Niger Adventures: An Amazing start to 2015

But since we belong to the day, let us be self controlled, putting on faith and love as a breastplate, and the hope of salvation as a helmet. For God did not appoint us to suffer wrath but to receive salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ. He died for us so that, whether we are awake or asleep, we may live together with him. Therefore encourage one another and build each other up,  just as in fact you are doing.  1 Thessalonians 5:8-11

 

                            

When we were called by the LORD to go to Niger, Paul and I imagined that we would be taking care of dear little ones like this girl. She was born with a cleft which has been beautifully repaired. Never, did we imagine that we would witness the violence to the churches, homes and orphanages. The shock waves that rippled throughout Niamey, particularly touched many staff at CURE Niger. We have many stories to tell for those who have time and interest to hear....but not on the blog. We have more medical pictures and stories too but wanted to share this special aspect of our time. We feel that we were given the privilege of being with our brothers and sisters during a time of persecution and testing. How complacent we have become in our comfortable churches and communities in the USA!
We long to return and come alongside in solidarity to encourage and support. We will never be the same again! And that is a good thing!

Staff morning devotions were blessed with Paul's leading in worship....he loved encouraging young Christian musicians on staff.

Brian Van Hall (our CURE Niger Executive Director) and Josh Korn (one of our Spiritual Directors) encouraged and blessed us with scriptures to encourage in the aftermath of violence in Niger against Christian churches.

In typical African fashion, speeches must be made by all....Paul spoke in French and English to the delight of the staff!

The staff eagerly await the 'cadeau' from the USA that Paul and I brought. They were beautiful briefcases with the CURE logo....donated by Richard and Brenda Divito (Paul's publisher and wife).

Everyone wanted their picture taken with Paul...here is Djimilla one of the OR nurses.

Paul and Amadou, a nurse anesthesia trainee...

Paul and Clarisse, one of the OR nurses

Paul and Djbil, our sterilization tech.....I call him my Professor of Folding (he loves to show he how to fold the drapes for the surgical packs)

Paul and Dr. Shabani, the anesthesiologist at CURE Niger...they worked well together!

Elodie, the nurse manager and myself...she is a precious sister in Christ! We work well together.

OK, there has to be a goofy pose.......Issafu in the middle is the real joker!

This dear sister is the house mother for our hostel for long stay patients....her story is amazing! I will save it for a presentation later in our home or church.

Fattie (that is her real name....I think it is a form of Fatima, a popular name in these parts) she is a trainee at the hospital. We look forward to working together on my next visit.

Elodie and Paul asking for requests at our praise and prayer time. We had no idea that this trip would be about solidarity and encouragement to the staff even more that for the patients. God always had a good plan and purpose to bring honor to His name!

Prayer Rounds and Gospel Choruses

This sweet grandma is making straw mats to support her family.  Her name is Tidgst or something almost unpronounceable. Thankfully her name is written in the Lamb's book of Life where spelling and pronunciation is perfect . Praying that she would be encouraged during her time at CURE.

Here is a sweet Fulani girl we call Princess Gomma! She is so pretty and works hard to strengthen her legs post treatment! I am so proud of her positive attitude! May the LORD strengthen her to grow and serve in her family and community. More importantly may she come to know the Helper and Healer of broken bones and hearts!

Oh how I love these dear patients who spend weeks and months in our hostel.

This little fellow is Abdul Karim. He was born with his fingers fused together so his hand looks like one big thumb. Our dear surgeon, has begun a series of surgeries to allow him to hold a spoon, pencil, and live reasonably independently. I met him a year ago and took pictures of him. This visit when I showed them to his mother and Abdul, they threw their arms around me. Wow, feel the love. 

Wide, wide as the ocean

High as the heavens above

Deep, deep as the deepest sea

Is my Savior's love

I'm oh, so unworthy

Still I'm a child of His care

For His Word teaches me that His love reaches me...

EVERYWHERE!

This is the song that I sang in English while Pastor H. translated for me in a local language. Those Sunday school songs with hand actions from Ebenezer Gospel Chapel have come in handy!!

The opportunity to share the gospel each day is such a privilege. I often use these songs to simply explain our need of the LORD JESUS CHRIST. Last week I taught this chorus. It holds many Biblical truths about the atonement provided by the perfect sacrifice of the Lamb of God. Do you remember this one?

Deep and wide

Deep and wide

There's a fountain flowing deep and wide

Plunge right in...lose your sin

There's a fountain flowing deep and wide

Worlds apart-Paris and Niger

Here I am in Paris for a day on my way to Niger! I loved walking around the city and visiting the Musee D'Orsay.

This little fellow is called Abel. He has a beautifully painted cast with his name on it. He is such a jolly little guy. He is going to be able to run and play 'football' (soccer) one day!

This is our village clinic being set up last Saturday. We had quite a good set up with a pharmacy, family medicine doctor, small lab and three nursing stations.

