News Updates

2011 End of Year Health Report

Tue, 22 Nov 2011 23:02:50 +0000

Our end of the year health report from North West Uganda showed that over 17,000 services have been provided thus far. Our program addresses the following areas that have contributed to the improvement of several public health indicators. This excellence and compassion in service in a region of extreme vulnerability has created a platform to share the gospel in supporting the ministry of the local church.

Health Services

Quality diagnostic and therapeutic care for sick children (< 5 years) and pregnant mothers
Ensuring access to goal-oriented antenatal care for pregnant women through clinic and integrated mobile out-reach program
Provision of community based health programs: Mobile clinic out-reach program and health education through Village Health Teams
Provision of Comprehensive Emergency Obstetric care (EMOC)
Provision of integrated home-based HIV / AIDS care

Health Program Results

Safe Harbor contributed to the following services in partnership with the local district health department.

Maternity and infant services

Antenatal attendance: 1,801

Baby deliveries: 730

Maternity department admissions: 1,186

Follow up child admissions: 1,214

Child services

Children (<5) oupatient admissions: 5,824

Children's immunizations: 3,271

Surgical services

C sections: 25

Minor surgeries: 416

Blood transfusions: 142

HIV / AIDS services

HIV / AIDS chronic care treatment: 1,172

New HIV / AIDS chronic and anti-retroviral treatment patients: 67

Mobile medical clinic services

Villages reached: 20

Pregnant women treated: 129

Children (< 5) treated: 1,084

Village Health Team (VHT) members trained: 40

VHT meetings conducted: 9

Disease burden and mortality results

Disease burden of children: malaria (79.1%), pneumonia (10.2%), diarrhoeal diseases (5.1%), anaemia (3.6%), others (2%)

Case fatality rates: asphyxia (100%), gastrointestinal disorders (33%), kwashiorkor (25%), pneumonia (14.3%), anaemia (12.5%), malaria (1.6%)

What Can I Do?

Prayer

We are very thankful for our Ugandan health staff who are extremely gifted and who have compassionate hearts; intentionally seeking to minister to the spiritual needs of those we serve. Pray for their continued strength and perseverance in serving in often difficult circumstances. Pray also for those we minister to, that God would provide both spiritual and physical healing in this region.

Volunteer

There are numerous opportunities for medical professionals to serve with our staff in North West Uganda through short term medical trips. Previous trips have involved training for local health staff and district workers as well as direct health service provision. Please contact us today if you are or know of medical professionals who may be interested to serve in this capacity: Info@Safeharbor.us / 800.797.HOPE

Support

There are many ongoing costs associated with our health center and mobile medical clinic services including medicine, health staff, vehicle maintenance and fuel, and various office costs. If you are interested in supporting this project, please state “Midigo Hospital” on your check or submit your donation online by clicking here.

For more information, visit our Project Midigo health site.

Rasulia's Story

Wed, 07 Sep 2011 18:53:54 +0000

Rasulia Gire, 34 years was admitted with severe anaemia following an abortion. She was given consecutive blood transfusions which yielded no improvement. After thorough medical assessment, it was noted that she had an enlarged spleen which would explain the persistent anaemia. After evaluation of treatment, there was no good improving which prompted the clinician to refer the patient to the Regional hospital where she would be managed better.

Meanwhile, Rasulia and her children had been abandoned by her husband and so her brother took the responsibility over her and the children. He had to now fend for two families amidst their impoverished state. With the love he had for his sister, Rasulia’s brother sold some animals to go to the Regional referral hospital. However, when they got there, not much was done and up-keep being expensive, they decided to return to Midigo health centre. When informed about the patient, Dr. Elizabeth was moved to speak to Rasulia about the love of Jesus and how as humans we were limited in our wisdom. Rasulia was then committed to the Lord and started on medications while trusting for God’s intervention. Rasulia pulled through and 2 weeks down the road she was discharged back home with a smile on her face!! We thank God for His intervention and how He continues to teach us to trust Him.

Desiring God National Conference

Wed, 31 Aug 2011 22:43:30 +0000

"Bringing the Gospel to the Unreached and Unengaged" - Minneapolis, MN

Click photo to visit conference website

It was a pleasure to be at the Desiring God National Conference, and we were encouraged to continue to reach the nations with the wonderful hope of the Gospel! We had many visit our booth to learn more about Safe Harbor’s calling to serve the Church in proclaiming the Gospel and ministering to the physical needs of those who are suffering worldwide.

