Please join with us this month as we celebrate completion of our first
two years of service at Tenwek Hospital! The return of the purple jacaranda
tree blossoms will always remind us of our October 2009 arrival in Kenya. As we
have said to some of you recently, at times it feels like it was just yesterday
that we arrived here in Kenya and at other times (in a very good way!) it feels
like we've been here for a third of our lifetime. Truly, we feel blessed to be
here and we are excited to have supporters and friends like you partner with us
on this incredible journey.
| Jacaranda trees in bloom |
| Steve & Alene at Tenwek Falls |
Celebrating a new CT scanner!
In September, Tenwek Hospital celebrated the answer to many years of
prayers with the commissioning of a new CT scanner. This will greatly enhance
the quality of medical care that we will be able to deliver at Tenwek and spare
patients and families excessive travel expenses and delays in care to obtain CT
scan services elsewhere. We have already witnessed the value of the CT scanner
in the diagnosis of some brain and abdominal tumors. The Toshiba Company and
many other key donors made substantial contributions to help make this
possible, but there still is need for some additional funds, so let us know if
you are led to contribute to this. Tenwek Hospital was honored to have the
Kenya Minister of Medical Services come here to dedicate the CT scanner and he
toured the hospital and the Endoscopy Unit. We from the Endoscopy Unit were
honored for the rest of the day to have him wear our cap promoting the STEP
Study, which evaluates patients for early pre-cancerous esophagus
abnormalities.
Tenwek Hospital's new CT
scanner
Kenyan Minister of Medical Services (on right) in the Endoscopy Unit
Dr. Spriegel & the Minister at the CT scanner
Minister of Med. Services proudly wears the STEP Study cap
Celebrating two new automatic endoscope
washers!
It has taken over one year to complete the remodeling and
installation of the two new automatic endoscope washers. As a part of the
process we removed a wall, moved sinks, installed a new countertop (heavily
reinforced to handle the equipment), installed a ventilation fan to remove
chemical fumes, and installed a pump to provide more water pressure. We
encountered some hurdles in the process: One part of the scope washer was
damaged in shipment from USA and had to be replaced and a new water supply had
to be devised to provide cleaner water before the water would even reach the
2-stage water filter system. The Endoscopy Team has been very patient, but was
delighted to start successfully using the scope washing equipment in October.
We are grateful to the Minntech Company for providing the equipment at a
reduced price and we look forward to using the equipment to better serve our
patients.
BEFORE: Manual scope cleaning
DURING: Construction of new
reinforced countertops
The Endoscopy team eagerly learns to
use the equipment
Celebrating partnership with supporters!
What a joy to celebrate with so many of you in partnership with us!
Two prayers have been answered before they were even spoken: 1) a supporter has
provided a vehicle for our use during the entire 8 months of our Home Ministry
Assignment in 2012 and 2) a different partner has offered us the use of part of
their home during the time we are in Colorado. We are so very grateful to them,
but also for the many, varied ways that so many of you have partnered with us.
Here is an example of some, but not all, of the manner of gifts we have
received:
Monetary - monthly, quarterly, annual, one-time,
anonymously
Assistance - printing & mailing newsletters,
handling financial affairs in USA, handling correspondence in USA, storing
belongings in USA, sharing frequent-flyer miles, vehicle use, housing, sending
hospital supplies, sewing items
Visiting our parents - in Minnesota and California
Coming to Kenya - bringing supplies, providing medical or
mission services
Encouraging us - visits to Kenya, letters, email, phone
calls (& Skype), mailed packages.....and most of all PRAYERS OF
SUPPORT!
Endoscopy team with scrub caps sewn by Barb Schleiger in USA
We are very grateful for your monetary support. This can be
easily arranged online at: www.wgm.org/burgert and
just click on the "Donate" button or by mailing your support to:
World Gospel Mission PO Box 948 Marion, IN 46952 [Attn: Burgert Ministry
Acct#02273]
Thank you very much!....Asante sana!
Celebrating with missionaries across the globe!
We of World Gospel Mission enthusiastically invite you to join the
celebration of blessings on many other mission fields in USA and all around the
world by reading the free quarterly WGM publication, "The Call,"
either online at: www.wgm.org/call or by signing up
for a free subscription at the same weblink or by mail: "The Call"
World Gospel Mission PO Box 948 Marion, IN 46952
Celebrating answered prayers and prayers
yet-to-be answered!
Praises for:
¬ Both of Steve's parents getting the extra nursing care that
they need in the same care facility where they have resided.
¬ Family members helping Steve's parents' move out of their
independent-living apartment.
¬ Safe travels by our personal vehicle across the border and
back to visit the family of chaplain student, Pastor Julius, in Tanzania with
the opportunity to enjoy eating fish daily!, which is not
readily available at Tenwek.
¬ Many physicians confirming their willingness to provide
endoscopy coverage during our Home Ministry Assignment in USA during 2012.
¬ The generous
support, encouragement and prayers of partners in our ministry.
Pastor
Julius and his family in Tanzania
Pastor Julius with tilapia fish being
dried
Prayer requests for:
¬ Safety and peace within Kenya.
¬ Safety for Steve and two other physicians from Tenwek Hospital
in their travels to an African cancer conference in Cairo, Egypt from November
28 to December 5th.
¬ Final confirmation of coverage for the remaining gaps in
endoscopy physician coverage at Tenwek during 2012.
¬ Smooth transition for the national church, Africa Gospel
Church, to assume an increasingly active role in Correctional (Prison) Ministry
in Kenya.
¬ Blessings on the four chaplain students in their ongoing
studies.
¬ Continued faithful and new support for our missionary service
here at Tenwek Hospital.
Thank you for joining in our
celebrations!
We pray that you and your family will enjoy a
blessed celebration of Thanksgiving this month.
--Steve &
Alene
It’s always a matter of perspective. A slight adjustment can mean the difference between discouragement and joy. Instead of being focused on the problems and challenges, we need to look up and remember that the Lord has been with us and will continue ahead of us. Pray for us to maintain a (big “K”) Kingdom-view as we anticipate what’s ahead and trust what has been left behind.
