After church yesterday we all looked at each other and can't believe the trip is comming close to an end! At the same time, we all are amazed at all the incredible experiences we've had, friendships we've built, and encounters with God and His people in Congo.
Yesterday, Paul delivered a wonderful sermon at chapel on what biblical evidence we have that God is with us answering our prayers even when it doesn't fully seem like it. Steve sang two worship songs, which included 'Shout to the Lord' and another worship song where he had the whole church singings in rounds. Andrew taught Sunday school through a translator, and never imagine that well over 100 african children would love 'simon says' so much.
After church, the doctors and nurses checked in on their patients and prepared for their last full day of working in the hospital. Then we took a nice Sunday drive across the shore of Lake Kivu. Upon returning to Maji, where we are staying, we all enjoyed the beautiful weather and a much needed day of rest and regaining energy. Some of the boys couldn't fight the temptation and went for a swim in the lake. Others events of our afternoon off included: good conversation, reading, brunch by the lakeside, a massively large centipede looking bug in the girls bathroom, and booksignings by Harper McConnell, who is featured in the NY Times best-seller 'Across the Sky'.
Today is Monday and the doctors and nurses are again hard at work. This morning Chris operated on a 4-year old boy with a hernia. On Monday's the hospital welcomes people from the community to come pray for the patients. Members of our ministry team was each assigned a staff pastor to go room to room in prayer. Every patient welcomed us, told us why the were at the hospital, and how they would like to be prayed for. We sang a song in each room and then gave over their circumstances to God. For those part of the experience, it was the most moving part of the trip.
We are now finishing our last day of work at the hospital. We will return tomorrow morning, but only to say our goodbyes. Then we will begin the long journey home, starting with a 3 hour drive back to Kigali. Then we are praying to make all of our flights... to Nairobi, London, Chicago, and home. We here we have not so good weather upon returning. Hoping we'll bring some of the good weather here back with us.
Thank you for your prayers! Pray for a safe journey back, and stay tuned for individual reflections to be posted after returning!
-The Team.
Monday, November 22, 2010
Friday, November 19, 2010
Friday Nov 19
The past few days have been an exciting part of our journey! The doctors and nurses are in full swing with their work. What has been especially encouraging, beyond relating to the patients, has been the special friendships built between our team and the staff dot ors and nurses at the hospital. As Steve makes his rounds with the cameras for interviews and actions shots, it is more and more clear how special our time together has already been.
This morning Andrew preached a sermon at the tabernacle (chapel) and felt incredibly supported by the local community, the mission team here, and everyone back home praying. He spoke on Romans 12 and emphasized God's joy in seeing one body of believers from two parts of the world loving and serving each other in harmony.
After the service Steve and Paul met with the Congolese worship team to plan a few worship sets for the rest of the trip and to draw on each others knowledge. Steve came away with a vey neat learning point. While practicing a song, he noticed one singer was particularly out of tune. He realized that even at home it's challenging to correct someone with love. Whether in the content of worship or elsewhere, nobody want to be corrected. He was amazed by the way another woman leaned over to correct her, and how gentle and encouraging the tone of her voice was. A cool moment, and a great example of how are team comes also as learners, and can surely learn about the love of God from the African people.
Afterwords, Andrew and Steve were thrilled to be able check in on Patricia, Judy, and Chris. Chris was between surgeries and helped get Andrew and Steve 'smocked up'. Judy and Patricia were in the middle of a thyroid surgery. A neat experience for the ministry team, who were 'doctors for a day'.
Melissa and Ali were hard at work. Melissa currently has four baby's in her neonatal unit. She has a very special relationship building with her co-nurse, Judy.
Alson's skills as a hospital consultant for supply chain and logistics has proven to be invaluable. He seems to be everywhere! He could stay for months and be busy everyday. A true blessing to the ministry that is happening here.
Today the ministry team is continuing field visits, going out to the city of Goma where past patients are now living in community and are able to therefore sustain and provide for themselves. Tomorrow, the whole team is looking forward to a meal with Harper, a past CPC liaison, as well as a potential soccer match with the staff Heal Africa.
