CHRISTMAS LIGHTS IN MAUA!

The birth of Christ brings lights everywhere in the world!

This was our attempt at lights last Christmas in front of our home in the hospital compound....

Admittedly, it was a little bit lame, compared to the extravagant lights in the neighborhoods of suburban America.

But light comes in many forms in Christmas, and in Maua we find "light" in the faces of others!

We hope you find it in our faces!  This is last year's Christmas photo.....this year's would show us a little worse for wear!  But, we are feeling the light of Christ!!!
Jim's tumor on his right kidney is now in the rear view mirror without any residual malignancy or necessary chemo.  And Sue's tumor on her thyroid has tested benign.  It is, of course, why we are still in the U.S., and will be until Jim is cleared by his doctor to fly - sometime in mid-January!  Your prayers have made all the difference!  Thank you for them!!!

And it is in the faces of Sister Barbara (l) and Dr. Claire (r), who have been missionaries at MMH via the British Methodist Church for almost six decades (combined)!


We certainly see the light of Christ in the faces of Bill and Jerri Savuto, and give thanks Jerri's cancer is in full remission!

You might also catch a glimmer of that light in the twinkle of Stanley's eyes as well!  

And we saw the light of relief in Beth Tracey's eyes, following a relatively successful haircut at the hands of Sue!  Beth is an Individual Volunteer here from North Carolina!


There was certainly a lot of light at our Friends of Maua Gathering in Ft. Worth in October!



It is the light in the eyes of Bishop Joseph Ntombura, the Presiding Bishop of the Methodist Church in Kenya, who came to Ft. Worth to be a part of the Gathering!

And you can see the light in both the eyes of Dr. Inoti and the young man the Oregon-Idaho team helped with surgery to remove a growth from his right eye!  Talk about light:  He can now see clearly with both eyes!  That smile is the Christmas Light we're talking about!!



You find that light in the smiles of the staff!  Like Sister Mary Gitari, the Nursing Officer in Charge at MMH!

And Linet, here with her two sons.  She is a patient representative at the hospital, and escorts patients through the maze of the Outpatient Department!

And Florence, our house manager, and her granddaughter Naomi, who will graduate soon from secondary school at the top of her class!

And Lena, who has faithfully cared for team members at Maua Basin Hotel for years!

And Fridah, a dear friend of many.


There is no shortage of Christmas Lights at Maua.  Staff, community members who make our teams' visits that much better - the list and photos could go on and on!

But the bottom line is the light in the faces and eyes of those your service and gifts care for in the hospital...like these women and their children!


And Abigael, now completely healed as a result of her bone marrow transplant....


And the light you bring the community of Maua through the various programs and ministries of the hospital!

Like this family given a new house (handicapped accessible) by the Germantown (TN) UMC...

And these children de-wormed by the Thiessen Family, from Boise, Idaho!


Yes, the lights of Christ abound in Maua!  And all over the world in the eyes and hearts of those who love this hospital and the work it does in an impoverished corner of God's great earth.

Thank you for adding to that light!

Last year, we ushered in the New Year (also our anniversary) with a bit of a surprise party courtesy of the team from The Church of the Servant, in Oklahoma City.


By the time you open this it may be New Year's Eve once again....or it may be time to take down the lights of Christmas 2014.

But remember how bright you made Maua Methodist Hospital in 2014, and the people who depend upon it for their health and well-being!  

You are lights that can never be packed away!  You light the way all-year-long!

Asante, and Merry Christmas 2014!

Jim and Sue

Rev. Sue Owen is an Individual Volunteer, through the United Methodist General Board of Global Ministries. If you would like to join in that support, you may do so on-line through the General Board of Global Ministries.  Go to www.umcmission.org and follow the prompts for donating to Individual Volunteers, Advance Special # 982465.  Be sure to designate her by name on your donation. 
 
Jim is the C.E.O. of Maua Methodist Hospital, and you may help support his work through the same route as above…just go to Advance Special # 09613A.  Again, designate him by name on your gift.
 
Or, if you prefer, you may donate through your local United Methodist Church.
 
All funds given to The United Methodist Church’s Advance Special go directly to the designated project or individual – 100%!  Your support is appreciated!

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