SPRING 2017
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Pastor Etienne
"The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it."    - John 1:5
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There is no doubt that darkness exists in this world.  Our recent headlines have been drenched in stories of terror, deceit, anger, and brokenness.  It is easy to assume that the darkness has overcome the light.  Yet, we hear time and time again of the great joy of God's Kingdom breaking forth in this world.  Hope is ringing from the tops of the mountains and echoing in the deep valleys.  While profound things are happening, it is often occurring through simple but purposeful engagements of people throughout the world.
Invest Deeply to Multiply
Henry Mutebi discipling young kids in Kyankwanzi, Uganda
We recently celebrated together the 205,956 individual lives touched and transformed by the Sustainable Med team and international partners in 2016.   However, this impact is possible through an intentional process of discipling a small group of key leaders during our training conferences and relationships that follow.  The compassion need remains in the billions of people, and hundreds of people are requesting to come to our events each time.  Yet, we keep the training conferences small in order to invest deeply in the medical and faith leaders.  

One such young, leader is Henry Mutebi (pictured above).  Henry attended both Sustainable Med conferences in Uganda.  He credits the time with Sustainable Med staff for "transforming [his] faith and professional life".  Henry received both a scholarship to advance his medical training and some pilot grant funds to help transform his community.  Henry is not only discipling members of his community with news of health and hope like the little children pictured above, but he is also investing deeply in the community leaders who have worked together to use many low-cost, locally available materials to prevent and treat both Jiggers and bedbugs.  

Fortunately, we are blessed with many strong leaders who have enjoyed tremendous success using the processes and material of Sustainable Med.  Six have been identified so far that show high levels of excellence in terms of understanding, accountability, and implementation.  They are the leaders of our 6 Centers of Excellence, which serve as further extensions of Sustainable Med to train and disciple others.

Center of Excellence Map
                                           Center of Excellence Locations
97% Infected with Intestinal Worms
Child with boots
Two boys from Terimbere Village with their new boots
In March of 2017, the team led by Pastor Pascal and Pastor Shukuru in Rwanda conducted a baseline test of 60 randomly selected children from their village.  They found that an astounding 97% of the children were infected with the intestinal worm, Ascariasis.  This finding quickly made the local newspaper, TV, and radio.  The local officials were both concerned and humbled by the results.  Fortunately, these Sustainable Med partners and their team were able to share unique and sustainable solutions to this problem that effects over 1 billion people in villages each year.  More importantly, they were able to share with those in attendance about their Heavenly Father who loves them and desires a life of health and hope for each one of them.  

They recorded and edited a video to share the large community event, which was one of many steps in their "Zero in on Zero" plan to eradicate intestinal worms from their community.

Health Week Terimbere, Rwanda
Health Week Terimbere, Rwanda

Updates from the Field
Congo Jiggers
Pastor Jacques and his team addressing Jiggers in Congo (DRC)

19 grant sites from Congo, Ghana, India, Kenya, Nepal, Rwanda, and Uganda are all making huge impacts already in the first quarter of 2017.  Children, women and men are being freed not only from the grips of parasites and neglected diseases but also from the lie that they are not loved or forgotten by their Heavenly Father.  Communities are coming alive for the first time in many years as they find real solutions that may be influenced by Sustainable Med but they are owned by the local people.  We are astounded not only by the impact but by the creativity and innovation of these local leaders.  

But, what exactly does this look like?  How is it happening on the ground with the village people?  We would love to have you join us and see for yourself, but here is a short compilation of several of the grant sites who shared with us video clips of what they are doing in the first quarter of  this year.   You will see one site who used local materials to help prevent Jiggers infections as well as others who find creative ways through teaching, skits, and dancing to share their message.  You will even see young children being taught some basic sanitation through song in order to prevent intestinal worms.


2017 Conferences
Ukraine conference
Ukraine Conference 2017
The first conference of the year is complete, and it was a tremendous success.  54 medical students from 16 different countries attended this year's training in Ukraine.   Many of these students are now graduating and returning to their home countries.  The feedback was overwhelmingly positive and the students reported that they feel well equipped to apply what they had learned over the past two years of training with Sustainable Med.  They also shared how the intentional discipleship and humility of the staff were transforming influences in their lives.  Yet, I really enjoyed one quote from a student who explained how he benefited from his interactions:
"What is different about SMM - it brings messages of hope and doing what seems to be impossible otherwise"


If you are interested in either of our remaining trips, we would love to talk to you more about being an active participant in our conferences.  Please contact David Snyder ( dsnyder@sustainablemed.org)
Zambia
Zambia & Ghana
(July 4-16)
Nepal
India & Nepal
(September 14-24)
Join Us

(2017 Budget - $365,000)

What do your dollars support in our budget?
  • Program Grants to local leaders
  • International training conferences 
  • Medical scholarships for the future leaders 
  • Centers of Excellence (support and replication sites) 
What else can I do to get involved?
Whether you have limited abilities to give financially or if you have given and are looking for other ways to connect deeper with this ministry, God can use you in powerful ways!
  • Pray - prayer always changes things.  Join our prayer team.
  • Volunteer - social media, administrative, curriculum development, and more for as little as a couple of hours.
  • Network - Our India Director, Biswa needs an entire ecosystem of resources as he begins his role.  Key areas include: water/sanitation, power, construction, agriculture, grant writing, and medicine
  • Mentor - dozens of medical students in Ukraine as well as currently practicing medical professionals in African nations, India, and Nepal are looking for mentors to guide them in their development.  Size of the group and time is based around your preferences.  Sign up
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