Popularized by Archbishop Romero but written by Bishop Ken Untener in 1979
"It helps, now and then, to step back and take a long view. The kingdom is not only beyond our efforts, it is even beyond our vision. We accomplish in our lifetime only a tiny fraction of the magnificent enterprise that is God’s work.
Nothing we do is complete, which is a way of saying that the Kingdom always lies beyond us...a step along the way, this enables us to do something, and to do it very well. It may be incomplete, but it is a beginning, an opportunity for the Lord’s grace to enter and do the rest.
We may never see the end results, but that is the difference between the master builder and the worker. We are workers, not master builders; ministers, not messiahs. We are prophets of a future not our own."
USA: Plentiful Food in our grocery stores. Nearly everyone in the US will have either Turkey or Ham for Thanksgiving.
ST. THERESA HOSPITAL: Local shopping provides few items, but at a distance of one hour drive over very bad roads, “most” items are available, although at least 20 to 30% more expensive than in the U.S.
SURROUNDING AREA: The very poor do not have the funds for any shopping, and rely on the staple food “sadza” (corn-meal mush) plus some vegetables. Meat and milk and even bread is a rarity.
Part two of our Eight Days of Gratitude: Electricity
USA: Lights, electricity at the touch of a fingertip.
ST. THERESA HOSPITAL: Main-line electricity for “maybe” eight hours per day. Special Thanks for the people in Germany who donated a new generator for the hospital several years ago, allowing electricity “when urgently needed.” SURROUNDING AREA:95% of the rural homes do not have any electricity.Still, they are thankful for a hospital nearby that does have electricity, and the ability to use a generator for laboratory tests, x-rays, emergency surgery, etc.
As we celebrate Thanksgiving and the start of the Advent Season in the US, it gives me a chance to compare what WE might give thanks for and what the people around St. Theresa Hospital might give thanks for.
This post will be the first of eight reflecting on gratitude.
DAY ONE: WATER
USA:Clean, safe water from the tap “every time.”
ST. THERESA HOSPITAL:Clean, safe water “every time” – “as long as bore-holes function. “ Special Thanks to Shawano, WI Rotary Club for their efforts to help with a new borehole in 2010.
SURROUNDING AREA: Clean water at a pump borehole within one to 1½ mile of our home.Many have to use river water and then there is very high risk of water borne diseases (e.g. cholera) IF the water is not boiled.
Friday, October 30, 2009
Nearly Halloween here in the US. One wonders just how much is spent on Halloween, and how much that might help the “really poor” in the world? Difficult question, but after the past eight years among the poor of Zimbabwe, it is also difficult to not think those sort of questions.
The “Government of National Unity” (GNU) in Zimbabwe is in another crisis. First, “GNU” is an oxymoron if ever there was one. I guess it is a government of sort; it is “national”, but there is certainly NO unity. ZANU-PF seems to think that whatever little they do meets “all the requirements” on their part, and if only the MDC would get the world to stop the sanctions, then everything would be just fine. No mention of the on-going arrests of MDC members, of ridiculous charges against Roy Bennet, of the ZANU-youth terrorizing people, of continuing takeovers of what few white farms are left, of an agriculture policy that still will not feed the nation (let alone export products as was true just ten years ago), of now being “one of the worst” countries in the world as far as governance goes. Anyone wanting to read topical articles about Zimbabwe (MORE than you want to read, but just skim), go to: www.zimbabwesituation.com
But, in spite of all the above, I remain optimistic about St. Theresa Hospital, and the work they are doing. They continue to do all of the work we were involved in, and are moving forward. The AIDS treatment is going very well. There now are 435 clients alive and well 2 years after beginning treatment, and 849 alive and well after one year of treatment. One hundred and twenty two of these are children under the age of 14. ALL of those people would be dead by now if treatment had not been available, and there would be many more orphans. It does show a very bright glimmer of hope for the people. We are hopeful that the program can expand to the point where all of the people who should be on treatment will receive it.
