Veterinary Team from Lake Charles, LA

The veterinary team from Trinity Baptist Church in Lake Charles, LA consisted of three people: Dr. Kyle Hebert, Mr. Rusty Sittig, and myself (Katherine Bonvillain). Dr. Kyle went ahead of our group a few days to buy cold vaccines for Lumpy Skin Disease, which we had been informed in advance was a big issue with herds in the community where we were working.

Treating animals in wooden shoots made of tree branches is hard. We all got banged up a little from the cattle and being pushed up against the wood.

There were days when the cows were pushing us around and dragging our mood down, but the people were a joy to see. They came and drove the cattle in and worked along side us. They came with hands ready to work and hearts ready to listen. Their respect for Dr. Kyle's position and help led to an eagerness and willingness to listen to the Gospel he shared. Over and over again we were astonished as they asked for us to talk to them, and then after we had, they would almost all raise their hands and ask to pray to receive Christ. Also, those that were already Christians would ask to pray with us in unison or for us, and watching those men get down on their knees and bow to pray was more beautiful than any view of Victoria Falls. During our 6 days of work we saw over 3,200 animals, predominately cattle, also sheep, goats, dogs, and donkeys. We spoke with hundreds of people, and around 300 prayed to recieve Christ. Serving in Zimbabwe has been an honor, a privilege, and a blessing.

One day Dr. Herbert heard about a man who had a sick cow who was about to slaughter it so he went to check on it. He was able to treat and save the cow. Then Dr. Herbert told the man, the reason I am here treating cows is so I can have a chance to share the gospel of Jesus Christ with the owners of the cows. The man listened to Dr. Herbert’s testimony and prayed to receive Christ. The man was later chosen as the lay-leader for the new church formed in his area.

Katherine Bonvillain shown above with her father Robert Bonvillain who worked on the construction team in Zimbabwe.