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