This was my set up....no electronic charting! We managed to see about 64 patients. I saw whoever was sent to me. We treated everything from malaria, gout, impetigo, GERD....

 This is not for those with a squeamish stomach! This dear woman has a long history of diabetes and she has stasis ulcers that will not heal as she has very poor circulation. I could not feel any peripheral pulses. I dressed the wounds and referred her to the hospital in the city. She will most likely loose this leg. 

Once again, we are having CPR classes. These two young men have been waiting for a whole year for me to offer this class.

 

 Although, Paris and Niger are worlds apart, the gospel is the same. It is a privilege to be able to offer words of life and plant seeds of the gospel wherever the LORD sends me.


For as the earth brings forth its sprouts, and as a garden causes what is sown in it to sprout up, so the Lord God will cause righteousness and praise to sprout up before all the nations. Isaiah 61:11

Thank you for praying! Heading back to Niger on October 21st

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Prayer Requests-October 21-November 5, 2014 (Maureen Sloan)

W  

Willing and obedient heart to serve the LORD through the CURE Niger staff and patients

 ‘ I desire to do your will, O my God.’ Psalm 40:8

‘For it is God who works in you to will and to act according to His good purpose.’ Philippians 2:13

E

Exalting God’s greatness in a country that is 98% Moslem

 ‘Be still and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.’ Psalm 46:10

S

Serving with joy! Strength and health are needed in the hot climate.

‘The LORD gives strength to His people; the LORD blesses His people with peace.’ Psalm 29:11

T

Training and teaching with Christian character, values and perspective.

‘Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving. ‘ Colossians 3:23-24

A

 ‘And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.’  2Corinthians 9:8

F

Fluency in French in daily conversations and as I train nurses and participate in staff devotions. (1 Corinthians 14:19…I would rather speak five intelligible words to instruct others than ten thousand words in a tongue.) My five words would be: Christ died for our sins.   Six words in French are-Christ est mort pour nos péchés

R

Righteousness for God’s glory

‘ For as the soil makes the sprout come up and a garden causes seeds to grow, so the Sovereign LORD will make righteousness and praise spring up before all nations.’ Isaiah 61:11

I

Kingdom increase and fruitfulness

“He must increase, but I must decrease.’ John 3:30

C

Courage and wisdom in sharing the good news

‘Be strong and do the work.’ 1 Chronicles 28:10b

‘Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.’ Joshua 1:9

A

Attitude of humility and trust in difficult situations

‘Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus…’ Philippians 2:5

‘When my anxious thoughts multiply within me, Your consolations delight my soul.’ Psalm 94:19

Congratulations! Certificate ceremony for staff

Sweet times visiting at the 'case de passage' adjoining the hospital

Anne and JF....beautiful wonderful friends....sister and brother to me in so many ways!! 

Doing the work of the day together!

Great opportunities to train the nurses and visiting doctors in a Christian Worldview of patient care

This has always been one of my favorite pictures as this gal came to us undernourished and after many months grew, had surgery and thrived......along with her family....this little one even got the attention of her village leaders!

Thursday: A typical workday at CURE Uganda

Thursday began by  teaching the scriptures for the CURE Uganda staff

Next, I spent a little time with Miriam. She is going to distribute Thank You pens to the staff. It has been my tradition each visit to bless each staff member with a special pen with a little scripture bookmark.

Pastor Watcha is thrilled to receive the pens as an encouragement for the staff.

I always love to visit the ICU and see how all the dear little children are doing!

Olivia and Rogers are precious nurses who have made me most welcome.

We had two CPR for Family and Friends classes for the auxiliary staff today.

 Some days are exciting, some days are routine. We put one foot in front of the other to do the work that God has called us to do. I am often asked.......What is God's will for my life?  Obedience and faithfulness are two words that come to mind!

Red Sea Rule # 6

When unsure, just take the next logical step by faith.

So many needs.....!!!

Yesterday and today, I visited two very interesting places.

Yesterday, I visited Bududa, a rural community where Compassion International has a children's project. Apparently there are about 230 children enrolled in the program. The reason for the visit is that our family supports a Compassion Child....we have been doing this for some time and this is my third visit to our dear girl. It was lovely to see how she has grown and how she is maturing as a young woman. It is amazing how she has overcome and is overcoming so many challenges.

Today, I visited a Nutrition Program at the Mbale Regional Hospital. This program has been on my radar screen for some years. I had wanted to visit to see if our support money was being used effectively. In this day and age of so many needs, I believe as Christians we must spend God's money wisely. I am pleased to say that the program is helping many mothers and children is some of the most dire circumstances. How can we preach to hungry bellies? How can we ignore the second to last born that is most vulnerable to malnutrition as the mother pushes them off the breast? What I saw today, broke my heart!! I have been visiting Africa for ten years now and have seen many sad sights.

