With the provision of valuable research shared by one of the board of directors of Mercy Economic Development South Africa (MEDSA) and the information gathered by Derek Liebenberg, Executive Director and his wife Heather Liebenberg , a ministry has been established among the Zulu people of Bhekulwhande village. This is known to be one of the most under resourced areas of the nation. Among the residents in this locality as many as 55% of the adults were infected by AIDS and as high as 65% of the potential workers are unemployed heading towards a bleak future. Children of this community have become victims of the highly devastating mortality rate among the parents, leaving the innocent souls to face starvation. The grandparents of these children are torn apart by physical and emotional challenges to raise these young ones as they themselves are feeble and helpless to meet their own needs.

The South African team along with Missionaries from MEDIC Canada have managed with all praises to God, to get their start here in retrofitting an abandoned Nazarene College. They are experiencing a number a new beginnings blessings: a newly painted office, new workers, new partners, new programs and new structures.

They have been able to move into and paint the second half of the building they are using to run their children's programs, so now they will be able to open a weekly clinic, training center for sewing, etc., a children's program office, and resource center/library for children and community pastors. Even new Zulu lessons on Saturdays for those of us who are highly distractible and require the possibility of public humiliation to be disciplined with homework!

December was very busy with strategic planning meetings, partnership meetings with CAIRD (Children’s Aid International Relief and Development). CAIRD has 13 years of experience with orphan care and community development in Romania and have been such an encouragement and source of wisdom and support for us. Also we hosted a Christmas Celebration including an outdoor carnival with many booths where the children could play games and win prizes, have lunch (10 kilograms of rice and briyani), sing action songs and a gospel message with the YWAM team, and the much-anticipated distribution of gifts.

Derek Liebenberg was also able to have a very positive meeting with several of the local pastors to encourage them, and to talk about ways that we can support and resource them and build their ministries. We recognize along with them how important it is to find ways to pray and work together to bring about community transformation, to help make this a good place to live spiritually and physically.

Also MEDSA is being blessed with interest from South Africans interested in raising support and becoming native missionaries. Please pray with us as these native South Africans look to give back to those of their own nation in the name of Christ.

MEDIC Lanka Announcements
MEDIC Lanka announces that after funding being delayed for some time with great excitement they are now sending a new Community Developer into a rural hill area of Sri Lanka.

Mr. Stephen Sameer will be working with the rural people teaching them essential health care,hygiene, basic education, and ethics. Once realationships and trust are established, then the building of a mini micro economy through micro loans will be a great way to start meeting the needs of the people.

