MISSION - Guest Home UPDATE
SALUTATIONS from the SOLVIGS in Libreville, Gabon!
Where has the month of January gone??? This month we wanted to feature some of our wonderful, hardworking teams that we have met and on their way to Bongolo. We wanted you to know how your prayers are being answered.
On December 31st, we welcomed Jack Eisenback with his team of 5 to
work on several projects down
at the Bongolo Hospital. We also received Larry Toney & Dale Nauta, our Fiber
optic team.
One of our visitors, Jocelyn said this
about her experience in Gabon: “You really made my
experience in Gabon memorable; the information and experiences I learned and had
while I
was with you are priceless and such a blessing to my life!”
Larry Toney wrote this in his newsletter concerning a problem only God could solve: “God provided the way and the team to make it happen. Who in their right mind would have planned on giving Larry a terminal project problem, Dale the vision for the answer, Jason the contact, Dick the ability to get fiber with no notice, Dick the ability to repackage the fiber for transport, Dick's team the room and strength to carry the fiber to Gabon, Arnie the knowledge necessary to make the arrangements to transport it to the hospital, and then accomplish all this just in time so I could get it installed.”
On January 11th,
another team of 7 persons arrived from Ohio.
Sometimes God sends us visitors that want to challenge the African roads
and travel by African bush taxi – not something we recommend for the
weak or those who have not purchased an additional insurance rider.
Four members of the
Baldwin Team took that challenge as they traveled
down to Bongolo Hospital on Saturday. It only took them 15 hours and a
few sore parts on their bodies, but Praise the Lord they made it safely.
Dick Baldwin says this about his trip to Gabon:
“God has
allowed me the opportunity to experience missions in a real way. I feel like I
can understand what a missionary goes through when they leave friends and
family, and go to a foreign land. I can see the Africans face to face, and
realize that Christ died for them as well.”
On the 27th of January, a team of 9 from Washington came with
everything
including the Kitchen sink!!! I think they just were trying to out due some of
the other teamsJ.
Actually, others had tried to buy a sink in their area for
the project, but couldn’t find it. God provided the sink, right after working
hours, and just before the team’s departure!
Our teams and individuals have worked on the new Quadreplex, installing fiber optic network connections for Bongolo Station and the Hospital, repairing the telephone landline system and wiring the HIV Clinic for electricity.
PRAISE THE LORD TOGETHER WITH US IN THE FOLLOWING:
*On January 7th the girls were able to step aboard a US Navy ship docked here in Libreville. We had a great time getting a tour of the ship, seeing the amazing equipment, and hearing the US Navy Band play at the school.
*On January 17th we welcomed back Karen Fitch from Home Assignment. She heads up the nursing program at Bongolo.
*On January 19th Arnie, Karen, Al & Jeroen headed to Bongolo for Leadership meetings. Praise the Lord for a spirit of unity as they hashed out many issues.
*On January 22nd Cheryl organized a lunch for several new ladies in town and tried to continue developing relationships with others.
*On January 25-26th Cheryl & the girls went camping with the school
to see the
Leatherback turtles lay their eggs. Cheryl asked specifically for good weather
and
God provided the best weather ever. We did get to see a turtle and some babies
in the night.
It always amazes me to see God’s wonderful creation.
*On January 26th Lisa Nicky (our new missionary nurse) was able to
get her residence card
that is required for her to be legal in Gabon.
*The girls got their reports cards and all did a wonderful job this past 9 weeks!
PRAY WITH US FOR THE FOLLOWING:
*Surgical resident, Marjolaine Bourque who will be taking a residency rotation at Bongolo Hospital.
*Judd Davies as he comes with his wife Tracie for a 4th year student rotation at Hospital.
*Dr. John Francis as he is operating and teaching surgery at Bongolo for 3 weeks.
*Ellensburg team of 9 from Washington working in Bongolo until the 15th of February.
*Dr. Dan Shook as he arrives the 15th February to teach the PAACS surgical residents for a month.
*A team from Cape Cod will be here from February 17th to February 29th to work at Bongolo.
*February 25th we have a STMO site visit (3 people). They will be staying with us in Libreville and also head to Bongolo for a couple of days. Pray for God’s wisdom and direction.
*February 25th, the Dinnages will be heading to Bongolo to work on a video project.
Our visitors ultimately want God to be glorified in their lives as they experience, new cultures, new styles of worship, unique foods, new ways of working and doing things, etc. Please pray for the doctors, and teams: that God will work through them to touch many lives for him, for their protection, ability to work and get things done, adjustment to bugs, humidity and life in the jungle.
Thank you for your prayer and financial support.
Serving together in Gabon,
Arnie, Cheryl, Nicole, Stephanie and Katie Solvig
Solvig Website: