Things are blessed, and I can now say that with confidence. I know that this time is a learning and growing experience in which we will each come out transformed, as we bring healing to the nations. As we serve and pour out God's heart for people we will also learn more of God's heart for us.
As I write this I see that I have this confidence for us as a group, but am challenged to write it about myself.... so here goes. I KNOW that I will come out of this time transformed as God brings healing to the nations through me. As I serve and pour out God's heart for people, I will also learn more of God's heart for me.
"Behold I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wildnerness and rivers in the desert." Isaiah 43:19
Sunday, October 26, 2008
Saturday, October 11, 2008
Knysne
Update written by Katie on behalf of our team.
Greetings from Worcester!
Our Primary Health Care team has just returned from the first part of outreach, where we spent 3 weeks in the town of Nysne, South Africa. The Lord met us there, and provided incredible opportunities to serve and to learn! During the first week and a half, our team was welcomed into the local HIV clinic, where we helped a little and learned LOADS. The clinic is located on the campus of the city's hospital, yet just far enough from the main building for the patients' positive HIV status to be "well-known" among the community. This stigma is an enormous problem here in Africa, and is very often the reason why so many refuse to come for treatment. They would rather suffer and die from AIDS in their homes, than be exposed to the community and be treated. It is heartbreaking.
The clinic sees HUNDREDS of HIV-positive patients every DAY, and is bravely run by ONE doctor alone. This woman absolutely blew us away, as we sat in her office and witnessed an endless stream of compassion and patience flowing out of her and into each patient she treated. We were SO blessed to observe her, day in and day out, and even receive lectures and teachings on HIV and the Anti Retroviral medications used in treatment. We also spent time with the nurses – doing basic vital signs, and sat in on numerous counseling sessions for recently-tested positive patients. Our experience at the clinic was full of learning and we praise the Lord for the amazing relationships built.
From the hospital, we moved on to a new setting – an Assisted Living home for physically handicapped and elderly patients. We jumped right in, and had an amazing few weeks building relationships with the residents and helping with their care – bathing, feeding, dressing, toileting etc.
The Lord brought us safely home to the base, and we will depart tomorrow for our 5-day journey to Marromeu, Mozambique.
Please pray for travel mercies and safety. Pray that God will begin to prepare the hearts of those we will come in contact with – that they will be receptive to the love and hope we are bringing them, and will allow God's healing to come – both physically and spiritually.
We may not have frequent access to technology during our time in Mozambique, but will do our very best to keep the updates coming! Thank you all for your prayers and support!
Jennifer, Steve, Natasha, Mawuse, Grace, Donna, Karissa, Hilaire, and Katie
Greetings from Worcester!
Our Primary Health Care team has just returned from the first part of outreach, where we spent 3 weeks in the town of Nysne, South Africa. The Lord met us there, and provided incredible opportunities to serve and to learn! During the first week and a half, our team was welcomed into the local HIV clinic, where we helped a little and learned LOADS. The clinic is located on the campus of the city's hospital, yet just far enough from the main building for the patients' positive HIV status to be "well-known" among the community. This stigma is an enormous problem here in Africa, and is very often the reason why so many refuse to come for treatment. They would rather suffer and die from AIDS in their homes, than be exposed to the community and be treated. It is heartbreaking.
The clinic sees HUNDREDS of HIV-positive patients every DAY, and is bravely run by ONE doctor alone. This woman absolutely blew us away, as we sat in her office and witnessed an endless stream of compassion and patience flowing out of her and into each patient she treated. We were SO blessed to observe her, day in and day out, and even receive lectures and teachings on HIV and the Anti Retroviral medications used in treatment. We also spent time with the nurses – doing basic vital signs, and sat in on numerous counseling sessions for recently-tested positive patients. Our experience at the clinic was full of learning and we praise the Lord for the amazing relationships built.
From the hospital, we moved on to a new setting – an Assisted Living home for physically handicapped and elderly patients. We jumped right in, and had an amazing few weeks building relationships with the residents and helping with their care – bathing, feeding, dressing, toileting etc.
The Lord brought us safely home to the base, and we will depart tomorrow for our 5-day journey to Marromeu, Mozambique.
Please pray for travel mercies and safety. Pray that God will begin to prepare the hearts of those we will come in contact with – that they will be receptive to the love and hope we are bringing them, and will allow God's healing to come – both physically and spiritually.
We may not have frequent access to technology during our time in Mozambique, but will do our very best to keep the updates coming! Thank you all for your prayers and support!
Jennifer, Steve, Natasha, Mawuse, Grace, Donna, Karissa, Hilaire, and Katie
Update from last month
HELLO FRIENDS!
It's been about two months since I arrived in Worcester, South Africa, and it seems like it was only yesterday. I am here learning intro level Primary Health Care, and it has been so mind-stretching!
OUR TEAM
Staff:
Jen is our school leader from Zimbabwe
Placky from Zimbabwe
Steve from Cameroon
Joy from Zimbabwe
Students:
Grace from Nigeria
Mawuse from Ghana
Karissa from Indiana (works in Malawi)
Donna from Barbados (Albania)
Katie from Colorado (Uruguay)
Hilaire from Cameroon
And of course myself from Costa Rica/ Minnesota
BASE:
Although our class is small there are other schools going on at the base as well. There are so many different cultures represented here from so many different countries, and I absolutely love it! I am leaning about some of the different African cultures and picking up some phrases in French and some Bantu languages. I feel at home with all of the Brazilians (similar to the Costa Rican culture) that are here, with whom I am able to practice my Portuguese.
