 Hallelujah Moment from Mozambique: "A Great Day" |
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by Jeremias Franca and Jodi L. Cataldo |
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Friends came from all over the world. Employees sang tirelessly as they escorted government dignitaries to the hospital. It was a time of joy. Chicuque Rural Hospital was celebrating 95 years of faithful service to God and to its community with a vision of hope for the future. Despite seemingly insurmountable obstacles, such as shortage of financial resources and qualified personnel, major advances have been made at Chicuque. Buildings have been improved, ambulances purchased, infrastructures strengthened, and an oxygen system installed in the operating room and maternity. Through cooperation with the government, biochemistry and hematology lab equipment has also been obtained. Challenges in public health, especially with HIV/AIDS, malaria, and tuberculosis, have led us to develop new approaches and embrace a new vision. We needed an agency to work closely with the community to address the issues related to such killer diseases, and The Center of Hope was born. Through this center, The United Methodist Church in Mozambique will provide activities and educational programs for disease prevention. There are plans to reopen the Chicuque nursing school in 2009 in partnership with the Mozambican government, training 80 nurses over a period of 18 months, and to install oxygen equipment throughout the hospital. We acknowledged the significant headway Chicuque has made in meeting the health needs of the surrounding community. We recognized the challenges to come. And joyfully we embraced the vision of a healthier tomorrow. It was a great day. Jeremias França is a missionary serving as administrator of Chicuque Rural Hospital in his home country of Mozambique. A World Communion Scholar, Dr. Guideon Bahule joins him on staff at the hospital and is dedicated to serving the healthcare needs of the people in the area. You can support the ministry of Chicuque Rural Hospital by sharing your gifts through The Advance or by designated giving through your local church: # 3019570 — Jeremias França, Global Ministries missionary To learn more about Jeremias and other United Methodist missionaries, go to:
Date posted: Oct 03, 2008 |
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