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2 year old eye saved by eye clinic

2 year old eye saved by eye clinic

Greeting. In the photo you are looking at Rudy Lamorte, two years old from Gonaives. Her mother brought her to the clinic after they have tried all the cheap means to treat her. The situation of the little girl was worsening day by day and she was about to lose her right eye.

Many times, and over and over again, we receive cases where family members will start by applying what they think can help, then move to a clinic where the nurse with no solid training in ophthalmology will give an ointment or a drop to apply. By the time they come to us, it may be sometimes late to save the eyes.

Rudy Lamorte has a very serious problem with her cornea seeking a careful eye operation.  Since we are the only clinic in the Northern Haiti operating on children free of charge, Rudy has been welcome. Next week, our team will take good care of the little girl.   

We pray and hope that both mother and Rudy will return jumping and praising  the Lord for the miracle of healing as the man at the beautiful gate.

Thank you for standing by our sides.

Yours in Haiti,

Nzunga & Kihomi 

Dear supporters,

I cannot imagine having a sick child and no money or knowledge of what to do.  In Haiti, the lack of money causes them to go the cheap route and the national religion of Voodoo tends to mislead them in the wrong direction.  Sometimes if they know about the eye clinic getting there can be a major problem.  The next journal will have more on the expanding remote clinic situation that makes a big difference. 

Thank you for helping this little girl and many, many more. 

In His Name,

Dennis Shewell deshewell@gmail.com

Nzunga and Kihomi Missionary Partnership team.

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Easter message from Rev. Sharon Koh

Easter message from Rev. Sharon Koh

Happy Easter 2021!On behalf of International Ministries, our CEO/Executive Director Sharon Koh wishes you a happy Easter in the name of our risen Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

NEWS YOU CAN USE 

You Mean We Have to Talk to One Another?!

Listen to the latest episode of our Short-Term Mission office’s podcast, Bridges 4 Mission, as Pastor Dennis Strawn shares how short-term mission trips impacted him and formed a circle of friendships between his Illinois church and Costa Rica: https://bridgesformission.buzzsprout.com/1358701/7942513-you-mean-we-have-to-talk-to-one-another.

PROJECT SPOTLIGHT

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Congo Medical Residency

When you support the Congo Medical Residency project you provide medical residents with quality training at the Vanga Evangelical Hospital in the Democratic Republic of the Congo as they prepare to serve in remote hospitals throughout the region. This residency program was started in the 1970s by well-known IM missionary Dr. Dan Fountain and re-purposed in 2015 as a means to raise up and equip Congolese doctors to provide health care in rural areas. Access to trained doctors impacts mortality rates, decreases lifestyle-related diseases, improves nutrition, and increases overall public health. This program recruits teachers from Europe and the U.S., who volunteer time to train the students. You can learn more about the program here: https://www.internationalministries.org/congo-medical-residency-program/. Join us in asking God to raise up medical students who will impact the communities where they will serve.

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Following God through the wilderness

Following God through the wilderness

“My presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.” Exodus 33:14

In the Hebrew Bible we are reminded of the Exodus of the Israelites in the wilderness. They did not like the wilderness and were sorry they had left Egypt. God sent them manna, but the people got tired of eating manna. They wanted some meat. Forty years of journeying—the days were intense, hot, dry. The people were weary. They learned through every hard and grueling step how much they had to rely on God.

One year after the global pandemic, humanity has been forced to rethink the way we relate, work, have fun, celebrate, or even process our losses. Christians have been greatly affected because the very act of entering a building to gather, share, pray, sing, and study the Scriptures puts our health and our neighbor’s health at great risk.

We have been asked to stay home and seek new ways of being church. While many people have died and others are fighting to survive all over the world, having lost health, homes, jobs, and the ability to put food on the table, some of us are angry and complaining, unable to rely on God. How will we, as Christians, be remembered in history during this pandemic? As the Israelites in the wilderness?

This year of desert wandering has been difficult to endure. The hardest struggles we face have the greatest potential to teach us patience. Are Christians going to look back at this year as the most strengthening, faith-building time of our lives? Is the world going to look at Christians as those who did not miss the miracles of God’s provision out of busyness or stress, and who were always willing to be God’s instruments of grace and love?

God’s promise is still the same to us as it was to the Israelites: “My presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.” We cannot enclose God in a building, in a tabernacle, in an image, not in liturgy, or in a certain creed. No pandemic will be able to destroy our faith, no Herod or Pilate will be able to kill God. No government will be able to abolish our beliefs, no culture will ever camouflage the Spirit.

As long as there are women and men of good will who, in the depths of their hearts, live the Good News of Christ the Risen Lord, God’s presence is with us as we reflect God’s love and grace to others. Be the presence of God and find rest and hope in God’s faithfulness.

