Christmas in Kano

My sister April came for a visit to Nigeria. It has been so wonderful having her here for Christmas. I thank God she could come and experience a taste of life in Africa!

In front of Amir's palace, the "King of Kano"

One of the guards brightly dressed in the green and red uniform

We ate Chicken, pork, potatoes, stuffing and much more, yummy!!

Playing the grab bag game with the Jessurun's, a missionary family serving in Kano

Apes and me in my apartment on Christmas Eve

My little Christmas tree with the wonderful gifts my sister brought from home

VVF ministry

The stench of urine permeates the air of the VVF ward, thin framed women with their heads fully covered walk slowly up and down the halls holding their urine catheters which empty into small plastic bowls. I greet them and say "Sannu, ina kwana, ya ya jiki (how are you and how is your body?)"As we greet, they wave their hands in the air expressing thankfulness for my greetings. Most people don't even notice them. For a moment, their hope has been restored. Someone has cared about them; acknowledged their existence. Most of them come from villages far away in desperate search for help, something to cling to, a hope that after surgery they can reunite with their families; that somehow the word outcast will be removed from their foreheads. As I walk down the halls of the VVF center I am reminded of Jesus and how He loved even the least of these.

I will be working with the VVF women every week and sharing the gospel of Jesus with them. Majority of the women are Muslim and come from villages in various states throughout Nigeria. Through word of mouth they have heard the VVF center in Jos offers free surgery to correct the fistulas, the problem they each have in common from prolonged labors. Because they are cast away from families and looked upon as "dirty", they are yearning for love and affection. Many of them come to know Jesus here at the center through the love shown to them by the staff and volunteers. I am excited for this opportunity to spend more time getting to know the women, and to share about God's love and grace. This week on tuesday I shared the Christmas story and talked about how God sent his son Jesus to die for their sins. I know the Jesus of the bible will speak to many of their hearts. Why? Because we worship a risen Savior who is alive and interceding for those who believe on His name. God will speak through His word and it will not come back void but will accomplish the purpose for which it was sent. That purpose is for many Muslims to come to know Jesus. I pray God's blessing on my time with them each week, and know He will be glorified. Pray along with me for a fruitful ministry here at the VVF. One of my VVF friends Ngosonom has also been a client of Spring of Life for the last 6 months. Her baby Emembe is growing and adding weight. However Emembe was admitted into the hospital yesterday for dehydration and diarrhea. Please pray for God's healing hand upon her.

S and me. She is only 20 years old and having her third child next month. I have been getting to know her the last month by visiting her almost daily at the VVF ward. She speaks little english and once again I am forced to speak Hausa with her which I find challenging but awesome. Pray for her to come to know Jesus Christ. I gave her some gospel literature yesterday, and she said she will read it. Her heart is open and I pray she receives the free gift of Salvation in the one and only true God!

S.A. is a Fulani woman, also a VVF patient, who came up to me one day and after never talking with her before said, "I want you to teach me english!" I was shocked to hear her speaking english. She comes from the village and typically many of them do not have a formal education and have not learned english. I told her I would teach her! Praise the Lord. This is an opportunity to share the love of Christ through language learning. Pray also that she would embrace Christ!

Before and After

Israel when he first came to us at 8 months weighing under 7 pounds. The feeding tube gave him the nutrition he needed to sustain his life since he could not tolerate food by mouth.





Last week at 16 months old and over 13 pounds, Israel is thriving and tolerating his ARV's very well. The drugs have boosted his immune system and he is eating well. He is one of our miracle babies. Sometimes when I look at him I still can't believe that he was so sick. His progress is amazing. I praise the Lord for allowing Israel to get better and for giving him life today.

Buying Vegetables

So today I went to the market and bought a handful of tomatoes, cucumbers, green peppers and carrots. I only paid $2.00 for all of it. It amazes me. The big thing here is to bargain for everything. Nigerians almost take offense if you don't bargain for things. So I stand there and after picking out what I want the game starts. First I ask, "Nawa, or how much?" Then they give me a price and I ask them to reduce the price for me. Then after waiting for them to reduce, I look around and pretend like I am not going to buy. They will soon give me the lower price and I say, "what is your last price?" Then I take the lower price. It's actually fun. You can't go anywhere here without bargaining. It's part of life, and you get used to it. Although sometimes I struggle with it and think how little I really am paying for most of these things, and it causes me to be thankful, really thankful.

