We meet for the first time! 2009

Last weekend, May 30 & 31, your 2009 Tanzania Surgical Mission team met for the first time. It was so exciting for all of us to get together and share how God has called us to this mission. Peace Lutheran Church was proud to host a commissioning for the team at each of the 3 services during the weekend, after hearing Cindy describe last year’s mission and what we foresee for this year. At the same time, Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Fayetteville was learning about the mission from Dr. Arleigh Trainor, who is a member of Good Shepherd.

After a quick dinner, we gathered at the home of Dr. Doug & Glynnis Treptow. Dr. Mike Orzechowski joined us from Alaska by phone for a lengthy conference. We learned that we will have about a half day to enjoy the sights of Africa as we adjust to the time change. After that, we are eager to begin our mission, which will include a day in one of the more remote districts before we begin clinic and surgery at St. Mary’s. Your team spent several hours brainstorming, combining what we learned last year with the experience the team has acquired in other ways. Some of the problems we considered are:
• What kind of patients do we expect to help?
• What supplies should we bring with us?
• What can we purchase in Tanzania for our mission?
• How can we organize our clinics to help the greatest number of people?
• How should we allocate the team supplies that we are packing to minimize the damage if a bag is lost?
• What are our options in Tanzania if we need anesthesia beyond a spinal block?
• How can we help the most when we are doing clinic in the remote district?

As we ended the evening, the Arkansas members of the team made plans to meet again a day or two before departure to pack the team bags together. Cindy and her husband, Dana, are flying out of Tulsa. The Arkansas members, Dr. Arleigh, Dr. Doug, Glynnis and Pati, are flying out of NW Arkansas and will join up with Cindy and Dana in Minneapolis, where we all fly to Amsterdam. Dr. Mike is flying out of Alaska and meets up with the team for the first time in Amsterdam. We are all looking forward to continuing the bond that was formed with each other as we travel on to the work He has waiting for us with our brothers and sisters in Tanzania.

We ask for your prayers for our safe travel (for us and our luggage!) and that God will guide us in His mission in Tanzania.

If you want to be a financial part of this vital mission, you can send your check to ELCA A-Ok Synod, 6931 S. 66th E Ave, Ste 310, Tulsa, OK 74133-1760 and put “Tanzania Surgical Mission” on the memo field.

BWANA ASIFIWE! (Praise the Lord)