Happy springtime, for most.... we are now in the dry season, heading towards African winter! The skies are clear and blue, offering great conditions for flying to remote and isolated communities, bringing Good News, medical staff and vital supplies to a nation dealing with poverty, malnutrition, disease and the after effects of civil war.
Jez recently flew to neighbouring Namibia, and amongst other key matters reviewed arrangements for a regular flight enabling resources and logistics to be flown rather than the long arduous trek across some 2,000 kilometres taking at least 4 days of travel by car...!
Carina continues teaching English at the Bible Institute a few times each week, also up at CEML mission hospital.... here a patient is showing how to make a basket from the long grass, wrapped in threads of plastic taken from an empty rice sack, the colour of the which determines the colour of the bowl/basket being woven. Now at the 6 month mark in country and only on a CEML visit was any thought given to "wildlife" grateful neither 8 legged BEASTies nor slithering nasties have been spotted, though some black mambas have caused recent problems for workmen!
Carina continues teaching English at the Bible Institute a few times each week, also up at CEML mission hospital.... here a patient is showing how to make a basket from the long grass, wrapped in threads of plastic taken from an empty rice sack, the colour of the which determines the colour of the bowl/basket being woven. Now at the 6 month mark in country and only on a CEML visit was any thought given to "wildlife" grateful neither 8 legged BEASTies nor slithering nasties have been spotted, though some black mambas have caused recent problems for workmen!
A few days ago we stood amazed, realising how several years ago, whilst working with the lovely physiotherapy team at Ashburton hospital, in Devon, Carina was keen to work with amputee folk. Little did we anticipate the weekly visits to CEML would entail helping surgical patients, not with mobility (yet?) but to learn English during recuperation following (leg) amputation. Photo shows some antiquated prosthesis, thankfully, though sadly our patients have none at all....yet.
MAF planes fly medical staff out to isolated communities, some are regular flights to Kalukembe hospital and Cavango clinic and we hope to reach new destinations when permissions are granted.
This picture shows our amazingly devoted (octogenarian!!) Dr Steve Collins preparing to return from a fortnight of bush work "restoring sight to the blind", literally, having performed hundreds of surgical procedures in the most basic of clinics.
Perhaps you too might ask Father God for an additional someone to continue this phenomenal work, as the Psalms says "Open my eyes to see the miracle-wonders hidden in Your Word"
Also grateful to see something of this magnificent country: "the Leba," below
May is a birthday month for many... we celebrated Jez's with the team, eating gazelle and crocodile - a whole lot more tender than the beef!
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| Fellow ladies having a birthday brunch! |
Devotions: currently each week one staff member shares their significant verses from the Bible "I memorise them and write them on my heart to keep me from committing sins treason against you" Passion Translation Psalm 119
Some operational planning at our home here with Brent, Marcel and others on skype...
Finally, some prayer needs to share if we may...
Firstly we praise the Lord for a miracle! Marijn should be back with us by the time you read this! Please pray Noortje and children soon receive their visas, in order to join us.
Grandbaby number 3, due end of July
Facilitating strategic decisions is always a difficult process in any setting or country but overcoming local challenges in Angola is proving to be... well, challenging...
For our continued health and well-being (and grateful that Carina's back is fabulously improved)
In Angola there are 4 million cases of malaria resulting in 15,000 deaths annually and is the cause of 50% of all deaths of children under the age of 5.
Several folk we know have struggled with it. One of our mission partners, Dr Tim who serves with SIM is currently battling it, who sums up the thoughts of many here in his recent blog, which says:
"It is healthy to again come face-to-face with my mortality and remember that my days are numbered, that this life is truly but a vapour in the setting of eternity, and that my Father is good, whether I live or die, whether I am sick or well, whether I choose to surrender to Him or walk independently of Him ... He is good. In just a few years, each of us will see (more clearly) just how good He is ...
An illness like this, like separation from our family and other challenges of serving cross-culturally, prompts again certain questions: "What are you willing to do for My sake and for the sake of those I Love?" "Are you willing to endure this again to serve the rural people in Angola?" and "Are you willing to die from malaria?" I really, really never want to go there again... but am I willing? My true beliefs will be expressed in what I do, much more so than in anything I say or write ... See www.kubackisinangola.com
Thank you for journeying with us here in Angola. God bless you.
Sending fondest of love,
Jez and Carina xx
