Hear News on Work of the Moravian Clinic in Ahuas, Honduras

Transcription

1 O N W A R D The Newsletter of the Moravian Mission Society, Southern Province March 2015 Volume XXXV Issue 2 Mission Society Musings Hear News on Work of the Moravian Clinic in Ahuas, Honduras Last September, Brother Rick Nelson began a two-year appointment with the Board of World Mission to serve at the 70-year old clinic. He has been tasked with coordinating administrative and financial efforts toward rebuilding this facility, the primary provider of health care for all of Eastern Honduras. Rick will be in Winston-Salem next month, and is scheduled to speak as follows: ALL ARE ENCOURAGED TO ATTEND ONE OF THESE SPECIAL OPPORTUNITIES Sunday, April at Friedberg, 11:00am Worship --- at Fries Memorial, 4:00-5:00pm Provincial Gathering Monday, April at Hope, 7:00-8:00pm Program Wednesday, April at Fairview, 12:45-1:45pm Program --- at Home, 6:30-7:30pm Program (Call to Sign-up for Supper) Ahuas Moravian Clinic (Clinica Evangelica Morava) 1. Patients are primarily underserved and financially challenged members Recent Team to Ahuas from NC, MN, and Spain of the Miskitu Ethnic Group. They come from throughout the region, often traveling many miles by plane, boat or foot to seek medical treatment not available anywhere else in the area. 2. The facility includes more than a dozen small buildings. It offers 20 patient beds, some x-ray equipment, a lab, a birth and labor room, an operating room, and 3 out-patient examining rooms. It is hoped to add a decompression chamber for treatment of disabled lobster divers by the summer. In Ahuas and throughout surrounding villages, the clinic tries to assist the government by educating against public health problems. Staff members also offer outreach programs for well babies, pregnant mothers, and malnourished children. 3. A variety of surgeries are performed, with the most frequent being cesarean sections, appendectomies, gall bladder removal, and prostrate. The number and kind increase when pediatric teams or visiting surgeons are on hand. In This Issue Congregational Missions On the Home Front In Foreign Lands Youth in Action Funding the Mission NC Council of Churches

2 BETHABARA MORAVIAN SERVES COMMUNITY On Wednesday mornings from 10am until noon, there is a steady stream of traffic in and out of the parking lot at Bethabara Moravian Church in Winston- Salem, NC. People from all walks of life are in search of food and clothing. Some arrive in cars, some by bus, and some on foot. Some are homeless, and some have just found themselves without a job and are suddenly desperate to provide for their families. The need is great and our numbers are growing every week. Bethabara is only one of many Food Pantries in the Winston-Salem area, and we strive to treat everyone with love and respect. They're invited in out of the cold and offered something to drink while they wait for their food to be boxed. Once they get their food, they can proceed to the Clothes Closet to go shopping. Many of the families bring their children, and it is very humbling and rewarding to be able to offer a warm coat and boots to a little girl who came in barefoot with no coat. Recently, a young lady came in looking like a model, and she was so pleased to tell us that everything she was wearing came from our Clothes Closet and what a blessing we have been! At Christmas, we gave toys and candy to all who have children so they would have gifts to open. The Clothes Closet is run by volunteers and with donations by generous people. As word has spread about our Outreach, we have received many, many donations of clothing from other Moravian Churches also. Last week a huge bag of children's clothing was brought in by one of the recipients in our Food Pantry. She wanted to thank us for helping her and wanted to help others in need. An average of free articles of clothing, shoes, and accessories are distributed in the Clothes Closet each week. The Bethabara Food Pantry began over 10 years ago in a tiny closet near the kitchen with one small section of shelving to hold canned goods. And the Clothes Closet began in another small closet on the lower level as a joint venture with Fairview Moravian. The records of our first few food recipients were written by hand in a notebook. Now we are fully computerized. Both of these important outreach missions at Bethabara take up over half the lower level in the Education Building and are bursting at the seams! Run entirely by Pastor Jeff Jones and a dedicated group of volunteers, we now serve over 40 families each week. They become our friends. We minister to them as much as we are allowed. They know they are welcome and loved. The generosity of others helps us serve food to those who need it. Our Food Pantry has qualified for Federal and State food assistance, but we depend more on monetary and food donations from others. Each week Pastor Jeff and volunteers go to Second Harvest Food Bank to shop for salvage food, meat, bread, and milk. Monetary donations make it possible for us to provide thousands of pounds of food for around $200 or less. As with the Clothes Closet, many individuals and other Moravian Churches have been generous with donations for our Food Pantry, and we are very grateful for the support for both of these important missions. In 2014, our Food Pantry served over 1,333 families. This year, it is projected to be over 2,000. For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in. I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me. Then the righteous will answer him, Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you? The King will reply, Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me. 2