I am busy writing our annual Newsletter. I am hoping to have it ready and sent just before Thanksgiving –means I really have to get busy! I will post a copy of it here when I am ready to mail them. Also, I hope to post an entry which will show just what the finances of the hospital are at this time.
We have now been back in the U.S. for a bit over two months. Four weeks were spent traveling, with the climax being our 50th Anniversary Celebration in Shawano, Wisconsin on 25 July (even though the “real” anniversary date was 29 August). We had it at that time so that all the grandchildren could attend and not have to miss school.
Here is a picture of all 34 of us!
Many of your sent donations to MDA as a gift to us – perfect!
And “thanks so very much.”
Shortly after the celebration, Loretta developed quite severe back pain, and that necessitated several trips to Urgent Care, travelling back to stay with our son Tim near Tampa, FL, and then an MRI and then Physical Therapy. It is good that we were here in the U.S. to get the appropriate treatment and the P.T. Fortunately, she is now improving, so we are hoping that continued exercises will help to solve the problem.
I remain quite involved with St. Theresa Hospital. Ms. Hove, the Administrator, sends me monthly reports that include finances, diesel usage, Senior Staff Meetings, and “problems.” The current most pressing problem is that Dr. Murungu is leaving on October 1st! I had been assured that he would be there for at least another year, but an opportunity came up for him to combine working on a Masters in Public Health along with a job at the AIDS&TB Unit in the Ministry of Health. I fully understand that he HAD to take that position, but it still leaves the hospital in a difficult situation. I am busy trying to find adequate donations to be able to fund the “top-up” required for a new doctor. Salaries in Zimbabwe are terribly low by our standards, but it still requires a lot of small donations to find the $12,000 per year per doctor that might be needed.
I continue to plan on returning for a month in March/ April 2010. Possibly one of our donors will travel with me, to see the results of his family’s donations. I am also trying to find “short-term” doctors to go for one to two months to help. They will be able to stay in our house, and I think, have a tremendous experience. IF anyone is interested, contact me at: zim.stoten@gmail.com More on that later!
“Re-entry” for me remains difficult. It is so difficult to be involved in “everything” concerning running a busy hospital and outpatient and AIDS treatment program, and now be involved in mowing the lawn, cleaning out the car, visiting kids and grandkids, etc. Still, this is where God wants us at this time, so I will gradually become more and more involved with “other projects” here. Tomorrow I am going to the first meeting of “This Man is You” at our Church. It goes from 5:30 to 7:00 AM for twelve consecutive Thursdays, with another session in the Spring. I will keep the Blog updated about this! It should help me to meet more people at the very large church that we now belong to, and find ways to answer God’s call right here.
Some more random thoughts on returning to the US, after nearly eight years in Zimbabwe...
“Re-entry” is easy because SO MUCH IS AVAILABLE (gas, electricity, water, groceries, ATM’s,…)
"Re-entry” is tough because SO MUCH IS AVAILABLE! How do we reconcile the differences?
What do we do to keep the very poorest of the world in “high priority” in our day to day existence?
And yet, how do we help the very poorest right here in our own country?
Giving a free handout to all who ask is not right, and yet doing nothing is not right either. “Easy Answers” certainly don’t come to me; I don’t envy those in government who are trying to make rational and good decisions. They certainly need our prayers and support, and our involvement..
It is easier to be involved in a large HIV/AIDS program at St. Theresa Hospital and see the results from month to month than it is to try to be involved in helping the homeless or the out of work in the USA.
Having just returned home, we wanted to share with you some of our recent memories from Zimbabwe…
Farewell parties. Kind words. Lots of hugs. Many tears. Sad to leave, but happy to be returning to family and friends. Remember all the very good friends we have there. Hope to return for short-term visits. Worry about the political future of the country (PRAY). Vow to continue to help raise money for the hospital. Promise to “remain in touch” by frequent emails.
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a distance of one hour drive over very bad roads, “most” items are available, although at least 20 to 30% more expensive than in the U.S. 
