Petoskey United Methodist Church
S.A.M.E

SAME has scheduled another medical missionary trip to Keyalani Village in the province of Mpumalanga.  Keyalani is a remote, rural area that has been devastated by poverty, unemployment, illiteracy, immigration, and Keyalani has one of the highest AIDS rates in all of South Africa.  Plans for this trip include seeing over 1,000 needy adults and children in medical clinics that have been set up in Beretta Primary School.

SAME partners with local doctors, nurses, teachers and pastors to provide care and hope.  A new and exciting part of their goals is realized in the hiring of local women who have been dignified with the responsibility of going into the homes to plan and provide on-going care for the orphan homes.  SAME's special emphasis will be on treating and meeting the needs of more than 150 AIDS orphans in Keyalani; this number has tripled in the last two years.  These children have lost their parents to AIDS and live in appalling conditions, often going without food other than one meal a day they received at school.  Some live with their "grannies," but others huddle together; sometimes the oldest child in the home is nine or ten years old.  The scenes we see and the stories we hear are heart-breaking, but the hope that will be offered can be life-saving.

Members of SAME have been engaged in fund raising to support the work that they have set in motion in providing continuous care and support for these children.  The invitation is here for anyone who feels Gold nudging them to offer financial support.  SAME is a 501C3 Independent.  Checks may be made out to: SAME, c/o Kilwin's, 355 Division Rd., Petoskey, MI 49770.

In writing this last paragraph, I am reminded of the "the last shall be first."  Perhaps this paragraph should be first as they need our prayers to go before them.  My purpose in writing is to give background information so there will be better understanding of the need to sign up on the prayer vigil we will be holding for this team and their kingdom work.  To sign up is to commit to pray as the Spirit moves you throughout your designated day.  IN preparing the materials, I was talking with Jan VandenBrink.  She expressed profound gratitude to those who feel led to pray for the team and their work.  Having been there before, she explained that "superstitions and belief in witchcraft are prevalent, and that the truth and hope of Jesus are the most important things we have to offer."  The Team knows that they can do nothing without God's Strength and Will leading them.  So now I ask you to listen for God's voice in your ear encouraging you to pray for the Team and the African people they are going to serve.

Going in November 2007 are Ron & Jan VanderBrink, Patty Peek, Kal& Jenni Attie, and Diane & Ken Banks from PUMC, with Sue Bleyaert, Michelle Sturt, Pastor Doug Kenny, Bert Notestine, Denny, Scoob, CJ, Brett, Leslie, Kate & Carleigh Ellens, Jessica BEcker, and Bod, Robin, Allen & Jolie McCarty from area churches.

Their itinerary is as follows:

(Jan & Ron will be leaving on the 9th ahead of the full team.)

Friday 11/16 - the rest of the team leaves US

Saturday 11/17 - arrive (Johannesburg) JNB late, overnight JNB

Sunday 11/18 - travel from JNB to Hoedspruit

Monday 11/19 - Friday 11/23 - medical clinic by team (Ron & Jan)

Monday 11/19 - Thurs. noon 11/22 other work as needed by Don and Robin's team

Thursday 11/22 PM - Sunday 11/25 AM safari somewhere as total group

Sunday 11/25 - mid morning depart for JNB

Sunday 11/25 - late departure for US

Monday 11/26 late arrival in US