We are very excited to explore opportunities to serve likeminded churches throughout the United States. As we identify crisis response opportunities in Horn of Africa and elsewhere, would you consider praying about how you, your church or group of nearby churches may be called to respond?

One way you and your church can become involved is through our Alliance of Churches for Crisis Response (ACCR), which was birthed out of the many churches that have expressed their calling to respond to global crisis with the hope of the Gospel, but are not able to take on the burden of carrying out the many details involved. While opportunities for individuals to serve overseas are available, it is our vision to serve the greater church body through this network of churches. Contact us at info@safeharbor.us.

Horn of Africa Crisis: First-Hand Experience

Fri, 12 Aug 2011 06:41:11 +0000

In October, we sent a small assessment team to evaluate opportunities on the ground through local partnerships. During our assessment, we looked at various areas that have been significantly impacted by the annual droughts.

The situation in Horn of Africa is considered a complex humanitarian crisis due to the significant political, economic, environmental, and religious context that has persisted in Somalia for two decades. This has resulted in large-scale migration into Kenya and Ethiopia during this time. The crisis is chronic and cyclical, with acute short term needs predicated upon the time of year and the extent of the drought. We found that the people observed are extremely vulnerable, and can slip into severe malnutrition very quickly should shortened rains persist. In the meantime, chronic long-term needs such as basic health care, water & sanitation (WASH), and education are clearly not being addressed. A well-planned, strategic livelihood intervention is required for future food security. Given the nature of this complex humanitarian crisis, a long term, highly technical response is required.

With the support of the local church, experienced staff in East Africa, forming partnerships on the ground and a network of skilled and passionate volunteers, Safe Harbor is preparing to serve alongside partners with basic care required for survival and eternal hope through the message of Jesus Christ. We are currently forming a program that addresses critical needs in health, nutrition and WASH (water and sanitation hygiene) with hopes of beginning work in early 2012, pending project funding.

What Can I Do?

We aim to partner with likeminded organizations through focused projects where there is high impact and ministry opportunity; and to mobilize, train and send skilled volunteers who are called to serve.

Prayer

For the outpouring of God’s grace over the physical and spiritual needs of those in crisis, and for clarity in how Safe Harbor can most effectively respond alongside our partners in the field.

Volunteer

We are developing our list of medical professionals, water specialists, food distributors and others who may be called to serve on the ground. This crisis is considered a complex humanitarian crisis and will require a more technical response in the short term. This looks to primarily be in the area of health. Opportunities may include trips lasting 2 weeks to several months. Advanced training in international disaster relief will be required and provided, so contact us today if you are interested: Info@Safeharbor.us / 800.797.HOPE

Support

We will continue to provide updates on resource, staff, and infrastructure needs. If you are interested in supporting this project, please state “East Africa Famine” on your check or submit your donation online by clicking here.

Horn of Africa Crisis Information

The following websites offer up-to-date information on the Horn of Africa crisis.

Famine Early Warning System (FEWSNET): http://www.fews.net

IRIN: http://www.irinnews.org

ReliefWeb: http://reliefweb.int

UNHCR: http://www.unhcr.org/cgi-bin/texis/vtx/home

Investing in the Future of Young Ugandans

Sat, 09 Jul 2011 00:16:33 +0000

Uganda is one of the countries with the highest adolescent pregnancy estimated at 43%, the majority of which are unwanted. Our Director of Administration and Physician's Assistant, Charles Jjagwe addressed the young people of North West Uganda, ministering the hope of the gospel of Jesus Christ to those living in a difficult reality during a formative time of their lives. Charles also shared critical information and teaching on adolescent reproductive health. In the words of Charles: "It was such a wonderful time for the youths to get this fellowship as it was time of worship, prayer and sharing of challenges associated with this development stage."

Thank you for investing into the future of young Ugandans, who can hear about the love, healing, and eternal security of knowing Jesus as Lord while being poured into with practical guidance of significant consequence.