3 Some of the other outreach missions and activities Bethabara offers the community are: Free ESL (English Second Language) classes, Free Spanish classes, AA and Alanon Meetings, Prison Ministry, Veteran's Ministry, Vacation Bible School, free Quarterly Music Concerts, free Summer Recital Series, and a John Hus Festival and Lovefeast (on July 11 this year). Truly I tell you, whatever you did for the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me. Submitted by Cheryl Pike Everhart Volunteer and Secretary of the Bethabara Joint Board, Cheryle2@aol.com If you would like to keep up with our outreach ministries, you can follow Bethabara Moravian Church on Facebook. Updates are posted weekly regarding the number of people we have helped. If you feel led to volunteer, please contact the church office at or by at: Bethabaraoffice@windstream.net. Bethabara has been proclaiming the Good News of Jesus Christ since All are welcome to join us as we continue our outreach missions. ON THE HOME FRONT Winston-Salem s Winter Overflow Homeless Shelter City with Dwellings is a cooperative group working to engage our whole community in the effort to end homelessness in Winston-Salem. Their primary program is operating the W-S Winter Overflow Shelter from December 1 March 31. Each night there are opportunities for volunteering overnight, bringing meals, extending hospitality, or driving a bus to transport guests. Congregations and individuals can also give to this volunteer based ministry by donating items for blessing bags. Blessing bags contain essential toiletry items and a pair of socks. Below is a list of needs that will be ongoing through the shelter season. If you collect items please drop them off at Anthony s Plot anytime or the Board of Cooperative Ministries office at 500 S. Church St. For more information visit citywithdwellings.org/ overflow/ ITEMS NEEDED: (travel size) non-alcohol mouthwash, hand sanitizer, deodorant, baby powder, small packis of wipes, hand warmers, chapstick, small packs of tissues, undershirts, warm socks, adult size gloves, and toboggans 3

4 Youth in Action CHICAGO EXPERIENCE I NEVER REALLY KNOW HOW TO DESCRIBE WHAT IT S LIKE TO HEAR God speaking, but I believe it s more of an overwhelming urge to do something great I suppose. That s the kind of feeling I got when I viewed an article online about a mission trip to Chicago, sponsored by the Board of World Mission. After talking with my parents, in December, 2014, I was heading to Chicago, traveling by myself on a plane to meet people I had never met before. I was way outside my comfort zone. The first night we all introduced ourselves, comparing our lives and sayings that we had in different parts of the country. I was amazed that I felt like I had know them for years. The first day we visited a Native American Indian Church. We learned about Native American flutes and enjoyed his passionate playing of their songs. A lady described what it was like growing up as a Native American child in American schools. She was not allowed to speak her native language and felt her heritage had been taken away. We later learned the significance of their traditional prayers. We also met her nephew who gave me an entirely new perspective on the Hawks hockey team s mascot. I had never thought of this as being racist and offensive. We then enjoyed a meal of tacos served on fry bread. Next, we headed over to a night ministry for young adults. To my surprise, I learned that the average age of homelessness is an astonishing number of just nine years old. There are many causes drugs, a bad home life, and being kicked out of their homes because of being homosexual. I thought as Christians we are to love one another, so this was astonishing. Many of the public bathrooms were closed and there were many ATM machines. This was to avoid beggars since they are not allowed within a certain amount of feet of the ATM. Justin Rabbach explained that part of mission is to be informed and not just serving. Being more educated leads to explaining to others and gives deeper meaning to our type of service. The next day, we all served at a soup kitchen. Every piece of food was used in order to avoid wasting anything. There were about 20 people at the kitchen, and I had the privilege of talkng to one of them. He had graduated from graduate school and worked for an advertising company. He traveled to London, Paris, and other big cities and eventually landed in Chicago. He was very interested in history and current events, and carried many newspapers for reading. I cannot begin to think how hard each and every one of their struggles are. Yet, they were still able to tell me that they were doing well. They didn t complain and showed 4 much appreciation.

