Update on USAID

By Norman Wetterau MD

Image courtesy of Christianity Today

Christianity Today had a recent article addressing changes in USAID in the February 4th news issue: Is This the End of USAID? by Emily Belz.

USAID provides much assistance around the globe through religious organizations like World Vision, World Relief, and Catholic Relief. Can Churches provide for the millions of dollars that will be lost? 

The article also raised questions about what has been happening. USAID has been accused of major mismanagement, but the article asks for evidence of this. Are World Vision and Catholic Relief mismanaging many of these funds? Read the article for more information. 

We can hear stories on Fox News and NBC, but what does Christianity Today say?  Right now, due to the war, much aid will not be able to reach Eastern Congo even though help will be needed in the future. Since USAID may not be there, who will step up and provide the assistance? 

If you disagree with some of the political decisions around this that have been made, contact your political representatives. Feel free to share your views with others by emailing normwetterau@aol.com

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Need for Prayer

Image courtesy of Google Images

Congo is in the news and needs to be in our prayers. The Free Methodists provide major medical services in Rwanda, Burundi and Democratic Republic of Congo. We have a medical school in Burundi and hospitals in the other two countries. They are supported through CAHO and Friends of Hope Africa, as well as other foundations and groups. 

Rebels in the north have seized major areas of eastern Congo. The UN says that Rwanda is behind it but there is debate. Regardless of who is responsible, things are terrible with people trying to flee. Our church has called for special prayer for the situation and the people. Currently the banks south of where they have invaded are closed as are stores. Disease and starvation is expected to follow. 

For updates on the Free Methodist medical facilities in Congo, go to https://congohealth.org/.


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God's Provision of Light in the Darkness of the Civil War and Sexual Violence in Congo

The Christian and Free Methodist Response

BY Norman Wetterau MD

(Written in October 2024)

Image courtesy of GlobalPost

For the past 25 years the Eastern part of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has been the site of constant civil war, starvation, poverty, and death. In addition, rape is used as a weapon of war, with hundreds of thousands of woman having been victimized. The Free Methodists have a heavy presence in the area with over 150,000 members, churches, hospitals and medical clinics. Attempts to bring things under control through the United Nations, as well as other nations have been a failure.

Yet despite the continued problems, there are beacons of hope. Dr. Denis Mukwege is a Christian doctor in Eastern Congo who received the Nobel Peace Prize in 2018 for his work in helping women who were victims of sexual violence. This work includes counseling, medical support, and surgery. He also has spoken out internationally on this issue. 

Dr. Mukwege is a strong Christian who believes in prayer, but also in surgery, psychotherapy, and speaking out politically to ask for justice. In some ways he is a modern-day prophet. In May 2024, he was given the Aurora Prize, a one-million-dollar contribution to his work. According to Dr. Mukwege, this prize is a mixed blessing in that the war and and sexual violence have not decreased– it has gone on for 30 years and everyone looks the other way. Still, his Christian hospital and practice treats thousands of women.

The Nundu Deaconess Hospital and other Free Methodist Hospitals and clinics are 100 miles south of his hospital, the Panzi Hospital in Eastern Congo. Our hospitals and clinics also see many women who have been victims of this sexual violence: some psychological but in many cases physical. Soldiers on both sides use this as one way to terrorize the population. Nundu Deaconess Hospital plans to have a fully trained physician in obstetrics and gynecology there this year. The hospital’s general physicians also provide physical and psychological care.

Recently Dr. Marx, the medical director of the Free Methodist Nundu Deaconess Hospital has started a counseling program for any victims of psychological and physical trauma. Nurses and others are being trained to provide this in village clinics. In addition, many of the hospital staff have suffered vicarious psychological trauma trying to help others through this ongoing war, so the help is being offered to those members of the hospital staff. No one there has totally escaped. 

We as American Free Methodist Christians cannot solve this problem, nor can the US government or the United Nations, but we can pray and consider supporting our medical and healing work there. Someday God will bring about peace, but He often allows men to continue their evil. In the face of evil, God calls on us to pray for peace, provide help to those who are suffering, and to try to be peacemakers. There are other stories of people being saved, and soldiers who did not participate in this sexual violence. There are congregations and medical providers who speak out against what is happening and help as they are able. 

Eastern DRC seems far away but those there are our Christian brothers. Jesus said that when we help those who are suffering we are helping Jesus Himself. Stay informed, pray, and assist as you are able.

For further information or to help, go to www.congohealth.org

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What is the Free Methodist Healthcare Fellowship?

By Norman Wetterau Md

The Free Methodist Healthcare Fellowship (FMHCF) was founded in the 1960s with the initial members being physicians and dentists focusing on medical missions and fellowship. Around 20 years ago Parish Nursing and their members became part of our fellowship.  

Today the fellowship is open to any healthcare professional with a degree; this could include counselors, health administrators, hospital chaplains and medical social workers. There are several components to the FMHCF’s activities including mutual support via meetings and retreats and through publishing of articles for the newsletter. Support of medical missions remains a major focus with the newsletter, containing  frequent articles dealing with health problems faced in our Free Methodist mission hospitals (e.g. see examples on our website fmhealth.org).  

Articles in the newsletter also address other current health-related topics. Zoom meetings/workshops may be added as a means of reaching more Christian healthcare professionals. Providing scholarships for overseas doctors and nurses to complete their training continues to be a critical component of the Fellowship’s activities. For example, Eric Manirakiza, Director of Nursing at Hope Africa University,  was supported as he completed his doctorate in nursing.

 

The FMHCA is committed to making changes as needed to maintain relevancy and sustainability. Around 15 years ago the FMHCF added the goal of helping our churches better address health issues; to that end conferences have been held on various subjects (see our website). Recently an outside consultant completed a thorough study of the group and identified potential future endeavors. The website is being developed as a source of information for pastors as well as our members. Health and healing were an important part of Jesus ministry; with this as a central theme, the organization strives to support Christian healthcare providers as they answer their call to be the hands and feet of Jesus.

If you know Free Methodist Health Professionals, suggest they sign up on our website fmhealth.org. If you have suggestions or want to be more involved email normwetterau@aol.com and/or call him at 585-705-8811. Interest in becoming board members is welcomed.

Our Current Board Members:

President: Norman Wetterau MD

Treasurer: David Lefler MD

Secretary: Sarah Crawford MD

Board members at Large:

Diane Destefano MSN, APRN

Susanne Mohnkern Ph.D, RN

Tim Kratzer MD

Darlene McCown Ph.D, RN

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