A VISION FOR MISSION

THAT IS LOCAL AND GLOBAL

A girl carries a jug of clean drinking water. A member of the Men’s Union pours honey into a jar for sale. A widow grinds her neighbor’s grain at the new grinding mill earning a small income for herself and her family. These and many other scenes are possible because The First Baptist Church has initiated mission partnerships with sister churches in rural southern Rwanda.

At First Baptist we are personally involved in mission. Volunteers tutor at the Camden Forward School, work with Habitat for Humanity, assist the elderly through participation in the Interfaith Caregivers. We have traveled to Germany, Rwanda, Puerto Rico, Egypt, Bethlehem, and our neighboring towns on our work and visitation mission outreach.

Whether it’s prayer, a gift, or travel, there are many opportunities for your involvement in the local and international experience of mission.

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MISSION TO INDIA REPORT

AUGUST 2010

The medical mission team of the First Baptist Church of Haddonfield recently returned from the villages near Nellore in south-east India. Our first goal was to visit the small village Baptist Churches, meet with the pastors and congregations, preach and pray with the people. This is our second visit and we are continuing to develop warm relationships with the people, leaders and pastors. Our second goal was to provide medical attention for the villagers. Our team consisted of Dr. Moses Chandran, his wife Shramila Aithal, Dr. Prosana from India, Thara Chandran, our nurse, and Pastor Michael Feicht and his son Peter. We treated 375 patients and provided them with needed medicines. We saw a variety of ailments including leprosy, tuberculosis, diabetes, scabies, scurvy, snake bite, worms, various infections and serious malnutrition among the majority of the women and children. Medicines and treatment were provided free of charge in cooperation with the local churches. Eight patients were sent to the hospital for immediate care.

Our hope is to return again in 2011. Meanwhile we are exploring the feasibility of securing a visiting nurse who could provide year-round care. We are also researching resources to see how issues of malnutrition can be addressed on a sustainable basis.

During our mission trip we visited the Christian Medical College in Vellore about three and a half hours north of our villages. We met with Sister Beulah, the head of nursing, received a tour of the hospital, and were introduced to their health care ministries and social development programs. The Christian Medical College receives support from International Ministries and is a mission partner with ABC-USA.