Thursday, March 25, 2010

A piece of my heart will always be in Ecuador

Nate and I will be flying to West Africa in three and a half months and my heart beats faster just thinking about it! Many times I have cried while watching videos about the beautiful African people because my desire was to be on the other side of the screen with them. But as the excitment about being in Africa increases, there are also feelings of sadness about being far away from family and friends. I have always wished that visiting my family in Ecuador was as easy as taking a bus and going away for the weekend.

In the last weeks, I've had an increasing desire to visit my home country one last time before our two year service with Mercy Ships. And after praying about it with Nate, we remembered that a check from his past job had not been deposited and was being reissued. The amount in the check was almost the exact amount of the price to buy two round trip plane tickets to Ecuador.

Can you guess where am I going with this? Yes, we are going to Ecuador!

King David was right when he wrote "Delight yourself in the Lord and he will give you the desires of your heart" (Psalm 37:4). God is good!

There is one more desire in my heart regarding my connection with Ecuador. Let me tell you about Dulce Refugio:

"Dulce Refugio" means Sweet Refuge, and it is the name of my home church in Quito, the capital of Ecuador. I love being at Dulce Refugio, especially the days when 270 children (ages 3 to 18) come to spend time with their "Aunts and Uncles" who help them with their school work, prepare lunch for them, play with them, heal their wounds, and teach them about the Bible and God's love for them. I admire those serving the children. They love them so much: in word and deed. And the children are such a joy.

Dulce Refugio at lunch time

Nate playing tug-of-war with Dulce Refugio kids

Here is a video we made in 2009 about Dulce Refugio inviting people to come with us last July. We went with a group of seven took 13 suitcases full of school supplies, medicines, clothing, and Bibles and 9 laptopts. Praise the Lord! It was a wonderful experience.



People say that an image says more than a thousand words and I hope you noticed the condition of the facilities where the children come to be loved and helped. They are not in good condition and they are too small. Currently, Dulce Refugio is constructing a four story building with classrooms, a clinic, a computer lab, a kitchen, a church sanctuary and even a play ground on the terrace. The dream is to serve 500 children and even have an "Integral Development Center" where the kids come to school and receive help in areas including physical, emotional, and spiritual.

3-D Representation of new building

Current building site: foundation and ground floor columns

Can you guess how much money a project like this would cost?

In the U.S. probably over 1,000,000 dollars... In Ecuador, only 1/10th of that...

My desire is to see Dulce Refugio finish this project in 2010, and I found out today that people at the church have been praying about the same, by faith. I have seen their hard work and love. They do not give up. I also know raising 100,000 dollars in Ecuador is very difficult and without God's intervention, the building will be under construction forever.

Please join us in praying for provision for this specific financial need. This is something that God has put in my heart. Please pray also about how you can help, whether by donating financially or by sharing about this need with your friends and church. We welcome anyone who would like to come to Ecuador and visit Dulce Refugio with the desire to help. We will be there from May 4 to 18. Call me at 607-342-5038 for more information.

May God bless you abundantly in all you do and may you be a blessing to many.


-Cecilia

"But who am I, and who are my people, that we should be able to give as generously as this? Everything comes from you, and we have given you only what comes from your hand. We are aliens and strangers in your sight, as were all our forefathers. Our days on earth are like a shadow, without hope. O Lord our God, as for all this abundance that we have provided for building you a temple for your Holy Name, it comes from your hand and all of it belongs to you. I know, my God, that you test the heart and are pleased with integrity. All these things have I given willingly and with honest intent. And now I have seen with joy how willingly your people who are here have given to you. O Lord, God of our fathers Abraham, Isaac and Israel, keep this desire in the hearts of your people forever, and keep their hearts loyal to you."
1 Chronicles 29:14-18

Tuesday, March 23, 2010

Mercy Ministries in Benin, 2009


This story was published in 2009.  I include it in this blog because we will be a part of this type of work starting in Togo, then Sierra Leone.  Cecilia and Nate will be land-based "host receivers", as part of a team to further coordinate the work of Mercy Ships on land.  Please read to see one side of the work Mercy Ships is doing to bring hope to a world of need.
Many crew members of the Africa Mercy hold positions that involve little or no interaction with the local community.  Thus, in every field service, Mercy Ministries provides opportunities for crew members to work within the local community through partnerships with longstanding, land-based ministry projects.  "Many of the crew work eight-hour, very routine jobs onboard the Africa Mercy," said Mercy Ministries Coordinator, Ines Kronester.  "I think they appreciate the opportunity to get a feel for what is going on outside in the local community.  It's important to see how other ministries are working in Africa."  