Prepared at the Southern Sudan Border

Thu, 24 Mar 2011 00:04:29 +0000

The country of Sudan puts its stamp in history, as the overwhelming majority vote was to split in two independent nations. These events deeply affect the lives of those that Safe Harbor has come to love and serve during several recent years of service in South Sudan. Please join us in praying for our loved ones during the reestablishment of the North and South, and that Safe Harbor would remain prepared to serve in this region in the uncertain days ahead.

At the heart of the African continent lies the largest country and one of the first regions in the world to ever hear the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Today we see this region continuing under intense civil turmoil and attack. Because of the recent secession of the South from the North of Sudan, it is reported first hand from our staff on the ground in Uganda that there have been rumors of war and everyone remains on alert.

Located miles from the border of Sudan, our history in North West Uganda was birthed out of the Southern Sudan civil war inthe mid-nineties whereby thousands of Sudanese flooded over the border into Uganda. Since then we have continued to serve the Southern Sudanese migrants who have remained in our area. Most recently, several children and their families have come over from Sudan in order to attend our school.

The turmoil of over 2 decades of civil war and the ghastly loss of an estimated 2 million people have certainly taken its toll on the country. God has already planted us in a strategic location to serve His people and if war breaks out, we desire to be ready for an influx of refugees and cross-border insecurity. We remain watchful and prayerful in preparation for what lies ahead, and we are excited to see God's Sovereign hand move as we His people continue in steadfast prayer.

Would you stand with us in watchfulness and prayer?

For more updated news information visit http://www.bbc.co.uk/search/news/sudan.

Agribusiness and Sustainability

Wed, 23 Mar 2011 23:59:07 +0000

Uganda In September, Safe Harbor visited Uganda to research the 117 acres of land that was given to us for a future agribusiness development project. The vision for this project is to reach the agricultural community with the gospel of Jesus Christ; to earn profits that will fund a significant portion of the ministry and hospital; to provide training for the locals; and to provide key services that will benefit the community. Due to the regions of high vulnerability (war and famine) that are in close approximity to Project Midigo, Safe Harbor is also identifying ways of utilizing production where there is hunger and malnutrition.

The Project

In 12 years of serving the people of NW Uganda through Project Midigo, 3 churches have been planted, a fully operational hospital has been established, and Christian education has been offered at lower grade levels. By God's grace, this project will provide a variety of benefits to the ministry, local community, and regions of close proximity where there's hunger and malnutrition.

SHI joined hands with Engineering Ministries International, who provided 10 experts (civil, structural, environmental, mechanical engineers / architects). SHI rounded out the team with experts in international development, business analysis, agricultural sciences, and local market researchers. What was thought of as a 70 acre land gift turned out to be 117 acres of virgin soil that is planned to be utilized for a variety of profitable activities, including: crops, seed production, maize processing, egg production, and fish ponds. The next steps of the project will involve finalizing the details of planning.

In the meantime, there is an immediate need to finance a fence to surround and protect the land that has been given to Safe Harbor by the community. The fence will be constructed out of local resources by local workers, and is planned to cost about $6,700 USD. For a detailed budget of the fencing and for more information on the agricultural project, Click Here.

Our prayer is that the light of Christ would continue to shine through our words and actions at every point of this project, and that the Lord would guide us towards a thriving ministry at the local level.

SHI Uganda Hospital Elevated to Health Centre IV Status; HIV/AIDS Care Expands Reach

Wed, 23 Mar 2011 23:44:40 +0000

We are grateful for the many opportunities that the Lord has granted to serve the spiritual and physical needs of so many people living in remote, rural areas of East Africa. In this update, we are pleased to share that our hospital has been elevated to a higher government status; and we are sobered by the increased number of HIV/AIDS patients who need critical care.

SHI Uganda's hospital was recently visited by the Ugandan Ministry of Health for the purpose of assessing the level of health services in the region. Following a hospital tour, the officials were very impressed with the work that is being accomplished in comparison to the many other facilities they had visited. While reviewing the hospital needs, a nearby district hospital's ambulance arrived for an emergency C Section, which w as due to their h ealth center's lack of medications.

Following the visit, we are pleased to announce that our hospital has been elevated to Health Centre IV status, meaning that we will receive more medications, staff, and operational funding. Furthermore, for the first time, we were able to make an emergency order to the national medical store for direct supply of medications and sandries, and we can expect to order medications through the national supply throughout the days ahead.

