Central African Republic (C.A.R.) Video

EMMANUEL_CLINIC from Hope Lutheran Church on Vimeo.

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Central African Republic (C.A.R.) Update

Pastor Paul Visited Africa January 10­-22, 2010, click for details of his trip

This past January I had the privilege to travel to the Central African Republic (C.A.R.) to celebrate the dedication of the health clinic primarily funded by Hope Lutheran. It now has a new name, Emmanuel Health Center. Emmanuel is a word that comes from the New Testament that is literally translated: "God with us." It is a fitting name.

Clinic in Gallo, C.A.R

In March 2010, Pastor Gordon Olson sent a letter to Pastor Chuck concerning the Emmanuel Health Center in Gallo. Click here to read it.

Pastor Gordon Olson's update June 30, 2010

The clinic is now operating with a full staff and most things working. They have a new generator so now they have both electricity and water. They are thrilled! Dr. Susan Vitalis of Global Health Ministries is there with Teresa in the absence of Dr. Christa who is taking a short leave in Germany. There have been many babies delivered and patients treated so far!

Christ Lutheran in Valencia has sent us $37,500 so far for solar equipment. Wow! This equipment is already on its way via container and we hope will arrive in August. Jim Noss (former missionary from Cameroon with lots of experience in this region) has agreed to spend the month of October in CAR supervising the installation of this equipment and setting up an operation and maintenance system.

Hope Lutheran has raised an additional $32,000 for the project. This is in addition to over $225,000 contributed before for the church in Bouar and the Gallo project. Praise God! Several other congregations have shown interest in the project and we hope the funds will come in for staff housing which is our next big project there. We need to raise over $100,000 for staff houses. Any ideas?

The first draft of the video is done and we hope Bruce can finalize it in the next couple of weeks. It will contain at least two versions - a 9-minute and a 5-minute one for use in different ways by congregations. We appreciated the input by Pastor Joe and would invite others to give input.

A consultation organized by ELCA-Global Mission will be held in Minneapolis on June 9-10 which will include the three companion synods, LPGM, GHM and ELCA. This meeting will be important to discuss the partnerships and next steps in our work together in CAR.

Thanks to all of you for your continuing interest in CAR and for telling the stories and engaging others in this very special mission.

Blessings,

Gordy Olson

Church and Aids Medicine Distribution Center

In September 2006, Hope Lutheran committed to building a church in Bouar, Central African Republic (C.A.R.) in partnership with Lutheran Partners in Global Mission. The cost to build the church was estimated at $50,000. Within a month, Hope Lutheran Church exceeded that number by leaps and bounds and raised over $70,000!

Not only did we transform an old warehouse into a sanctuary, called Central Temple where 400 people will worship God each week, thanks to the congregation's generosity we were able to help restart the AIDS Awareness and Distribution Program in the basement of the church building.

"Greetings from Lutheran Partners in Global Ministry. Global Health Ministries has received an updated proposal from the Lutheran Church of the Central African Republic regarding their AIDS awareness and treatment program. The program is finally being restarted, thanks to the generosity of your people! The funds are being sent to C.A.R. this week. This is a major step forward as we are determined to monitor the project carefully and keep it going as long as necessary to save lives. It's now a cooperative effort between Hope Lutheran Church, Lutheran Partners in Global Ministry, Global Health Ministry and the Lutheran Church of the Central African Republic - another example of working together to make something happen that no one partner can do alone. Thank you, thank you, and thank you!!" ~Gordon Olson, President of Lutheran Partners in Global Ministry

Celebrating!

Here is a portion of Gordon Olson's letter to the people of Hope Lutheran celebrating the dedication of the church we built: "The old warehouse that was only a dead building a year ago has come alive now in a desperately poor city. You, the congregation of Hope Lutheran, have brought hope to these people and you are now connected through our common faith - faith in Jesus Christ whose love brought us all together in common purpose. The amazing thing is that you have not just raised the initial amount needed for renovation - $50,000 - but have exceeded that by more than 50%! More than $75,000 has been sent - enough to restart an AIDS awareness and medicine distribution program that was suspended in 2006 for lack of funds."

This is an amazing story! It is a story of God's people following the call to make a difference in the world. It is a story of HOPE! Thank you to all whose generosity and commitment to the Gospel made this possible.

Continued Mission

Hope Lutheran's mission is a global mission. We are making a difference inspired by our faith in Christ. Only God knows what the future has in store for Hope Lutheran Church in terms of continued ministry in the Central African Republic and other places as well, but the possibilities are worth exploring - as God draws us into the future He has in mind for us.

For more information about assistance provided to the Central African Republic, go to www.lutheranpartners.org.