27 Oct With Samaritan’s Purse in Haiti

Fonda Cassidy, from the Mt. Olivet UB church in Mt. Solon, Va., is currently in Haiti with a Samaritan’s Purse team. She sent this report on October 26.

The Hatiian people are in the midst of a crisis with outbreaks of cholera. Our first day of clinic on Sunday was only treating cholera. Really critical patients were placed on gurneys and IV’s started. I am happy to say that a lot of the IVs I brought were used in the first day!

There were times when someone would come running with a very limp and emaciated body. I believe in all my travels it was the first time I have encountered cholera.They have profuse emesis that they describe as “rice water,” and that is exactly what it looks like.

Each time as people of around 30 per room would vomit, or have diarrhea, we would have a cleaning lady come and mop. Do you know what it is like to mop on an old cement floor? We were wading through it! They brought in white boots for us to wear.

We were told not to touch our face. They set up hand washing stations with bleach water. I put a mask on even though cholera is not air-born I was afraid I would be accidentally touch my face.

Mid-day now, it is very hot! We saw young and old alike go on to meet their maker. That was the first day!

Now today the third day of clinic, our cholera team actually saw fewer patients. CNN has been here and interviewed Samaritan’s Purse several times, We have seen planes come in with supplies.

It is exciting to be witnessing for the Lord. We have rejoiced with many who have received Christ. We have pastors that will be following up with each patient. Today the clinic where we were working saw 131 patients, and we had 7 first-time converts.

I saw a lady who was 53. After I examined her, she looked at me and smiled and said, “I want to receive Christ into my heart!” What a true blessing.

Also, I was excited today to talk by phone to the United Brethren pastor who is in charge of the work here in Haiti. He is coming tomorrow to see me here in Citi Soilel. I tried 2 times yesterday to get in touch with him but no ringing of the phone. Today the phone rang–he answered and he is coming tomorrow–so I am hoping to get to see our Haitian churches tomorrow!

21 Oct The UB Torch Making the Rounds in Jamaica

Deon McClennon, from Jamaica Conference, sent the following:

Every year Camp Malvern hosts the Jamaica Conference summer youth camp. At this camp over 100 youth attend and many give their souls to Jesus; others rejuvenate and strengthen their commitment to the Lord. Many other spiritual retreats and functions are also held at Camp Malvern.

The camp site is now in urgent need of repairs and development. Work teams from the United States will come to Jamaica in January and February in a 50/50 collaborative effort to develop Camp Malvern.

Since the beginning of the year, fundraising efforts in Jamaica have raised substantial funds for Camp Malvern. On October 17, at the Jamaica Conference midyear conference, the ”UB Torch” was launched. The UB Torch is a four-foot-high replica of our logo with a large square in the middle, which holds the development plans for Camp Malvern. Members who made contributions can sign in the square around the development plans of Camp Malvern.

It is called the UB Torch because it will travel to every church in Jamaica (similar to the Olympic torch), where members who have contributed will sign. The torch will continue to build the momentum as we approach the start of the project

21 Oct Real Good Report on Mamei Simbo

Billy Simbo, bishop of Sierra Leone Conference, sent a report Oct. 20 about his wife, Mamei, who has been hospitalized for the past 7 weeks in Abington, Pa. He writes:

Today’s report begins with thanksgiving and praises! Mamei has overcome the setback that happened last Thursday. The pneumonia is under control, she is off the breathing machine, and she is smiling and interacting with us and the nurses. She was alert because they took her off the sedatives.

It was such a pleasant sight to come in last night and see her sitting up, smiling, and giving the nurse a hard time!

20 Oct Testimonies of Dying for the Gospel

Jeff Bleijerveld, Director of Global Ministries, is in South Africa attending the 3rd Lausanne Congress on World Evangelization. He sent this note on October 20.

We were majorly challenged in this morning session’s. John Piper spoke on Ephesians 3 emphasizing that prayer and suffering are normative to the spread of the gospel and fulfilling the eternal purposes of God. This was followed by testimonies about people who have lost their lives for the gospel in Iran, Saudi Arabia, and Afghanistan.

The story from Afghanistan was shared by the widow of a man who died along with 11 others just two months ago. To say I was overwhelmed by their faith is an understatement. I’m going to be processing some of this for a long while. I don’t think I’ll read Ephesians 3 the same way I have in the past ever again.

We focus on the last verse — immeasurably more — and think in terms of what God will do for us. In reality it refers to what he wants to do in us to bring us in line with His cosmic purpose of bringing salvation to all who would otherwise be nothing more than objects of wrath. In Paul’s world, and the world of the majority of believers where the church is growing, this will always take place in the context of prayer and persecution, not prosperity.

18 Oct Haiti Trip on the New Mission Trip Blog

A group of 12 persons from Canada, plus one from Honduras, spent nearly two weeks in Haiti earlier this month working at the Delmas church in Port au Prince. Team member Joan Sider wrote about the trip each day and took photos.

18 Oct Notes from the Start of Cape Town 2010

The opening of the Third Lausanne Congress on World Evangelization

A South African choir during the opening service of Cape Town 2010.