Meanwhile, more and more HIV/AIDS patients are coming to the hospital for chronic care. The most recent report showed that 170 Persons Living with HIV/AIDS (PLHAs) are receiving counseling, medicines, and most importantly, the message of eternal healing through Jesus Christ.

SHI Uganda's health care goal is to provide spiritual and physical care to underprivileged women, infants, and vulnerable persons in Uganda and Sudan. This is accomplished through Primary Care, Maternal and Infant Care, Mobile Medical Care, HIV/AIDS Care, and Operative Care.

For more information on Project Midigo's health program, Click Here.

Prayer for Japan

Wed, 23 Mar 2011 17:01:34 +0000

In the wake of Japan's recent 9.0 magnitude earthquake, Safe Harbor is asking for prayer for the numerous lives that have been adversely affected by the disaster. We are currently monitoring the situation and identifying the capacity of the local church to deliver a crisis response where the hope of Jesus Christ is proclaimed in a country with an estimated Christian population of less than 2%.

According to Operation World: The Definitive Prayer Guide to Every Nation, "The impact of the Japanese Church on the nation is inadequate. The Church must turn from its insular, bunker mentality to engage with society. The government is not adequately solving the social ills confronting Japan; the transforming power of Christ, as expressed through a revived Church, is an answer not being adequately offered. There is, however, a new emphasis on evangelism in many churches and a willingness to try new paradigms of ministry (2010, p.492)."

Let us pray together for the lives that have been affected by the earthquake in Japan and for the Japanese Church's opportunity to share the hope of Jesus Christ. As an organization that is called to respond to crisis where few others will go, we look to prayerfully approach every disaster with the understanding that God may be calling us to respond in some way. Please join us in these prayers.

A Glimpse Into the Heart of the Father

Mon, 25 Oct 2010 19:54:12 +0000

Mark Dodd is Co-Founder and Co-Editor for The Gospel for OC, one of Safe Harbor's local ministry partners.This blog has been reposted with permission of The Gospel for OC.

It was almost a year ago now that I was at the Gospel Coalition conference, in Chicago, attending a workshop entitled The Gospel and Social Action. It was then that I heard something that would help solidify my understanding of both good works and miracles. The leader of the workshop said to us, “Ministry should be an eschatological sign of a kingdom that is yet to come.” This means that the things we do, as Christians, should show the world what the Kingdom of heaven will be like after the second coming of Jesus.

A Christian’s job in doing ministry is not to perfect the world; such an effort would be an exercise in futility. Rather, the Christian’s job in doing ministry is to show the heart of the Father, and the Kingdom of heaven, to people who are in a world that is fallen—and will remain fallen—until Jesus returns.

Let us remember that every person Jesus healed died a bodily death at some point. Lazarus even died twice. Let us also remember that God is not interested in band-aids, but is infinitely purposeful in all that he does. So then, we ask: why does he heal when the healings never stick? Why does he raise people from the dead when they will only die a second death? It is because these miracles are an eschatological sign of a Kingdom that is still yet to come. Therefore, healing does not exist for the sake of healing. Feeding does not exist for the sake of feeding. The point of miracles is not miracles. The point of good works is not good works. God uses the miraculous, as well as practical ministry, to show the truth of our present spiritual reality, and the promise of the physical future.

That true present spiritual reality is death.
The promise of the physical future is in Jesus Christ.

God grants healing because we have full spiritual healing through Jesus, and we will have full bodily healing in heaven. We give food and water to the needy because God has met our every spiritual need and he will meet our every physical need in heaven. The dead are brought back to life because we have been given eternal life through Christ, and will live forever in heaven with him.

In short, miracles, as well as practical ministry, exist to give us a tangible sign of the heart of the Father so that we might know the truth. This does not diminish the importance of ministry, but rather, it amplifies it. With this view of ministry, we see that we are not merely accomplishing a worldly goal, but that our efforts are a means by which people might see the Divine, and praise the one and only God.

Let us do ministry with this in mind: that we are not perfecting a broken world, but that we are showing the truth of God’s nature, and his promises, by the way we live and by our interactions with others. This world is not our home. But while we are here, as pilgrims traveling through this world and onto the next, we must be ambassadors for the Kingdom of heaven showing the world a glimpse into the heart of the Father.

Let our work in this world be evidence of the next.