5 Youth in Action I went home the next day, but this time with new perspectives. I learned that if I should ever get the chance to do something that I ve never done before but will help to make a positive impact, I should do it. The place I went to and the people I met were incredibly amazing. I was leaving with fifteen new great friends. I was leaving with a perspective of what its like being a Native American Indian and a different perspective on homelessness and socioeconomic problems in general. This experience was truly life changing and amazing. Through it all, I m thankful for absolutely everything. I am also glad to recognize a new definition of the word mission and that it is to inform and to be informed. I think a wise person once said, Be educated, because that is the one thing no one can take away from you. I believe this is true. I also believe that in doing God s work with people who share the same belief can only lead to great and wonderful things. Alexis McCarn, New Philadelphia Moravian Homeless Shelter GRACE MORAVIAN YOUTH PLAN FUNDRAISERS On Saturday, March 21 from 8:30 am to 1:30 pm, youth at Grace Moravian will be unloading pine straw to raise money to support their youth activities. They will also be unloading pine straw on Saturday, March 28 from 8:00 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. They are combining efforts with the Men s Brotherhood. You can order pine straw by calling the Grace Church Office Older youth and adults will help deliver the pine straw. Proceeds will be split between the Men s Brotherhood and the Youth Mission Trip/Camp Fund. 5

6 Around The World Life in the Ebola Zone, Freetown, Sierra Leone Grace Marx, daughter of Benno and Teresa Marx and granddaughter of Sam and Grace Marx, is an American doctor, currently in a training fellowship for infectious diseases. She will be volunteering for 6 weeks in the Ebola holding unit at Connaught Hospital in Freetown, Sierra Leone, and chronicling some of my experiences on this website. Screams of a grieving mother break the morning calm. Death is very visible here. Every day, inside and outside the Ebola holding unit, patients die. On most days a taxi will drive into the hospital with a corpse in the back seat; we carefully note Dead on Arrival in our large notebook of Admissions, Discharges, Deaths. We bring the body into the holding unit morgue and obtain an oral swab to check for Ebola; a burial team comes to collect the bodies each morning. Grief is loud and public, and often involves a screaming female mourner physically restrained by others. Frequently, the body of a patient that has died on the general wards is wheeled on a rickety hospital bed through the grounds to the mortuary. Onlookers rise to a stand, a silent gesture of respect, watching the corpse wheel by. Those patients that survive to discharge from the Ebola holding unit often face enormous challenges. Of course, Ebola is not the only illness here. Cardiovascular disease, cancer, diabetes, and sickle cell are ever-present, as well as many other infectious diseases. HIV, malaria, and tuberculosis are the Big Three, but many vaccine-preventable illnesses are now on the rise after almost a year of no public health interventions, including routine vaccinations. Few hospitals are open; those that are function on a skeleton crew of young, often unsupervised, house officers. This week, we admitted a young woman to the Ebola holding unit for diarrhea, vomiting and malaise. She looked chronically ill; HIV or TB seemed much more likely than Ebola. She tested negative for Ebola, and was discharged. But she was still too ill and too weak to walk. We requested a direct admission to the general wards. No beds, came the expected response. Pervasive fear of Ebola often makes it very difficult to obtain general hospital admission for patients discharged from the Ebola holding unit, even when they can pay. And this patient, without family or financial means, could not. The young sick woman was left outside on a bench to pass the night. No beds the next morning either. Health Worker Assisting Ebola patient at treatment Center Almost all medical care in Sierra Leone is fee for service. Before a hospital admission, a registration fee must be paid. Before the doctor sees a patient, a doctor fee must be paid. Each tablet, each injection, each catheter, each lab requires a fee paid up front. If there is no one accompanying the patient to advocate and pay for the patient s needs, no treatment is provided. More often than not, the nurses station looks more like a cashier s desk, covered with bills and account books. In mid-morning, we are in the green zone office when we hear 6 a commotion outside. Maintaining a safe distance, a small crowd has gathered around the young woman who is seizing on the cement floor, tonic-clonic movements, frothing spittle at the mouth. Probably toxoplasmosis, cryptococcus, or TB meningitis.

