Friday, July 6, 2012

Into Africa

The team landed in South Africa safe and sound. We rested well last night and this morning we being the drive to the Mozambique border. Pray that our crossing goes smoothly. We will be worshipping with the people in Maputo tomorrow. Jared celebrated his birthday in his birthplace complete with drums and African singers.

Monday, July 2, 2012

Wichita Eagle

We were featured in the Wichita Eagle. Check out the story and the photos. Thank to Stan Singer for the help!
Click Here

Saturday, June 23, 2012

Malaria and Our Team

We now know we are getting close. The team started their malaria medicine today. Two weeks from today our team will cross the South Africa/Mozambique border at Ressano Garcia and drive into the capital, Maputo.

Prayer Requests:
Medical Supplies - We are concerned about getting our medical supplies through all the border crossings without taxes, tariffs, or duty. Pray that officials allow us through without any hassles.

Visas - We are applying for Visas through the Mozambique embassy in Washington DC. Pray that this is a  swift and smooth process.

Transportation - We have had a last minute change of plans on vehicles in South Africa. We cannot use a vehicle we were hoping to. Pray that one more vehicle can be found without stress or cost.

Thanks for keeping up with us. We will be posting regularly as the trip begins on July 2.

Wednesday, June 20, 2012

For those who are afraid of traveling to Mozambique
Click here
Mozambique is listed as one of the top 50 peaceful countries.

Saturday, June 9, 2012

Bringing it together

We are now inside of 30 days until lift-off. Here are a few notes of update and concern:

Travel Plans
Two vehicles are driving from Wichita to Chicago. One is going through Iowa to pick up Judy, one of the RN's. The other vehicle is driving through Springfield, IL, to pick up medical supplies and Jim, another RN. Two team members, Bill & Maria, will be flying to Chicago from their respective launch points. Pray that all arrive in Chicago on time and safe.

Border-crossing Concerns
Pray that we will be able to cross international borders without incident. We will be caring a significant supply of medical equipment that will be donated to the hospital. We need to be able to cross without tariffs or duty fees.

South African Drivers
We are blessed to be partnering with Rolf Hageman of 3D - Outreach . He and another man will be driving us from Johannesburg to Maputo and Nhaloi and back again. Rolf has been a tremendous blessing. His experience and availability have made him a valuable asset.

Medical Supplies
We are in the final stages of gathering medical supplies. There are a couple of items we are having difficulty obtaining, primarily medications. The next two weeks will include inventorying and creating manifests. Thanks to all who have contributed to the gathering of the supplies including doctors, nurses, hospitals, and individuals. You know who you are.

Personal Note
One of team members has a family member battling cancer. This is a difficult time to be gone. Please pray for health and strength.
Judy McQuown is featured in her local paper and Avera Holy Family Hospital Foundation partners with Hope & Healing Africa. Read about it here

Monday, April 30, 2012

Our T-Shirt Design

We are ordering T-Shirts today. We will be picking them up on Friday. If you would like one, please call the church office - (316)722-3125 or buy one this Friday (5/4/12) at the benefit concert.

Tuesday, April 24, 2012

SKYPE Conference Call

Just a reminder to the team...

We are holding a Skype conference call on Thursday, April 26 at 7pm. Hendrik's Skype name is: hendrik.smidderks

See you on Skype!

Tuesday, March 27, 2012

Landmines and Rats

In a most bizarre story, the remaining landmines left after the civil war are being demined with the help of rats. Trained rats. I had to post this because I first thought it was a joke, but it is true!
 Here is the link to the story.


By the way, we will not be in any areas with remaining landmines. When I traveled there in 1998 I met two Australians who were demining. They asked me right away where we would be working. They assured me that there were no mines left in the area around Nhaloi.

Wednesday, March 21, 2012

More on Medical Supplies

Jim B. in Illinois put us in touch with a terrific charity that is prepared to help us with medical equipment. Today Jim, Hendrik, and a friend, Dave, toured their facility outside Springfield, Illinois. Most of the supplies we are wanting to take will be available through them at almost no cost. Stay tuned as we update our list. Team members be prepared to carry medical supplies in your luggage!

Friday, March 9, 2012

Map of Nhaloi

CLICK HERE to find Nhaloi Hospital on Google Maps

Select Satelite view to see the buildings

Malaria Information for the Massinga District

Nhaloi Hospital is in the Massinga district of Inhambane province. The Malaria Consortium published a page with some interesting stats. Most interesting to me is the following:
0.79 hospital beds per 1000 inhabitants
Fatality rate due to malaria in pediatric wards was 2.3%
10 health facilities in a district of 186,292 people
CLICK HERELink

Thursday, March 8, 2012

Preliminary Medical Supplies

Here is the first list of medical supplies we are wanting to take:
  • 6 Stethoscopes
  • 2 Manuel BP Cuffs
  • 2 Pulse Oxymeters
  • IV Lines and Needles
  • Suture Kit
  • Drug Samples: Pain Meds and Antibiotics
  • Surgical masks
  • Exam gloves - latex and nitrile
  • Sterile gloves
  • Sterile areas
  • Misc. surgical equipment for minor procedures (hemostats, scalpels, etc.)

We have already secured:

  • 2 Nebulizers
  • 1 Otoscope
  • 1 Fetal Dopplar

If you would like to help, please contact Hendrik at ezulween@gmail.com

Fever Pitch

I probably shouldn't use that turn of phrase with a medical team going to the tropics, but things are heating up, figuratively and literally.

We are in a push to purchase our airfare for the team. With the Summer Olympics in London in July and the strife with Iran driving up fuel costs, airline ticket prices are rising rapidly. We are going to plan on purchasing the tickets in the next week. This means we need to raise another $5000 - $6000 in the next week. Scary!

I was reminded this morning in reading scripture that God is able. If this team is to be successful, it will only be with His help.

This afternoon I made phone calls to try to open new contacts for funding. I am happy to say that the time was not wasted.

On another front, we are moving ahead with securing medical supplies. One piece of great news is that we have been promised a fetal dopplar. This piece of equipment is almost brand new. One of team members, Judy McQuown will be training the nurses at Nhaloi in it is use.

Two physicians in the Wichita area have expressed a desire to assist in the acquisition of other medical supplies. Jim in Illinois is also soliciting donations. I will be posting a list and as the items come in I will update it.

Thursday, January 12, 2012

More interesting stuff

Information on diseases in Mozambique

Interesting Stats from another organaization

From USAID click here

Word from Maputo

We have received word from Bishop Joao Uanela Nahpale in the capital, Maputo. He has extended an invitation to our team and will be gathering information for us. He will also be assisting with coordinating things in the country. Communication with Mozambique can be difficult. Please pray that future communications will be unimpeded.