CPGM 5th Annual - Hope to see you there!

Southern Africa Part III of III: Malawi

The grand finale of the trip was how God showed up for us and the people of Malawi that he wanted to reach with his love in our final week in Africa. Prov 16:9 says " The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps." How wonderful it is that our trip planner had infinite wisdom. Sure we made plans and connections and did our part in planning our itinerary but it was God himself who established our steps. We had planned to work with a clinic in Salima, an hour away from the capitol city of Lilongwe. We had contacts back and forth with the clinic there. They met us at the airport in Lilongwe and we were all eager to get the week started. There was just one hold up. The truck that they picked us up in was on EMPTY. From what we understood fuel shortages in Malawi have been happening for the past year. It's not that there isn't fuel in Africa to be had but the government seems to be failing in insuring that it's there for the people of Malawi. I don't understand all the politics, but it's been one of the frustrations for the Malawi people that has fueled some of the recent unrest there that you may have seen on the news. Anyways, at this particular time of our arrival there was not any Diesel. The clinic reps who picked us up had assumed that it would be available at least in the capitol city. They said we'd have to stop and that there may be a wait for fuel. No problem. It was 1:30 in the afternoon. We were more than happy to wait for an hour or two or three. These things are to be expected in parts of Africa. Fast forward half the day and we were sitting on the side of the road and it's been dark for an hour and they are no closer in line for getting fuel. They tried to make some alternate arrangements - none of which Tina and I were very comfortable with. After much discussion back and forth and a lot of push back from the people the clinic had sent to pick us up, we took our bags and told them that we were going to get a taxi and find ourselves a room for the night. Remember it was dark, we were in a new country, and very TIRED. Then God sent us an "angel" named Goliath (one of many he sent us during the trip - and I'm convinced he sends us in every day life too). We poured our hearts out to Goliath while he patiently drove us around to some hotels and helped us buy a sim card for our cell phone. I think total we made about 5 stops with him. After an hour with Goliath driving us around and finding us a very suitable place to stay I payed him his very modest request (expected to pay way more and would have willingly done so) he handed me his business card. I kid you not, Goliath runs the "GOD knows" taxi service. I think one of us still has the card if you ever want proof.
Another morning we were able to go to a nearby village where a young pastor, his wife, and newborn baby lived. They were responsible for the church there and spending time with them was a pure joy. With the few types of medications and vitamins left, we saw about 50 people from that village. This was my favorite morning in Malawi. We kept telling the pastor "no more people" because of limited supplies and time, but he didn't have the heart to tell them no (and who could blame him) so they just kept coming. These people had not much physically but they had each other and they showed up to see what we might have for them. Writing this reminds me that daily there are people that show up in our lives to see what kind of hope we can give them. Let us be generous in sharing the hope that we have in Jesus Christ.

None of the above was our plan. It was ALL God. Our plan got us to Malawi then God intervened and we are so thankful that He did. The place we were planning to go originally does good work. No, great work. It's just they are already equipped with staff and resources. God took his staff and resources to a place that needed it more and we are so thankful. He has his hand in your life today too. Trust him to lead you and to take over your small plans so that something greater can be done.
Amen Lord to all that you are doing. We are your servants so use us where you will.

Southern Africa Part II of III: South Africa

The International Confederation of Midwives (ICM) conference is what brought us to Durban, South Africa. Tina is a midwife and had been to the previous one three years ago in Glasgow. This was my first one, and although I am not a midwife, I was still excited for an excuse to go to South Africa. The conference was truly an international event which brought together 3,000 midwives from over 100 different countries. The opening ceremony was reminiscent of the Olympics. Many were dressed in their native garb or carrying flags from their home country. We promptly went and bought an American flag and carried it proudly. The ICM site has great pictures of the whole event and points to the role of ICM "to advocate for the critical role of midwives in reducing maternal and newborn mortality, and to share best practices, experiences and knowledge."
Bridget Lynch, the ICM presidet, has done an outstanding job continuing to unite forces and concluded her term by passing the torch to Frances Day-Strik


Durban provided not only a great time of education, but also some time for relaxation and seeing the sites. South Africa is beautifully nestled between the Atlantic and Indian Oceans. Durban's Indian Ocean waters are relatively warm and oh so beautiful. We didn't do much more in the water than stick our toes in, but we enjoyed the view from our beach front hotel. This was truly a good time of rest that God provided between our two mission countries of Zambia and Malawi.

Southern Africa Part I of III: Zambia

By the grace of God we have been to Zambia, South Africa, and Malawi and returned with stories to tell of God’s work and faithfulness. We departed June 7th from the USA and returned July 1st, spending roughly a week in each of these three countries. Along the way we saw God’s hand at work and were encouraged by the advancement of the gospel that we saw happening through the perseverance of our brothers and sisters over there. The encouragement I think was mutual as it always seems to be in God’s family as they were glad to know they were being thought about and prayed for by their American brothers and sisters.


In Zambia we spent time with Rev. Mumba and his wife Bertha and their beautiful family. Rev. Mumba pastors Church on the Rock (Lusaka) and it was a privilege to help them host an equipping conference for Zambian pastors led by Pastor Will Langstaff from Dallas, TX. The men and women who attended were Zambians serving/pastoring in local churches. They were taught from the word and challenged to persevere and hold up the standard of truth. These were men and women of remarkable faith who are leading the people of God by the power of the Holy Spirit, but who grow weary just like the rest of us. For them, this time of fellowship was a cool drink of water for their soul.


