Prayers for one another

Dear partners,
We thank you for your prayers and messages of concern for us after the Nairobi mall attack last weekend. We join the Kenyans in mourning the loss of lives and sense of security, and we are also thankful that no Tenwek Hospital staff or World Gospel Mission personnel were injured. We live 3+ hours from Nairobi, but others from our mission group live in and around the city. It has been a huge shock to Kenyans to be the target of such a large and well-planned attack by terrorists. Kenyan counselors from all over the country have been requested to assist in the crisis management efforts for those whose lives have been affected in the Nairobi area. We join Kenyans in prayers for peace in this country.

Please also join us in prayers for northern Colorado, which is where we lived before moving to Kenya. That area has been devastated this month by severe flooding with destruction to homes, roads, bridges, and much more. Many lives are severely disrupted and it will take months to years for reconstruction and healing.

Whether caused by man or nature, such disasters are difficult to understand. As people of faith, we can rest secure in the arms of our Lord - He is our source for protection and peace. We are comforted again by the one of our favorite promises from the Bible:

The Lord will keep you from all harm -
He will watch over your life;
the Lord will watch over your coming and going
both now and for evermore.

            Psalm 121: 7-8

Thanks for your prayers for Kenya and Colorado.

Please join us in prayers of thanks for those who have extended themselves to assist with the extra needs of our mission service! We are so grateful for every dollar and every prayer offered on our behalf.

Also, we will appreciate your prayers for:
<> The 2-day endoscopy training workshop on Thursday and Friday this week for 12 Kenyan doctors to be held here at Tenwek Hospital.

<>The endoscopy esophageal cancer research projects with two co-investigators from Mayo Clinic of Rochester, Minnesota joining us in 8 days.

<> The Kenyan correctional ministry team, which is in the middle of restructuring this ministry to partner with Kenyan churches and other community groups.

Please also give thanks for Baby Chepchumba Cheruiyot, the beautiful daughter of ex-prisoner Pastor Peter and Naomi, who is healthy and happy at home after a normal, full-term delivery at Tenwek Hospital.

What a gift it is to be able to pray for each other!
We pray every blessing on you and your families. May you always know the Lord's peace and protection, and share that message of hope with others.

Grateful for your partnership,
Steve & Alene Burgert

Contributions -->  www.wgm.org/burgert

Mailing--> World Gospel Mission 3783 East State Road, PO Box 948, Marion, IN 46952

Pastor Peter's Graduation -- August 2013 Newsletter

 It’s official: “PASTOR PETER” graduates from Pastors College!

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.

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

Give us each day our daily bread. May 2013 Newsletter

[Yes, again we give thanks for good internet service this day!!]

Give us each day our daily bread. -- Luke 11:3

Praying for daily bread has more meaning for us now.

Partly because Kenyans don’t really eat bread - they love their cornmeal “ugali” - which is more like stiff mashed potatoes, and some days we just crave a slice of good, whole-grain bread. But more especially because the daily things we use and need can no longer be taken for granted. We have a new expression lately: “Praise the Lord for 3 out of 4!” Our top 4 “breads” these days are electricity, gas, hot water, and internet. Lately (as many of you know, and we’re sorry) we have really been missing our email and internet connections.

Having a combination gas-AND-electrical stove/oven has been a good way around the sporadic shortages of those utilities. And now that we know the secret of running the water in the other sink (to let the air bubbles out of the line) before bathing, we can usually count on a nice hot wake-up shower in the mornings. So, life is good, and God is good, and we recognize the luxury of those 4 as we visit and work with so many Kenyans who have much less.

We have also learned to pray for other daily breads: enough rest, good health, prayer time, and fellowship with friends. And then there is wisdom, compassion, energy, patience, time together as a couple, endurance for the long run, humility enough to ask for help and forgiveness when needed - all have to be apportioned to us on a daily basis. The bread of God’s Word also needs to be savored every morning, so that during the rest of the day “we may know the word that encourages the weary” - especially when the weary is us.

As we share the glimpses of our daily tasks and joys with you, let us thank the Lord together for always receiving far more than our favorite 4, and let’s not forget to honor Him as Father by our asking -and then feasting, sharing, thanking, and asking again tomorrow... He has designed all of our lives this way so that as His beloved children, we must come into His presence again and again to know Him as Abba and receive loving gifts from His hand.

Dear Father, please, please, give us each day our daily breads. Amen.

Steve works with some of his students, who received training in Endoscopy at a hospital in Mombasa, Kenya

Alene stands with other faculty at the graduation program of 3 chaplain students

Snapshots from a great retreat in Malindi with our missionary family

Alene officiated baptism in the ocean for Jamie (with his dad helping) and then everyone gathered around him for prayers on the beach after we came out of the water

We enjoyed a sunset sail with fresh flower garlands and delicious seafood, like grilled shrimp and calamari - so nice!

Correctional Ministry Team had an encouraging 3-day retreat for rest, renewal, and some training sessions. Chaplains, volunteers, and office staff appreciated the time to pray and brainstorm about the future of the ministry, as well as learn new strategies for tracking activities and expenses. Sessions included some training for using computers to prepare their reports and organize case files and photos.

The team trains with computers on retreat  

Pastor Peter’s new wife, mother, sister and nephew visit and bring pumpkins

Emmanuel from Liberia said goodbye to Steve and Dr. White on the day he and his mother were leaving to return home after his successful care and making many new friends at Tenwek. Emmanuel seemed sad to go, but we understand that he ran into the arms of his uncle when they landed at the airport in Liberia. We have heard that he is continuing well at home.

May the Lord bless you and be your comfort, Emmanuel.

Steve’s endoscopy team begins training in electronic medical record systems as Tenwek Hospital prepares for the big change!

Kipsigis weddings start with a procession of women from the groom’s village singing songs of welcome and escorting the car carrying the bride. The bride’s family often hires a bus to bring their friends to the wedding and carry the wedding gifts of furniture on the top of the vehicle.

We enjoyed attending the wedding of a former chaplain student. Robert and his wife Wilter are preparing to be missionaries with Africa Gospel Church one day.

Please thank the Lord with us:

• For Emmanuel’s safe return to Liberia with his mom

• For Kenya’s peaceful elections in March and transition to new leadership in April - HALLELUJAH!

• For a generous grant provided by the American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy to the research team at Tenwek Hospital

• For safe travels to Malindi on the coast for our retreat

Please pray with us:

• For guidance for Alene in coordinating restructuring of Correctional Ministry within Africa Gospel Church

• For a balanced and sustainable pace for our service

• For Tenwek Hospital’s challenging transition to an electronic medical record system

• For GI Endoscopists to cover for Steve at Tenwek during a few weeks in August and November

Contributions: Website: www.wgm.org/burgert

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

THANK YOU FOR PARTNERING WITH US! -- Steve & Alene

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