Warm greetings from cold Kijabe!
Over the past few months, we've undertaken some exciting journeys. We'd like to tell you about our encounter with the Yao people in Mozambique and a courageous doctor from South Sudan.
Mozambique Circles
In April, Lisa was able to accompany a friend to Mozambique for workshops on „contextualized worship“ and „healing through the arts“.
The Yao are an ethnic group in northern Mozambique who mainly live off agriculture and are rooted in folk Islam. HERE Here you'll find some fascinating facts about the Yao. One concern of the rare "followers of Isa" is to find their own creative forms of praise (and not simply adopt pre-existing American or Malawian songs and forms). The importance of the auditory experience is reflected in the language itself. The word for feeling ("kupikana") and hearing is the same! "Make it your own" was the motto of the workshop. Fascinating pieces were created!
During another workshop for palliative care physicians, I had the opportunity to visit a state hospital in Lichinga a few times. Accompanied by a lovely nurse, I visited this girl who didn't speak. She suffers from undiagnosed (epilepsy-like) seizures and self-harms her head. Her story is tangled and complicated. What fascinated me, however, was how clear-headed she was when we began engaging her in creative activities (drawing, clapping, etc.). It was as if a light suddenly switched on inside her.
A question that deeply concerns the people there is: "What does it specifically mean to be a follower of Jesus in my culture?" and "Do I smell like Jesus?" Where do I consciously want to step outside my familiar culture? These are questions that are relevant not only for the Yao people, but also for us…
Banda Health
This is Dr. T (pictured below), a Clinical Officer from South Sudan, who is currently teaching the specialist program in family medicine at Kijabe Hospital He is preparing to return to his home region – an area with over one million people (belonging to the Toposa ethnic group) where the only available surgical service is cesarean sections in the state hospital.
His story is impressive: He grew up in a small village, inspired by his father, who worked as a community health worker, and came to faith in Jesus through his mother, one of the very first followers of Jesus in his village. His mission is to make a difference in his home region through medical services. To this end, he courageously founded an NGO that provides medical care to several remote villages and collaborates with the Global Fund in tuberculosis treatment.
Currently, David is helping him to build connections between churches, local leaders, and international partners to jointly plan a medium-sized, Christian-based hospital—one that cares for both body and soul. This ranges from strategy and communication planning to architectural designs and the search for better means of transport—because neither medication nor patients can be transported efficiently by motorcycle. It is a great privilege to accompany him on his journey.
Top image: searching for a suitable plot of land. Bottom left: Banda Campus training for clinic managers. Bottom right: meeting with the Governor of Nampula.
At the same time, our work in Mozambique continues, where we are advancing the construction of a hospital in the north. The political situation is unstable, the bureaucracy challenging – and yet we constantly encounter people with great dedication and a clear vision. We feel like we're right where we were six months ago, and yet our local colleagues encourage us by saying that no group has ever come as far as we have. It's a slow, sometimes frustrating journey. But every small step forward means hope for people who otherwise have little access to medical care.
Next week David will travel to Tanzania again, where he will be involved in planning a Children's Hospital He is involved in another promising project that is unfortunately also hampered by lengthy decision-making processes. It is precisely such projects that motivate him: supporting dedicated local leaders, creating sustainable solutions, and putting the Gospel into practice!
Financial
It's truly amazing how the financial support for our work here has always been sufficient over the past six years! We are incredibly grateful for that! Now we are entering our final term (until summer 2027) and want to finish these two years strong. To achieve this, we are currently short approximately €1,000 per month. This deficit is due to increases in expenses such as international insurance, tuition fees, rent, etc.
Specifically, we are looking for 20 more people willing to donate €50 per month for the next two years. We would be happy to visit you or your community between mid-July and the end of August to tell you more about our work in Kenya. Please send us a message at familieminer@hilfedieankommt.at!
THANKFUL:
- For siblings like Dr. T and others who teach us so much.
- For valuable encounters in Mozambique
- For progress in various projects and that we may see God at work
- Safety on the many journeys
HOPEFUL:
- Living in an intercultural environment also means saying goodbye to loved ones time and again. Seven families, whom we have come to value highly over the years, are moving away from Kijabe. Please pray that we don't lose the courage to seek new friends.
- That the contract for the Mozambique hospital project will be approved
- We as a family can recharge our batteries in the summer.
Sometimes it's challenging to juggle everything and remain patient with slow progress. And yet, we feel your prayers and your support very tangibly. Thank you for standing by our side. Your encouragement shows us: We are not alone. And this work – however slow it may progress – is worth it.
We will be back in Austria from mid-July to the end of August and look forward to seeing some of you.
Best regards,
David & Lisa
