
Today we saw 396 patients, with over 90 of them having received HIV testing, 175 fitted with glasses, 30 dental patients with 75 tooth extractions, and 3 patients fitted with wheelchairs. We tried to fit one man with a crank type wheelchair, but due to his severe leg and body stiffness (which he has had for twenty years) he was unable to utilize what we tried to give him.
At one point during the clinic, a horse ran through the church compound and out into the road. It got hit in the rump by a truck; bounced into a ditch with all four legs straight up in the air; then got up and tried to run back into the church compound. Luckily, someone quickly closed the gate and the horse ran down the road. The truck’s windshield was shattered and the front of the truck smashed in. This goes to show that not even a wild horse could drive us away from our clinic!
Thursday, August 20, 2009
Echo took us on a tour of Raleigh Fitkin Memorial Hospital. We started in the lab then toured the surgical ward, emergency room, pharmacy, medical records, and made a stop in the male medical ward. In the male ward we saw a man who had suffered for thirty nine years with a draining wound due to a bone infection caused by an accident. He pulled a hankie from his pocket and in it was a fragment of petrified bone that had been surgically removed. He proudly showed all of us and praised Jesus.
We then continued on to the pediatric ward where we passed out clothes, paper and crayons, and tracts to the families and children. The mothers and children clapped and giggled with delight.
We ended the tour with the male and then female medical wards. At the very end of each ward were patients in the end stages of HIV. They received very basic care as they struggled to breathe. Their family and friends were at the bedside caring for them. We sang and prayed for them with our lead translator praying in SiSwati. It was very sad and many of us were moved to tears. They are just like us.
We left the hospital and went back to Echo and Harry’s house for yet another delicious homemade meal. All the meals have been different and we have appreciated them very much. After our meal we left for the Manzini Market where we bargained and haggled for the best prices on souvenirs and new treasures. Back to the house for fellowship, more delicious food, and to watch a South African film called “Faith like Potatoes”. We highly recommend it.
It's been a long day and we are now getting ready to head off to our house. Please stay tuned for Bush Clinic Day Three.
Medical Team Visits Hawane CLC
On Wenesday, August 19, our Medical Team members and the Luke Commission held a medical clinic at Hawane Christian Life Community Church. This information came to us from Kevin R., one of our Outreach Team members who leaves today for a 14 day mission trip.
Kevin traveled to Swaziland in 2008 as a member of the team that built the pastor's home at Hawane CLC. Through that experience, he built a relationship with Pastor Augustine and the two of them communicate on a regular basis.
On Wednesday Kevin called Pastor Augustine to touch base one last time before the Outreach Team left and the conversation went something like this:
K: Good morning Pastor. It is Kevin. How are you?
PA: Oh Kevin. It is good to hear from you. We are very busy here.
K: It sounds like it. What is all that noise in the background? Are you having a party?
PA: Not a party. The Luke Commission and members of your church are here at Hawane today. They have set up a medical clinic for the people of our community. We have just begun and already there are over 400 people here and there more and more people coming down from the hills! It is a good day.
We look forward to hearing from the medical team about their experience at Hawane CLC. How awesome it is to have people from our church, being the church, through the church to the people of the church and the greater church community. That's what church is all about!
Kevin traveled to Swaziland in 2008 as a member of the team that built the pastor's home at Hawane CLC. Through that experience, he built a relationship with Pastor Augustine and the two of them communicate on a regular basis.
On Wednesday Kevin called Pastor Augustine to touch base one last time before the Outreach Team left and the conversation went something like this:
K: Good morning Pastor. It is Kevin. How are you?
PA: Oh Kevin. It is good to hear from you. We are very busy here.
K: It sounds like it. What is all that noise in the background? Are you having a party?
PA: Not a party. The Luke Commission and members of your church are here at Hawane today. They have set up a medical clinic for the people of our community. We have just begun and already there are over 400 people here and there more and more people coming down from the hills! It is a good day.
We look forward to hearing from the medical team about their experience at Hawane CLC. How awesome it is to have people from our church, being the church, through the church to the people of the church and the greater church community. That's what church is all about!
