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Christmas Wishes from Week of Compassion
The Birth of Hope. This is what we celebrate on Christmas day. A story filled with so many ordinary, familiar things. Taxes to be paid. Shepherds putting in more hours than they might like. And a young family, ready to add one more, but with no reservation for a bed, and little to no money-squeezing into a barn, a cave, some humble lodging barely fit for animals, much less people. Humble. Poor. Hunkering down, desperate for a place to stay. This is the family we remember on this day, one of the most holy in the Christian calendar. But we remember, too, this story as one of God's generosity, God's peace, God's hope. We see God in the borning cry, twinkling eyes, and sleepy sounds of a child. In the midst of uncertainty, God generously brings hope into the world, and God invites us into a life of hope, generosity, and peace-making. Over the course of 2011, we at Week of Compassion have been so blessed to witness how you have chosen to live lives of generosity and peace-making. We have seen your gifts support those recovering from disasters across the United States: Spring storms and flooding, tornadoes, fires. We have partnered with you to help with tsunami recovery in Japan and to provide relief to a record-breaking famine across the Horn of Africa. We have witnessed your generous support of small-scale farmers and entrepreneurs, and we have seen you bring new sources of water and food to the hungry and vulnerable. We have seen your hope intertwine with God's hope-and we have seen your generosity reflect that of a God who continues to fill the world with grace. This Christmas, we give thanks for each of you, your partnership, and the hope that is re-born in our hearts each day. You are precious gifts, turning the ordinary into the extraordinary. Thank you.
Mission Partners--Bolenge Hospital, Democratic Republic of the Congo
Bolenge Hospital, located in the city of Bolenge, in the Equatorial Province of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), was built in 1928 by the Community of Disciples of Christ in the Congo (CDCC), a partner church with Global Ministries for over 100 years. In a typical year Bolenge Hospital treats over 16,000 patients; over 50 percent for HIV/AIDS- related illnesses. Much work is also done at Bolenge Hospital to provide early childhood vaccinations, prenatal visits, and obstetrical care as well as treatment of chronic and punctual illness and disease. For many years during the height of the violent war in the DRC, the entire area was of one of ongoing conflict. Even though hostilities have lessened, the area continues to be unstable, subject to interference from delinquent or political armed groups. This has obliged the Bolenge Hospital to prepare itself for operations in the middle of instability if the need arises. It is one among very few, if not the only, medical facility providing care in this area of the DRC. On June 13, 2006, the Bolenge Hospital experienced an electrical fire, which completely destroyed the hospital's newer main building and equipment. Community members worked hard to save the people inside the building before it was completely engulfed by flames and no human lives were lost. The patients were brought to the homes of doctors, pastors, and others in the community, and some were relocated to nearby Mbandaka. Since then, the hospital has been operating out of an old building with 18 doctors and nurses having returned to work. This older building is not equipped to handle Bolenge's wide range of health needs, and a proposal to reconstruct the burned hospital building and modernize the other buildings has been presented and is being implemented as resources become available. Approximately three years after the fire, the new pediatric ward building was completed. This is a major triumph in the rebuilding of the hospital. By February of 2010, the pediatric ward was outfitted with equipment, beds, and medical instruments and the new ward was dedicated. The next phase of the hospital is the maternity ward. About half of the building costs for this ward are already committed. The total cost for each ward is approximately $125,000 plus the added costs of beds, equipment, etc. Additional building plans for the remainder of the hospital call for modernized buildings containing a total of 150 beds. This will equip the hospital to cover the health needs of the population and attention against endemic diseases. The overall construction timeline is contingent upon the available funds with financial aid coming from several different partners, both local and abroad, and regular construction evaluations made two or three times each year. Examples of the supply costs: - A basic thermometer or stethoscope costs approximately $5
- A blood pressure gauge is $35
- A metal bed for a patient is $350
The new, modernized hospital is expected to positively reinforce the presence of the CDCC in the Bolenge area, as well as significantly benefit the health of those in the immediate and wider area. Global Ministries hopes that Disciples and UCC members in the United States and Canada will not see the fire at Bolenge Hospital only as a setback, but also as an opportunity to be a Critical Presence in a country that continues to witness to God’s mission through their resilience and faithfulness.
Mt. Healthy Alliance Food Pantry
Located in Our BuildingEnter from Hill Ave. side of building Hours of Operation--Monday, Thursday and Saturday 9 am until Noon Tuesday 5 pm until 7 pm Parking is available in lot across Hill Ave. from church building Contact Kathy Lorenz, Pantry Director, at 521-3700
Special Gift from Mt. Healthy Christian Church Member
Global Ministries is pleased to receive a significant Memorial Gift for Mrs. Ardythe M. Kleesattel. Her husband, Reverend Robert E. Kleesattel, of Mt. Healthy Ohio, and their family provided this gift to supply items needed to equip the new pediatric unit of the Bolenge Hospital in the Democratic Republic of Congo. "Ardythe was born October 17, 1928 and gained her pre-medicine degree from Bethany College in the hopes of serving in the Bolenge Hospital. She passed away November 11, 2003." Global Ministries is very grateful for this gift in memory of Ardythe M. Kleesattel. The new equipment provided, along with the new pediatric wing of Bolenge Hospital will be dedicated during a Global Ministries visit there in February 2010. Progress on the new pediatric wing for Bolenge Hospital July 15, 2009Received by Global Ministries Area Executive for Africa, Reverend Sandra Gourdet, about Progress on the new pediatric wing for Bolenge Hospital, Democratic Republic of Congo  June 18, 2009
Dear Sister Sandra, Today I would like to report on the construction progress of the pediatric wing of our Bolenge Hospital. Under the surveillance of the architect surrounded by a committee appointed by me, the CDCC is happy to confirm that the work done up to this point is satisfactory to everyone. A delay to the original work scheduled was caused by the late arrival of timber and the time it took for it to dry before using it.  We are almost at the point of the finishing touches as the roof has already been completed and we hope that everything will be finished July 2009. Please note that other difficulties disturbing the smooth flow of work are caused by the lack of regular electricity which is needed to make the burglar bars for the windows and doors. But the building itself will be finished near the end of July or the beginning of August 2009.
I have attached photos of the actual work. Before my arrival in Indianapolis, you will have other photos because while I am writing you, the finishings and installation of electricity continue. The doors and windows are also being fabricated. Let's continue to pray for we are determined to have buildings that are worthy of this hospital, the mirror of the church in terms of sanitary facilities. In Christ, Reverend Eliki Bonanga
President
Disciples of Christ Community in the Congo For More Information
Sandra Gourdet
Area Executive
Africa
PO Box 1986
Indianapolis,Indiana 46206
317-713-2551
Fax: 317-635-4323
sgourdet@dom.disciples.org
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