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Dr. Mark Jacobson
December 16, 1951- February 11, 2022
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Dear Augustus Lutheran Church,
On February 11, we lost our dear friend, leader, and colleague,
Dr. Mark Jacobson to aggressive brain cancer. He and his wife,
Linda, had given 37 years in service to Tanzania. A hole has been
left in this community, and our hearts.
Mark was a visionary and under his direction, a one-room clinic
was transformed into Selian Lutheran Hospital and later, Arusha
Lutheran Medical Center was built and established. He developed
programs for the care of HIV/AIDS patients and was instrumental
in the advancement of palliative care, cancer care, and the
establishment of the Plaster House. He was a source of encouragement
for many healthcare workers, investing in the medical and nursing
training of the staff. He was "a sounding board" for
us. Ten years ago, we flew out to Tanzania to meet Mark
& Linda. He impressed upon us the need to move to Tanzania,
for the sake of children here. Because of both Mark &
Linda, and the ELCA, we are here today.
Last month we traveled back to MN to attend Mark Jacobson's
memorial service. We were not surprised to find many
friends and colleagues who joined us there to remember him and to
give our love to Linda. During the memorial service, their oldest
daughter (Laura) asked how many had shared a meal at the Jacobson
table in Il Boru, Tanzania... and over 200 people raised their
hands! Mark and Linda opened their home to all travelers, friends,
and strangers. All were welcome at their table. Our family also
shared meals there with them, including Thanksgiving gatherings,
and Mark always had stories and jokes to share. He was a warm and
generous man who took time for people.
It goes without saying, but needs to be said, that we miss him
greatly. A giant in missions and healthcare has returned home.
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Our 2021 NICU Annual Report.
A few highlights:
- 340
babies treated (a record)
- 53%
premature babies
- 92%
overall survival
- 50%
of admissions arriving from other hospitals
- 1
conference w/ 55 hospitals, 160 doctors & nurses
trained
- 1
NICU handbook published
- $250,000
raised for NICU and pediatric work
- No
baby ever turned away for financial reasons
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Theresia, with her preterm
baby. He was born at 26 weeks gestation, weighing 760 grams
(1.7 pounds). Theresia stayed with him every day in the
hospital. After nearly 3 months, he is going home... an active,
healthy baby boy.
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School
of Nursing
One of Mark's requests to me (Jodi) was for some landscaping and
garden work at ALMC's School of Nursing in Arusha. When I met
with the principal, her greatest request was for planting and
harvesting of vegetables and legumes for consumption at the school.
So, I started there and we moved on to include guava, papaya,
avocado, and pomegranate trees and passion fruit vines! I'll be
honest, I love growing trees, flowers and vegetables, so this was
right up my alley! I found a well trained Tanzanian, John Mollel,
to assist me and the students have been helping. I am hopeful
that many of them will gain practical understanding of the health
benefits through their work.
Finally, I have been added on to the lecture schedule and am
giving lectures on nutrition/malnutrition with the hope that the
students will apply what they learn to their own lives as well as
the care of their patients. Their next rotational block is at
Selian Hospital where they will have the opportunity to put their
knowledge into practice.
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Having fun while planting our perennial and herbal
garden beds!
(John Mollel is on the far R, Nursing School dining
Hall and Dormitories are in the background)
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Some specific requests to keep in your prayers:
* Comfort and healing for Linda and her 3 daughters
* Continued health and protection for our family
* Wisdom to navigate some recent changes in hospital leadership
* Parenting wisdom
Thank you. We are so grateful for your participation in the
ongoing work in Tanzania. Some days the challenges seem to
pile up on us and it is easy to lose sight of the big picture. We
need days to step back and rest and remember. When we take the
opportunity to do so, we are grateful. Grateful that the God of
peace and wisdom still watches over us and guides us in our
daily work. And we are grateful for friends like you. May you
also experience His blessing on your days and on your
work. "Establish
the work of our hands..." Ps. 90:17
Steve &
Jodi
Much of the pediatric work, including care of hospitalized
newborns and malnourished children, is supported through your
donations.
Please
consider making a donation.
www.tanzanianchildren.com or www.tanzanianchildren.org
USA
tax-deductible donations and charitable account giving can also
be received through the Tanzanian
Pediatric-NICU Fund at
Global Health Ministries.
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