Slow cooker, Ugandan style!

Perhaps because I like to eat, this touched close to home? Perhaps since we have so much available in the USA, it struck a guilty cord? Perhaps!? What struck me today is that these children have come from families who are within reach of bananas, mangoes, cabbages etc, yet due to family strife, ignorance and multiple health factors (TB, AIDS, malaria etc) they are denied food and neglected.

It was encouraging to see the mothers being taught by the nursing students.
It was encouraging to hear the nurses reports of families who are helped.
It was encouraging to walk in the garden at the project and see the bounty that is available for those who are willing to put in a little sweat equity.
We watched a mother prepare a nutritious meal for the family using potatoes, g-nuts (peanuts), dried fish powder, salt.....It was interesting as the technique is like our slow cooker method. The water, potatoes etc were measured into a single pot which was covered with a lid then banana leaves. This pot was then placed in a bigger pot with water. More banana leaves were tucked around the pot with the food in it. The inner pot with the ingredients was then left to steam for some time while the mother attended to the garden, laundry or other work. The mothers liked the idea of cooking like this as it freed then from stirring and attending a pot over a hot fire. It is sort of like a woman here who puts on her slow cooker before heading out for work or errands for the day.

Both of these visits reminded me of:

Red Sea Rule #5

Stay calm and confident, and give God time to work.

In each of these places, in each of these human lives, there were huge challenges. For my Compassion child, she has financial, economic and social challenges coming from a remote village in the mountains. Sponsorship allows her to go to school and receive some practical training at the project. For these mothers and malnourished children, their challenges are immediate, life threatening and enduring except for intervention.

In each situation, the problems are difficult, complicated and messy!

It will be many days, weeks, months and even years before positive results are seen. So we must stay calm, confident in what we have been called to support, we must do our part trusting the LORD's mercy and grace......and give God time to work!

Yes, there is progress......but there is still much to be done. We must be patient to let the LORD transform individual, families, communities, and nations. It all begins with trusting God to work...beginning with me.....and you.

So many needs......nutrition and love!

Sweet reunion with my dear girl and family that I sponsor!

She is growing into a beautiful young woman who loves the LORD. She is using her gifts to lead others to love and praise God!

Nutrition Center visit with Grace (from CURE) next to me,  followed by Janet and Amina, the nurses who run the feeding program

Dear little one who has edema from malnutrition. The poor little one could hardly walk as his feet and legs had edema too!

The faces of HIV, TB and malnutrition....pitiful!!

This twelve year old girl has never been to school, she has been orphaned and her grandmother has not been able to provide adequate nutrition....see the edema again....this is the face of malnutrition......her poor feet were also swollen.

Grace was encouraging the young mother and little child in the program.

My face is smiling because these dear ones were in my arms and I felt that at least I could hold them for a minute while I was there.....will pray for them for a long time. The girl with the dark dress is called Florence....she wants to be a nurse. She is absolutely precious!! I wanted to bring her home with me!

Mama counting potatoes for the 'Slow cooker' meal

Sunday in Mbale-The Red Sea Rule #4 PRAY!

Pastor Wilberforce preaching on repentance

Praise Choir singing and dancing joyfully onto the LORD

After church I swam and took a long walk home through the old golf course...beautiful scenery!

I lift up my eyes to the hills......my help comes from the LORD the Maker of Heaven and Earth!

The beauty of Uganda makes me lift my heart in praise to the LORD!

I can never get enough of looking at the mountain and cloud formations....it helps me forget about my concerns and think about Jesus coming in the clouds......just as He ascended into Heaven in Acts 1:9

The Red Sea Rules were written to help us cope with difficult times. Although I cannot say that I am going through a particularly difficult time, I see the benefit of these principles. Number four is PRAY! How often do I, do you, forget to pray? Often when we are in trouble, the first thing we do is pick up the phone to call someone of complain. Joyce Meyers says...'go to the Throne before you pick up the phone'. I think that is good advice. We should go to the LORD before we go anywhere else. This Sunday in Mbale, I enjoyed the Word of God preached by Pastor Wilberforce. He spoke about Repentance which seems to be a theme around here. The hospital staff are doing a little booklet study on repentance and the morning devotions for this month have this theme. Prayer and repentance go hand in hand. Sometimes when we are going through hard times, we forget the basics!  Some times the difficulties are of our own making. All the more reason to pray for God to help us to get back on track just like the track in the picture above.
We have been talking about confession, renouncing sin and bearing fruits of repentance. The bottom line is that we cannot change ourselves. We must rely on the help of the Holy Spirit to transform our thinking, speaking and relationships.

Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord.   Acts 3:19

Prayer is integral to repentance. Prayer is to play and major role in our lives as believers. Whether the times are good or bad....our fault or someone else's prayer is essential!!

All in all it was a super Sunday!