7 Around The World I go back to the hospital senior staff to plead that the patient be immediately admitted for evaluation and treatment. A bed suddenly materializes. I write a careful referral form, recommending HIV testing, basic labs, chest Xray, sputum for TB testing, LP. We start the complicated, protracted process of qualifying the patient for destitute funds, which requires tracking down senior staff for multiple signatures. Two days later, the patient is receiving expensive antibiotics in the wards that she probably doesn t need, the paperwork hasn t been signed, and she still hasn t had an HIV test. The obstacles to providing quality medical care here sometimes seems insurmountable. The needs are enormous. The system and culture of the current healthcare system needs a fundamental change. The organization that I am volunteering with, King s Sierra Leone Partnership, was created to strengthen the healthcare system in Sierra Leone through long-term partnership with local leaders and healthcare providers to develop organizational structures, resources, and commitment to improving health. I believe that consistent efforts driven by this philosophy can achieve the seemingly impossible goal of delivering quality healthcare here. But each day toiling toward that goal is a challenging and heartbreaking process. NEW PHILADELPHIA SEWS PILLOWCASE DRESSES For four years now, ladies at New Philadelphia Moravian gather to sew pillowcase dresses for needy children around the world. To date, they have made 550 dresses which have been sent to Haiti, Cuba, Peru, Kenya, and Sierra Leone. Recently, children at New Philadelphia modeled the dresses for the congregation during worship. They were able to raise funds to purchase more material for this mission project. Anyone interested in obtaining a pattern for the dresses can contact Jane Wynne at janewyne48@gmail.com 7

8 Council of Churches 8 NC SAVE THE DATE: Saturday, March 21, am-1:30pm First Presbyterian Church 305 East Main St., Durham, NC Cost: FREE to attend (we do ask a donation to help with the cost of food. If you would like a lunch please bring cash or check). About the Summit The 2015 Summit promises to accomplish four main goals: Offer a unique statewide, ecumenical gathering for faith leaders who work primarily with immigrant congregations; Help equip these faith leaders to deal with the daily challenges faced by their congregations, especially related to their immigration status; Provide a space for networking and sharing of best practices; Train immigrant rights allies, especially in faith communities, to organize and mobilize around immigration issues. In particular, this Summit will focus on issues affecting children, youth and their families who immigrate to this country. This event will be completely bilingual, with all sessions interpreted simultaneously (as needed) and all written materials available in English and Spanish. Rev. Julio Ramirez-Eve preaching. Workshops and additional details coming soon

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10 FUNDRAISERS SUPPORT MISSION PROJECTS COMMUNITY BREAKFAST FAIRVIEW MORAVIAN CHURCH SATURDAY, MARCH 7, 2015, 7:30a.m. to 10:30a.m. ALL YOU CAN EAT PROCEEDS WILL BENEFIT BUILDING OF HABITAT HOUSE BY SALEM CONGREGATION SATURDAY MARCH 14, AM TO 1 PM COMMUNITY SHRED DAY FRIES MEMORIAL MORAVIAN CHURCH 251 N. Hawthorne Rd., Winston-Salem, NC A MINIMUM DONATION OF $5 PER FILE BOX/BAG IS REQUESTED 10