Christmas Club

We recently had our Christmas club where our HIV clients came together with singing and dancing as well as eating Chicken. Chicken is very expensive here so it is valued in a huge way. A chicken foot stuffed through the head, hungry?

Cooking the chicken and stew for rice

Ruth, Larrai, Me and Julie

Mrs. Akwai and Mr. Johnson, two staff members

Larrai and Julie getting the rice together

beans all ready to hand out to our HIV club members

Drink your AIDS away

So rumor has it that there is a new cure for HIV in town. It is called "Kaza" and is some kind of fruit. Supposedly drinking the juice inside will cure your HIV. I went around the main market today asking about the Kaza fruit to the sellers. They all said the same thing; that it is used to cure HIV. Many people here do not yet know their is NO cure for HIV. We have a long way to go in spreading awareness about this disease.

Death

Today while visiting a friend in the emergency room, a young boy about 15 years old was brought in dead upon arrival. After attempting CPR for about 20 seconds, the nurse gave up and left the boy on the ground in the middle of the entrance. Everyone who walked in saw the lifeless body. The staff at the hospital moved on as if nothing had happened. Because death is such a normal part of daily life here, the reaction to it is so different from that of the west. I found out later that the boy was trying to break up a fight between two classmates before he died. No-one really knows the cause of death and they never will. I know that much of the death here is preventable, maybe not for this young man. God's Sovereignty is my comfort and peace in situations like this. My heart is sad and yet my hope is in my Lord and Savior, and the fact that when I die I will be with HIM forever.

Ya Ya Jiki?

In Hausa this means "how is your body," or as we would say in America, "how are you feeling?" This is a question I have been asked many times a day since being back in Jos. Hearing Hausa again is music to my ears. Na yi farin Ciki ( I am happy inside!) I love being back, it feels like coming home. More than ever I am convinced of my calling for Nigeria. God's peace is flooding my heart and I am thankful for this unspeakable JOY to serve HIM here. May the love of the one and only true GOD be the passion that drives me on to make HIS glory known.

The Valley Of Vision

"THE VALLEY OF VISION"

LORD, HIGH AND HOLY, MEEK AND LOWLY,

Thou hast brought me to the valley of vision,

where I live in the depths but see thee in the heights;

hemmed in by mountains of sin I behold thy glory.

Let me learn by paradox

that the way down is the way up,

that to be low is to be high,

that the broken heart is the healed heart,

that the contrite spirit is the rejoicing spirit,

that the repenting soul is the victorious soul,

that to have nothing is to possess all,

that to bear the cross is to wear the crown,

that to give is to receive,

that the valley is the place of vision.

Lord, in the daytime starts can be seen from deepest wells,

and the deeper the wells the brighter thy stars shine;

Let me find thy light in my darkness,

thy life in my death,

thy joy in my sorrow,

thy grace in my sin,

thy riches in my poverty,

thy glory in thy valley.

During this time away from life in Nigeria, God is humbling me in amazing ways. Why? To show He doesn't need me to carry out the work there. He is testing me to see if I really trust him and take him at His word. He has sovereignly placed me here to wait on Him for such a time is this. He continues to show me I must believe that His will is being accomplished even when I can't see. Through darkness the light of His presence is filling my soul. Like the Puritans of Old, I am seeing His glory in my valley. I praise God because I know in the steepness of this valley, my heart has been desperate for HIM. I am seeing the love of Christ in a new way. The depths and goodness of His character are becoming more clear to me, and in this I rejoice. I rejoice not in my circumstances, but in the God of my circumstances!

"The Steadfast of mind You will keep in perfect peace, Because he trusts in you. Trust in the Lord forever, For in God the Lord, we have an everlasting Rock"

Isaiah 26:3

Your Chains Are Gone

Freedom: the quality or state of being free: Independence, exemption, release or ease.

This topic of freedom has been one of the themes of my trip home this fall. I am studying about God's freedom and how I can make liberty IN Christ a reality in my life. How can I not allow the chains of bondage of sin to rule over me? I know in my head that I am free in Christ because Jesus' shed blood on the cross of Calvary bought my freedom once and for all. Yet why do I continually allow sin to reign in my body and weigh me down? Until we are in the presence of our Glorious King, we will struggle with our fleshly bodies and desires for the things of this world.

"Stand fast therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free, and do not be entangled again with a yoke of slavery!"

