Nkhoma Hospital - Needs Update

Malawi Trip Update on Donations and Needs: (from Ginnie Stevens, WNC Presbytery)

First, let me report that $1,176 specifically designated for the children's examination room! The doctors at Grace Hospital have come up with a considerable amount of rocephin and other high-end drugs for children. The e-ray apron that Barbara requested has been donated. We've got lots of infant caps, various items on Barbara's wish list and several thousand dollars that will be sent to the hospital, some for specific items (like oxygen splitters and oxygenator repairs, to help with staff housing etc.) and more that is for general use (perhaps to pay off the pension debt. (See below.) So once again, folks have reached out in incredible ways.
Here is a report from a member of a mission team from the Southwest (OK, I believe), who was at Nkhoma Hospital a couple weeks ago.

"We have just returned from visiting the Nkhoma Hospital. We had brought 3, 50 lb boxes of medical supplies and a check for $ 4,500.00. But much more is needed. Michael told us that they have a bank loan of $ 100,000.00 to keep operations going. We need to make this hospital a matter of prayer, it is doing good things for a lot of people, with nothing to work with--all medical staff are working long hours with little in the way of medical supplies and medications....it is no wonder they are stretched to the limit...."

Malawi Trip 2006 - Pictures

Link to pictures from Western North Carolina's visit to Malawi in 2006.

Ocho Amigos - Nicaragua July 2007

Ocho Amigos

Serendipity has brought together 8 people of differing backgrounds with a common heart to serve God. Their direction is to go to the Northern region of Nicaragua and help a local Pastor repair his churches damaged by mudslides and tornadoes. Also, using the talents of the group a small medical clinic for the people of the community is also planned. This independent group needs you prayers and support for this week, July 22-29, 2007.


Pastor Josue Elias Raudez supervises a small church in Esteli, Nicaragua, Centro Misionario de Vida Nueva. He has also helped establish 4 more churches in the Northern region in the Departments of Esteli and Nuevo Segovia. Having no affiliation or financial support from churches in more developed nations, Pastor Josue manages to not only teach God’s word in his community but offer 2 shifts of lunch programs for school children in Barrio San Fransico, Esteli. In the past two years with the help of the men in the local communities, Pastor Josua has planted 4 additional churches in this region.



In the fall of 2005 this church was completed in Las Cruces. In the foreground are the hand made blocks used in construction.

Another church constructed in the community of Los Llanos was built in 2006 only to be destroyed by tornadoes this winter.

Please consider supporting this mission with your prayers and contributions.

David,

You are Right ON!

Relationships, Fellowship, that's what mission is about. sharing our joys, our grief, our downs, our ups, our food, our thoughts, our prayers, standing back and letting ours take the lemonlight.

At the beginning of a trip I try to write down my thoughts, my expectations, my dreams, not to see if any are achieved, but so when i write day by day in my journal what actually happens I am reminded God is in charge.

During our final group time together on the last night on a mission trip we all reflect on what did we gain. For many it is a revelation. how God has entered our lives and been with each one separately and together during our journey whether in Nicaragua or Mississippi. We all talk about how different cultures are transcended by Christ. How relationships are built, reinforced, challenged and interceded by God. We come lost thinking we are found and we leave found thinking we were lost.

Every trip I always feel like a thief in the night for I have gained more than i ever give. It's like the parable of the talents. On mission trips we are not afforded the option to bury our talent. Just getting on a plane or into a vehicle removes us from our creature comforts. We are God's risk takers, we lay it all out for him, we are vulnerable, but we go even kicking and screaming, questioning, crying and wondering "why me?" But my observation after nine years and close to 20 trips that the one who protest most is the one who falls first, hardest, longest and becomes our best witness.

Please keep in touch.

Peace, prayers and Love

Paul (Pablo) Jones
First Pres DeLand, Flordia

Malawi Team and Country Info

Malawi Mission Team
May 23 - June 4, 2007

Prayer Concerns:
* Christ will be the center of both new and renewed relationships;
* We will have open eyes, ears and hearts for the new things God has for us;
* We will provide support and encouragement for Barbara, Melia, Anna
& Happy Nagy;
* Our families and friends will be at peace about us while we are gone;
* We will have good health and safety.

Malawi Info:

Known as “the Warm Heart of Africa,” Malawi has a population of 10 million and is about the size of N.C. With a life expectancy of 35 years and a literacy rate of 40%, the daily lives of Malawians are incredibly challenging. Malaria kills more people than AIDS, mostly children. However, the number of orphans in Malawi is approaching 1 million.

More Presbyterians in Malawi than all of United States and growing. What a blessing to learn from them and share the good news with those in United States who are leaving the church.

CCAP, Church of Central Africa-Presbyterian, is our partner church. Currently, there are 6 PCUSA missionaries along with their children serving in Malawi: Drs. Barbara Nagy, Sue Makin, and Martha Sommers, Jim & Jody McGill, Frank and Nancy Dimmock and Debbie Chase.

Zikomo (please, thank you, greeting; just a good word to know in Chichewa, one of the languages of Malawi)