Rev. Dr. Adalia Gutiérrez Lee
Area Director for Iberoamerica and the Caribbean

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New Equipment for the Eye Clinic

New Equipment for the Eye Clinic

Dear Loved Ones,

Greeting. This Friday March 5, 2021, at the eye clinic in Cap-Haitian, Haiti, it was a fete but also a thanksgivings celebration.

Why?

Since we are in the States because of Covid-19 and our annual deputation, the staff has been bugging me to get them some equipment.  There is not a single week that goes by without them asking if I have ordered some equipment for them.

Lately, thanks to your loving financial support I was able to order one Pachymetry for glaucoma that arrived yesterday, Thursday March 4. Right there, the doctor and his staff tested it and called me to share the good and exciting news. 

Today patients joined in unison to give thanks to God and to each and every one of you for helping achieve a milestone in caring for the non-names of our society.

Serving the Master in Haiti,

Nzunga & Kihomi

Dear Friends,

The eye clinic personal wanting better equipment shows how much they want to provide the best care in Haiti.  They also want to provide it beyond Cap-Haitian.  There is still time to help get them a new vehicle.  One unknown is the duty.  Due to the Covid-19 crisis the amount of goods flowing into Haiti has been greatly reduced.  Therefore, the custom agents are not getting their normal income.  This means that amount they are going charge is a big unknown.  We do know that the items sent over by Nzunga, such as this equipment, are getting charged much more than usual.  We may need more than we thought so if you can help it is greatly appreciated. 

In His Name,

  Denny Shewell – MPT Communications Advocate & Convener

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Fox Valley Christian Action 2021 Gala

Our 44th Annual Gala

will be presented virtually in early 2021.

Details coming soon

We’ll take a look at the special vision we feel God has given the ministry of Fox Valley Christian Action and the different ways this vision is being put into action.  It is a great way to look back on all the ways God has been faithful while also looking ahead to what we hope and pray can be accomplished in the future.

Our Annual Gala is the perfect time to introduce friends and family to the ministry!

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TLC Pregnancy Services February 2021

Baby It’s Cold Outside!

By Jan DeFily, R.D.M.S.


It was a very cold, wintery day and our mobile unit was parked in Carpentersville. A young lady came with her fiancé to have a pregnancy test and ultrasound. She was exploring her options as she already has several young children and didn’t think she could handle another one. Together we reviewed information about pregnancy, development of the baby, and pregnancy options. As we talked, I asked the father of the baby how he felt about the pregnancy. He said that it was her body and he would respect any decision she made. She was too early for a conclusive ultrasound, so we planned to reschedule that for a later date. I was disappointed that the ultrasound wasn’t able to show her the baby’s heartbeat.

I tried to contact her several times, first by text, then by phone. She didn’t respond. Several weeks later I tried again. To my surprise she responded. She said, “We are so excited! We decided to go through with the pregnancy and we are having twins!” She gave birth in due time to a little boy and a little girl! Praise the Lord. I would like to think that we at Life Choices had a small part in this decision.

We’re so happy to be getting a new mobile unit, slated to arrive in February! Mobile ultrasound services meet a real need in various communities. Moms and dads will be able to see their baby’s heartbeat as early as possible. Thanks to those of you who helped to make this new mobile unit a reality!
 

Ultrasound Models Needed

TLC Pregnancy Services/Life Choices Medical Clinic in Elgin is looking for women in their first trimester of pregnancy who are willing to be part of a ultrasound training program for our nurses, conducted by Focus on the Family’s Option Ultrasound. This training will be during the last week in February and the first week in March. Women should be 6-12 weeks pregnant by the end of February. Each session may be as long as an hour.  We will maintain Covid 19 protective protocols.

Besides receiving an ultrasound at “no charge”, each model will receive a gift bag to take home. For more information or to sign up, call 847-289-1235 and leave a message for Ruth Feldmann, or text 847-637-0101 and use the words “Ultrasound Training”. Thank you!
 

 Needs for TLC:

 Choices Medical

  • We need a volunteer doctor. 
  • We need a volunteer nurse.

Others Current Needs

  • Baby wash (smaller bottle which will go farther and provide for more mothers)
  • Walmart and gas gift cards which can be given to the mothers
  • Diapers sizes 4 and 5 are in great need

Prayer for all  Board Members and Staff 

  • Protection over and strengthening for each Board Member and each Staff in their calling to serve and perform their duties
  • Also protection and healing for their spouses (and children)

Needed an Administrative Assistant for Director, Vivian

  • Someone with a heart to serve the Lord and others
  • Good office skills: computer, answering the phones, organized,
  • Would work about 32 hours each week
  • Experienced with event planning would be helpful.  

