Southern and East Africa, continued
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| Here is a story that may assure us that God is still in charge: Mamitu Gashe is a child of Ethiopia and a woman whom God has touched in a special way. Her story originally appeared in the New York Times on June 12, 2005. About forty years ago, at age fifteen, she was married to a man in her remote village, near Tul’git. Mamitu became pregnant and, as often happens in malnourished teenaged girls who lack good health care, her immature pelvis could not accommodate the fetus in childbirth—a condition known as obstetric fistula. After several days of labor her unborn child died. Mamitu was left with uncontrollable bodily functions and was ostracized by her community. Fistulas once were common in the United States, but with advances in health care and medical technology they are rare today.
We recently met a young woman who was sick unto death with an obstetric fistula. She was brought to the airplane that we had chartered to visit John and Gwen Haspels, mission workers who have worked with unreached peoples for more than twenty years. Gwen had asked our pilot if we could take a special passenger with us to Addis Ababa, where medical treatment awaited. It was to Mamitu’s Fistula Hospital that our young angel was brought. It might even have been Mamitu herself who operated on her. That’s right. Mamitu has become one of the world’s foremost experts on fistula repair. She has trained gynecologists from around the world and saved countless lives. I’m not sure what happened to the young bride we ferried to Addis that day. But when I read the story of Mamitu and her accomplishments, and when I think of the African doctors, nurses, and clinicians who, with folks like John and Gwen Haspels and countless other PC(USA) mission personnel who serve people with energy, imagination, and intelligence every day, I am in awe of God’s grace and glory and of these selfless servants who do so much with so little. To the readers of the 2006 Mission Yearbook I would remind you of St. Paul: “Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for thereby some have entertained angels unawares” (Heb. 13:2). As you read the stories of mission service and of partnership, ask what or what else you can do to join in. And may Jesus Christ be your guide and companion on the journey. —Rev. Jon T. Chapman, area coordinator, Southern and East Africa, Worldwide Ministries |
 Partners/Ministries Council of Churches in Namibia: Venerable Nangula Evalisa Kathindi, general secretary • Evangelical Lutheran Church in the Republic of Namibia: Rev. Gotthart Gurirab, dean • Christian Council of Tanzania: Rt. Rev. Dr. Samson Mushemba, general secretary • Mpechi Secondary School [Tanzania] • Botswana Christian Council: David Modiega, general secretary PC(USA) General Assembly Staff Elizabeth Stinson, WMD Mindi C. Stivers, MSS Veronica Stone, BOP |
 A harvest of righteousness is sown in peace for those who make peace (James 3:18). |
 Ps. 65, 91, 125, 147:1–11 Mal. 1:1, 6–14 James 3:13—4:12; Luke 17:11–19 |