Tuesday, August 18, 2009
An Incredible Day at the Sidvokodvo Clinic
What an incredible day! Words cannot describe what we saw and experienced on our first medical clinic.
We left at 8:00 in the morning on Monday and got back close to 2:00 a.m. the next morning. A crowd of nearly five hundred people, young and old, were already there waiting around the open dusty area for our arrival. The women and young girls were carrying babies on their backs and baskets on their heads; one family brought a foam mattress for one very disabled child.
The Luke Commission team members quickly set up different stations which included:
~ registration including their medical complaints and problems
~ nursing for blood pressure and blood work for diabetes and HIV testing
~ prayer
~ doctor exam
~ dental exam if needed
~ eyeglasses
~ pharmacy.
~ waiting area:The Passion of Christ was run twice during the day so people could watch the movie any time they had time.
While the stations were being set up, the CLC Dayton team members started assembling bush friendly wheelchairs. After they were assembled and assigned to the patients they were presented to the recipients to the great delight of everyone including the crowd. Young children were able to hand crank their “wheelchair” and move themselves around without assistance. Adults who could barely walk with crutches were provided with these wheelchairs so they, too, could move independently in their environment. Those who were unable to use the hand crank were assigned a pull cart to the delight of their families. It was very exciting to see the joy on their faces. To learn more about the wheelchair ministry, cut and paste this web address to your browser:
http://click.bsftransmit1.com/ViewInBrowser.aspx?pubids=57m%2ffULUUNqyTuzlcB36zg%3d%3d&digest=fVAvn0GI%2bTUoOzxH7dcryg
At the medical clinic we evaluated an eight year old boy named Banele who was very sick. He was HIV positive and had pneumonia and was too sick to be able to care for at the bush clinic. Echo promised Banele's mother that we would take her son for treatment to the Manzini hospital at the end of the day.
The people were really patient as they waited in the long lines for triage from the nurses. They were quiet and courteous and didn’t complain about how long they had to wait. They knew from past visits that The Luke Commission would not leave until everyone had been seen.
A total of 535 people were seen at the Sidvokodvo North school site.
~ About 25 people saw the dentist with a total of more than 50 extractions.
~ 175 were fitted with eyeglasses
~ Everyone went to the pharmacy for medications and vitamins.
As it got later in the evening people were waiting and asking for Bibles. At 11:45 p.m. the team started to pass out Bibles in both English and Siswati depending on the preference of the patient. This was a very joyous time for the team and concluded with Harry offering a call to know Christ as their personal savior. About 70 people came forward and accepted Christ as their Savior! The translator ended the day with a prayer in Siswati, and the Swazi’s concluded with a beautiful harmonious song.
Then we challenged the world record for how many people could fit in to the back of a truck to travel home! We, Banele and his mother bounced on the dirt road for several miles until we finally got back onto the main highway. We were tired but full of joy from the day as we headed back to our Swazi apartment home. Echo then continued to the hospital with Banele.
We quickly ate some junk food and headed to bed. End of bush clinic day one!
We left at 8:00 in the morning on Monday and got back close to 2:00 a.m. the next morning. A crowd of nearly five hundred people, young and old, were already there waiting around the open dusty area for our arrival. The women and young girls were carrying babies on their backs and baskets on their heads; one family brought a foam mattress for one very disabled child.
The Luke Commission team members quickly set up different stations which included:
~ registration including their medical complaints and problems
~ nursing for blood pressure and blood work for diabetes and HIV testing
~ prayer
~ doctor exam
~ dental exam if needed
~ eyeglasses
~ pharmacy.
~ waiting area:The Passion of Christ was run twice during the day so people could watch the movie any time they had time.
While the stations were being set up, the CLC Dayton team members started assembling bush friendly wheelchairs. After they were assembled and assigned to the patients they were presented to the recipients to the great delight of everyone including the crowd. Young children were able to hand crank their “wheelchair” and move themselves around without assistance. Adults who could barely walk with crutches were provided with these wheelchairs so they, too, could move independently in their environment. Those who were unable to use the hand crank were assigned a pull cart to the delight of their families. It was very exciting to see the joy on their faces. To learn more about the wheelchair ministry, cut and paste this web address to your browser:
http://click.bsftransmit1.com/ViewInBrowser.aspx?pubids=57m%2ffULUUNqyTuzlcB36zg%3d%3d&digest=fVAvn0GI%2bTUoOzxH7dcryg
At the medical clinic we evaluated an eight year old boy named Banele who was very sick. He was HIV positive and had pneumonia and was too sick to be able to care for at the bush clinic. Echo promised Banele's mother that we would take her son for treatment to the Manzini hospital at the end of the day.
