TEAMWORK! February 2013 Newsletter

[Sorry, for the delay, but we are finally celebrating good internet service today!] 

Coming & Going Newsletter - February 2013

TEAMWORK! It’s the key to success in sports! We also know that Teamwork is key to our serving the Lord here in Kenya. We cannot do this alone!!! It is part of God’s design that we not serve in isolation, but that we combine our efforts with others who have their own unique gifts and talents. “So in Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. We have different gifts, according to the grace given us.” Romans 12: 5-6. This passage further describes some of the special gifts and responsibilities given to individuals. No role is too minor or insignificant. When Christians come together with their diverse talents they can multiply their efforts and do even more as one body in Christ. As Scripture says again in 1 Corinthians 12:27, “Now you are the body of Christ, and each of you is a part of it.”

We celebrate and thank the Lord for YOU and each TEAM that enables us to serve Him here - whether helping from the US, or on the ground with us in Kenya.

Working with Kenyans and our Colorado church team in 2011

 Tenwek Endoscopy Team

Steve is blessed to have a wonderful team to help care for patients and assist in research activities. In 2012 (with the help of many visiting endoscopist  physicians from USA), we performed 2,002 endoscopy procedures and placed stents (wire-mesh tubes) to help 320 patients with esophageal cancer to be able to swallow.

We continue research protocols to determine the cause of the high incidence of esophageal cancer in this area of Kenya. On January 16th, we celebrated the conclusion of the STEP Study investigation of 300 individuals from surrounding villages, who actually had no problems in swallowing. With careful evaluations and biopsies we found that 9 STEP subjects (3%) had very concerning pre-cancer changes and 34 subjects (11%) had subtle pre-cancer changes in the esophagus.

Our research team members from the NIH and Mayo Clinic in USA, as well as those from the University of Nairobi, Kenya, are also highly appreciated.  We are continuing a similar study for individuals, who have a close relative with esophageal cancer. Individuals from the STEP Study with worrisome, pre-cancerous changes of the esophagus are being enrolled in a protocol to remove or destroy those abnormal tissue areas. We pray that these efforts will reduce the risk of esophageal cancer here in Kenya.

The proud Tenwek Endoscopy Team receiving their white coats

Together 

Evangelizing 

And 

Ministering

  - It is also a special blessing to report that during the last year, 212 endoscopy patients and family members received Bibles in their local language or Swahili, as they committed their lives to Christ

Peterson presents a Bible in the Kalenjin language to a grateful patient

Requesting Special Prayers for the Kenyan Elections

There was significant turmoil and loss of life after the last national elections in Kenya in December 2007. The next national election will be held on March 4th. Please join us in fervent prayer that the campaigning, voting, and counting will be conducted with integrity, with a peaceful and respectful acceptance of the election results.

Do you miss our voices?

Copy and paste this weblink to hear Alene share about Correctional Ministry in Kenya:

http://missionscentral.files.wordpress.com/2012/08/alene-burgert.mp3

and paste this weblink to hear Steve share about trying to “work himself out of a job”:

http://missionscentral.wordpress.com/2012/08/14/work-yourself-out-of-a-job/

A Samaritan’s Purse Team made it possible for 6-year-old Alice to come to Tenwek Hospital from Liberia with her mother, Patricia, in December. We were part of the local team providing housing and hospitality. We give thanks to the Lord that Dr. White’s surgery removed the scarred area of her esophagus, and after a good recovery she was able to return to Liberia 6 weeks later. Please continue prayers for 10-year-old Emmanuel (also from Liberia), who had surgery for more severe esophagus scarring and is still at Tenwek for several follow-up procedures.

Goodbye to Alice and mom Patricia

Correctional Ministry Team Alene is privileged to encourage a committed team of national Kenyan chaplains and support staff, who minister to those in prison and organize after-care for ex-prisoners.

The Team distributes sweets, soaps, and the Word of God at a recent visit to Kakamega Men’s Prison.

Students show us good teamwork!

Tenwek Chaplaincy College Team shares classes, ministry, fellowship (sometimes at our apartment), and visits to each of the students’ village homes. Alene says she will never teach these faithful pastors as much as they teach her every day!

Visiting the home of Chaplain Student Dominik (sitting on right)

Almost last, but not least...World Gospel Mission Team

We are so thankful for our WGM team with many servinghere in Kenya and others back in USA. They make our service possible by assisting with the myriad of logistics required, and helping us maintain health of body, mind, and spirit.

WGM Kenya Team at our 2012 Christmas gathering (in short sleeves!)

 Couldn’t resist this one - Steve and his local bike repair TEAM

 And YOU -- A key part of our TEAM!

Through your prayers, messages of encouragement, and financial support, you make our service joyful. THANK YOU! Your financial contributions are needed for all aspects of our ministries. You can send donations to the mailing address below or via the website: www. wgm.org/burgert

We also pray for you, as you serve the Lord with your own teams - at home, in the community, or around the world.

Please thank the Lord with us:

• For wonderful team members in Kenya and USA

• For a good resumption and extension of our mission service in Kenya

• For continued safety during frequent travels in Kenya

• For faithful prayer and financial supporters

• For approval of two new endoscopy research protocols

• For Alice’s recovery and return to Liberia with mom

Please pray with us:

• For peaceful elections in Kenya in March

• For guidance as Alene coordinates re-structuring of Correctional Ministry within Africa Gospel Church

• For a balanced and sustainable pace for our service

• For Emmanuel’s healing and return to Liberia

• For GI Endoscopists to cover for a few weeks in August and November

We appreciate your contributions via the internet: www.wgm.org/burgert

and contributions by mail:

World Gospel Mission, 3783 East State Road 18, PO Box 948, Marion IN 46952 (account 02273-Burgert)

Thanks so much for being part of our TEAM! -- Steve and Alene