I have had the great opportunity last week to help out with an ongoing medical ministry that is happening on the outskirts of Ouaga. A Belgian doctor here goes to schools on the outer parts of town and gives the students medical check ups. He also partners with the school where I do a great deal of my ministry so my students have over the past few months been able to help out with this. I finally had some time to get to one of these and I have to say I was very excited about what I saw. Now mind you that elementary age students who don't even speak french are not my cup o' tea per se nevertheless it was fun for me to measure height, weight, and administer vision tests to the students. After they have those checked out a series of doctors give them a more thorough examination and the kids are able to get basic antibiotics, ointments, and eye glasses for next to nothing if needed. In one week this doctoer will see up to 400 kids. Helping these kids with medical issues is a huge step towards them being able to become better students. If they can't read the chalk board many (as you can imagine) stop paying attention to class and become bored. Not only that, but these outreaches are meeting basic needs of the community and are doing so in the name of Christ. One of the school that we went to last week was an Arabic Islamic school where kids go specifically to learn and read the Koran. I believe wholly that these types of outreaches take large steps to peoples of other faiths in showing them the love of Christ.
As for the more part. For the past 3 years the youth group has raised funds for a food distribution here in Ouaga. Well, we are gearing up for another year hopefully that will challenge the youth group to give and ask others to partner with them and also meet a need here in the community. We will be partnering with friends of ours who do a ministry that puts kids in school teaches them vocational skills and gives food to their families. They also do work with justice issues where parents are physically abusing the students and property issues with women (a major issue throughout Africa). I am excited to see what our students will do with the challenge given them and I pray that as a leader I can help inspire them and show them what it means to be a generous giver to those less fortunate.
My internet is being slow so I'll try to post pictures from the medical outreach tomorrow, until then enjoy your Sunday rest.
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