The people were really patient as they waited in the long lines for triage from the nurses. They were quiet and courteous and didn’t complain about how long they had to wait. They knew from past visits that The Luke Commission would not leave until everyone had been seen.
A total of 535 people were seen at the Sidvokodvo North school site.
~ About 25 people saw the dentist with a total of more than 50 extractions.
~ 175 were fitted with eyeglasses
~ Everyone went to the pharmacy for medications and vitamins.
As it got later in the evening people were waiting and asking for Bibles. At 11:45 p.m. the team started to pass out Bibles in both English and Siswati depending on the preference of the patient. This was a very joyous time for the team and concluded with Harry offering a call to know Christ as their personal savior. About 70 people came forward and accepted Christ as their Savior! The translator ended the day with a prayer in Siswati, and the Swazi’s concluded with a beautiful harmonious song.
Then we challenged the world record for how many people could fit in to the back of a truck to travel home! We, Banele and his mother bounced on the dirt road for several miles until we finally got back onto the main highway. We were tired but full of joy from the day as we headed back to our Swazi apartment home. Echo then continued to the hospital with Banele.
We quickly ate some junk food and headed to bed. End of bush clinic day one!
Sunday, August 16, 2009
Medical Team Worships at Potter's Wheel Church
CLC's medical team spent Saturday learning about the Swazi culture, and how The Luke Commission operates its medical bush clinic. On Saturday evening, Kevin Ward and his wife Helen had a chance to visit with the team. According to Helen, the team was "a bit tired, but fired up to go; excited to start ministry."
This morning the team headed into Mbabane, the capital city of Swaziland, to worship at Potter's Wheel Church. Kevin Ward is the Senior Pastor at Potter's Wheel. It is a dynamic and growing church whose mission is to:
- Encourage through promoting fellowship with God and man, through worship, prayer, His Word, in counsel and community for lifting up Christ and encouraging unity in this house and to other ministries of faith.
- Edify by providing progress through the hearing of the Word, maturity, stability and integrity in individual lives resulting in growth for the whole body of Christ.
- Equip by preparing, training, perfecting and cultivating lives to be fully qualified for His service.
- Engage by releasing individuals to serve, yielding ourselves completely to the power of the Holy Spirit to perform in us His purpose for our lives as we step out to fulfill the Great Commission.
You can learn more about Potter's Wheel Church at:
http://swazitc.org/Vent/PWC/pwcmispwc.html
Ephesians 4:3-6 tells us:
Make every effort to keep yourselves united in the Spirit, binding yourselves together with peace. For there is one body and one Spirit, just as you have been called to one glorious hope for the future. There is one Lord, one faith, one baptism, and one God and Father, who is over all and in all and living through all.
How awesome it is to know that, eventhough our Medical Team is halfway around the world from us, they are united with our Swaziland brothers and sisters in Christ and are worshipping the same Lord we prepare to worship now!
This morning the team headed into Mbabane, the capital city of Swaziland, to worship at Potter's Wheel Church. Kevin Ward is the Senior Pastor at Potter's Wheel. It is a dynamic and growing church whose mission is to:
- Encourage through promoting fellowship with God and man, through worship, prayer, His Word, in counsel and community for lifting up Christ and encouraging unity in this house and to other ministries of faith.
- Edify by providing progress through the hearing of the Word, maturity, stability and integrity in individual lives resulting in growth for the whole body of Christ.
- Equip by preparing, training, perfecting and cultivating lives to be fully qualified for His service.
- Engage by releasing individuals to serve, yielding ourselves completely to the power of the Holy Spirit to perform in us His purpose for our lives as we step out to fulfill the Great Commission.