Please pray for continued strength, safety, and wisdom while we are here. Pray for the women at healing arts, a craft and clothing shop at the hospital empowering women at the hospital to earn an income. Pray for the doctors and nurses in their roles, specifically that they would continue to 'be creative' with limited resources.
This morning Andrew preached a sermon at the tabernacle (chapel) and felt incredibly supported by the local community, the mission team here, and everyone back home praying. He spoke on Romans 12 and emphasized God's joy in seeing one body of believers from two parts of the world loving and serving each other in harmony.
After the service Steve and Paul met with the Congolese worship team to plan a few worship sets for the rest of the trip and to draw on each others knowledge. Steve came away with a vey neat learning point. While practicing a song, he noticed one singer was particularly out of tune. He realized that even at home it's challenging to correct someone with love. Whether in the content of worship or elsewhere, nobody want to be corrected. He was amazed by the way another woman leaned over to correct her, and how gentle and encouraging the tone of her voice was. A cool moment, and a great example of how are team comes also as learners, and can surely learn about the love of God from the African people.
Afterwords, Andrew and Steve were thrilled to be able check in on Patricia, Judy, and Chris. Chris was between surgeries and helped get Andrew and Steve 'smocked up'. Judy and Patricia were in the middle of a thyroid surgery. A neat experience for the ministry team, who were 'doctors for a day'.
Melissa and Ali were hard at work. Melissa currently has four baby's in her neonatal unit. She has a very special relationship building with her co-nurse, Judy.
Alson's skills as a hospital consultant for supply chain and logistics has proven to be invaluable. He seems to be everywhere! He could stay for months and be busy everyday. A true blessing to the ministry that is happening here.
Today the ministry team is continuing field visits, going out to the city of Goma where past patients are now living in community and are able to therefore sustain and provide for themselves. Tomorrow, the whole team is looking forward to a meal with Harper, a past CPC liaison, as well as a potential soccer match with the staff Heal Africa.
Please pray for continued strength, safety, and wisdom while we are here. Pray for the women at healing arts, a craft and clothing shop at the hospital empowering women at the hospital to earn an income. Pray for the doctors and nurses in their roles, specifically that they would continue to 'be creative' with limited resources.
Wednesday, November 17, 2010
Wednesday, November 17th
Bon Jour! It is Wednesday morning here in Congo, and our first full day serving at HEAL Africa. Yesterday we made the long bus ride from Kigali, Rwanda here into Goma. We were greeted at the border crossing by Chelsie Frank and Mamma Virginia from HEAL. Chelsie is our CPC Staff Liaison, and has been in the Congo for over two years. She spent a year working at HEAL, but now currently lives in Beni working at a Bilingual University.
Yesterday we had a full tour of the hospital, and were familiarized with all the different facets of what happens here. Judy, an OBGYN Doctor, got right to it and saw 10 patients in the matter of a few hours yesterday afternoon. Her and Patricia, who is also an OBGYN Doctor, began surgeries right at 9:00 this morning. Chris (general surgeon), Melissa (NICU nurse), Alli (adult intensive care nurse), and Alson (Medical IT and Supply Chain) all fit right in to their respective specialities this morning making up the ‘medical team’. They are each paired with a Congolese doctor whom they will be working with for the remainder of our time here.
This morning began with praise and worship in the chapel at 7:30 AM. What a beautiful display of God’s glory over all the Earth when two different languages, cultures, and styles blend together to worship one God. Pastor Bizi, from Congo, delivered a message in French that was translated into English. Paul then introduced our team one by one to those in attendance. Paul, Steve, and Andrew are each paired with one of the three Chaplain Pastors at HEAL. The ‘ministry team’ will spend their time both within the confines of the hospital as well as out in the city of Goma. Steve is also working with the in-house musician to plan a collaborative worship effort throughout the week.
