Farewell to Mark, Angie and Luke Byler

The true measure of faith is rarely realized in calm seas where the sailing is smooth. The strength of the anchor rarely tested in sheltered harbors. However faith in difficult circumstances and a firm anchor during tumultuous times; these are true treasures indeed. Imagine your power being off for more hours than on. Ice trays melt; drinks go to room temperature. Freezers defrost and food spoils. Imagine water not coming through pipes when you open the faucet and having to carry buckets of water to bathe and flush toilets. Imagine needing a quiet and restful day, yet constantly having people coming to your door, each with great needs which they expect you to meet. Imagine having to drive 50 miles over very bad roads; dusty, potholed, and barely wide enough for two lanes to get to the nearest grocery store, to meet with friends in town, to eat out, or just to have a break from your routine. Imagine trying to run a hospital where government funds, drugs and equipment fail to materialize and becoming reliant on generous donors to supply funds with which you must scrounge to resource scarce supplies. Then imagine doing it all alone. Are you there?

Since 1994, Mark and Angie Byler have served as long term volunteers at Sanyati Baptist Hospital. Mark is a doctor and Angie is a nurse. Their son Luke, just graduated from Rift Valley Academy in Kenya. Their faith is genuine, their joy in serving the Lord is unmistakable, their impact on their community is eternal. They have loved, served, taken care of volunteers as well as patients, have lived a life of interruptions, have done without, and yet their faith in our Lord lies anchored in Christ. Their lives serve as an example to each of us to be faithful and obedient to Christ – no matter where we are or what our circumstances. They can teach us that CHRIST HIMSELF is the true treasure for which we should be seeking and He is worthy of any sacrifice. Mark and Angie – we love you. You have blessed our lives. You will be greatly missed. Maita zvakanaka! (Well Done!) Fambai naMwari! (Go with God!) Submitted by Gregg Fort

The Next Generation

As a newlywed, my (Donna Fort) first trip to Zimbabwe

was filled with sights and sounds that were seared on my mind.

Seeing Harare from the overlook,

hearing the roar of Victoria Falls, seeing the herds of elephants coming in to drink at the waterholes.

One of the most memorable events though was when my mother-in-law, Dr. Wana Ann Fort, took me on a tour of the Sanyati Baptist Hospital. Meeting the people who ministered to so many in Jesus’ name was awe-inspiring. At that time, I never dreamed that one day I would be giving my own daughter-in-law a tour of Sanyati Baptist Hospital!

Recently, our son Jason and his wife came back for a visit to Zimbabwe. The first thing on Shay’s list of things to see and do was to visit the hospital and some of the patients. First we went to the maternity ward where we admired the newborn babies and Shay prayed over them.

Then we went to the children’s ward. Shay gave each child a piece of candy and some colouring pages with colours.

Finally, we went to the home where expectant mother’s who are due soon stay near the hospital. Shay enjoyed passing out small gifts and tracts, sharing scripture and praying for each new mother and child, for the children in the ward, and for the expectant mother’s to have a safe delivery. What a special time! How blessed we are to see a new generation of godly children rising up to minister in the kingdom of God.

Grand Slam

For those who love baseball there is nothing more exciting than watching your favorite team hit a Grand Slam.
This July 31st until August 10th a Partnering Team from Conyers, Georgia came to Zimbabwe as part of the Great Sanyati Makeover Project. The equivalent of a grand slam was accomplished as they worked with IMB missionaries, local volunteers, and even the WMU from a nearby Baptist Church. The Great Sanyati Makeover Project seeks, over the next five years, to upgrade the hospital facilities that have not been maintained or replaced with newer equipment for more than 25 years. Partly as a result of the devastating financial crisis experienced in Zimbabwe for a number of years. In partnership with Baptist Global Response, The Baptist Convention of Zimbabwe and other Baptist entities, not only will the hospital facilities be upgraded, but local churches strengthened and encouraged.



The Partnering Team included Jan and Jeff Ross, Dennis McClendon, Ryan Sifford, Marilyn Perkins and Janice Fordham. They were joined by Barry and Marleen Robinson. Meeting the team in Sanyati, and having pre-planned the coming week’s hospital makeover schedule, was Don Smith. Waiting to work with us on the hospital were three or four local volunteers. Amai Dhliwayo , Amai Alice, and the hospital Chaplain were on board as ministry translators. Later in the week, the WMU ladies from Lozane Baptist Church came and joined us as we worked on the hospital.



The first hit, filling first base, was the Hospital Makeover renovation itself. Having been hammered by over 10 years of historic economic chaos, the facilities of the hospital are tattered and worn. The roof leaks and the termites have decimated the wood in the buildings, in some places all the way to the roof peaks. The first order of business is to replace the entire roof and begin the process of installing the new solar array that will give light to the hallways, delivery room, and surgery.
With a will to work, and the experience of construction and engineering under the belts of several of the team members, the old roof was torn away and termite devastated headers and rafters were replaced. With amazing speed and determined toil the new roofing sheets began to be hoisted into place.
By the end of the week the amount of roof replaced more than doubled what had already been done. The entire administrative building, pharmacy, two corridors and a breezeway were now dried in.



