|
Orphan Grain Train Christian Medical Endeavor
Prayerletter
Volume 2 Number 6
December
2004
And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude
of the heavenly host praising God and saying, "Glory to God
in the highest and on earth, peace, good will toward men."
Luke 2:13, 14
Nicaragua
God has richly blessed
Christian Medical Endeavor this year with good trips and exposure.
I was fortunately able to have my wife, Sandee, with me on location
to Nicaragua. She worked some with the medical clinic and then
was my eyes, ears, and photographer as clinics and hospitals were
visited.
I was greatly surprised by the generally good health of the populous.
We were seeing patients in a suburb of a town called Chinandega
in the northwest part of that small country. The barrio or colonia
we worked in was Santa Patricia, said to be the poorest of the
poor in the region. I saw little malnutrition and only a moderate
amount of malaria, none that was resistant to chloroquine. We
had expected to see much worse conditions, similar to West Africa
but were pleasantly surprised. Each small house, though having
dirt floors, an aluminum roof and wood walls, had running water
and electricity so was much better than their counterparts in
Africa.
I was also impressed with their immunization programs and the
provision of antimalarial medications by the government. While
we were working, the area health nurses came by to immunize all
the children who we were to see. We were also provided with a
community caregiver who brought the meds for malaria with her
to dispense, cost free to the ill. A wonderful benefit, not expected.
The parish student pastor led daily devotions and many heard his
presentations. We prayed with each patient after treatment so
the family heard why we were there and whose power it was that
brought us to the area. We treated over 250 people during the
time there. Medications were carried to the country by hand, provided
through the King Benevolent Fund, Inc., which redirects almost
outdated medications from pharmaceutical companies to out of country
mission trips. I was financed partially by the Thrivent Financial
Group in coordination with a local Vermont LCMS congregation.
I also carried stethoscopes and BP monitors, purchased by two
congregations, one here in Omaha and another in Worthington, Minnesota,
thanks be to God for these donations.
After a day of clinic activity, Sandee went to the various hospitals
and clinics in the region, which Orphan Grain Train helps with
supplies. She got some good statistics and needs as well as some
revealing photographs. It was a good experience for us both. Thanks
for the prayers and support as we did this work.
The year in review
The change in the year brought a survey of the Baltic's and the
Saint Petersburg, Russia needs and options for medical assistance
and opportunities for medical personnel. (This was an excellent
test for my new knees!)
In March, we returned to Africa, visiting Liberia and Sierra Leone
to prepare for more medical teaching should it be possible to
provide same through our synod.
In May, I had a most blessed time, achieving what had been a long-term
prayer for meŠ. I got married to Sandra Marie Cheatum!
July was a convention month with the Synodical in Saint Louis
followed by the Lutheran Hour Ministries in Rapid City, SD.
In August I met with missionaries from Russia and Papua New Guinea
to work on what Orphan Grain Train and Christian Medical Endeavor
might be able to do to assist in these regions.
September brought more meetings with Orphan Grain Train and a
keynote speech at the Nebraska South LWML District Convention.
In October, I hosted Delano & Linda Meyer from LCMS World Mission
working in Sierra Leone to discuss options for medical missions
in West Africa.
November was busy with first the Beautiful Feet Convention at
Mequon Concordia University followed by our trip into Nicaragua.
Fortunately December was quiet so we could see family and friends
and prepare for next year.
Lastly, I accepted the medical consultant position with MOST (Mission
Opportunity Short Term) Ministries for the training program of
participants in the LCMS Pastor Leadership Institute (PLI).
Throughout the year we also worked at the warehouse, packing medical
equipment for shipping with a group of medically oriented volunteers
who meet weekly. We also sorted materials for use or disposal
if broken or outdated. I wish to thank my cohort, Dr. Leon (Hank)
Handke, who helped me greatly in this effort, as well as going
to Russia and Africa with me to do His work.
The year in preview
Remembering that the reason we are doing what we do is to spread
His kingdom and carry the Gospel message to unreached, we are
Ablaze to work throughout the world.
Our specific plans include:
Return to Sierra Leone and Liberia, if safe, in March to teach
Christian medical care.
Reverend John Fale the LCMS World Relief Health and Human Care
(HHC) will join me of to determine if this paradigm may be what
HHC wants for other areas and survey what other needs might be
met.
In June or July, we will go to Kenya to assist with redoing some
of the Lutheran clinics to see how best to get them running and
staffed.
We will continue to work with the Orphan Grain Train warehouse
and with MOST Ministries and the PLI program as medical consultants.
Have a Blessed Christmas,
Blessings and peace through His grace in all of 2005,
Doc Foster
|