Cool Moments So far:
Riding the tube in London and watching Paul and Steve, in deep conversation, realize they were about to miss our stop. Hearing our yells to ‘get off!’, they burst through the busy traffic and dove to a graceful exit despite closing doors.
What are the odds? We shared a plane ride with Skip and Mary Fay from Bujumbara, Burundi to Kigali, Rwanda. Mary is the daughter of Pastor Emeritus Roger Anderson and his wife Dottie. They were on their way back to the states after travelling Africa to work with Coffee farmers.
Upon arrival we were warmly welcomed by a lunch put on for us by the staff at HEAL. After lunch we all introduced ourselves. We were very impressed and thankful for Chelsie and her interactions with the people here. It seemed as though every room she walked in everyone stopped to cheer for her!
A few prayer requests:
Pastor Bollingo, the head pastor at HEAL, lost his sister yesterday unexpectedly. Please join us in praying for him and his family through a difficult time.
Pray for all the Doctors and nurses as they carry out their work with the patients. Pray that God would be the ultimate healer and work through their hands and feet.
Pray for our ministry team as we get ready to go out with the pastors and minister to those outside of the hospital.
Thanks for reading and check back soon!
-The Congo Team
Wednesday, November 17th
Bon Jour! It is Wednesday morning here in Congo, and our first full day serving at HEAL Africa. Yesterday we made the long bus ride from Kigali, Rwanda here into Goma. We were greeted at the border crossing by Chelsie Frank and Mamma Virginia from HEAL. Chelsie is our CPC Staff Liaison, and has been in the Congo for over two years. She spent a year working at HEAL, but now currently lives in Beni working at a Bilingual University.
Yesterday we had a full tour of the hospital, and were familiarized with all the different facets of what happens here. Judy, an OBGYN Doctor, got right to it and saw 10 patients in the matter of a few hours yesterday afternoon. Her and Patricia, who is also an OBGYN Doctor, began surgeries right at 9:00 this morning. Chris (general surgeon), Melissa (NICU nurse), Alli (adult intensive care nurse), and Alson (Medical IT and Supply Chain) all fit right in to their respective specialities this morning making up the ‘medical team’. They are each paired with a Congolese doctor whom they will be working with for the remainder of our time here.
This morning began with praise and worship in the chapel at 7:30 AM. What a beautiful display of God’s glory over all the Earth when two different languages, cultures, and styles blend together to worship one God. Pastor Bizi, from Congo, delivered a message in French that was translated into English. Paul then introduced our team one by one to those in attendance. Paul, Steve, and Andrew are each paired with one of the three Chaplain Pastors at HEAL. The ‘ministry team’ will spend their time both within the confines of the hospital as well as out in the city of Goma. Steve is also working with the in-house musician to plan a collaborative worship effort throughout the week.
Cool Moments So far:
Riding the tube in London and watching Paul and Steve, in deep conversation, realize they were about to miss our stop. Hearing our yells to ‘get off!’, they burst through the busy traffic and dove to a graceful exit despite closing doors.
What are the odds? We shared a plane ride with Skip and Mary Fay from Bujumbara, Burundi to Kigali, Rwanda. Mary is the daughter of Pastor Emeritus Roger Anderson and his wife Dottie. They were on their way back to the states after travelling Africa to work with Coffee farmers.
Upon arrival we were warmly welcomed by a lunch put on for us by the staff at HEAL. After lunch we all introduced ourselves. We were very impressed and thankful for Chelsie and her interactions with the people here. It seemed as though every room she walked in everyone stopped to cheer for her!
A few prayer requests:
Pastor Bollingo, the head pastor at HEAL, lost his sister yesterday unexpectedly. Please join us in praying for him and his family through a difficult time.
Pray for all the Doctors and nurses as they carry out their work with the patients. Pray that God would be the ultimate healer and work through their hands and feet.
Pray for our ministry team as we get ready to go out with the pastors and minister to those outside of the hospital.
Thanks for reading and check back soon!
-The Congo Team
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