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Orphan Grain Train Christian Medical Endeavor
Prayerletter
Volume 2 Number 4
May 2004
John 2:4: "Dear woman, why do you bring me into this?" Jesus
replied. "My time has not yet come."
We had a wonderful trip to Africa. Hank Handke accompanied
me to Sierra Leone and Liberia where we were hosted by Christ
Evangelical Lutheran Church of Sierra Leone and the Evangelical
Lutheran Church of Liberia. Hank had worked in Côte d'Ivoire while
I was on furlough and is familiar with many of the people whom
we contacted. Linda and Delano Meyer hosted us throughout this
region, where they work as agricultural missionaries for our synod.
Sierra Leone has been without war for two years. I surveyed the
country in 2002 so had an interesting feel about the areas. I
am impressed that the church continued to grow as Christ told
us it would in the face of this evil. Praise God. The climate
was usual, muggy and hot. The people were also very warm to us.
We visited the capital Freetown and the peripheral area to the
east, Bo. The needs for help are large. Medically, there are 50
doctors in a country of 2.5 million+. Two of the areas in which
we have a high number of Lutherans are Kono and Kailahun. These
both are particularly deprived, with three doctors in Kono and
only two in Kailahun [about 1/200,000 population and 1/175,000
respectively]. The infrastructure is minimal in these areas so
all things are needed, from supplying personnel to materials.
The Lutheran Church requested our help in SL.
During our stay, we visited several of the Liberian refugee camps.
The war in Liberia is over, with some fighting still going on
as disarmament is ongoing. They will likely start being repatriated
in October. When they return to Liberia, there will be virtually
nothing but bush left. The rebels leveled many homes and buildings
in the Lofa County, another area we have many Lutheran congregations.
We gave them hope and advice for the return, how to cope with
no clean water, no latrines and little food. Preparation, as Christ
advises, is helpful in these situations. Pray for the refugees
who will be facing this difficult task.
We also saw the new area of training for the men learning how
to pastor in Africa at the Consolidated Christian Theological
School [CCTS] in Jembe [Jem‹bay], SL. The trainees come from both
countries and stay six weeks at a time in residence, learning
everything from Christian Family Living to Agricultural techniques.
We were asked to return and lead a session on health and human
care.
After evaluating the needs of SL, we continued on to Monrovia,
Liberia. There are 8 congregations in the city of half a million
or so. The number of doctors who have remained after this 14-year
war is uncertain as 108 have licenses but many fled during the
conflict. The Medical Board estimated 75 doctors remain. Phebe
Hospital which has been supported by Lutherans for years but which
has come under rebel attack and occupation often in the past 4
years has lost all but three of its in house medical staff [down
from nine]. This reflects the needs of this country, a bit more
populous than SL.
In discussions with the governments of both countries, we found
basically cooperative attitudes. I feel SL is about one year ahead
of Liberia in its recover. We will make reports in St Louis to
LCMS World Mission and World Relief as well as provide written
recommendations to LIMM, Wheat Ridge and Lutheran Hour Ministries
as to how LCMS can assist in the recovery of these two countries.
We also met with the President of Guinean Lutheran Church, a Liberian
refugee, Mr. Joseph Yasseh. Dr Kristen Schmaltz drove down into
SL to relate to us the situation there and deliver reports and
letters for us to carry back. We were enlightened about her Medical
mission in Guinea and the condition of the Lutheran church, which
has grown from a refugee church as many fled from both SL and
Liberia into Guinea. The Gospel went with them and is now being
brought back by many as the repatriate. God is good and faithful,
all the time, and has supported his workers throughout this stressful
time. We are continually impressed with the viable church in war
torn situations.
While in Monrovia, I was privileged to see many of the friends
and coworkers who had worked and trained with us in Côte d'Ivoire.
Some of our workers from the infirmary in Diollé are working with
NGOs in Liberia as health care workers, reaffirming the program
that was developed there. Several had heard of my death but not
that it was false, so were happily surprised when I addressed
the meetings. A fine time was enjoyed, God was praised.
Ultimately, the needs are great, Guinea has a basis for the work
in place and both SL and Liberia have great needs. Now we will
work with our partners to decide what and how to assist these
countries without hindering their recovery. Pray for us and these
developing nations and our brothers in Christ working there.
By now, you may have given up wondering how the Bible verse at
the top relates to this text. I want you all to pray this weekend
as Sandra Marie Pelster and I enter into life a changing relationship,
our marriage. Unlike Jesus when Mary urged Him to help when He
was not yet ready to start, WE ARE!!
This event was going to be in August, but we now plan to go to
Africa then. We are going to Colorado where I will speak in Loveland
on Sunday morning. We will see my kids, Ben/Jill and grandson
Sam in Loveland and Quinn/Doug and grandchildren Camille and Max
in Aurora. Then, Sunday afternoon we will go to Johnstown on the
Front Range where my old friend and minister Al Schroeder will
marry us at 2 PM MST. God works in mysterious ways. I came Norfolk
to get my knees replaced and work with Orphan Grain Train. During
my recovery, I met Sandee, one of my nurses at Faith Regional
Hospital. We began dating and have seen our relationship evolve
into something wonderful. This is an answer to many and long prayers
over the years. It was not my time, but now God has provided me
with the helpmate/soul mate I have sought for so long. Praise
God with me and pray for our loving relationship, thinking of
us this weekend, thanks.
Prayer requests:
- For the churches of Guinea,
Sierra Leone, Liberia and Côte d'Ivoire
- For the governments of
the torn countries of Côte d'Ivoire, Liberia and SL as they
recover from long civil wars
- For Kristen Schmaltz,
MD, as she develops the medical mission in Guinea
- For Linda and Delano Meyer
as they work in Liberia and Sierra Leone
- For Sandee and Bill as
we enter into a new and wonder phase in our lives, praising
God for putting us together
- For LCMS World Mission,
World Relief, Lutheran Hour Ministries, Wheat Ridge Foundation,
Orphan Grain Train and Lutherans in Medical Missions as we partner
to aid the recovery of these countries.
Remember, you can visit
our website to see where I am speaking at anytime at www.ogt.org/christian_medical_links.cfm
I love to meet you and greet all so please come hear the continuing
story if you can.
In His service,
William P Foster, MD
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