November 2008

Dear Supporters of IHP, US & TZ,

 

Thanksgiving is here and we're here to say Thanks for Giving. 

 

Denny, Pastor Francis Gunda, and I are in the U.S. doing fund raising for IHP.  We were told it would be a terrible time to do fund raising, that the first thing people give up is giving, that the terrible economic times would defeat us, that gas prices would make it more expensive to do the fundraising…..  We came anyway and we have been amazed, astounded, pleased, and thankful for the generosity of those we've met so far.  Thank you, thank you, thank you.

 

The gas prices have come down, and those with money to share are sharing it. There are lots and lots of people here who believe in sharing, who are willing to give what they can, who WANT TO HELP, and are willing to do the sacrifice of their own choosing in order to help others.

 

One of the highlights of the trip so far is that Denny and Mary Ellen received a distinguished service award from their alma mater, Gustavus Adolphus College in St. Peter, Minnesota representing the Christian values of the college given on an international level. It was an inspiring service, and there was a lovely reception given by the college.  

 

Pastor Gunda:

Thanksgiving Day has been set the leaders, but it has got a lot of  theological or Biblical elements, and the people of America are taking it as a holy scripture. I agree with that. I've seen on the television, that people say, "I want everyone to come." It is like when Jesus said, "Let them all come to my table." 

 

The other thing that I've noted is that people work very hard in their work, for example who works on a farm or someone in an office. They work very hard. People in my country people think money is easy in the U.S., but I see how hard the people in the U.S. work to earn that money and it means even more when they're willing to share that with the people in Tanzania who need health care. Something I've noted is that people here work most of the time whereas in Tanzania they have more time just to relax. 

 

The weather: Winter time is not a good time for people who come from tropical countries. Winter time is a problem! 

 

I've noted from the church. Most of the people are concentrating on the Sunday School which is not just for the children. Many people here attend Sunday School here, concentrating on the Bible and learning about it and that is wonderful. I think we need it at home also, people to start this program. 

Though there is a new bishop and new assistant bishop of the East of Lake Victoria Diocese of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Tanzania, nothing will be changed and at their request, I will remain as the source of information for the new leaders.   

 

Pastor Gunda will be returning to Tanzania on Dec. 16^th. The new bishop has asked Pastor Gunda to remain on staff as a special advisor and counselor as they learn their duties in the diocese.

 

The finishing work is continuing at Nyakato while we are in the U.S. Sele has a list of "things that need doing," has set the priority list, hired the people needed, and is overseeing the work. 

 

Danny Dyauli and Godfrey Msengi have joined the staff at Nyakato as the number of patients being seeing per day is varying between 85 and 100. However, staff housing remains a problem as we need to house these doctors within walking distance of the hospital. We need to build staff housing on the compound at Nyakato! 

 

I'm writing this the day before Thanksgiving. Our schedule from here on reads:

 

Celebrate Thanksgiving with families here in Eastern Ohio.

Nov. 28 – travel to Gettysburg, PA

Nov. 30^th, speak in Gettysburg

 

December

Dec. 2^nd speak in Wayne, NJ

Dec. 4^th or 5^th speak to Doctors of the World in New York

Dec. 7^th, speak at Trinity Lutheran in Tenafly, NJ

Dec. 8^th and 9^th, travel to Trinity Lutheran in Memphis, Tennessee

Dec. 11^th and 12^th speak to Rotary Clubs in Nashville, TN

Dec. 13^th, travel to Cabot, AR

Dec.1 4^th, speak in Cabot, AR

Dec. 15^th travel to Kansas City

Dec. 16^th, Pr. Gunda flies back to Tanzania

Dec. 24^th, speak at Christ Church Unity in Kansas City

 

January

4^th – Speak in Ft. Collins, CO

^7th – Fund raiser in Phoenix, AZ given by Dr. Christine Petersen

8^th – Rotary in Phoenix

11^th – Speak in Truckee, CA

18^th – Speak at Holy Shepherd Lutheran in Orinda, CA

24^th & 25^th in San Fernando Valley, CA

We plan to go back to Tanzania the first first week of February. 

 

So far we have 15 groups, students, medical students, volunteers, medical and construction teams. There is more room on the schedule but our capacity is somewhat limited for housing, so you're welcome to come if we have room, but ask as soon as possible. No one, NO ONE, leaves unchanged. We can assist you with connections to travel agencies in Tanzania for planning safari excursions as soon as you have your international tickets. 

 

Thanksgiving celebrations….

Have you ever heard of a "God can" or God jar?" When you have a problem, naturally the first thing you do is think about it. You may share your problem with your friend or friends.  You may talk to your parents. You may EVEN go so far as to talk to your minister or pastor. 

 

My way of handling this was the God can. Mary Omwake told us about this at church one Sunday and from then on it was the beginning of our Thanksgiving celebration. Write God a letter about your problem. You can tell God anything and everything.  Write God about the problem, about how you feel and what you think and even what YOU see as the solution to the problem. Write all of it. Give it ALL to God. 

 

Now, if God is everywhere, then God can see in that can or jar, right? So, when you fold up that letter and put it in the can, you've truly given the problem over to God. It's God's to settle now. 

 

It's Thanksgiving. All of the year's problems are now in that can. (Might need to be a BIG can.) 

So, you open the can and see how God has solved/handled each of those problems. Sometimes you see how much more wonderfully God handled those problems than you ever envisioned from your singular point of view.  Sometimes you know that God is still working on the problem so it goes back into the can. But far and away, you become so grateful for a loving God who is watching out for the best interest for each of us, and that the problems are being solved in the best way possible for all concerned. It's Thanks-Giving. 

Our address for donations is:

International Health Partners US & TZ

Joyce Zemel, Treasurer

1811 S. 39th Street, #36

Mesa, AZ  85206

 

Blessings to you this wonderful time of the year and Thank You for Giving so generously to

International Health Partners, US & TZ. We're so very grateful.

 

Paula, Denny, Mary Ellen, and Pr. Gunda

 

 

  The IHP Musketeers; Pastor Gunda, Mary Ellen, Paula and Denny

 

 

Denny and Mary Ellen received a distinguished service award from their alma mater, Gustavus Adolphus College in St. Peter, Minnesota representing the Christian values of the college given on an international level.