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

Candy, candy and more candy!!!

I am enjoying all the candy and goodies my friends brought from Chicago. I was shocked when my friends said one of the large suitcases was for their stuff and the other one was for me!!! The 5 pound bag of Jolly Ranchers was sweet. Thank you so much to all you at home who contributed to my goody bag. I appreciate your thoughtfulness.....

THE FACES OF AIDS

"Rescue those being led away to death; hold back those staggering toward slaughter." Proverbs 24:11



What do each of these women and children have in common? They are all living with HIV/AIDS. One scary reality is that we see more young women and children than any other group. Women are at much higher risk for HIV than men, and often times get HIV from their husbands.
Pray for James (above) and his mom Joy. James came back from living in the village with his grandma for the last 7 months, and has lost much weight. He is at risk for dehydration and infections.





Jehovah Shammah (above) is still fighting for life. He is currently increasing in weight and stable. Although still extremely malnourished his prognosis is good. We thank God for his divine healing and for saving this precious one!!

LIFE IN AFRICA

village women and children
People selling fruit by the roadside
Flat tires are a part of daily life
A baby pig wandering about
Young girls selling fruit by the side of the road. When you stop your car, they all flock to try and sell fruit to you.
A woman selling bananas on her head, a common site here in Nigeria
A dirt road behind Spring of Life

HIV Testing

Each person who comes in for HIV testing meets with a counselor who shares their test result with them. Those who are positive receive encouragement and hope through Jesus Christ. Those who are negative are also given education on how to prevent HIV and avoid risky behaviors.
Yams are a staple to the Nigerians diet. These women dance in with their yam offering to the Lord. I am always amazed at how they can carry heavy things on their heads.


Our team traveled to the annual women's fellowship conference where thousands of women in church leadership gather to worship the Lord. We tested most of the day on friday and for 11 hours on saturday. It's merely a finger poke and the result is ready within minutes. We tested over 850 people that weekend. The bad news is that there was a 4% rate of HIV among these women. Needless to say there is still so much work to do in the area of awareness and prevention.

The Nigerian women all wear matching outfits and love to dance and sing praises to their God!!! We sat up on the stage and listend in awe as ten thousand women sang banging the drums and lifting their voices to the Holy one.