Haiti- January 2010
After the devastating Earthquake on January 12, 2010, at the request of Adventist Medical Evangelism Network (AMEN), SHMI sent 2 medical relief teams to Haiti. The first team included 5 surgeons, 1 general practice physician, 1 heavy equipment operator, and 1 public health expert. The second team consisted of 10 medical professionals (dentist, dental assistant, nurse, physical therapist, 2 EMT's, mental health counselor, teacher, surgeon, and a team coordinator). The second team leader, Ron Tilley, estimated that over 9,000 people were served. Lives were changed and hope was renewed for many hurting people.
Southern Sudan, Africa
Ron and Gatbel spent over a week in Southern Sudan. They experienced many miracles as God opened doors for further work in bringing hope and healing. Miraculously, they were able to secure official recognition for SHMI in Southern Sudan. This means that SHMI now has legal NGO (non-governmental organization) status, allowing more freedom and privileges in working there.
Ron and Gatbel were able to do several Village Health Training sessions. The conditions are so primitive that this information was desperately needed. More training is being planned as volunteers are recruited to carry on this work.
God performed many miracles; one took place in Malakal, Southern Sudan. The Elder's wife who 2 months pregnant was seriously ill. She was laying on a cot in front of their thatched hut unable to even raise her head. Ron examined her and discovered she had malaria and typhoid fever. He checked the previously prescibed medicines and advised which ones would be safe for her due to her pregnancy. He then said a prayer for healing with the whole family gathered around. Ron then left to conduct Village Health training in the church nearby. About 10 minutes into the class he was amazed to see this lady walk in and take a seat. She remained in class for the entire day. Her face was radiant, her eyes bright and she did not appear at all ill. Praise the Lord!
Tamil Nadu, India
Pastor Edwin Benny is a humble pastor ministering to local fishermen. We recently purchase land for a Health/Wellness Center as well as a modest home for him and his family. God is blessing this dedicated worker.
$20,000 to construct Health/Wellness Center.
Italian Alps
Danielle Seban does friendship evangelism in Torre Pellice, the center of the Waldenisan Valleys. She writes, "This month It Is Written, with Shawn Boonstra was holding meetings in Rome on Bible Prophecy. Since I was able to download from the internet the audio registration of those meetings, the Lord inspired me to visit friends with my laptop and offer them to listen to the first meeting. 4 persons have listened to the first presentation on Daniel 2 and liked it very much. "
In early July, 2010, we spent 4 beautiful days in the Italian Alps training local people in basic health care. What a wonderful opportunity to teach them how to live healthfully, as well as how to save lives through basic life support.
$1000 for monthly support
Jeeva Jyothi Ministry, Southern India
Funds have been sent to start construction on a school. Pastor John writes “I am so thankful for your earnest effort to help our school with pressing needs. We would like to complete three rooms first and then start with the other three rooms. We are praying for God's guidance for the needed funds. Kindly help us with whatever you get toward the school building." The school serves 120 students.
$5000 to complete school structure
$2500 is needed to complete a boys' dorm
$6000 for a small jeep/van to transport supplies and students.
$25 a month will sponsor an elementary student.
Africa
Local workers are being supplied with motor bikes and cell phones to help them in their education and healing ministry as they serve suffering people. This month one more worker will be equipped.
Wouldn't you like to sponsor a worker?
$900 for each motorcycle
$150 for each solar cell phone
Armenia- Young Indian Man Trains to be a Physician
Philemon is a committed Christian young man. His desire is to return to India and do medical evangelism work. He is active in his local church, as he attends medical school in Armenia.
$100 a month for food & lodging
$2200 for one year's tuition
European Medical & Literature Evangelism
Pastor Kris Lenhart in Austria is actively winning souls through literature evangelism.
From Italy in early July, 2010, we headed into the beautiful countryside of Austria. We spent another 4 days in Linz doing health and wellness training. A group of 25 Austrians met Sunday, July 10 to learn basic life support. They were a fun and enthusiastic group.
Haiti Scholarships for Young People
With the devastation of the January earthquake in Haiti, all education came to a sudden halt. Young men and women have been serving as interpreters for the foreign relief workers, working to relieve the suffering.
These young people want and deserve an opportunity to become productive citizens. They would like to pursue college educations, so that they can return and serve their own people.
For $3000 a year (tuition) they can continue their education. Wouldn't you like to help make this possible?
Haiti- Montrouis Village Health Care Training
In October 2010, SHMI sent a team of 3 nurses and 2 physicians to train about 80 Haitian young people in Village Healthcare, Basic Life Support, and First Aid. This training was held in Montrouis, Haiti, about 50 miles nw of Port-au-Prince.
We took a break on Friday afternoon, due to the extreme heat. The water was lukewarm and crystal clear. This picture below shows many of the students having a good time in the sea.
The training took place at Eden Garden Orphanage, and everywhere we went children were hanging on to us. Many of them have suffered terrible losses in their lives. This picture to the right is typical of what we experienced every day.
The picture above shows how hydrotherapy was an integral part of our training. Several students who were ill, after receiving hydrotherapy treatments made rapid recovery of their fevers and headaches.