Mercy Ships crew member visit children at the School of the Deaf in Benin.  It's one of several land-based ministry sites crew members regularly visit.
Before the Africa Mercy enters a country, a small team is sent in advance to begin forming relationships with local ministries.  Upon arrival, Ines identifies approximately ten ministry sites crew members can partner with throughout the field service.   
"Ideally we find team leaders for each site.  Crew members can then sign up to go out and minister at theses sites during their spare time.  Ideally, most opportunities occur in evenings and the weekends," said Kronester.  "It's very low-key at the beginning.  We start by doing visitations, playing with kids, and supporting long-term ministries in practical ways like painting and cleaning."
During the 2009 Field Service in Benin, ministry opportunities have included working at a home for trafficked and abused boys, alongside the Missionaries of Charity, and supporting Soeurs Salisiennes, a skills training program for market girls run by the female branch of Don Bosco.


Ines Kronester, of Germany, reads a story to children at the C.E.O. Boy's Home for abandoned and trafficked street kids. 
The skills training program has been one of Kronester's favorite ministry sites.  "It's an amazing program," she said.  Participating girls come from the harsh market, where they have a rough and stressful daily routine.  Each is given the opportunity to complete two of the six-month courses on baking, pastry-making, cooking, or soap-making.  Girls are taken in overnight for a small fee and complete the skills training in the mornings, returning to sell in the market in the afternoons.  The program is designed to enable girls to sell better items in the market or leave the harsh environment altogether.   
One of the children at the C.E.O. Boys Home works on a special art project. 
Mercy Ships crew have had the opportunity to share the message of Jesus Christ during their visitations.  "We visit the program every week.  Because it's girls who are coming from the market, it's not a place where everyone is well-behaved and quiet.  They can be really rude and competitive. But many have never really heard about Jesus.  We try to bring a piece of the Gospel message across with very simple language, visualizations, and acting out scenarios," said Kronester.   

Market girls participate in the Soeurs Salisiennes skills training program.  "We visit the program every week.  It's an amazing program," said Ines Kronester.
On average, eighty crew members visit various Mercy Ministry sites every week.  Often, crew members discover serious needs of land-based partners.  Many times, crew members have offered further assistance through financial offerings and special projects.  "It often becomes much bigger than visitations.  Crew members feel like they've left something behind, something very purposeful," said Kronester.  "We try to offer a broad range of ministry opportunities so everyone can find their place.  We've gotten a lot of feedback from exiting crew members saying these are often the most valuable times for them.  It's been well-received." 
Written by Megan Petock
Edited by Nancy Predaina

Wednesday, March 17, 2010

Thurston Ave. Love

Sunday, March 14, 2010 was a cold, cloudy, rainy day on Cornell campus.  The past week has been tragic for the student body here.  A number of students took their lives by jumping from some of the bridges that span the gorges on campus. Why do I mention this on our blog?  Because some friends chose to stand at this bridge, the Thurston Ave bridge, and try to impact people for the better.  They went with chalk, and a pleasant disposition to try to brighten the mood and let students know that someone really does care.

It was a somber atmosphere, with a security guard in a red jacket posted at the bridge too.

People wrote things like  "Thurston Ave Love" and "be the change" on the concrete in bright letters.

We bowed in prayer for the whole campus, then left.  It's a small thing to do, but I KNOW that if we reach out to others, it is well worth the investment in time, money, and whatever else it could be.  When you reach out to someone who need a little hope in their life, you are changing the world.






Those are hard words to really follow.  I have a few ideas though:  
1. Play positive music from loud speakers in the Arts quad while classes are changing.  For that matter, when you drive on campus, roll down the windows and play loud, good, positive music from your car.  Of course some people will look at you strange, but others will start walking to the beat and smile at you.  
2. Set up random "free tea and coffee" stations, staffed by positive people who are willing to smile, and chat for a while. 
3. When you talk to your friends and acquaintances, REALLY REALLY LISTEN.

Saturday, March 13, 2010

Learning French

I am psyched about learning French.  
It is a wonderful language, especially when spoken by our tutor, Germain.  He is a wonderfully strong-willed man, originally from Congo.  He came from a rural village to study in France and has been back and forth many times.  He has been in the US for about 6 years now, and has been teaching at Syracuse University, and tutoring high school students French here in Ithaca.  He has a heart for teaching, and we have a great time when we get together.  We don't just have a French lesson, but we talk about Africa, about world issues, about history and the problems of the day.  He is African, and he has an African perspective.  He is also schooled in Europe and has a very unique viewpoint from there as well.  He can see things from both sides.  He knows what it's like to be both African and European.  We have a great time talking and I always look forward to his arrival at our home.  God has brought many people into our lives to prepare us for this adventure in Africa with Mercy Ships.  Germain is one of those people, and we thank God for his presence in our lives. 

