Myanmar (Burma) Cyclone

On Saturday May 3 a cyclone hit the south east Asian country of Myanmar AKA Burma with devastating effect. Over 60,000 people are feared dead and thousands of more people are injured, displaced, and in need. To complicate matters, the communist military government is restricting aid from Western nations and have only recently permitted several flights from the United States.

For more information and to learn how you can help, visit ABWE:

http://www.abwe.org/news/myanmar_flooding.asp

World Malaria Day

Malaria kills over one million people every year, mostly children in less developed countries from sub-Saharan Africa, South America, and southeast Asia. Malaria is a completely preventable and treatable disease which is spread by mosquitoes carrying the malaria parasite. Common symptoms include light headedness, nausea, shortness of breath, fever, and tachycardia.

April 25 marked the first World Malaria Day and also the introduction of the President's Malaria Initiative. These campaigns will fight to cut malaria-related deaths by half in the hardest hit African countries over the next five years at the cost of $1.2 billion. The President's Initiative focuses on four strategies:

• Insecticide spraying



• Insecticide-treated nets



• Lifesaving drugs



• Preventive treatment for pregnant women

Malawi is one of the 15 African countries that are targeted by the Initiative. Malaria is one of Malawi's most serious health problems, accounting for 22% of all hospital admissions in 2001 and 28% of all hospital deaths. These numbers are most likely higher than reported as a result of many people who do not or are unable to seek professional medical care for illness or childbirth.

Our medical team will provide education, prevention, and treatment in rural villages in September. Please consider partnering with us as we prepare for this ministry opportunity in one of the poorest nations in the world.

http://www.fightingmalaria.gov/

http://allafrica.com/stories/200804251070.html

http://www.cdc.gov/MALARIA/control_prevention/malawi.htm

The Land of Livingstone

Scottish missionary and African explorer David Livingstone visited the shores of Lake Nyasa (now known as Lake Malawi) in 1859 while on his Zambezi expedition. Check out this excellent biography by Rob Mackenzie http://www.librarything.com/work/144318/14050005

"David Livingstone: The Truth Behind the Legend"

Matt Floreen

Matt Floreen is the STM coordinator, a world traveler, and professional photographer. Check out his web site http://www.mattfloreen.com/ where you will find pictures of his recent Malawi trip as well as pictures from his many adventures.

2008 Team

Malawi Medical Team Sept. 5-23.

The Malawi Medical Team will be serving outside of the capital city of Lilongwe with Brian and Anita Biedebach and the African Bible College. The team will set up field clinics in rural villages and use medicine to further the Gospel.
The physical and spiritual needs are great in this country which is one of the poorest in the world.

2008 Team:
Merrychris Andaya
Jim Baxa
Phil Chang
Jeff Dalrymple
Kristil Dalrymple
Geoff Drew
Holly Drew
Lisa Hatter
Tom Hatter
Danny Jacinto
Allen Janzen
Jena Jordan
Chien-Wei Kung
Jenny Lam
David Lanum
Lisa Low
Kara Mia
Jacob Moore
Stacy Moore
Ted Moore
Pam Morse
Brian Smith
Suzanne Taylor
Amanda Yen
Sarah Zannella
Ramona Zimmerman

Boersma Family Website

Greetings from Malawi, the “Warm Heart of Africa!” We are serving in Lilongwe, the capital city at ABC Community Clinic.
Malawi is on the brink. Drought, disease, famine, and corruption are facts of life in this small sub-Saharan country. HIV devastates families in this poorest of countries. ABC Community Clinic exists to provide quality healthcare in a Christ centered environment. We care for the sick, encourage healthy lifestyles, and provide hope to people in desperate need...

Check out the Boersma family website for more: http://www.boersmamalawi.com

We Are Back! Praise be to God!

God has once again proven Himself faithful far beyond anything we could have imagined. Our great Lord put Himself on display in answering our cries to Him in many specific ways. We had strength that really was supernatural; immense joy in sickness (even because of sickness); excitement and desperation to proclaim the gospel; eagerness to serve and minster to our many patients; and awe of our mighty God and His precious gift to us. We cannot begin to express our gratitude to the Lord for all of you and your many prayers on our behalf! He has really used your petitions to avail much! "O magnify the Lord with me and let us exalt His name together!" Ps. 34:3