Galatians 5:1

What is true FREEDOM? Romans 8:2-4 says, "For the law of the Spirit of life has made me free from the law of sin and death. For what the law could not do in that it was weak through the flesh, God did by sending His own son in the likeness of sinful flesh, on account of sin: He condemned sin in the flesh, that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit"

I continue to fall short yet God in His infinite mercy has redeemd my life from the pit. I am finally free from the chains that held me for so long. Psalm 40 is one of my favorites and talks about how the Lord lifts us out of the pit and puts a new song in our mouths, a song of praise to HIM. HE HAS REDEEMED MY LIFE FROM THE PIT OF HELL. Because I know Jesus I now have hope of eternal life, what a glorious truth. My song is for the Lord, and by His grace I will continue to praise my Father for saving me, a wretched sinner.

"Remember your chains are gone, remember He has given you a new song, therefore you must praise him all day long, so others may know of His SON, remember your chains are gone!"

I Miss.....

Jefda's sqeal when he gets excited

JD's sweet face and how he calls me his Maigida or "wife" in Hausa

Witnessing Kathryn's hilarious dancing and bright smile


The way James clings to my leg and loves on me. I miss sitting him on my lap and feeling his big belly
Hearing Moses sing with all his heart to the Lord

Playing with the gang that always comes to visit me every day. I miss the way they yell for me "aunty Susan, aunty Susan!" I miss all these precious children whom I have grown to love this last year. I can't wait to get back to Nigeria!

Hat Ministry

My mother loves to crochet, and several months ago I asked her to make some hats for me to bring back to Nigeria in August. What a blessing it has been to use her gifts and minister to infants and children living with HIV. One big difference between American and African babies is that mothers dress them so warmly despite the heat. Even at 90 degree temperatures, infants are seen wearing wool hats and sweaters. The hat minstry has been incredible so far, and I am excited to continue giving the adorable hats to these precious ones.

Faith is one day old and and her mother is positive. Infants are given ARV's shortly after birth for prevention of the virus from their mothers. Faith will be given the drugs for the next few weeks and by God's grace will be negative!



Emembe or "rejoice," and her new pink hat. Her mother is HIV positive and it is not yet determined whether she also has the virus. It's too early to tell, but so far she is not showing any signs and has been healthy in her first few months of life. She has been fed infant formula which is a sure way to prevent her from acquiring HIV from her mother since HIV is present in breast milk.


Abigail is infected with HIV and has quite a sad story. Her parents both died of HIV and no-one wanted to take care of her because she too was positive. The stigma and fear associated with this virus is unbelievable. Her grandparents family took her in and now care for her. One day when one of our nurses went on a home visit, they found her sitting on the cement floor in a dark room alone. Can you imagine that? No wonder she never smiles like a normal child. Her prognosis is not very good because she is still so thin and frail. Even though on ARV's now, her body has not responded well. We pray God will sustain her for many more years!!!!

Fall in Chicago

I love Fall in Chicago and the changing of seasons, from leaves turning beautiful colors to the fresh crisp autumn air, it's so refreshing! After being cooped up for ten days I have loved getting out for walks and enjoying nature.

Class of 1996

Me with two old high school friends, Lindsay (left) and Sherry, at our ten year reunion

Even though the last three weeks have been difficult with sickness and surgery, my heart is content and at peace. One of the confirmations of this trip home is that God allowed me to attend my ten year high school reunion last friday. I love Nigeria but there was still some part of me that wanted to go back to the year 1996 and remember the good old days of Homecoming dances, pep rallies, football games and hot lunches. I had a great time and really enjoyed seeing old friends and sharing the good news of God with classmates. At the reunion I was handed a letter I wrote to myself on May 22nd, 1996 during my senior year in Sociology class. The question was "where do you see yourself in ten years?" Somehow I didn't remember the assignment and it came as a bit of a surprise, but was so affirming and encouraging to my heart. Below are a few excerpts from my letter.

Dear Susan,

"I hope to be a pediatric nurse at a hospital somewhere. I really want to nurse little children back to health...."

"I am not sure what God has in store for me, so right now my future is unclear...."

"I also would like to go to another country and work at an orphange with little children...."

"I have hope that we will eventually find a cure for the deadly virus called

AIDS...."

Did I actually write that? Who was that seventeen year old girl? Despite my inadequacies, failures, weaknesses and sin nature, God is perfect. Nothing could thwart the plans He laid out for me. Even though there have been many bumps in the road I have traveled, God has used every obstacle and valley for my good to accomplish His purposes in me. I stand amazed at where God has brought me and how He implanted those desires deep in my heart long ago. He knew His plans for me would be fulfilled by His power and glory. God is the author and wrote the story of my life before the foundations of the earth. What am I doing today? I am a nurse working with children and adults living with HIV/AIDS in Nigeria. I also work with street children and orphans at a care center in the city of Jos.

