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Merry
Christmas and a Happy New Year!
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Dear Augustus Lutheran Church,
We have so much to be grateful for in this season! Not least is
the opportunity we have had to be together as a family, with all
3 children here. We have had the time to play games, bake
cookies, have good conversations over many cups of coffee. It has
been wonderful to be together in our home in Tanzania.
We hope that you also have been blessed in this festive season
where we celebrate the coming of the Light. Your support over
this year in heartfelt conversations with us, prayers,
giving and encouragement in our journey are invaluable to us. We
cannot do this work, nor walk this path, alone.
It has been a year with plenty of challenges that at times have
felt without end. The main hospital where Steve has worked for
the past 10 years has faced a growing exodus of talented doctors
and nurses, chronic shortages of medications and supplies, financial
challenges and hospital governance concerns.
Yet here at the end of the year, we see God's provision of
strength and vision, and we can look back and give thanks for
this past year. Even in the difficult and stressful situations,
we have seen unexpected gifts amidst shortages.
We are grateful for...
- 10
years of medical service in Tanzania
- Our
3rd annual Tiny Feet, Big Steps Neonatology
Conference: 94 hospitals, 226 attendees, 15
countries, and 40 instructors present.
- Healing
of Caedmon's knee after a very dangerous fall
- Generous
welcome for Jodi to work with two local schools in the
development of a Garden and Nutrition Club
- 200+
malnourished children served through the feeding program at
Selian Lutheran Hospital
- 300
babies treated in a NICU that is still running well
- 2
Tanzanian doctors (Deborah and Hilda) accepted into
pediatric residency programs in Kenya and South
African, respectively
- Children
treated every day in clinics, urgent care and on the
pediatric wards through doctors trained by Steve
- Ongoing
support of all bed fees for hospitalized children at our
sister hospital, Selian Lutheran Hospital
- Training
of doctors and medical students in Global Pediatrics from
USA and other countries.
2024 promises change. New work is to begin, which
fills us with hope and is needful for children in Tanzania. Stay
tuned.
We look forward to your continued to journeying with us.
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We had a fun Christmas party
with the 6 Pediatric Doctors in Training! Such amazing,
committed and capable young Tanzanians for whom we are so
grateful.
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Christmas cookies took on some
interesting twists this year! Mama is happy to have all
her chicks in the nest for a time and there have been lots of
games, Christmas movies, cappuccinos, and my artists have been
busy with paints and lino! Nothing is ever perfect, but it is
good. We are thankful to be together.
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With wars and displaced people searching for a
place to lay their heads... we look for light. Somewhere.
Everywhere.
Praying that the light shines in the darkness.
Praying for peace on earth.
Working for peace on earth.
May you have peace in your home and in your heart this season of
light.
With our love,
Steve & Jodi
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End
of year giving
If you are interested in sending a year-end gift
for the work we are doing, we would be grateful. Tax-deductible
donations support purchases of equipment, supplies and medicine
in NICU, as well as feeding for malnourished children, bed fees
for pediatric and NICU families without funds, and educational
costs of training doctors and nurses in pediatrics.
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