Dr. Don Fletcher, ER physician from Auburn, Washington, was a great instructor, teaching mainly Anatomy and Physiology. Here he confers with Ron Fleck during a break between classes.
God blessed us with several excellent interpretors who translated our presentations into French. We had some of the best translators, who had helped translate for several of the ACTS World Relief teams right after the January 12 earthquake that killed over 300,000 Haitians.
While we were training, a lady with a huge goiter was brought to us for evaluation. We are trying to make arrangements for her to have surgery soon.
Thirteen deaf young people attended our training seminar. Here one of the deaf young ladies is praying for the entire group of 80 people for early morning devotions. These deaf people were an inspiration to everyone. They live in a camp in Port-au-Prince with about 4,000 other deaf people, and after hearing about our seminar requested to come.
In this little primitive church in a remote Haitian village, we were asked to urgently come and help a lady who had delivered a baby the day before. Having just accepted the Adventist faith a few weeks previously, when she had trouble delivering her baby she was brought here. After 22 hours, we arrived and with much prayer and hard medical work, delivered a retained placenta. Mother and baby boy are doing fine. The infant mortality rate is 50% at 1 year of age in Haiti, according to recent estimates.
We had an unexpected guest on Sabbath. This little Haitian lady sat on the front row, and seemed to really enjoy the meetings. She especially like the music, and it was entertaining watching her dance to the songs we were singing.
Ricky Kearns, RN, was one of the most valuable members of our team. Not only is he an excellent clinical nurse and health educator, but he is skilled in media (computers, Iphones, videos, photography, projectors, etc.). He is also a pastor, an graduate from Andrews University with a MDiv. degree. "Where's my iphone, Ricky?"
We did a lot of praying. From the Miracle Hour of prayer at 6 am, and during the day, until late at night, there were frequent sessions of earnest prayer. These 80 young people would be going all over Haiti to help take care of the physical, emotional, and spiritual needs of suffering Haitians, and we prayed that the Holy Spirit would be with them and empower them with God's healing power.
Sabbath evening graduation included giving each graduate of the training program a certificate (in French), a training CPR manikin, some garden seeds, and a few other little first aid supplies. For some, this was the first certificate they had ever received. SHMI has also sent personal identification name badges for each trainee, which will help give them access to places where they can help people in need.
Only one word describes the feeling we had after arriving back in Pasco, Washington--EXHAUSTION. But, we must not forget the people who are still suffering in Haiti, and many other places around the world. May God help us, and maybe you could help us..
Thanks to Dr. Bill Murdoch in Walla Walla, and his office staff at his dental office, who helped make this trip possible.
Our team of six returned February 21 after 10 days of travel and training.
Twenty five representatives from remote villages gathered for 6 days of
intensive Village Health training. They are government first aid responders
for their villages and surrounding areas. The Minister of Health for Peten,
the local department/state, selected them. He signed the diplomas, which
were presented to them at the completion of the course, along with his
governmental seal. This gave even more credibility.
Each day started with the Miracle Hour of Prayer. Small groups formed in the classroom sending heartfelt prayers of praise and requests to God. Some of the subjects covered included anatomy and physiology, water and massage therapies, and Basic Life Support. Village Health covered such topics as nutrition, cleanliness, natural remedies for diarrhea, dehydration, etc., also well as care of the teeth and benefits of sunshine.
Guatemala 2011
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God's spirit moved on the hearts of these people. Over the 6 days we saw lives changed. Their testimonies at the graduation program expressed their appreciate for the spiritual component of each presentation. They said this was the best and most complete training they had ever received. What a blessing to play a small part in helping the people of Guatemala as these trainers now return to their villages to teach and care for their family, friends and neighbors.
Our SHMI Team included: Dr. Don Fletcher, Karen Fletcher, RN, Sherry Wiedemann, RN, Diana Anderson, RN, Dr. Ron Fleck and Bobbie Fleck.ere to add text.
Maria Awaits Surgery- June 2011
Maria Xitimail is a 38 year old Guatemala registered nurse whom we have brought to the Unites States for a total hip replacement. The local hospital and orthopedic surgeion have agreed to not charger anything for thioer services. WE initially thought the complany that provides total hip prosthesis(to incluide the stem, shell, line and head) would donate this equipment. However, we must now pay $5,500 for this prosthesis to be used in her surgery.
Maria suffered a left hip fracture/dislocation at age 4 when she slipped and fell in a mud-puddle in northern Guatemala. Her parents were very poor, and also alcoholics, so she received no treatment until age 21. Routine x-rays at that time showed that her left hip bone was about 6 inches desplaced from the socket. Amazingly, she had been trying to get around on this hip for 17 years with it completly dislocated.
After 2 failed hip surgeries in Guatemala, including a below-the-knee amuptation, she has now been approved for a left total hip replacement. We expect her surgery to be in the next week. After she recovers from surgery she will be returning to work as a nurse in Guatemala.
If you would like to help pay for this prosthesis for Maria, please send your check to Second Hope Ministries International or make a donation online.
