It’s official: “PASTOR PETER” graduates from
Pastors College!
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| Pastor Peter showed a solemn appreciation for all that the Lord has helped him to change and accomplish |
What a joy it was to
share in the celebration of Peter’s graduation from Kaboson Pastors Training
College (KPTC) on July 21st! (About a 1½ hour bumpy drive from Tenwek.) As many
of you recall, Peter was incarcerated for nearly 11 years and heard the gospel
message presented in the prison by visiting chaplain students. Peter accepted
Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior that day on July 15, 2010 shortly before
his release from prison in August. Soon after his release, Peter strongly
declared his desire to become a pastor. The prayers of many and KPTC’s
commitment to mentor Peter helped him successfully complete the 2+ years of
pastor training, in spite of never having completed his secondary education.
We’ve heard that Peter’s experiences provided a special perspective to the
other pastors-in-training. The celebration for 33 graduates brought several
thousand guests, including over 50 family and church-member friends for Peter.
After the ceremony, we gathered and prayed with Peter and his wife, Naomi,
(married last December) for the Lord’s direction toward whatever pastoral or
chaplaincy role may be appropriate next. Of course, Peter continues to have a
special heart for prison ministry!
**You can look back to our previous
blog entry from December 5, 2010 to learn
more about Peter's story!**
Ground-breaking Treatment for Pre-cancerous Lesions of
the Esophagus
The high incidence of esophageal cancer in
this region of Kenya has prompted our research efforts to identify early
pre-cancerous lesions. Our recent STEP Study of 300 villagers without
swallowing troubles identified 9 subjects with moderate and high-grade squamous
cell dysplasia (more aggressive pre-cancerous changes). We treated one patient
by tissue removal using a gastroscope in January. In June, the teams from Mayo
Clinic - Arizona and National Cancer Institute (NIH in Maryland) joined us in
starting pioneer services in Africa with the first protocol treatments of
pre-cancerous lesions for 4 patients using BARRX - radio frequency ablation to
electrically heat and destroy the abnormal areas. We give thanks for all who
assisted us and that all 4 patients have done very well! We also pray that we
will be able to identify many more patients who can benefit from such
treatment.
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Dr. David Fleischer and team help Steve perform the 1st BARRX procedure in all of Africa
First BARRX patient (in the dark jacket) and his wife
with the Tenwek Endoscopy Research team
Correctional
Ministry within Africa Gospel Church Kenya
Alene continues to work closely with key
leaders from the Africa Gospel Church of Kenya to establish a sustainable correctional
ministry program for those within the prisons and those recently released. To
be honest, at times the process seems to be exceedingly slow and we wonder
where the next needed shilling will come from, but we know that diligently
addressing each step will give the program a very strong Kenyan foundation,
which will serve the Lord and the Kenyan church well into the future. Please
join us in prayer for the proper direction for many aspects of the correctional
ministry - from good financial practices to development of a Christ-centered,
visionary board and a sound constitution.
Can you share your gift? Maybe you have something that you don’t think is valuable - but you
could turn it into a blessing for someone. One man with a love for music is
refurbishing old guitars and then giving them away to people who need them.
Two of these guitars have been carried to
Kenya and are providing music for worship in
the prisons! Or maybe you have time to offer someone - accompanying someone to
the doctor or grocery shopping, or reading to someone who cannot is a precious
offering to someone with that particular need. If you are willing to share from
your wallet, your talents, or your time, the Lord will bring someone who needs
just what you have. Then watch how He blesses YOU in
the process!
Note to self: Be careful what you pray for... (now we need your help!)
You may
already be familiar with what has been called “The Prayer of Jabez”-
Jabez
cried out to the God of Israel,
“Oh,
that you would bless me and enlarge my territory!
Let your
hand be with me...” And God granted his request.
1
Chronicles 4:10
We know that
many in the USA and Kenya have been praying such a prayer for us, and we
celebrate all the ways the Lord has
indeed enlarged our territory!
We are excited to see Steve’s enlarged
responsibilities for patient care, teaching, research, and ministry in the
Endoscopy Unit. We are trying to keep pace with Alene’s enlarged territory in
Correctional Ministry and involvements at the Tenwek International Chaplaincy
College. In serving on several
committees for the ministry reorganization, supporting the current prison
chaplains and visiting the prisons, Alene often needs to make 2 or 3 trips to
Kericho each week (1½ hours away) at a cost of over $90.00 (covering ministry
vehicle charges) for each round-trip. We are truly grateful for these enlarged
opportunities to serve, but HELP! We must confide to you that our enlarged need for
support has collided with a decrease in actual funding during 2013. To continue our mission, we have again needed to
withdraw money from our retirement savings.
We are very grateful for all of you who
faithfully contribute to our ministry, whether monthly, quarterly, or annually.
We humbly request you to
continue (and consider increasing) your support, or make an additional special
contribution. If you are not a regular partner yet, PLEASE - you have a critical part to play in the
future of our service in Kenya, if you are willing. Thank you!
Donations online: www.wgm.org/burgert [Click the “Donate” arrow
for special or recurring donations.]
Mail a check made out to “World
Gospel Mission” [memo line: “Burgert ministry-02273”] to this address:
World Gospel Mission, PO Box 948,
Marion IN 46952
Brief
Personal Trip to the USA- We will be making a pre-planned, personal trip to
the USA from August 15th to September 2nd. We will have time with all 4 of our
parents and will attend a family wedding in Seattle. Thank you for
understanding that we may not be able to connect with you on this visit to USA.
FYI, expenses for this trip will be
personal, not ministry-funded.
Please thank the Lord with us:
• For our
continued good health and strength
• For many
miles of safe travels
• For
“enlarged territories” for our areas of service
• For GI coverage for Steve by a visiting
doctor in August while we are in the USA
• For
progress in transitioning to an electronic medical record system at Tenwek
Hospital
Please pray with us:
• For Pastor
Peter’s future direction in serving the Lord
• For guidance for Alene’s role in
restructuring of Correctional Ministry within Africa Gospel Church
• For
adequate financial support for our mission service
• For GI
Endoscopists to cover for Steve in November
• For
successful identification and treatment of patients with pre-cancerous lesions
in the esophagus
We are so
grateful for your prayers and support. -- Steve & Alene
