May-June Issue         bnf is a Compassion Ministry of WMU          May 9, 2022

The work of a nurse is sacred, not just this week, but every week throughout the year.

The hands of a nurse are steady and bring healing to the broken. These hands are callused, cut, and worn down from the constant hand washing, sanitizing, and wearing of gloves. They are sore from charting, writing notes and comforting families that cannot be present. The hands of a nurse are beautiful, strong, and gentle as they bring in new life, save those whose time has not yet come, and hold the hands of those who are breathing their last. 

The heart of a nurse is courageous, not just through a pandemic, but in all she or he does. The eyes of a nurse see through eyes of compassion, not wincing at the sight of wounds, trauma, illness, and pain. Eyes that look and find the resources to comfort, heal, and transform illness to health. The soul of a nurse is fiercely gentle, bringing a calm wisdom into a space terrified by mortality. 

We honor your sacrifices of energy, time, heart, and freedom as the world seems overwhelming. 

We honor your willingness to offer your gifts and grace in the most vulnerable, frightening, funny, and freeing moments of being human.

We welcome our new bnf members.  We are glad you have decided to join or renew your membership.  We welcome your input as we work to empower, engage, and encourage each other to fulfill Christ's mission using our health care skills. Feel free to reach out to our President, Deborah Bolian, at dhb41155@aol.com, or our Executive Director, Marilyn Graves, at bnfexec@gmail.com, with questions, suggestions or to find out how you can serve the organization.

My name is Jane Lawson. I am from Gainesville, GA and have been a nurse since 1987. I came to South Africa in Jan 2001 to serve as a Medical Coordinator in the Sub Saharan Africa (SSA) Peoples Affinity. As Medical Coordinator, I support and advocate our field personnel as they have medical needs. This involves: Coordinate medical care for our personnel across SSA in a manner which effectively balances: a) the provision of consistent and excellent support, b) the empowerment of our personnel to take responsibility for their role in their own health maintenance, and c) consistent fiscal responsibility with monies available. 

One of the best things I enjoy in my role is getting to know our missionaries personally. Often time is spent traveling to medical appointments, sitting in waiting rooms or even enjoying a meal or coffee together. This helps me advocate better for them if the situation is stressful or unknown medical issues arise. It is never easy for our personnel to deal with health issues away from family or other support. Praying with them over their health needs is also of upmost value to me. I have also developed relationships with doctors and their office staff and this enables our personnel to get the personal touch with medical care that is often needed in especially stressful situations. 

Outside of my role as Medical Coordinator, I enjoy my church family here, a Christian Book Club that I am part of and getting know some National Believers on a deeper basis. 

Prayer requests at present include: 

• A smooth renewal process of my Work Visa as it expires August 2022.
• Persons to fill the 2 Field Medical Coordinators Positions that are open in SSA. One is working with me here in Johannesburg, South Africa and the other is in Nairobi, Kenya. 
• Ministry opportunities away from the Medical Coordinator Office working with Nationals and being a Disciple for Christ 

Please prepare the following if you are planning to attend the Virtual Prayer Meeting:

Preparations for the Blessing of the Hands.

·         Put ½ teaspoon of olive or vegetable oil in a small container.

·         Have a soft cloth or tissue nearby.

·         Ensure you are in a quiet place with no distractions.

·         Part way through, you will be asked to put a little oil in one palm to massage your hands.

May ~ June Health Awareness

Iglesia Bautista Horeb of Greater New Orleans

Friday & Saturday, June 3-4, 2022 

You are invited to join bnf, Pastor David Rodriquez and Iglesia Bautista Horeb as we host free medical clinics in the Greater New Orleans Area.

The LA BNF along with National BNF are coordinating the clinic planning.

We need many willing hands and hearts to minister "In Jesus' Name."

Clinic Donations Needed

Adult multivitamins

Children's multivitamins

Glucometer strips

Prescription or reader eyeglasses for adults and children

Participants can be bring these items with them. If you cannot make the trip but would like to donate any of these items, or funds to enable purchasing some of these items, contact Charolette Wyckoff at  charlottedunnwyckoff@gmail.com.

You may register to serve at https://form.jotform.com/220934447056154.

The mission trip previously planned for Ukraine has been moved from "on hold" to canceled. We are praying about another possibility to work with the refugees from Ukraine.  Bob Taylor, IMB Volunteer Coordinator for Eastern Europe states, "At this point, we have no future teams planned for anywhere in Eastern Europe. The European Community is working together to make sure that all the Healthcare Needs of these refugees are being met and that they can meet them, therefore, not needing our assistance at this time. However, Moldova is not a member of the European Union (Neither is Ukraine). This has allowed us to work in Moldova alongside the Moldovan Baptist Convention. We believe that future opportunities to serve both in Moldova and Ukraine are a real possibility, but that is much dependent on whether or not Russia continues their actions in Ukraine (and possibly Moldova)."

The bnf executive committee will continue to seek international medical mission opportunities, in partnership with the IMB, and keep you informed as we receive more information.