Children United

As in past years, the kids at Church of the Nativity's Vacation Bible School, Pandamania, have created a craft for the children at Anawim Home and Faith Alive Hospital. In the past, the children have made small stuffed animals with messages inserted in pockets to be distributed to children at Anawim and throughout community. This year, the kids tie-dyed drawstring backpacks for the children at Anawim Home as well as those served by Faith Alive Hospital throughout the Jos community. The picture above will also be included with a note from each child. This provides the kids attending Vacation Bible School with an opportunity to participate in Nativity's international mission as well as reach out directly to the children at Anawim and Faith Alive Hospital. Year after year, this continues to be a popular part of kids' week!

Photos: Children at Church of the Nativity's Vacation Bible School

Faith Alive Hospital Update

The following is a message on the status of the HIV/AIDS program at Faith Alive Hospital, from Dr. Chris Isichei, founder, recently provided through Hope for West Africa Foundation:

"I returned from a trip [for training at the Haggai Institute] and met with our team yesterday over a decision to halt fresh enrollment of newly diagnosed HIV cases into our program whether ARVs [Anti-Retrovirals] or Care [due to U.S. funding cuts]. We were however advised to refer to certain sites that still have vacancies.

On my first day back to work, we had about 15 new cases most insisting they will not go anywhere but rather die in Faith Alive. We had no choice but to accompany them to the various places we referred them to and assured them that they will continue to be part of Faith Alive family. We will follow them up to the end wherever they may be. This helped to some extent. I have insisted that pregnant women and children be excluded while I work out something for them….

It has dawned on me with bleeding heart that with this God given vision, I will have to watch and see some persons turned back from specifically ART [Anti-Retroviral Treatment] services but I pray that the follow up program instituted by the U.S. government will still allow us impact them for Christ. God bless."

Church of the Nativity and NATIVITY:NIGERIA continues to keep Faith Alive Hospital and the people of Jos, Nigeria in its prayers.

Preparation Continues

For the past two months, the Anawim Home Team and Faith Alive Hospital Team have been meeting weekly for fellowship, preparation, and reflection leading up to their departure in August. Airline tickets have been purchased and vaccinations have been started as months and months of preparation turn into a few short weeks. We ask for your continued prayer and support of our teams.

Photos:
1. Faith Alive Hospital Team
2. Anawim Home Team
3. NATIVITY:NIGERIA Missionary Team