Piano Lessons with a little Counseling on the Side

Piano lessons are often about much more than music. One of my teenage students who became a believer a couple of years ago sometimes asks me for advice in handling difficult situations. The past three weeks we have discussed teen suicide and teen pregnancy! She knows the story of a girl at her school who took her life over a cell phone and recently a girl in her class attempted suicide by taking pills and then stabbing herself. Last week she told me about another acquaintance who she is reasonably sure is pregnant. It gave me an opportunity to help her realize that sin has consequences, that abortion is not an option, and that we need to have compassion for people even when they make bad decisions. We prayed for the girl together and then I told "B" she should pray for this girl herself.
This fourteen year old girl is a lovely young lady who needs spiritual guidance as her parents are not Christians. Please pray for me as I guide "B" and my other students when they come to me with tough life questions. Also, pray for M & J, her parents, that they will someday come to know Jesus as their Savior. Thanks for your prayers, Marleen Robinson.

IMB Zimbabwe Evangelism Team Members Gregg and Donna Fort, Duncan and Tatjana Pitts, Barry and Marleen Robinson along with IMB Hands On Media Person – Jonathan Bundrick – traveled to Sanyati Baptist Hospital this week. After unloading a trailer full of medical supplies from Baptist Global Response we walked around Sanyati. We prayer walked through the hospital, but also sought to identify and take pictures of some of the more glaring needs for remodeling for Peter Sierson and team who will begin the “Extreme Makeover” Project for the hospital later this year. The hospital, which has been operating for 57 years, is in great need of repair. There are ceiling boards missing, doors which need to be replaced, the entire hospital needs to be repainted, new signs on the doors, beds, mattresses, sheets, operating and lab equipment. Basically just about everything in the hospital needs upgrading.

Once the master plan for the “Extreme Makeover” is complete, Baptist Churches will have the opportunity of adopting a room or wing of the hospital for renovation.

One of the problems the hospital has been facing is water. Thanks to Baptist Global Response drilling new wells, the hospital currently has a steady supply of water.

Another problem plaguing the hospital is lack of electricity. Currently the Sanyati station has electrical supply from midnight to about 5 a.m. Not the ideal time for surgery!
So, generators are used. We were amazed at how ingenuous someone was by mounting bright car headlamps so the surgeons will have bright lights when the generator is on!

What an experience to pray with the patients as well. . . After visiting the hospital and seeing the pain and suffering of others, you have to wonder what in the world you were thinking the last time you complained about some minor problem inconveniencing you!

Pray for Peter Sierson and those who will make up his team later this year to begin to itemize and prioritize the projects that need to be accomplished at the hospital.

Pray for churches/volunteer groups to be willing to adopt one room or section of the hospital to refurbish.

Pray for Dr. Mark and Angie Byler (and son Luke) who will be returning to Zimbabwe in May to help get the project going. Pray that his work permit will be extended.

Pray for another doctor and family who hope to come in 2011 that all the details will be worked out in order for them to come.

Checkout the photo below of our walk around Sanyati Baptist Hospital.

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