Make sure you check out the Carlstrom Kid's latest MEME at the end!!
No, we aren’t quoting that popular song that may be in some of your heads right now after reading, “Should I stay or should I go now.” Neither are we talking about whether we should stay or leave the field...this just seems to be the recurring theme of this last season for our current ministries.
Let me explain...
In order for Mercy Ships to work in a country, a protocol must be signed between the government and Mercy Ships. We’ve known for some time that Mercy Ships would be needing a new protocol since the old one (from the last field service in 2014-2016) was going to expire in September of this year. Many thought that it would be an easy process to get a new protocol in place.
That was definitely not how things transpired. Negotiations went back and forth, and put Mercy Ships in an extremely difficult situation, needing to cancel surgeries and close down the hospital on the ship.
Praise God the protocol was finally signed the day before the old one expired! While the news was a huge relief, it also came with struggles for the many living in the unknown of whether the ship could stay or needed to go. It was a very stressful time for all involved, especially those struggling with needing to turn patients away that had already been accepted and were preparing for surgery.
Once the protocol was signed it took a lot of work to get the personnel, patients, and the hospital back in order to open on Sept 30th. The hospital closed for 6 weeks, and we (the Carlstroms) got to help with a lot of the contingency planning, even transferring patients that hadn’t completed their rehabilitation or follow up wound care from the ship's hospital to a partnering on-land hospital. Because we are not under Mercy Ships visas, we could stay in country and help take care of anyone if the ship had to leave. We were honored and excited at the opportunity to assist and again reminded that He doesn't waste anything.
Once that announcement was made on Sept 4th that the protocol was signed, a crazy go button was pushed for us (Carlstroms):
-We still were handling the transferred patients from the ship hospital
-We had another 3M Biblical Counseling Conference onboard with 100 pastors and leaders that was then a "go" and was to happen the following week
-Neal lead a 2 week work project at our partnered Bethany Hospital
-The partnership agreement with Bethany Hospital and Mercy Ships was finished
-We went to Tana for a protocol signing celebration with the government.
-We prepared for another sponsored church conference with the FBBM churches with local partners the first week of October.
-We attended an amazing “Beyond Suffering” Conference the 2nd week of October with Joni & Friends, lead by the 3M Healthcare team we are blessed to be a part of
And yes, the ship is now back to full operation, with 4 operating rooms running and 90 surgeries completed just last week. The goal is to complete over 900+ surgeries by the end of the year. And God willing, over 1,500 projected for 2025.
We are glad we can begin to breathe again, and trying to get back into a normal routine but have also started looking at that same question, “should we stay or should we go?” We will have a small break when Mercy Ships sails back to its port city, Durban, South Africa for its annual servicing and sea-worthiness recertification. The Africa Mercy is leaving mid December and will return to Madagascar for its 2025 field service mid February.
We are trying to discern whether it would be worth trying to visit the states during this period in order to get a few things situated, like:
-try to set up our Nonprofit Organization “Equip Madagascar” (Click here to check out our Mission statement)
-possibly visit some potential colleges for Braiden and Jacy
-allow Braiden to get his Drivers License
-visit our supporting churches, family, and friends
-raise support for exciting new projects coming up
We need your help and support! With 2 teenagers now in an online dual-enrollment college course/high school (Liberty University Online Academy) and extra ministries we are taking on like facilitating Helping Babies Breathe courses, we are truly living by faith financially, month to month.
We would be honored if you would pray about partnering with us by becoming a monthly donor or if you’d like to help with a one-time donation as well. The one-time gifts would greatly help us plan for the many requests for trainings with local partners in our training courses.
If anyone is interested in sponsoring a larger project here in Madagascar, we will be looking sponsors soon to begin a building project for a new Maternity Center in Mantasoa. Please contact us if you are interested or know of anyone who may be interested.
Prayer Points
-Pray that the translation for Experiencing God is finished by the end of the year.
-We had a great meeting with a foundation that may want to sponsor the Maternity Center project here in Tamatave. Please join us in praying for this potential partnership and if our goals align in a healthy collaborative relationship.
-Please pray for our next Helping Babies Breathe training for 25 healthcare providers on October 30th.
-Please pray for our brother in Christ and long time ministry partner, Wes Ehrhart, with CMDA (Christian Medical & Dental Association) as he prepares to come and visit us here in Madagascar. He is coming out to help Neal plan a new Medical Missions Conference with Mercy Ships for 2025, AND also help launch a CMDA model of a medical missions network for Madagascar!
We are extremely excited to bring the Medical partners in the greater body of Christ together in order to encourage one another, collaborate, and share resources to make a systematic change and impact for the Medical and health education system here in Madagascar.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY JACY!
Our beautiful ladybug is turning 15 on the 29th of October.
Carlstrom Kids latest Meme is here!!
We started our own organization called Equip Madagascar.
We feel called to Equip Malagasy leaders to be the Body of Christ, through Discipleship, Community development, and Healthcare! We are all about leading from behind and empowering Malagasy to be the hands and feet of Christ to their community. Eph 4:12-13
If you have a heart for serving others and a desire to grow in your relationship with God, we invite you to join us at Equip Madagascar. Together, let us equip ourselves and one another to fulfill the call that God has placed upon our lives, and let us impact lives, transform communities, and bring hope to the nation of Madagascar.
Join us on this exciting journey of faith and service as we strive to be the hands and feet of Jesus in Madagascar. Together, we can make a lasting difference!
