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Dear friend,
How have you been affected by the devastating earthquake in Haiti? Were you moved to tears? Moved to your knees in prayer? Moved to say "God, what would you have me do to help?" Moved to thank God that you have some means to help?
Haiti's proximity to the U.S., coupled with the availability of photos and videos on TV and the internet, brings the harsh reality into our homes. Although we sometimes want to turn away from the devastation and desperation, God's love in Christ compels us to reach out into the loss and pain with Christ's care and compassion.
Medical Benevolence Foundation has been involved supporting the health programs in Haiti since the 1970's. I am humbled and blessed as I realize that the foundational relationships from that long history as well as recent work made it possible for MBF to quickly respond to the medical needs in various ways, including the services of doctors and nurses, delivery of medical supplies and the expertise of individuals providing structural analysis of damaged buildings.
Stories abound of people who received treatment for wounds at the MBF supported Nursing School in Leogane, Haiti, which was converted to a medical care facility. With thanks we hear stories of babies who were safely delivered in the midst of this chaos, whose families now face huge challenges. You can read more about the people who help them in the sidebar to the right.
The challenges to effect healing, prevent disease and infection, and promote better overall health are not limited to Haiti. Medical Benevolence Foundation has a long and deep commitment to helping our partner churches around the world as they address critical health needs in their communities - HIV/AIDS, malaria, clean water, medical supplies and equipment, trained health professionals and more. The devastation may not be as sudden or widespread, but it is no less devastating for each person who is not able to receive the medical care or services they need.
Because of the gifts from supporters like you, Medical Benevolence Foundation was able to make an immediate difference in Haiti. Your continued support means MBF will continue to support the vast and varied work of medical mission in Christ's name in the face of poverty and disease around the world whenever and wherever it is most needed.
During this Lenten season, as you prepare to celebrate Christ's victory over sin and death, please help us spread that hope and promise through the MBF ministry of medical mission. We need your help. Your gifts truly make all the difference. Yours in the Service of Christ's Healing Love,
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Nurse Shirley Dieuveille and Jimmy Hite, former president of MBF Board of Trustees, with a baby just delivered in Haiti at FSIL School of Nursing's makeshift clinic.
Since the devastating earthquake in Haiti, students at FSIL School of Nursing have attended the wounded, comforted the dying, and set up first aid stations all around the city of Leogane. They have also delivered babies. A year ago, Shirley Dieuveille (see photo) was one of those students. Today, as a graduate of the school, she is one of the nurses helping students rise to a challenge none of them could have imagined. However, without the donors who made possible her scholarship to the nursing school, Shirley would not be a nurse today.
On the other side of the world, Dr. John Bimvulu has completed his residency in Obstetrics and Gynecology and joined the staff of Good Shepherd Hospital in DR Congo. Because of the financial support of PC(USA) donors while he was in school, Dr. Bimvulu is already at work repairing fistulas, a serious problem of women in that area.
Whether it is as close to home as Haiti or as far away as Bangladesh, through your donations to MBF you are there binding wounds, delivering babies, training health care workers to serve those who would otherwise go without... bringing healing in the name of Christ, the Great Healer.
While Haiti recovers from the earthquake, hospitals and clinics in Malawi and India, DR Congo and Bangladesh, Madagascar and Pakistan are depending on donations through MBF to keep them going. Thank you for remembering them.
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