I can't help but think of Jeremiah 29:11 which says, "For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."

My trip home was worth it to get this letter and reflect on God's faithfulness and Sovereignty in my life these last ten years.

Evacuation Insurance

"And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose!"

Romans 8:28

When I first attended missionary training and my mission told me I must have evacuation insurance, I never actually thought I would need it. Little did I know it would come in handy later on. On September 22nd "it" happened to me. I had to be medically evacuated from Nigeria because I was having terrible back and abdominal pain for which a cause could not be determined. I was escorted back to Chicago by a doctor who helped take care of me while in Nigeria. She was my angel and God placed her in my life at just the perfect time when I needed her most. I was able to get a seat on her flight and she "happened" to be flying through Chicago. That was no coincidence but only the divine intervention of a God who holds the world in the palm of his hands. God brought me home promptly to get the medical help I needed, and I am forever grateful. That help came in the form of a laparoscopic cholycystecomy, or removal of the gallbladdder with a scope through a small incision in the abdomen. My gallbladder was diseased; the main duct called the common duct was enlarged and not functioning properly. I have no prior family history of this problem and have never before had an issue with my gallbladder. In my own finite mind this whole experience seems random and at first made little sense to me. But Oh no! Nothing in this life is random. Everything happens for a reason and is all under the control of an Almighty, Soveriegn, Holy, Just, Righteous, Perfect, Faithful, Kind, Loving, Merciful, Gracious, Compassionate and Everlasting Father. I stand in complete awe of His love for me and how He orchestrated everything that needed to happen in order to get me on that specific flight that specific day with that specific person. My prayer while I have been home recovering is that God would show me what He wants me to learn in all this, and that He would be glorified through my pain. I am learning to be thankful and appreciate the time I have with my family and basking in the Grace that each new day brings. I am walking close to my Savior and resting in the fact that I don't have to understand why certain things happen. I am simply leaning on Jesus right now. Therefore it is well with my soul....

Remember

As I remember today the tragedy of 9/11 and the sadness and loss of our country, I am reminded of the ultimate peace amidst the storm. Jesus says in John 16:33; "I have told you these things so that in ME you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble; but take heart, I have overcome the world." The peace we can find in a relationship with Jesus Christ is our only hope. I am praying for the peace of our country and for those who have lost loved ones. May the painful memories of this day bring each of us closer to our Maker. May those that have not yet clung to the cross and surrendered their lives to Jesus do so today, for tomorrow is not promised. Where will you spend eternity? I plead with you do not wait another minute.

"But when the kindness and the love of our Savior toward man appeared, not by the works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy he saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Savior, that having been justified by His grace we should become heirs according to the hope of eternal life!"

Titus 3:4-6

My home sweet home!

We have a new addition to the Bertrand family. My new niece Grace Ann was born in March! She is such a precious gift. It was so fun to see her while I was home.

My lovely mom with two of her five granchildren- Maddi, 6, and Zack, 4. They absoluteley love their grandmother to pieces.

My dad enjoying his food. Notice the CUBS hat he proudly wears. Sorry for those of you who are Sox fans!!!!

My big sister Wendy with her two kids- Drew, 4 and Hannah, 6. Wendy is expecting a third in December, congratulations Wendy!

And now introducing Mr. and Mrs. Drew Hunter

Christina and Drew exchanging vows

My friend Christina and I at her bridal shower

On of my college roomates and her baby Francesca Marie fanelli, could she be any more Italian?

Happy Anniversary

"Jesus, all for Jesus, all I am and have and ever hope to be. For it's only in your will that I am free; for it's only in your will that I am free. Jesus, all for Jesus, all I am and have and ever hope to be!"


Today I celebrated my one year anniversary here in Nigeria. As I look back on the last year my heart is filled with gratitude for what God has done. Some highlights of ministry this year include:

• Witnessing one of my dearest patients Ladi gain salvation and be transformed by the mighty power of Jesus. Also taking care of her during her last hours on earth and singing together.
• Starting free HIV testing at our center. Being apart of President's Bush's AIDS initiative here at our mission hospital and helping monitor our patients on AIDS drugs.
• Seeing many children who are HIV positive improve significantly and gain weight as well as start to eat better.
• Visiting many patients in their homes to share the gospel and pray together with them for the healing power of God.
• Successful completion of five home-based care trainings in the local churches.
• Working with nine adherance counselors and training them to care for those infected with HIV/AIDS.
• Mentoring two young Nigerian women in the ways of the Lord.