Je suis heureux!
Rusty old boats in the Congo river, Brazzaville.


Useful boats in the Congo River, Brazzaville.

Friday, March 05, 2010

Togo History and Culture


We are headed to Togo in just a few months.  Here's a great website on the history and culture of this very small country in the West of Africa.  You can find articles on most of the countries of the world here.


Here's an excerpt:

EDICINE AND EALTH ARE

Similar to other underdeveloped, tropical nations, Togo's population is challenged by numerous health problems, including parasitic, intestinal, nutritional, venereal, and respiratory diseases.
Public health problems are exacerbated by inadequate waste disposal, sewerage, drinking water, and food storage.
In the 1990s, life expectancy at birth was fifty-one years, though this is declining steeply with the onset of AIDS. Malaria, commonly referred to as palu, remains the leading cause of illness and death. Other common diseases include schistosomiasis, meningitis, tuberculosis, pneumonia, and HIV/AIDS.
Traditional healing methods and preparations continue to be the most widely used form of health care in Togo.
Houses like these in Tata village house a large number of Togolese citizens.
Houses like these in Tata village house a large number of Togolese citizens.
Every small town has an herbalist, and one market in Lomé specializes in the sale of medicinal herbs. Frequently medical treatments are coupled with visits to the local vodou house or fetish priest.

Tuesday, March 02, 2010

“Food For Life” Agriculture Training Program

This story was originally published by Mercy Ships and is re-printed here to illustrate the kind of projects we will be working on as land-based team members with Mercy Ships in Africa.

Jean Claude Mouditou has always loved agriculture.  “Agriculture is a part of my life.  It’s something that is very precious to me,” he said.  Utilizing his education and experience, Jean Claude is spreading this passion to farmers in Benin.


Every day, he leads 30 men and women, equipped with machetes and tall rubber boots, into the fields of the recently constructed Bethesada Community Development Agriculture Training Center in Hévié, Benin.  Jean Claude is running a three-month agriculture training program, “Food for Life,” which teaches farmers biblical, organic, agricultural skills in nutrition and crop production. 



“We begin the day at 8 a.m. in the morning,” said Mouditou.  “First, we learn a lesson in the classroom.  Then, we go to the farm to practically apply what we learned.  Usually we work in the fields until 5:30 p.m.”

In Benin, many farmers practice misguided agricultural techniques, which decrease crop production.  The inability to adequately produce food largely contributes to poverty and diminished health, a problem which has been specifically targeted by the government.   

“Our system is very different from the traditional practices of farmers.  Farmers think you need to burn the land and use harmful insecticides.  But with our system, we are teaching farmers to use the material and principles.  These techniques have not been seen before,” explained Mouditou. 



Both students and community members have been surprised by the efficiency of Mouditou’s agricultural principles.

“Using local seed and organic farming principles, we grew corn in six weeks.  Normally, it takes farmers 3 to 4 months to grow a crop.  The corn we grew was much larger than the local farmers.  It was a very big surprise to the community.  Never before have they seen anything like what we are doing,” said Mouditou. 

Both the “Food For Life” program and the training center are the result of a partnership between Mercy Ships and Bethesda, a Benin-based NGO (non-governmental organization).  Bethesda will oversee the continued use of the training center for agricultural development when Mercy Ships leaves Benin.    



Thirty farmers are currently enrolled.  Seven have been training with Jean Claude throughout the past six months, being educated to become agriculture trainers.   In conjunction with Bethesda, the trainers will conduct “Food For Life” after Mercy Ships leaves Benin.  Already, they have begun taking ownership of the program.



“The seven trainers are doing most of the teaching now.  At the moment, everything is going very well.  I am here to support and answer any questions they have,” said Mouditou. “I am so excited to see those I trained are able to lead the program and train others.”

Each farmer involved has made a commitment to share their newly acquired knowledge with other farmers, creating a lasting impact on Benin’s agricultural community. 

One of the students spoke for the group saying, “Thank you, Mercy Ships, for giving us the opportunity to attend this training for free.  We are determined to finish this training, no matter what difficulties we face, to help our country to reduce the problem of poverty.” 


Mouditou is excited about the progress of the students.  He considers it a great privilege to serve God with his agricultural knowledge. 

“The Bible says Apollo planted the seed and Paul watered it, but the Lord grew the seed.  We can obey and put the seed in the ground, but the Lord grows it,” said Mouditou.  “Through the program, students are discovering the Lord.  They can see the beauty of the Lord through agriculture.  I am so grateful to be a part of that.” 

