The Ivory Coast Team

 14 Members     updated 08/13/08

 

 

The team has returned safely home,

Thank you for praying.

 

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Journey of the Team

 

 

 

 

 

What a wonderful two days! 

Wednesday was our busiest day so far with the morning, afternoon, and early evening in the village of Ana for another medical clinic day.  This village was quite a bit different than the previous two villages, but also yielded much fruit. 

The doctor and the medical not only conducted the usual diagnostic and general care, but there were also several somewhat emergency situations that they were able to take care of.  Instead of our "usual" set up of three separate rooms, all the medical activity was conducted in a single roofed shelter with only a back wall (the men of the village provided a large sheet of black plastic to give the necessary privacy -- God has a way of taking care of even the little details). 

The Bible club situation was also different.  Rather than having a separated location we had to use a corner of one of the tents.  But again, everything went well.  We still had to use an interpreter but due to the medical demands, the availability of someone to assist in the Bible teaching who knew French was limited.  Mrs. Stelzer was able to teach several of the stories in French with the help of some of the children supplying a particular vocabulary word. 

In the mid-afternoon, a young man from the village who was a university student in Abijan and spoke English quite well approached Dr. Stelzer with questions about the Gospel.  After a simple presentation of the Gospel, Dr. Stelzer realized that additional questions needed more than English.  At that point Mrs. Stelzer continued sharing Bible truths relating to salvation in French until Bob Mach was able to come to help. After an additional 15-20 minutes, we had a new brother in the Lord.  This young man not only prayed to receive Christ, but is planning on traveling to the church where Dr. Stelzer will be preaching on Sunday morning when our team will be ministering there.  In weeks to come, this young man has expressed a desire to attend the church in Bingerville.

After we packed up all of our gear, the village chief came by to express his appreciation for our work that day. He wanted to get his picture taken with the team.  Though the village has been visisted previously, this year's visit widened the door of opportunity for evangelism and Bible study in this village that is about 6-7 kilometers from Bingerville.

Because of the time, we arrived at the Wednesday evening church service straight from the village.  We were about 15 minutes late.  Bob Mach called ahead and simply had the church people have their prayer time at the beginning of the service time.  After our arrival John (Stelzer), Sharon, and Heather gave their personal testimonies, Dr. Stelzer preached, and the service was concluded with the group singing two special numbers.

Thursday was a day of recuperation and instruction.  On several occasions some members of the group went to the market.  After lunch, Dr. Kadio arrived for seminars related to medical missions in third world countries.  Bob Mach gave a seminar on the history and importance of the clinic to the ministry of the Bingerville church.  After the presentations, the team was able to present Dr. Kadio with a monetary gift from the team that was greatly appreciated.

Tomorrow begins a new phase of the team ministry when Tim and Dr. Stelzer will have the first of two days of the Bible Institute classes that they will be teaching.

Thank you for your prayers!

The IVORY COAST Team

 

 

 

Today was our first tent clinic in a nearby village named Achokoi.  Before going to the village we had to pick up two tents, chairs, and tables.  On the way to Achokoi, we stopped at the Clinic in Bingerville and got the grand tour.  What a marvelous facility.  God is so good to provide so much for the church here, to have this outreach into Bingerville.  This clinic is so good and well-respected that the local city officials as well as the doctors and nurses at the local hospital come to it for treatment.  Everyone that comes to the clinic (each time) has a contact with the evangelism center.  There have been many saved through this ministry and many of those are a part of Bob Mach's church.

Now back to Achokoi -- What a busy day!  But what a great time to minister not only to the people's physical needs but spiritually as well.  After arriving, two tents were set up, examining rooms were set up, and the day began with an evangelistic service.  The team gave their presentation and sang two songs in French which were very well received.  Tim Hall gave a brief Gospel challenge from which at least one man accepted Christ as Savior later on in the day.  There were three medical rooms set up -- one with Dr. Kadio to diagnose particular medical conditions of those who came.  Before meeting the doctor they went to a room where several of our nursing students checked their sugar and blood pressure.  And then if needed they were advised accordingly.  After meeting the doctor, prescriptions were written out and the patients went to the middle room staffed by three of our nurses to fill prescriptions with the items that we brought in our extra suitcases.

While all of this medical activity was going on by our nursing/medical members of our team, the rest of the team gave several Gospel presentations and sang numerous songs to the children (many mothers and fathers were interested as well).  After about two hours, several from the team conducted games with the children which alleviated the congestion around the clinic proper area.  We did not get back to the Machs until nearly dark.  All were tired and hungry, but the spiritual food and blessings of the day were the focus of attention.

Tomorrow will be another tent clinic in new village area. Thank you for your prayers!

The Ivory Coast Team

 

 

This morning the guys helped Bob Mach get ready for a church wedding -- got chairs and tables taken to the church. Ashley and Amana practiced with Mrs. Mach for much of the music at the wedding. Others helped prepare the noon meal, and still other girls collected items to take for the wedding.

The afternoon and evening was a great time of bridge building with the people of the church at the wedding and reception. If any of the teams members had their hands down at their side, a little Ivorian hand soon found its way into it.

 

After supper tonight, we had a good share and prayer time. After reminding everyone of their Sunday ministry involvement (everyone is doing at least one ministry), we cleaned up from dinner and around the house. All the team retired to their sleeping areas to review their stories/Bible verses, etc.

 

Tomorrow should be a great day of ministry. Everyone is well and very excited.

 

The IVORY COAST Team

 

 

Hello from the Ivory Coast -- we finally got here early this morning and went to a local hotel to rest for a couple of hours.  All luggage arrived on time.  Praise the Lord!

 

The team got settled in, and we have already had a good time with the Machs.  There is a wedding at church tomorrow, so most of the group went to the church to set up a tent for that event tomorrow.  This was a good time to meet many of the people from the Bingerville church. 

 

Though everyone is tired from our traveling adventures to get here, everyone is in good health (and in good spirits).  Today was a day of orientation -- a session by  Bob Mach and another session by Dr. Kadio.  

 

The IVORY COAST Team

 

 

Praise the Lord! The team arrived safely in Abidjan, after a day in Casablanca, and are now in Bingerville. They are fine -- and all their luggage is there.

 

After an orientation session, they are eager to begin ministry. Please pray for them as they serve in the Ivory Coast.

 

 

04:00pm

 

The team is experiencing a very long layover. Since all immediate flights to Morocco are full, their delayed flight from Atlanta on Sunday (due to weather) means they will be flying out on Wednesday from JFK.

 

The team has been staying at a very small church near JFK. And God is working - there is a mini-revival breaking out.

 

The team members are all well. As far as we know... their luggage is in Abidjan.

 

 

06:30am

 

On Sunday, July 27, t he team departed Pensacola on time with all members and their baggage present.

 

They arrived in Atlanta on time but were delayed in arriving in New York by six hours.

 

As a result , the team did not make it's connection to Morocco. After a night as guests of a local church, the team will try to board today's flight on standby. We continue to try and rebook them on a flight tonight.

 

PLEASE PRAY that we will be able to get them onto this evening's flight.