Our base has a blog so you can see what we have been up to as a base. http://www.ywamworcester.blogspot.com/
Weather
When prepping for Africa, I didn't expect cold whether that we have here in Worcester! Many people walk around with hot water bottles at night to keep warm. We do have a good mix of sun and showers, which makes for some incredible rainbows, which always remind me of God's faithfulness.
Rainbow over our gathering place view from ourclassroom
CLASSES:
It has been quite an intense workload! Despite this challenge, God is showing me that He alone is my strength. We are learning to assess, treat, prevent, and educate illness and diseases. Our emphasis is on helping families and communities prevent and treat health problems they face through education.
Learning examination of patients
COMMUNITY:
Our team had the opportunity to go to church in Zwelithemba, a squatter camp here in Worcester. There is such disparity between the black, colored and white communities, and it just breaks my heart. Our multicultural team worshiping with the people of zwelithemba, was absolutely incredible. The unity we have in Christ breaks through the racial tensions that have been passed down through the generations. Our team has been serving this community by helping in children's activities as well as sharing health teachings with the young and old.
OUTREACH
We will be working in South Africa here for 3 weeks caring for HIV hospice patients. After that we will be going to Mozambique in October the remaining months to a village called Maromeu. We will be partnering with a local hospital and reach out to the community through education. The main language there is Portuguese, but this is the second language of the village people that we will be working with. I will not be able to have any contact with family or friends during this time, as there is no electricity in the village that
WHAT GOD IS TEACHING ME
Upon arriving, I remember looking out the window at the silhouette of the majestic mountains, and the thick blanket of fog that hovered over the ground, while the stars still danced across the sky. It seemed so surreal and I sighed as I thought to myself, " How romantic."
And that is exactly what this time has been, a time of drawing near to God's heart and opening up mine to Him. It has been a time of intimacy, letting Him be my first love, my delight, and the only one that I long to please. This has been a challenge, for sure, because I had let people pleasing take root in my life. But God is my banner as well as my victory over every stronghold and barrier that is holding me back from experiencing all that He has in store for me during this time. I am learning how to trust him and live in faith as opposed to fear and anxiety. It has been difficult with everything that we have going on, but I am learning how to protect that my time with Him, and invite Him into every area of my life, so that all that I do becomes like an act of worship to Him.
PRAYER REQUESTS:
*continual intimacy in my relationship with God
*my family
*communication
*finances
In what way can I keep you in my prayers?
Natasha Acuna
It's been about two months since I arrived in Worcester, South Africa, and it seems like it was only yesterday. I am here learning intro level Primary Health Care, and it has been so mind-stretching!
OUR TEAM
Staff:
Jen is our school leader from Zimbabwe
Placky from Zimbabwe
Steve from Cameroon
Joy from Zimbabwe
Students:
Grace from Nigeria
Mawuse from Ghana
Karissa from Indiana (works in Malawi)
Donna from Barbados (Albania)
Katie from Colorado (Uruguay)
Hilaire from Cameroon
And of course myself from Costa Rica/ Minnesota
BASE:
Although our class is small there are other schools going on at the base as well. There are so many different cultures represented here from so many different countries, and I absolutely love it! I am leaning about some of the different African cultures and picking up some phrases in French and some Bantu languages. I feel at home with all of the Brazilians (similar to the Costa Rican culture) that are here, with whom I am able to practice my Portuguese.
Our base has a blog so you can see what we have been up to as a base. http://www.ywamworcester.blogspot.com/
Weather
When prepping for Africa, I didn't expect cold whether that we have here in Worcester! Many people walk around with hot water bottles at night to keep warm. We do have a good mix of sun and showers, which makes for some incredible rainbows, which always remind me of God's faithfulness.
Rainbow over our gathering place view from ourclassroom
CLASSES:
It has been quite an intense workload! Despite this challenge, God is showing me that He alone is my strength. We are learning to assess, treat, prevent, and educate illness and diseases. Our emphasis is on helping families and communities prevent and treat health problems they face through education.
Learning examination of patients
COMMUNITY:
Our team had the opportunity to go to church in Zwelithemba, a squatter camp here in Worcester. There is such disparity between the black, colored and white communities, and it just breaks my heart. Our multicultural team worshiping with the people of zwelithemba, was absolutely incredible. The unity we have in Christ breaks through the racial tensions that have been passed down through the generations. Our team has been serving this community by helping in children's activities as well as sharing health teachings with the young and old.
OUTREACH
We will be working in South Africa here for 3 weeks caring for HIV hospice patients. After that we will be going to Mozambique in October the remaining months to a village called Maromeu. We will be partnering with a local hospital and reach out to the community through education. The main language there is Portuguese, but this is the second language of the village people that we will be working with. I will not be able to have any contact with family or friends during this time, as there is no electricity in the village that
WHAT GOD IS TEACHING ME
Upon arriving, I remember looking out the window at the silhouette of the majestic mountains, and the thick blanket of fog that hovered over the ground, while the stars still danced across the sky. It seemed so surreal and I sighed as I thought to myself, " How romantic."
And that is exactly what this time has been, a time of drawing near to God's heart and opening up mine to Him. It has been a time of intimacy, letting Him be my first love, my delight, and the only one that I long to please. This has been a challenge, for sure, because I had let people pleasing take root in my life. But God is my banner as well as my victory over every stronghold and barrier that is holding me back from experiencing all that He has in store for me during this time. I am learning how to trust him and live in faith as opposed to fear and anxiety. It has been difficult with everything that we have going on, but I am learning how to protect that my time with Him, and invite Him into every area of my life, so that all that I do becomes like an act of worship to Him.
PRAYER REQUESTS:
*continual intimacy in my relationship with God
*my family
*communication
*finances
In what way can I keep you in my prayers?
Natasha Acuna
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