 

Written by Megan Petock
Edited by Nancy Predaina
Photos by Megan Petock 

Maomai Dangbenon: Salvation Has Come


This story was originally published by Mercy Ships and is re-published here to show the kind of restorative work Mercy Ships does in the lives of people.  


It was the middle of the night, and Perlagie couldn’t sleep.  The image of Maomai, her three-month-old baby girl, flashed through her mind every time she closed her eyes.  A huge tumor the size of the baby’s head was jutting out of Maomai’s neck.  Perlagie looked over at her daughter, peacefully sleeping in her hospital bed, and began to cry.      

For over a week, Perlagie had stayed in the hospital, waiting and praying for a doctor to help Maomai – but no one came.  In the morning, they were being sent home.  Perlagie didn’t know what to do.   

When Perlagie finally fell asleep, she had a dream.

“In that dream, I saw a person, who told me I should be quiet and pray – that salvation shall come.”

The next morning, Perlagie felt confident and peaceful.  She didn’t know where help would come from, but she knew God was going to take care of her baby.

***

Maomai was born with a teratoma, which means monstrous tumor.  It started out as a small, golf-ball sized lump on her neck, but within three months, the tumor had grown to the size of her head. 


Everyone in Perlagie’s village was afraid of Maomai.  The grotesque tumor was difficult to look at, and the villagers thought they could be contaminated by it.  No one would touch or play with the small baby.        

“One time I was in the bathroom, and the baby was crying. People were around the baby, but they would not touch her because of the tumor.  They left her crying, alone.  Even the members of my family,” said Perlagie.


Perlagie was alone.  Maomai was a precious, beautiful baby girl, and she could see that, but others simply couldn’t see past the monstrous tumor. In a country where perceived physical differences mark people as outcasts, Maomai was treated like a monster instead of a baby girl. 

“I was very, very, sad.  I was not able to sleep,” said Perlagie.  “Every day, I was crying.  Also, I was not eating.  I had no appetite because of the condition of my baby.”

Perlagie and her husband wanted to get Maomia help.  They took her to a local hospital, but there was no surgeon to perform her surgery.  Perlagie didn’t become anxious or fearful.  She confidently left the hospital, trusting God to bring healing and deliverance from the tumor. 
  


When Perlagie returned to her village, her sister-in-law told her about the Africa Mercy, a hospital ship filled with doctors and nurses, which had come to Cotonou.  She had just returned from the ship after being treated for an eye problem and thought they could help Maomai. 

Perlagie brought her daughter to the Africa Mercy and was screened by the medical team.  It was obvious that she needed immediate surgery.  But the tumor had made it difficult for her to feed, and Maomai was very underweight – too underweight for surgery.  The Mercy Ships medical team placed her on a feeding program and scheduled her for surgery in one month. Mercy was on its way. The salvation Perlagie had dreamed of was becoming a reality.        

A month passed, and it was time for Maomai’s surgery. The morning of surgery, Peralgie worried it would not be successful. 

“I started crying. Some nurses and translators told me the operation was possible with God.  The doctor will be successful with surgery, the tumor will be removed, and the baby will be healed.  They gave me that hope,” said Perlagie.  
   
After six hours of surgery, Maomai’s tumor was removed.  It weighed 375 grams, 15% of her body weight.  The monstrous tumor was gone, and the beautiful baby girl remained.

Maomai spent over a month recovering in the hospital.  Still struggling to maintain her weight, she had to be fed through a surgically placed feeding tube.

The nursing staff encouraged Perlagie to use the feeding tube.  At first, she was hesitant.    Perlagie distanced herself from Maomai.  But as she grew more comfortable in the hospital, things changed.  The nursing staff taught Perlagie how to use the feeding tube.  As she took ownership of Maomai’s care, their relationship thrived.    

“Initially, we were worried about her,” said pediatric nurse Ali Chandra.  “But now she’s been here for over a month, and she’s blossomed.  Perlagie has completely bonded with Maomai in the time they’ve been here.  And it happened as we started teaching her [to use the feeding tube].  She’s doing really well,” says Chandra.       


Maomai has continued to grow stronger since her surgery.  Not only has she gained weight, she’s gained vibrancy. 

“Maomai used to be this kind of listless baby, and now she’s bright.  She’s doing more age-appropriate things than before,” says Chandra.

Psalm 13:5 says, “I have trusted in Your mercy; My heart shall rejoice in Your salvation” (NKJV).

Perlagie knows this to be true.  She trusted God to take care of her baby, and He brought her salvation.  Perlagie is rejoicing in His mercy. 


“I thank God, and I thank each of you, for all you have done for me.  God is healing and still working.  I have seen my salvation in this child,” she concluded.  



Written by Megan Petock
Edited by IOC Editing Team
Photography by Debra Bell and Megan Petock