11 Pray Every Day March, Sunday. Who will separate us from the love of Christ? Pray for Safi and Mohamed as they plan their returned to Sierra Leone. Farewell Gathering, Fairview Moravian, 5:00pm, March Do not worry about anything. Pray for Ashley and Philip Sineath in Campus Outreach Global. 3. The earth is full of the steadfast love of the Lord. Pray for R and B in the Sudan. 4. The prayer of faith will save the sick. Pray for successful well-drilling led by Mark Ebert in Ahuas. 5. Let your compassion come to me, that I may live. Pray for a summer Intern to work with BWM. 6. The Lord is your praise; he is sure God. Pray for the Advisory Board of the Unity Women s Desk. 7. See, I am sending an angel ahead of you to guard you along the way. Pray for the Medical Clinic and the Church in Ahuas, Honduras. 8. Sunday. You, O Lord, have made me glad by the works of your hands. Pray for the BWM Staff and Directors. 9. We boast in Christ Jesus and have no confidence in the flesh. Pray for peace and an end of violence in the Middle East. 10. You are my help and my deliverer oh my God. Pray for the Solar program and the food program in the Sierra Leone Moravian Church. 11.When the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, he saved us. Pray for Grace Marx, Benno and Teresa s daughter, serving in an Ebola Medical Unit in Sierra Leone. 12. Christ says, "In this world you will have trouble. "Pray for the health and well-being of our retired ministers. 13. Where two or three are gathered in my name, I am there. Pray for the Likewise Aids Ministry. 14. The Lord takes pleasure in those who fear him. Pray for Adopt-A-Village program in Tanzania. 15. Sunday. From the rising of the sun to its setting the name of the Lord is to be praised. Pray for Ruth Snyder, Claire Wilson, and all others who are helping women to Change Choices. 16. Obey me, and I will be your God and you will be my people. Pray for Dr. Louis and Susan Sutton serving with WEC (World Evangelization for Christ) at the Singapore Headquarters. 17. The ways of the Lord are right, and the upright walk in them. Pray for K& C and discernment for ministry in the Middle East. 18. My soul clings to you; your right hand upholds me. Pray for Brian & Heather Marx with MAF in Indonesia. 19. Who are you, a human being, to argue with God? Pray for Dusty & Christin Harrison in Campus Ministry, Clemson, SC. 20. Our God rules on high, all mighty to save. Pray for Steve & Ann Marx with MAF Headquarters, ID. 21. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive and cleanse us. Pray for the Antioch Project and for Jill Kolodziej, Director. 22. Sunday. Create in me a clean heart, O God, and put a right spirit within me. Pray for church planters Rob and Anne Thiessen in Mexico and good recovery from back surgery for Rob. 23. Jesus came to call not the righteous but sinners. Pray for the Woo family in Asia. 24. It is required of stewards that they be found trustworthy. Pray for Ed Dehnert and Barb Weide, Alaska Bible Seminary, Bethel, AK. 25. "This is my son, with him I am well pleased; listen to him." Pray for the Samaritan Purse building project at the Bible Seminary in Bethel, Alaska this summer. 26. Do not be afraid, but speak and do not be silent; for I am with you. Pray for all ministers serving as Chaplains. 27. If anyone sins, we have an advocate with the father, Jesus Christ the righteous. Pray for Michael, Cecilia, and Blessing Tesh from in Kenya. 28. On God we have set our hope that he will rescue us again. Pray for Michael and Brenda with Campus Crusade in Croatia. 29. Palm Sunday. I made the earth, and created mankind upon it. Pray for C & V in campus ministry. 30. Look down from heaven, and bless your people Israel. Pray for the leaders of our mission efforts; for the Mission Societies 31. Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them. Pray for Drs. Bill and Peggy Hoffman serving through HIV/Aids Ministry. 11

12 A Fundraiser for Friends of Moravian Prison Ministry Sunday, March 1, 5:00 PM Friedberg Family Life Center Come join us at Friedberg Moravian Church for a night of praise music, delicious desserts and coffee, and to raise money for Friends of Moravian Prison Ministry which currently supports a Moravian presence at the Forsyth Jail and Prison Ministry. There will be musical entertainment provided by the Cherry Street Prison and the Friedberg Senior Choir. There will be a band prelude to start and admission is free. While listening to the music you will have an opportunity to sample homemade desserts. Be prepared to choose your favorite dessert and come ready to buy that dessert during an auction. Other very special items available in the auction include foundation stones from the old sanctuary, seats at Mrs. Hanes dinner table, an antique quilt and an original John Furches print. Contact the Mission Society: sbeaman@mcsp.org ONWARD 500 S. Church St. Winston-Salem, NC ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED 12