Some of these pastors accompanied us to Livingstone, a city in the south of Zambia where Compassionate Professionals put on a two day medical clinic. The clinic was successful in addressing the needs of the people in a holistic approach. The five station process that CPGM uses includes not only stations for addressing physical needs but also spiritual. To be honest there were many physical needs that went unmet. We used to the fullest what resources we had, but there was more physical needs than our finite materials and energy could meet. But God is infinite and not a limited supply and when it came to the gospel going forth there was no shortage of hearts being healed and lives being changed. Jesus will carry them through long past when their short supply of medicine has run out and He will also carry them on into eternity. The memories of those souls added to the kingdom is precious. Church on the Rock (Livingstone) worked alongside CPGM and is providing for their follow-up and discipleship.





And if that wasn’t enough to make us in awe of God, our time in Zambia concluded with a trip to Victoria Falls on the mighty Zambezi River. The Zambian name for it is “Mosi-oa-Tunya” which fittingly means “the Smoke that Thunders.” Our God is an awesome God!

Bon Voyage!

The team is heading to Zambia June 7th. Part of the group will return June 17th with the rest of the group following at the end of the month. We go with open hearts to give and receive to the full extent that God has in store. Please be in prayer for us that we would be an encouragement and help to our brothers and sisters in Southern Africa. Please also pray that many would come to know the one true God that we love and serve and in whose power we are going.
Below is our itinerary for the trip

Annual Health Inter-Cultural Mission
Zambia June 7-17 2011
Malawi June 21-30 2011

June 7 Leave DFW •
connect in London June 8 •
June 9 Arrive Lusaka
June 10-June 12 .................The Servant House ministry to Pastors Church on the Rock,Lusaka, Zambia •
June 13-15.........................Community Outreach, Health Intercultural Mission,Livingstone, Zambia •
June 15............................Enjoy one of the seven wonders of God’s creation, The Victoria Falls •
June 16.............................Tours and Shopping•
June 17.............................Travel to Durban via Johannesburg, South Africa •
June 18..............................5K Walk,Midwives globally commit to improving maternal and newborn health, achieving MDG 4 & 5 in 5 years •
June 19-June 23..................Int. Confederation of Midwives Conference, Durban, South Africa •
June 24.............................Travel to Malawi•
June 25..............................Enjoy Lake Malawi and other sights •
June 26..............................Women’s Health Forum, Salima Baptist Church •
June 27-29.........................Community Outreach to Women & Children Baptist Medical Clinic, Salima •
June 30..............................Leave Malawi•
July 1st...............................Return Home

“Please pray with me that our God will meet the needs of the clinic so that we can be able to reach out to many with the Good News of salvation. God bless you as you prepare for this trip.”
~Margaret Nyika, Salima Baptist Medical Clinic, Salima Malawi, June 1st 2011

Thank you for traveling with us on your knees!!!
CPGM TEAM 2011

Help us spring forward!

Please help us spring forward in our medicines and medical supplies collection for our annual Health Inter-Cultural Mission

Zambia June 7-17 2011

Malawi June 21-30 2011

We are still desiring donations for medicines and medical supplies for our short term health intercultural missions to the above countries.

Our local partner Malawian and Zambian Nurses and midwives work with very limited resources and personnel.

We are hoping to take stethescopes, BP machines and a fetal doppler for each sites we will be serving in rural Livingstone, Zambia and Salima, Malawi.

Please help us so we can help by not only serving the underserved in healthcare but providing the tools for these nurses and midwives to improve their clinical skills and encourage them in their work in serving women and children

We are happy to pick up medicines or medical supplies or provide a physical address for shipment.

Happy LOVE Day!

”Greater love has no one than this than to lay down one’s life for His friends.You are my friends if you do whatever I command you.”John 15:13-14”

Dear Friends of CPGM,

We are grateful to God for another day to celebrate LOVE and give us an opportunity to reflect on God’s love to us and the opportunities he continues to give us to share His love to others. In the United States the American Heart Association focuses on February as “Heart Healthy Month” and together we were able to help a local congregation on how to maintain a physical and spiritual healthy heart during its “Go Red Sunday” focus.

Preparations are underway for 2011 Health Inter-Cultural Mission to Zambia and Malawi “the warm heart of Africa”. We will be returning to Zambia with our partners the Servant House, in Lewisville Texas and we will be doing a community outreach in Ukimi, Petuake District, a ten hour drive from Lusaka the capital city. During our first mission to this small farming community in 2009, the people were extremely grateful and it was first time they had ever experienced a community health outreach. This will be our first time in Malawi and we will be working for a few days in an under-served community near Lilongwe, the nation’s capital.

We are still seeking participants to come with us and share God’s love through this vital health care ministry. For those who have a heart to serve through their gifts please do so and help us purchase vital medicines, medical supplies and equipment. We have learned that contributions in health and wellness however small are never insignificant but valuable in any life.

Please send us your donations. You are also welcome to follow us on Facebook and spiritually in your prayer closets as we strive to do what God has called us to through this ministry.

Give myself away/Here i am to worship w/lyrics

Annual Health Inter-Cultural Mission

Zambia June 7-17 2011

Malawi June 21-30 2011

Open to health and non-health professionals with a heart to serve those with minimal or no access to healthcare

Cost:$2500*

Includes Visa Preparation, Air Fare, Insurance, Lodging,Food & Ground Transportation

Total ammount due March 20^th 2011

*Total Cost may increase after March 20

Donations are also accepted for Medicines and Medical Supplies

Checks can be mailed to

CPGM

P.O. Box 292373

Lewisville, TX 75029