Jeff Bleijerveld is in Cape Town, South Africa, representing the United Brethren Church as one of 4000 participants selected from 200 countries.

Cape Town 2010, also known as Lausanne III, opened Sunday night, October 17, amid much fanfare. The opening session was hosted by Doug Birdsall, the Lausanne Director, who declared this Third Lausanne Congress on World Evangelization  officially “open.”

With more than 4000 participants and more than a thousand observers from the media, the Vatican, Orthodox and other religious groups, the Congress is one of the largest gatherings of Christian workers in the history of the evangelical Church. Wonderfully “missional” musical pieces were prepared and performed by a multi-national orchestra and a 120-voice South African choir.

All participants meet around tables of six from various regions of the world. The room we are in has more than 800 tables. My table is represented by delegates from Malta, Bangladesh, Slovakia, and Myanmar.

This morning (Monday), we began dealing with the question of truth and specifically making the case for the truth of Christ in a pluralistic, globalized world. Having read papers on the subject in advance and hearing follow-up lectures from various speakers, we began to deal with the challenges and opportunities faced in each of the countries we represent. It was a great time of sharing, learning, and praying for one another.

16 Oct Setback for Mamei Simbo

Billy Simbo, bishop of Sierra Leone Conference, sent this report about his wife, Mamei, who has been hospitalized for about six weeks in Abington, Pa.

As I write this today, we have experienced a setback in Mamei’s care and recovery.

On Wednesday, October 12, we were all excited and rejoicing as they moved Mamei from the Cardiac Surgical Unit to a new unit dubbed “The Penthouse” by the staff because it is in the newest building at the hospital and on the fifth floor. I had her settled in and stayed with her until after 10:00 Wednesday night.

But Thursday afternoon, she was having trouble breathing and they had to sedate her and put her back on the ventilator. She had a very high temperature. So Thursday night  they brought her back to the Cardiac Intensive Care Unit. She is currently under sedation and on the ventilator. She had dialysis done Friday morning and we are awaiting test results to see if there is an infection that is causing her high temperatures. She does have some kind of pneumonia that is causing a build-up in her lungs, so they have put her on massive doses of antibiotics again.

I have to be honest and admit that this is a setback and a disappointing one, because we had seen so much progress. But we will continue to trust and not give up.

Please pray and intercede for the current situation.

1. That she would be weaned off the ventilator and be able to breathe on her own again.
2. That they would find the cause of the high temperatures.
3. That the plan to insert the feeding tube directly into her stomach instead of down her throat would be followed. Mamei needs nourishment to rebuild her strength.

13 Oct Jamaica: Rebuilding at Malvern Camp

In January and February 2011, a series of work teams will head to Jamaica’s Malvern Camp to help rebuild the dining hall/activity center. Global Ministries agreed to cooperate with Jamaica Conference in a 50/50 partnership to provide volunteers and finances. Raymond Johnston of Golden Springs UB in Kingston, Jamaica, will oversee the project. Scott Hughes of Mainstreet UB in Walbridge, Ohio, will oversee the teams sent from North America. That’s him in the video above.

These dates remain available for volunteers:

January 22- 29
January 29 – February 5
February 5-12
February 12-19

We’re looking for team leaders and about 7-8 people per week. Cost per person will be $225 plus airfare to and from Montego Bay.

Contact Donna Hollopeter for more information.

12 Oct Honoring Lloyd and Carol Spencer

Dr. Lloyd and Carol Spencer

On October 10, Faith United Brethren Church in Christ Church in Jamaica held a service in honor and appreciation of Dr. Lloyd and Carol Spencer. Clergymen from within and outside the denomination, family, friends, and members of various local churches came from the entire island, and some from as far as Canada, to show their appreciation for the Spencers.

The service was filled with tributes, each one capturing some aspect of their over 50 years in ministry. They were presented with a citation and various gifts, after which they responded and Rev. Donald Dacres prayed for them.

After the service, a reception was held during which many individuals gave their open tributes.

11 Oct October 9 Update on Mamei Simbo

Billy Simbo sent this update o his wife, Mamei, on Saturday, October 9.

“Mamei has gradually woken up from the anesthesia and is now opening her eyes and responding to our presence. More importantly yesterday afternoon (Friday) I received a call and report from the Cardiac Surgeon who performed the operation. He said he was pleased with the progress Mamei was making with her recovery Post-Op, and all the vital signs had positive indications. He told me we would still not rule out a stroke until she is fully awake and follows commands and tests.

As I write this she is still on the ventilator and is receiving dialysis. They hope to wean her off the machines gradually. Ahead for her is a long road of recovery and physical therapy.

As you have prayed before, we now ask you to focus your prayers on the following:

1. That Mamei would get off the ventilator and breathe on her own.
2. That she would gain the strength and the determination to begin doing those physical therapy exercises that are so vital for her recovery. Movement they say is very crucial right away or she will run the risk of developing pneumonia.
3. Pray for timely recovery from the intensive care unit to the next phase of her treatment. The original plan was 3-4 days.
4. Continue to pray for strength and endurance for the rest of the family. I have really appreciated all of you who have mentioned this in your cards, emails and phone calls. The rest of us need to be well, so we can attend to Mamei’s needs.