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A Maternity Clinic Needs Medical Equipment to Open

2019_12 Appeal (Small)

As we approach the end of another year, I want to once again let you know how vital your generosity and caring have been and continue to be for the Missionaries of Africa and all those whom we serve. Because of your kindness and willingness to share with those in need, not only are lives being changed — without a doubt — some are being saved as well! Because of you and our other friends and benefactors, those who were hungry have food to eat. Those who have been without a home or shelter have a place to live and sleep. Those who were thirsty have clean water. You have done so much!

For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders.

Isaiah 9:6

As we approach the end of another year, I want to once again let you know how vital your generosity and caring have been and continue to be for the Missionaries of Africa and all those whom we serve. Because of your kindness and willingness to share with those in need, not only are lives being changed — without a doubt — some are being saved as well! Because of you and our other friends and benefactors, those who were hungry have food to eat. Those who have been without a home or shelter have a place to live and sleep. Those who were thirsty have clean water. You have done so much!

Throughout the month of December, we also recall the great gift of God’s love — the baby who was born in Bethlehem. As I ponder the writings from the prophet Isaiah — writings which foretold the birth of a child who would change the world — I think about children who will be born today . . . in places just as remote as the stable where Mary and Joseph found refuge that first Christmas. I wonder who will give these little ones the comfort they need.

Recently, I received a letter from Sr. Scolastica Matle, a Missionary Sister working in Karatu, a village in the Arusha region of Tanzania, East Africa. There, Sr. Scolastica supervises a clinic that provides medical care for some of the more than 7,000 people living throughout the rural community.

“Ours is a small clinic,” Sr. Scolastica writes, “but it is serving people from seven villages. This clinic has been a big help for so many mothers and babies in the area. But even though we serve so many, the need is greater than we can manage.”

“The existing maternity facility that is part of the clinic is no longer large enough to accommodate the significant increase in the number of women who are in need of prenatal and maternity care. For this reason, we have built a new maternity building — which has just been finished. Unfortunately, though, we do not have the medical equipment to make it operational.”

“We currently have 2,000 patients receiving prenatal and maternity care. Once we open the new building, we will be able to serve many more — thereby reducing the number of those at risk.”

In her letter, Sr. Scolastica also included a list of items that still must be purchased for the new maternity facility. They include delivery beds, prenatal beds, oxygen machines, resuscitation kits, ultra sound equipment, blood pressure cuffs, stethoscopes, wheelchairs, stretchers . . . and more.

My friend, I think you would agree that the death of a newborn child is a tragedy — especially in this age of advanced medical technology. Will you help us reach out to save the lives of newborn children and their mothers?

In your local community, you might consider volunteering your time at a local hospital. Volunteers help lighten the load — physically and financially — often allowing small hospitals to purchase equipment they might not otherwise be able to afford. You can also make sure that your local food bank keeps a supply of baby formula for poor families in need.

I am also hoping that you will send a donation so that we can help Sr. Scolastica’s clinic purchase needed medical equipment — as well as help our other missions throughout East Africa. While our goal is to raise at least $35,000 this Christmas, please know that any amount you send will help our missionaries and those who need us most. Again, please know how grateful we are for all that you do. Have a blessed Christmas and a happy New Year!

 

Your Missionary Friend,

Denis P. Pringle

Director of Development