October 2009 Update!

Franciose

I know many of you have been waiting for an update on our team currently serving in Rwanda. It continues to be an eye-opening experience full of blessings for the team and those we are in contact with. I can say, without a doubt that Christ’s love has resonated here among us. For the past few days, part of the team has been working at the university serving patients with Lymphedema and part of us have been at the bakery. In my conversations with Tonya Huston, who is leading the medical project, I realized I could in no way vocalize the things she was telling me. As a result, I’ve asked Tonya to write the blog tonight. I will post another blog a little bit later to give an update at the bakery. Here is Tonya’s story of a young patient, Franciose, who is 17 years old.

Imagine looking into the eyes of a young, beautiful woman and all you see is despair and shame. These are the eyes of Franciose. A young woman with no hope for a future…. no hope for marriage…. no hope for children…. no hope to earn a living unless she begs on the streets. No hope for Franciose comes from a condition called Lymphedema. Pictures can say one thousand words and I only have to tell you that the picture of Franciose’s feet will say it all. Justin Stromberg and I have been blessed to serve her and more than 50 others in Ruhengeri, Rwanda with this condition. Hope comes from knowledge of what caused their condition and how to treat it. Franciose has learned how to care for her feet, how to stimulate flow of her lymphatic system and how to bandage herself to provide compression to reduce the swelling, which will ultimately improve her skin condition. Through the healing ministry of Christ and sharing God’s love, we want to bring hope to those who have none…. hope and light to Franciose and the others who suffer from this debilitating and disfiguring condition.

Thank you for your prayers and support

Gifts

Sometimes God makes it very clear to me that we are all wired with different gifts. Today was no exception.

We arrived at the local university early this morning to begin receiving patients with a disease commonly known as Elephantiasis or Lymphedema. I don’t think any of us were truly prepared for what we faced. What was initially going to be a medical mission for 16 identified patients very quickly became a safe haven for 35 of the region’s most obvious outcasts...with more expected over the next few days. It's called the African grapevine.

Today I witnessed two therapists wash the feet of people that I, in all honesty, initially had difficulty approaching. That’s when I realized, once again, that God has equipped all of us with gifts. I was honored to be working alongside such a knowledgeable team of specialists and was amazed at their willingness to do what I could not.

From people with lost hope, smiles quickly emerged. Just the fact that someone was taking some individual time with them was so encouraging. It was challenging for everyone - but we made it through and the team worked together like clockwork. The patients will start returning tomorrow for intensive training on how to reduce the symptoms of this incurable but treatable disease. Please continue praying for continued courage for the patients and team.

Blessings,
Diana

P.S. I hesitated to post a picture but I don’t think anyone could imagine this unless they saw it for themselves. The photos are not meant to exploit anyone but for those in the western world to realize how much we need prayer here and how blessed they truly are.

Safe Arrival

Just a quick note let everyone know that the team has arrived safely into Kigali! It was a very long trip, with two overnight flights and we are very happy to be here…finally. A note to Michele’s parents and friends: Her bus also arrived safely from Uganda and all is well!

This afternoon the team will be visiting the National Genocide Memorial and after a restful night we will be traveling by bus to Musanze midday tomorrow.

Thank you so much for your continued prayers.

Blessings,
Diana

Please Pray

Hello Friends of TVM,

I am blessed to be leading my 12th team to Africa on October 12-28! Some team members will be focused on treating Lymphedema, which is a terrible regional problem in the Musanze District. Catherine, one of our widows, as well as 16 other patients will be receiving these treatments. Additionally, several local healthcare workers will be taught the treatment process so we can ultimately impact many suffering from this debilitating disease.

Your prayers are very much needed and appreciated.

Team members traveling to Rwanda in October are listed below.

Tonya Huston
Justin Stromberg
Terri Castillo
Cynthia Glensgard
Michele DeBoer
Diana Wiley

Blessings,

Diana