As I reflect on the song above I am reminded that everything I am doing is all for Jesus. All that I am and all that I have is for HIM alone. For he desires to be glorified in me and through me. May my song ever be that Jesus is my all in all.

"In him we were also chosen having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will, in order that we, who were the first to hope in Christ, might be for the praise of HIS glory!"

Ephesians 1:11-12

"Emembe"

The women at the VVF Center have a graduation every tuesday to celebrate those who have recovered from surgery and are not leaking anymore. Most are village women who have little access to health care. Here they are singing and dancing with thanksgiving because they have been healed and have a new freedom. The Fistula occurs in women who have had prolonged labor, and creates a hole or Fistula in the rectum and/or bladder which results in incontinence of urine and stool. These women are considered outcasts and driven from their homes. Having been rejected by their husbands and families they come desperate for help. At the VVF they receive free surgery to correct the problem and stay several months in recovery. For these women having this surgery is like having a new life. They go from being the untouchables to being accepted as members of the community once again. A good majority of the women are muslims and become Christians while in this program because they are shown God's love and compassion in a way they have never experienced.
This is Dosono and her baby Emembe. She is a patient at the VVF and also HIV positive. She traveled from another state and lives in the village. Dosono speaks neither Hausa or English. Her tribal language is called Tieve. In Tieve Emembe means "rejoice!" I first met her two months ago just shortly after she gave birth. After just finding out she was HIV positive she started on ARV's with our free drug program. Dosono's other three children have all died and she came to us with precious Emembe who was not gaining weight and looking sickly. I have been visiting her several times per week to teach her how to feed and care for the baby. Prevention has been the key for Emembe. Without quick intervention and improvement in feeding, Dosono would have been mourning a fourth child. She has been discouraged from breastfeeding and comes in weekly for infant formula. Her demeanor at first was downcast but now that Emembe has gained weight and is doing so well, she has a smile on her face. It has been such a joy to see Dosono truly "rejoicing" with a new hope for this child. She will stay at the center another three months for further recovery and then go back to her village. We pray as she returns the baby will continue to thrive, and that when the time comes to test that Emembe will be free of the HIV virus. Please pray for her as she cares for this child and deals with the reality of this disease.

THE LEAST OF THESE

"The King will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me!'

Matthew 25:40

This is my friend Musa and he has polio. He is unable to walk, and his friend pushes him around all day in the wheelchair you see in the background. They are put on the street to beg. When I first met Musa he would always ask me for money, but as soon as I asked him his name and started to befriend him, he stopped asking. Now when I see him on the street I stop and attempt to communicate with him in my broken Hausa and shake his tiny little hand. My heart breaks for this young boy and many others like him who are living with this crippling disease. Often when I am walking to the market I sit beside the boys on the sidewalk and after a minute or two a crowd of beggar kids form around me. I use the opportunity to share the gospel with them. God has really given me a heart for these street kids. Musa is one of the least of these. Many that pass by don't even look his way. He is considered a nobody. But Jesus died for people just like him. Pray for his heart to soften to the truth of Jesus Christ!

TIME WITH ANNA & ROO

Finally they arrived! My dear friend Anna and her younger sister Ruth came for a visit in May. What a blessed time it was. Not only were they a huge encouragement to me but also to many Nigerians they interacted with!!

Anna really bonded and ministered to Andy through helping to pay for his much needed surgery

We had such a fun time playing with my kids across the street from Spring of Life

Eating traditional Nigerian food

Jengre Outreach

God is blessing our ministry and doing amazing things. We are getting more opportunities to do HIV testing on different outreaches. This also allows us to promote HIV/AIDS awareness and prevention, as well as spreading the gospel to unreached groups. I have been blown away at the different ways I have seen God work through these outreaches. I love sharing the hope and joy of Jesus Christ with people who are hopeless without HIM!

Post-test counseling in the van

Three Fulani kids

Look at those precious faces!
People waiting to register for the test

We joined up with Pro-health, a team of doctors, nurses, counselors and volunteers who travel all around Nigeria bringing free health care to people in rural areas.

Two Fulani women at the outreach

Sarah registering people to be tested; we had many young women and children who came and tested positive!

A woman waiting in line for her free HIV test