Again, thank you to everyone who contributed to this ministry.

Have a Very Blessed 2021!

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THE NZUNGA’S – EYE CLINIC EXTENSION OPENS



Dear Loved Ones,

Greeting and Happy New Year. Today Wednesday January 27, 2021, in the city of Fort-Liberte, the last city before you get to Ouanaminthe, the border city to Dominican Republic,  was a big celebration, a big fete.

What  celebration? It was the official opening of the eye clinic extension. For years, people in that region have begged us for a service at home and now God heard their cries. The staff of the eye clinic left Cap-Haitian early to be there on time. 

The amount of people who were waiting was behind imagination. The place to hold all of them was too small. As always, the staff opened the service with a dedication worship service before seeing  the first patient. Here we are talking about full exam where they check the eye completely, from A to Z before diagnosing.

They saw 50 patients sending the rest home.Why? Because of generalized climate of insecurity in the country, they had to close early at 3:30 PM to get back to Haiti before  it gets dark. While we are rejoicing with the population of that region, we say Thank You for your love, your prayers and your support. It is because of your care that we go boldly and proudly to serve those who do not have big names and fancy  titles  in our society. This is how we show them that Jesus never forgets anybody. 

Yours in Haiti, 

Nzunga & Kihomi   
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Gabharts Newsletter January 2021

January 2021 Happy New Year!


Many of you know that in December we went to Missionary Flights International to candidate to join the organization. As of December 22nd, 2020, they have extended the invitation for us to join the organization and we said yes!

For those who are not yet familiar with MFI, they are a mission organization helping other missions. Their tagline is “Standing in the Gap”.  They partner with over 500 organizations and families serving in the Bahamas, Haiti, and the Dominican Republic by flying in short-term mission teams, cargo, mail, and more. When hurricanes strike, MFI also serves as a collection center for donations of clothing, food, and building supplies. 
Additionally, MFI also flies emergency medical flights.

MFI has asked James to train under the current load master.  The responsibilities of the load master includes calculating the weight and balance of the airplane as well as configuring and loading the plane.

James will also serve as a maintenance specialist. He will be able to help maintain the two DC-3s currently operational, as well as help with the third one they have being rehabilitated and reconditioned. 

Sam’s primary job will be to keep working with the kids with homeschool, but there will be opportunities for her to be trained on passenger check-in for the flights, as well as learn the warehouse for handling and preparing packages that come in daily.

This is an exciting time of transition for us. There are several ways you can partner with us as we continue the journey God placed us on 5 years ago.  First, be a prayer partner.  Prayer is such a critical and vital tool. There is no way we could be at this point without all the prayer we have received thus far. Second, continue to read our letters. Third, be a financial partner.  MFI has given us a goal of about $5500 monthly support. If it’s God’s will, we are planning to move between summer and fall of this year after James finishes his last semester at Moody.
 
Family News
Christmas has come and gone, as well as our grand adventure.  We are so blessed to have had not only a great time, but a safe and healthy time too.  When traveling, especially during the current times, being and staying healthy can be a challenge. As alluded to in the beginning of the letter, we started our time in Florida.  The kids absolutely loved our time there.  They were excited for the warm weather, the ability to swim, and the opportunity to serve with Missionary Flights while we were there.  Two of the afternoons we got to work with Barb, the “warehouse boss”, sorting and preparing packages for customs.  Each child was able to learn how to drive a pallet jack and had fun helping figure out what all goes into preparing packages that arrive for customs.  We still had some schoolwork to do, but our schoolwork was significantly lighter during the trip.Helping in the warehouseFrom Florida, we got to go spend time with James’ family in Indiana for Christmas and being able to help James’ uncle out by helping take care of Grandma. It was a week of relaxing some for the kids and getting the one opportunity they had to play in the snow. We also had the joy of connecting with friends we have not seen in years too. Connecting again with people reminded us just how much we love and appreciate each person. Our time was so great and connecting with family and friends was exactly what we needed.

Following our short time in Indiana, we spent the last of our time connecting with friends back in the Elgin area.  Sam’s “big brother” and his wife set us up with a hotel for a couple of days so they could have some time with us before the full time shift up in Elgin began. We appreciate the time we had with them. Once in Elgin, it seemed that we had consistent busy times connecting with more friends, meetings, and coffee dates. We seemed to not have much down time overall, but we would not have had it any other way.  Once again, we were reminded just how precious our friends are.

Now being back home, we are working on getting back into the swing of things with school and appointments that fill our weeks. Sam’s mom has had a few appointments as well as Jonny having a few too.  Things are doing well overall there and we praise Jesus for those things.

Thank you for your love, prayers, and support in this training process.

James and Sam Gabhart