March 2010
On September 5, 2002, the peace and quiet of rural Nyankunde, DR Congo, a village of about 17,000 in the foothills of the Rwenzori Mountains, was shattered when as many as 5,000 Wangiti tribesmen attacked. It is estimated that within an hour they killed between 1500 and 2000 people. Those who survived the attack fled. The attackers systematically looted every building in the medical complex and village.
Sadly, even though it provided the only medical care for the people, the hospital at Nyankunde was not spared. The hospital buildings and staff houses were stripped. Roofs were removed, and everything made of wood was used for firewood.
As the region became more secure in late 2005, people returned to rebuild their homes and plant gardens. God moved in the hearts of Dr. Mike Upio, a newly graduated doctor who grew up at Nyankunde, and some of the former staff to begin the medical work again.
By caring for those suffering from disease or dealing with emotional trauma, the staff presents Jesus as the healer of body and soul. Those who respond to the gospel are followed up by the staff chaplains and the local church.
Generous donors have helped rebuild the hospital buildings and a few of the staff homes, but other staff houses are without roofs, doors, windows, or furnishings.
We would like to raise funds to help finish the staff homes so that those who have sacrificially committed themselves to caring for the people of Nyankunde have a safe and secure place to live.
St. John's School, Tamilnadu, Tenkasi, India
With the help of Charis, a small nursery class of some twenty children was begun by Thirumalai and Swarna in Tenkasi, India, thirteen years ago. Today, Thirumalai and Swarna tell us, there are six hundred and eighty students in kindergarten through seventh grade attending St. John's School. Thirty adults are employed in teaching and caring for them.
Every day there is a school assembly in which Psalms are recited and prayer offered in Jesus' name, and each week the Bible is taught. The school now plays an important role in the lives of the people in the area.
Helping Around the World
This past year, in addition to helping support St. John's School, we were able to provide funds for another school in India, New Hope Academy, in which Bijoy and Roxann Manaen are involved. The funds were used to buy desks, benches, and writing boards and to build an outdoor toilet. The money left over was used to provide medical care for poor people in the area.
We were also able to provide funds for the Noor Eye Program in Afghanistan, widows and orphans in Rwanda, and homeless young people in Moldova.
Thank you for your prayers and support.
Alec D. Brooks