Susiri Reflects on the Tsunami-
What was experienced is something extraordinary. Considered one of the worst in the way of earthquake and Tidal waves. That it was extraordinary is a matter to note in the light of what our Lord Jesus Christ said  when His Disciples asked Him for signs of His second coming.Jesus replying to His Disciples gave us certain signs of the end times..Jesus talks of earthquakes , Floods, famines, pestilences , fearful events and great signs from heaven . In addition there will be nation against nations , Kingdom against kingdom . Jesus said these things must happen , but He emphasizes that "the end is yet to come". Another matter to note is that Jesus said that these signs are the "beginning of birth pains". (Lk 21:9-11, - matt 24:6-8)lets take the matter of  Birth pains. We all know that birth pains increase in intensity  and frequency as the time of delivery draws near . The Tidal wave is one such case in the signs .  Over the years these signs have increased in intensity & frequency . Mysterious illnesses despite improved technology etc.. aids on the increase . All bad things have being increasing , and man helpless to stop them.When all these signs spoken of , Jesus reminds that the end is yet to come. About that day or hour no one knows except God. ( Read Matt 24:36-41) In the light of all this , what does God expect us to do? Jesus does not leave us without an answer.  He tells us  in matt 24:42-  "therefore keep watch , because you do not know on what day your Lord will come"Keeping watch alone is not what He wants us to do . he tells us -"Do not store up for yourself treasures on earth where moth and rust destroy , and where thieves break in and steal . But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven , where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal.When He said, "For where your treasure is , there your heart will be also" (Matt 6:19) He was warning us not to place reliance on material things and give them precedence over God . In that beautiful parable of the  rich fool , Jesus talks of a rich man suddenly found that his wealth had increased and decided to increase his storing space -( nothing wrong in that) But he went on telling himself - "You have plenty of good things laid up for many years .  Take life easy ;eat, drink and be merry ." God does not approve of such an attitude and tells him, "You fool this very night your life will be demanded from you . Then who will get what what you have prepared for yourself?(Lk 12:13-20)  The parable ends with God telling him, "This is how it will be with anyone who store up things for himself but is not rich toward God" The consequences of getting too immersed in our worldly possessions and leaving God out of our life.Before we can start storing we need to have access to the store house . access is only through Christ- "I am the way, the truth and the life . No one comes to the father except through me ."(Jn 14:6) The process is simple . Acknowledge Jesus as Lord of your life (Ro 10:9)  When we enjoy that relationship with Jesus we could rest confident that when the call is received our reception in heaven is guaranteed . We would hear Him address us " Come ye blessed of my Father , inherit the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world...Matt 25:34) As we live today , can we have the confidence of Paul to say -" I have fought the good fight , I have finished the race, i have kept the faith , now there is in store the crown of righteousness..(2tim 4:7)We must be careful not to allow ourselves to believe that this Tidal wave is the wrath of God. because of the persecution of Christians. If those Christians who say so would read Paul told the churches undergoing persecution in Thessalonian, they will realize that this disaster was not the wrath of God being inflicted. the time for that is at His second coming . "God is just :He will pay back trouble to those who trouble you and give relief to you are troubled , and to us as well . This will happen when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven in blazing  fire with His angels .(His second coming) He will punish those who who do not know God and do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus ." Christians should also take note of what the word of God says that judgement will start with the Christians - "For it is time for judgement to begin with the family of God , "(1Peter 4:17) For didn't the Lord tells us that to those much has given , much will be demanded.  The parable of the Talent brings this out clearly. What have we done with the Talent that the Lord has given you and me?

As ever in Him Susiri 

Come Join our Evangelism Outreach to Benin West Africa in August 2005
Germain Gbankpan, National Coordinator in Cotonu for MEDIC BENIN is looking for a few good men and women to do something unique. This would be in cooperation with MEDIC International in the USA and MEDIC Canada. Visit the MEDIC Benin ministry at www.medicbenin.org

Your participation in establishing a demonstration model for village evangelism outreach in places of satanic strongholds is welcome. Also we will be establishing a model Beninese School for Missions and Ministry using an established correpondence school curriculum for credits leading to degrees that natives can obtain. We will be working together with the native MEDIC Benin Team and with representatives from over 15 native churches. Team members will stay at the MEDIC Benin Office or at a moderately priced local hotel. Give the gift that keeps on giving. Education!.

We are looking for Team Leaders, Short Term Missionaries, and other NGO's to partner with us to:
-Implement  other forms of ministry during the Summer of 2005 to the Village communities of Sekou, and Lobogo
-Create a powerful ministry impact on the economy, people and children of these Villages
-Minister in ways that represent the two hands of the Gospel; Telling the Good News, and Helping meet the needs of the poor in sustainable forms
-Build Self Esteem in Families
-Teach Christian Ethics and Principles, Life Purpose and Vision
-Bring sustainable Medical, Evangelical, Educational, and Financial Opportunities to a Community.

We are looking for people to lead the following teams:

Construction Team
Adult & Child Evangelism Teams
Medical, Wellness, & Nutrition Teams
Micro Business Team
Child Education Scholarship Team
Agribusiness Team
Construction Team

Copyright © 2004-2005 Mercy Economic Development International Corporation - MEDIC, All rights reserved.