Our Gondar, Ethiopia outreach is up and running. We’re receiving brief, daily updates from our photographer in the field and want to pass them on to you. Bob has gone with us on 16 outreaches, and he recently started taking photos for us and corresponding during outreaches when connections allow. Enjoy a look at the JVMI Gondar 2016 medical outreach so far!
Gondar Outreach Day 1 – Thursday, May 26, 2016
Bob wrote from our gateway city where the team spends the night before taking their international flight to Ethiopia:
“We are at the starting line, and we are ready to run the race that is put before us. We have met, prayed with each other, and had a chance to fellowship with one another tonight. We pray for His favor, in that He is magnified in whatever we are asked to do for Yeshua’s glory. “
Gondar Outreach Day 2 – Friday, May 27, 2016
At the airport, the team waited for their flight to Ethiopia:
“The day has started strong, and the smiles are many. Thank you for all prayer, and I pray the Lord reaches many.”
Bob orders Gospel tracts in Amharic, the language of Ethiopia, and passes them out whenever he can. His talent at making balloon animals is for more than bringing smiles to children’s faces. He writes, “I like handing out tracks, and making balloons is just the way to hand a mom the Gospel. No matter where our feet stand, we are missionaries for Messiah, and the battlefield is the hearts and minds of those that don't know Messiah Yeshua as their Lord and Savior.”
Less than an hour from take-off:
Gondar Outreach Day 3 – Saturday ,May 28, 2016
“Shalom from Gondar! Our team arrived today and we had our welcome meeting. We celebrated with a few new “Cyrus Partners” that are on their seventh outreach with Jewish Voice. After a good night’s rest tonight, we’ll go to the clinic site tomorrow to complete the clinic set-up and treat patients for a half day. Pray with us that we are renewed every morning, and for the glory of the Lord to be seen by many as we walk in obedience to do His will.”
Gondar Outreach Day 4 / Clinic Day 1 – Sunday, May 29, 2016
There’s a little girl who captured my heart in a photo series Bob took when he was in Gondar last October 2015. He took a picture of her alone in a crowd. She looked so sad. He saw her the next day and made a balloon animal for her. When she saw it, she about burst with excitement. As I’ve talked to Bob about the photo series and the transformation in this little girl that his photos capture, he has said it’s one of his favorite encounters. Here are the photos that grabbed me so much:
On Sunday, Bob’s update email was titled: “Guess who I saw today!” Then he said:
“Today Yetsh ( E-TIE-ESH) came and pulled at my arm. She wanted me to make a balloon for her and her sister!”
He said he and Anna have gathered more information about this girl and her family, and about the hardships they face. “Also,” he said, “we will be seeing them again tomorrow about the possibility of eye correction surgery. We don’t know if this will be possible, but I’ll keep you informed.”
One final photo he called, “My little girl,” commenting on how little she is (and, of course, his affection for her).
Gondar Outreach Day 5 / Clinic Day 2 – Monday, May 30, 2016
Gondar, at sunrise.
Gondar Outreach Day 6 / Clinic Day 3 – Tuesday, May 30, 2016
Bob wrote:
“Today (Tuesday) I was blessed to take pictures of this young lady's cataract surgery. Her name is Abeba (meaning “flower”). After her surgery, Bernard our volunteer, witnessed to her and lead her to Yeshua! Praise the Lord! Tomorrow, Anna and I will go to meet her when the dressings come off and she sees for the first time in years.”
Bob continued with another story:
Also on Tuesday, “a 15 year old girl named Achuwachi, came to the clinic with a foreign object in her ear that had been there for four years. Her mom heard about the clinic and traveled from far to bring her daughter to us. Dr. Adane Berassa was able to remove the object that was the size of a pea. Dr. Adane witnessed to the mom and prayed with her at the end. He said that she did not receive Jesus as Lord, but we know that God’s word will not come back void.”
Blessings to all at home praying for this clinic,
Bob