You can learn more about Potter's Wheel Church at:
http://swazitc.org/Vent/PWC/pwcmispwc.html
Ephesians 4:3-6 tells us:
Make every effort to keep yourselves united in the Spirit, binding yourselves together with peace. For there is one body and one Spirit, just as you have been called to one glorious hope for the future. There is one Lord, one faith, one baptism, and one God and Father, who is over all and in all and living through all.
How awesome it is to know that, eventhough our Medical Team is halfway around the world from us, they are united with our Swaziland brothers and sisters in Christ and are worshipping the same Lord we prepare to worship now!
Friday, August 14, 2009
Safe and Sound in Swaziland
Once again, God has proven Himself faithful and has answered our prayers. Our medical team arrived as expected in Swaziland today (8:30 p.m. Swaziland time; 2:30 p.m. local time). And as an added blessing, all of their luggage arrived with them!
They were greeted at the airport by the VanderWals. After going through customs they drove about 30 minutes to the house in which they will be staying for the next 10 days. According to Echo they "had a good time of fellowship". As this blog is posted, the team has settled in for some much needed rest.
We look forward with anticipation to all that will happen in the days ahead. The weather forecast looks great; sunshine every day with daytime highs in the mid to upper 70's and night time lows in the mid 40's (okay, so that may be a little chilly!). At this time of year sunrise occurrs about 6:27 a.m. and the sun sets about 5:30.
There are several clinics scheduled in the days ahead and they are expecting very large crowds while the team is there. We covet your continued prayers for the team's safety and effectiveness. May they not only minister to the physicial needs of those with whom they come in contact, but more importantly may God use the team to change hearts for Christ.
They were greeted at the airport by the VanderWals. After going through customs they drove about 30 minutes to the house in which they will be staying for the next 10 days. According to Echo they "had a good time of fellowship". As this blog is posted, the team has settled in for some much needed rest.
We look forward with anticipation to all that will happen in the days ahead. The weather forecast looks great; sunshine every day with daytime highs in the mid to upper 70's and night time lows in the mid 40's (okay, so that may be a little chilly!). At this time of year sunrise occurrs about 6:27 a.m. and the sun sets about 5:30.
There are several clinics scheduled in the days ahead and they are expecting very large crowds while the team is there. We covet your continued prayers for the team's safety and effectiveness. May they not only minister to the physicial needs of those with whom they come in contact, but more importantly may God use the team to change hearts for Christ.
Thursday, August 13, 2009
Medical Team Takes Flight
Well, the Dayton International Airport has felt like a home away from home the last few weeks. On July 30th we welcomed Julie Mitchell home from a 3 month stay in Swaziland. On August 7th we welcomed Chris Kavcsak home from a 6 week stay in Swaziland. And today - August 13th - we said good bye to the eight members of our Medical Team who are leaving for a 14 day trip to Swaziland.
The members of our team include:
Phyllis Brown, RN
Angela Long-Prentice, M.D.
Kathy Lovely-Marshall, RN
Faye McNerney, PT
Jim McNerney, D.O.
Sarah Miller
Niles Syska, DDS
Jenna Weaver
Once in Swaziland, the Medical Team will be serving with The Luke Commission. TLC is a Christian medical mission serving remote regions in southern Africa. They take their mobile medical clinic to rural villages, schools, churches, chief's kraals, and orphan care points and offer free medical care, free medications, free HIV testing and counseling, free vision care, free eyeglasses, free Bibles and the Hope of the Gospel. Their current efforts are concentrated in the bush of Swaziland, which made them a logical partner for CLC. This is our first partnership with the Luke Commission and, with God's blessing, we look foward to sending additional teams in the future. You can learn more about The Luke Commission at http://www.lukecommission.org.
CLC's Medical Team was commissioned during the weekend services on August 7th &
8th ....
.....and they were covered in prayer again at the airport.
We ask that you continue to remember this team in prayer until their return on August 26th. Please pray as well for the communities that will be serviced when the team is there. Very large crowds are expected at all the locations.
Thanks to all the family members who supported their loved ones in going on this trip. May God keep you safe, provide for your needs and keep you united in spirit until your family member returns.
The Swaziland Travel Team
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