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「不要灰心氣餒」

當先知哈巴谷以為神未如期動工，而感到意志消沉時，神這樣說：「．．．實現的日期還沒有到。但是時候就要到了，我所指示給你的很快就要實現，你也許會覺得太慢，但是等著吧，事情一定發生，且不耽延。」延遲，不是神的否定。　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　~ 華理克標竿人生 ~

這是來自尼日利亞(Nigeria)卡諾(Kano)的問候，這裏正處乾燥的季節，温度大概攝氏40-50度。熱力難以忍受，但神的恩典夠用。

事工的挑戰

「防止愛滋病跨代傳染」的事工：（資料由聯合國提供）

u 全球有四千萬人染有愛滋病。

u 其中二千八百萬患者在撒哈拉以南非洲 (Sub-Saharan Africa)

u 「愛滋病己成為人類最具破壞性的疾病。」

有些兒童生來便染上愛滋病、有些兒童是從母乳感染愛滋病。這裏的婦女沒有自主，在一夫多妻的制度下，有些少女被侵犯，孤兒則被傷害。

正如我在上一期的通訊中提及，有關在社區健康服務診所 (ECWA Community Health Clinic) 推行的「防止愛滋病跨代傳染」計劃 (Prevention of Mother-to-Child Transmission of HIV, PMTCT) 事工，我正在向一位助產士及六位社區健康工作者提供訓練，他們需要輪更工作：早班、午班及晚班。每一更有一至兩位職員，但他們的工作非常繁忙，每月需要處理50至52個嬰兒出生及大概60個新的個案。工作繁忙導致疲倦而不能集中精神往往影響了訓練。

有些時候我對他們的表現感到灰心氣餒，但神用以上華理克牧師在標竿人生的信息不斷鼓勵我，我相信神會成就他已開始的工作。

另一方面，我上次提及與我在輔導服務中分工的那位精神科醫生，他將在七月離開這裏，他新的四年任期將會到東南亞處理海嘯的善後，為他所付上的感謝神，求神繼續差派衪的工人與我同工。

「希望之家」的事工：

今年其中一個新的計劃，是在較貧窮和偏僻的地區 (blind towns) 舉辦健康講座。效果出乎意料地理想，人群聚集聽講有關健康的基本常識，他們很留心，更發問問題，並表示欣賞。

除此之外，我們已到過四個不同的村落，進行醫療外展及放影「耶穌傳」。感謝神，因為有人回轉信主，並感謝衪在我們服侍的對象施行醫治的大能。

分享生活點滴

貓（咪咪）：

我心愛的貓突然在三月去世。自去年牠便與我一起，牠追逐老鼠、蟑螂、蜘蛛和蜥蜴，牠是我的好友伴。我從未想過牠那麽快離開我。我很享受我們一起的日子。但神對每一個生物都有衪的計劃。牠已安葬在我的後院。

我的家庭：

我的哥哥將會在六月（有待確定）擺設婚宴，因此我會返香港並逗留大概一個月，與他和我的父母一同慶祝。

我將會利用這段時間與我的父母一同，幫助我爸爸的身體檢查，因為我媽媽時常擔心他老人痴呆症的病徵。同時我亦希望能夠好好在港休息。

攜手宣教服侍

感恩：

1. 感謝神，衪讓我在不同方面事奉衪，無論是「希望之家」或是愛滋病認知教育。

2. 感謝神，衪每天保守和帶領。

3. 因著我哥哥的婚禮感謝神，我亦因此可回香港休息。

代求：

1. 請為「防止愛滋病跨代傳染」計劃事工禱告，讓職員熱心學習，及對愛滋病的傳播有合宜的回應。

2. 求神幫助和帶領，賜智慧讓我們可以與較貧窮和偏僻的地區的居民有更深入的屬靈分享。

3. 求神興起更多義工參與「希望之家」外展探訪。

4. 求神加添得救人數，讓他們繼續在教會學習神的話語。

5. 請記念持續的語言學習，及在混亂的地方駕車安全。

主內

美芳

後記：我的電腦不能下載附件，因此電郵給我時，請勿付上附件或用中文。

Updated News : May 31, 2005

Don't get discouraged.

When Habakkuk became depressed because he didn't think God was acting quickly enough, God had this to say: "These things I plan won't happen right away. Slowly, steadily, surely, the time approaches when the vision will be fulfilled. If it seems slow, do not despair, for these things will surely come to pass. Just be patient! They will not be overdue a single day!" A delay is not a denial from God. ~ Rick Warren, The Purpose Driven Life ~

Greetings in dry season of Kano, Nigeria with 40-45’C! The heat is unbearable but God's grace is always sufficient.

Ministry Challenges ~

	40 million people worldwide are living with HIV/AIDS.
	28 million cases of HIV/AIDS are in Sub Saharan Africa.

"AIDS has become the most devastating disease humankind has ever faced." (UN)

Children born with the virus, children who acquire HIV through their mother's breast milk, women who have no authority, wives of polygamous husbands, young girls who have been sexually abused, and orphan children who are left vulnerable…

As I mentioned in last newsletter about developing a new ministry of PMTCT program in ECWA community health clinic (Prevention of Mother-to- Child Transmission of HIV). I am giving a training program to the midwife and CHW (community health workers). The clinic has total 1 midwife and 6 CHWs. They are on shift duty – morning, afternoon and night. Each shift has only 1-2 staffs. But the workload is high with 50-52 deliveries and about 60 new registrations each month.

Delivery or lack of attendance sometimes affects the training program. And people are showing too tired to listen after their heavy work. I am sometimes discouraged by their performance. God uses the above message to encourage me again and again. I believe that God will accomplish the work that He has started!

On the other hand, the consultant psychiatrist (my colleague who works with me in this counseling service) will be leaving me in July. His new 4 years contract will be stationed in one of those post- tsunami areas in SE Asia. Thank God for his contribution and I pray that God will continue to send His workers to work with me together.

Gidan Bege (House of Hope) Ministry ~

Giving health talk in blind towns is one of our new plans this year. And the outcome has been surprisingly good. People gather around us to listen to some basic health knowledge. They pay attention, ask questions and show appreciation.

Besides, we so far have already gone to 4 different villages for medical outreach and Jesus film show. Thank God for new converts and His own healing power upon those we serve.

Life sharing ~

Cat (Miu Miu) :

My lovely cat died in March suddenly. She had been with me since June last year. She chased away mice, cockroaches, spiders, lizards… and she was my good company. I never thought that she would leave me so soon. I enjoyed the time when we were together although God has His own plan for every creature. She is now buried in my back yard.

My family :

My brother will have wedding banquet in June (not confirmed yet). So I will go back home for about a month to celebrate with him altogether with my parents.

I will also use this opportunity to spend time with my parents, help my father for his medical check-up since my mum has been complaining his symptoms of dementia, and have a good rest for myself.

Serving in mission together

Praise :

1) Thank God for opportunity to serve Him in different ways – house of hope and AIDS awareness.

2) Thank God for his protection and guidance day by day.

3) Thank God for my brother's wedding and the opportunity to back home for rest.

Prayer :

1) Pray for the PMTCT program that staffs will be enthusiastic in learning and responding to the challenge of HIV/AIDS pandemic.

2) Pray for wisdom and guidance that we can have deeper spiritual talk with the people in blind towns.

3) Pray for more volunteers to come and join us in Gidan Bege outreach.

4) Pray for new converts that they will continue to learn God's words in Church.

5) Pray for my on-going language study and protection in driving in such chaotic place.

Serina

p.s. I can not download attachment, so please do not e-mail me with attachment or with Chinese.

Updated News : May 10, 2005