Coming & Going - September 2012
Psalm 121:8
Steve & Alene
Burgert Missionaries at Tenwek Hospital in Kenya
Harambee! Let’s all pull
together!
The Kenyan culture has
taught us alot about working together to look after the needs of others in
their community. Much of that is summarized by the Swahili word:“Harambee!” which
means, “all pull together!” This expression can be used to encourage everyone
in some shared goal, such as pulling a vehicle out of the mud. By oneself such
a task is impossible, but with everyone working together the challenge can be
met!
“Two are
better than one, because they have a good return for their work: If one falls
down, his friend can help him up. But pity the man who falls and has no one to
help him up! “ Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 (NIV)
“Harambee” is also
frequently used to describe a Kenyan community fund-raiser for such expenses as
putting the roof on a church or paying the surgery bill of a neighbor. One
villager alone may not be able to shoulder the debt, but the entire village
working together can meet the need.
We (Steve and Alene) are
calling out: “HARAMBEE!” for
you to “all pull together” with us as we strive to meet our needed expenses to
be able to return to service in Kenya in October. We cannot do this without many of you partnering and “pulling a
section of the rope” with us. We are very grateful to many of you who have
already contributed to our mission service and indicated your intentions for
ongoing support. “Asante sana!” (“Thank you very much!”) We are thankful for
the response within the past 2 months since our last appeal, but we still need further commitments of about $1,800 per month to
meet requirements for us to be released. Contributions
of any size are greatly appreciated, but “sections of the rope” could also look
like this: 20 supporters at $50 per month plus 19 supporters at $500 per year
could meet this requirement!
Steve looks forward
to returning to his work in the Tenwek Hospital Endoscopy Unit with patient
care, instruction for Kenyan physicians, research work, and spiritual guidance
for patients, their families and his co-workers. Alene is eager to resume her
ministry in Kenya with teaching at the Tenwek International Chaplains College
and in helping to develop prison/correctional ministry by the national Kenyans.
Thanks for pulling
with us! Please let us know of your intentions, and you have our full
understanding that circumstances in your life may change in the future. You can
call us, drop us a note, email us, or make a one-time or recurring contribution
online: www.wgm.org/burgert
Contributions payable
to "World Gospel Mission - Burgert ministry" can be mailed to World
Gospel Mission, PO Box 948, Marion, IN 46952. HARAMBEE !
Just
like GI Joe??? We were surprised recently to be
referred to as “Action Figures” by Pastor Keith Dickerson of Hope Community
Church in Lake Oswego, Oregon, as he introduced us to the youth as visiting
missionaries. He then challenged everyone to live up to the calling to walk
actively in one’s faith, and make a difference in the world around us.
We continue to be
amazed by the heroes we meet on our travels - those of you living out your
faith in life- changing and community-altering ways. God bless you - even if
there’s no action-figure doll with your name on it, we know your names are
written in heaven!
We are very grateful
for wonderful family times:
 |
| Steve’s family gathered in Rochester MN |
 |
| Alene’s family gathered in Seattle, WA |
Home
Ministry Assignment Sept. - Oct. 2012
Sep 8-17 in Loveland,
CO
Sep 16 - Grace
Evangelical Free Church, Longmont, CO
Sep 18-21 in
Rochester, MN
Sep 21-Oct 6 in
Philadelphia, PA & Maryland - with visits
to Steve’s brother
and family
Sep 23 - Grace
Chapel, Havertown, PA
Sep 27 - Bethesda, MD
- NIH presentation
Oct 3 - Llanerch
Presbyterian Church, Havertown, PA
Oct 6-10 in Shelby,
NC area
Oct 7 & 10 -
Shelby Presbyterian Church
Oct 11-14 in
Asheville, NC - medical mission meeting
Oct 15 - 23 in
Loveland, CO (final packing)
Oct 21 - First United
Methodist Church Send-Off Sunday!
Oct 24 - Depart
Denver for Kenya, Lord willing!
Please
thank the Lord with us:
• Safety during our
thousands of miles of travel within USA
• Inspiration from
the lives and service of those we’ve met in our travels
• Blessed times with
both of our families
• Health, strength,
refreshment and renewal as we have traveled, visited, and taken time-outs
Please
pray with us:
• Prompt provision of
our required support level to return to Kenya in October
• Guidance for Kenyan
chaplains in developing new prison ministry
• Efficient packing
for our move back to Kenya
• Appropriate
farewells to family and friends in USA
• Smooth, joyful
transitions for re-entry into Kenya