The second solid hit, advancing a man to second and keeping first base full, was the Medical portion of this team’s abilities. Some months ago a new sonogram machine had been donated to the hospital. Jan Ross, a sonographer from Conyers, used each day to do numerous sonograms on expectant ladies. In between she sharpened Dr. Mark Byler’s skills on that particular machine. It was a week of joy and as well sadness as the ladies saw even before giving birth, God’s wonders living inside them. Later in the week, one of the ladies who was very sick had a sonogram. At that time she had a living child. A few days later the child was stillborn. In the end she too died. Whether the news of the sonogram was joyful, or the ending saddening, each time was an opportunity to share how Christ could have meaning in their lives.



Filling the bases is the Ministry portion of the team’s time together. Each day was filled with numerous types of ministry. Every morning (except on the two holiday days) part of the team attended and brought devotions to the chapel. Daily they visited patients who had been admitted to the hospital to share words of encouragement and pray with them.
The hospital contains two villages called “Matumbas” (meaning “Shelters” and for these women it is like a “ home away from home”.) where expectant ladies wait for a month or two for their delivery. Four of the days the ladies of the team went to the Matumbas and storied several bible stories and used Creation to Christ to share the plan of salvation with them. On several days the ladies also moved from hut to hut sharing the message of Salvation using Creation to Christ. There were life changing decisions made during these times.
On Saturday, while part of the team continued work on the roof, the ladies and Barry went to Gambiza Baptist Church. Jan Ross led a session on biblical leadership, after which Barry and Marleen led a session on husband/wife relationships from Ephesians Chapter 5.
Sunday the entire group again attended Gambiza Church. Jeff Ross taught the adult Sunday School Class using the storying method. The story of the Prodigal Son was the story used. The ladies were asked to teach the children’s class. After Sunday School, Barry brought the morning message.
On Monday and Tuesday several of the men accompanied the ladies to minister to children. A Little Helpers (our equivalent of Mission Friends) Club had been arranged at a local church, and a similar ministry opportunity at the Community
Center.



Driving in the loaded bases resulting in the Grand Slam was the outcome of the week of ministry. Throughout the week numerous hospital patients were encouraged and had the love of Christ shared with them in word and deed. After the days in the Matumbas, and the Sunday Services there were 22 who had given their lives to Christ.
With the highly successful Makeover work, the positive medical and the life changing Ministry, the week was truly a Grand Slam!

Sanyati Baptist Hospital Makeover Team Part Two

(If you haven't read Part One, scroll down and read that first. I'm still learning about blogs. . . I could only put five pictures in one blog so I had to divide this blog in half to get all the pictures in.)

As the Sanyati Hospital Makeover Team examined each hallway and room, it was obvious how much repair work was needed at the hospital which had probably not seen any serious repairs done since 1980.



The chapel is one of the rooms that every patient as well as his relatives see. It is the place where the day begins as all those in the hospital come for daily devotions and prayer. The team felt it only right to put God and His work first by making the renovation of the chapel their first priority.



After an inspection of the hospital, the volunteers met with Mark Hatfield of Baptist Global Response (pictured below) as well as Zimbabwe missionaries Dr. Mark Byler, Gregg Fort, and Barry Robinson to discuss long range planning.




Determining that this would be a five year project (2011-2015) helped the team begin to break down the job into smaller projects.

In February 2011 the newly purchased solar electrical system will be installed by volunteers who are already making plans to come.

In May 2011 the project will begin in earnest as the first team coming hopes to get a good start on the renovation of the chapel. Other 2011 teams will complete the work.

It is hoped that 6 teams of 12-15 workers will be able to come in 2011 and during each of the four consecutive years to complete the renovation of the entire hospital.



Peter Sierson, project manager, says when he agreed to the job he never dreamed what a mammoth task it would be. He says he feels like David going up against Goliath, and he doesn’t even have any stones! He is excited and fearful all at the same time. As we prayed together Peter prayed, “God has given us a dream and a vision. We must believe that God will provide the spiritual, physical, financial, and human resources needed to complete the task.”

One man prayed that as nationals and volunteers worked side by side that a oneness and spiritual renewal would occur at Sanyati that would spread throughout all the Baptist Churches, the Baptist Convention, and the country of Zimbabwe as a whole.



Another prayed, “Bless this project from the first nail driven to the last floor swept.”

The closing prayer, “Lord, grant that the greatest days of the Sanyati Baptist Hospital are still ahead. May they continue to reach out in a mighty way to meet the spiritual and physical needs of those who come for treatment.”

If you or anyone you know of is skilled in renovation and might want to participate in this project please contact Peter Sierson at this e-mail address: psierson@charter.net

If you would like to see how you can help through Baptist Global Response, check out their website: www.baptistglobalresponse.com

Sanyati Baptist Hospital Makeover Team Part One

Six Volunteers from Tennessee (left to right Jordan Fray, John Carlisle, Doug Kelley, Cory Miller, Peter Sierson, and Bud Fray) came to Sanyati Hospital the last week of August to inspect the hospital and get an idea of what all was needed to complete the renovation.



Sanyati Baptist Hospital opened in 1953 as two huts in which patients could receive medical attention from Drs. Giles and Wana Ann Fort. The first incubator at the hospital was an apple crate with blankets and a hot water bottle. By 1956 the first wing of the hospital was built and other wings were added later on. Today the hospital is a large complex.



Even though the hospital was “nationalized” in 1980, Baptists continue to support the work there and currently Dr. Mark Byler is a physician there.



Every nook and cranny of the hospital was inspected and the volunteers had a number of “light” and humorous moments as they made their rounds.



It didn’t take long to notice how outdated the equipment was throughout the hospital.



Continued in Sanyati Baptist Hospital Makeover Team Part Two

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.