Why did I want to go to third world countries on medical missions?
Moral responsibility: God commanded us to care for the orphans and widows.  Most Americans can't go to third world countries and help, so I leave the widows and orphans of America in their hands.  I go because I can and because God placed Africa, specifically, on my heart.

Social responsibility:  If those of us that can make a difference don't try to help, the desperation that the less fortunate feel escalates to crime, violence, war.  Which then leads to worsened poverty, hunger, and death.

Today in World Malaria Day.  A disease that claimed 650,000 lives in 2010 (World Health Organization statistic). That is very close to the number of people that die of cancer annually. A disease that I have seen the effects of. The boy in the above picture was ill with an enlarge liver and spleen from repeated Malaria infections.  He was sent to the hospital hours away with funds to have some tests done and prays that his colon was not perforated from inflammation.  Without treatment he would die.

I am planning a trip to Uganda in October of this year.  This trip will be to an orphanage to provide medical care for the orphans and mamas that care for them.  This trip will cost just over $2000 depending on airfare.  I can not wait to get back on African soil and feel the Holy Spirit guide my every move.  

I now have the ability to post from my phone from anywhere in the world.

"In my mind, philanthropy is not about the money. It’s about using whatever resources you have at your fingertips and applying them to improving the world." -- Melinda Gates

"However, I need some money. $2,500 to go to Africa in January." -- Margaux Wolfington

I am looking at going to Benin, West Africa January 21-31. I will be going with Mercy Ships. "Mercy Ships is a global charity that has operated hospital ships in developing nations since 1978, bringing hope and healing to the forgotten poor by mobilizing people and resources worldwide, serving all people without regard for race or religion." (facebook excerpt).

Donate to: World Care Connections, PO BOX 773, Tiburon, CA 94920

I have been behind on keeping you posted on what my trip to Tanzania consisted of. It was such an incredible trip that it is hard to narrow down so I will be posting several blogs with photos. Our team consisted of 24 medical personnel including a dentist, a surgeon and a vet. For the men that would not come and see the doctors and nurses the vet team gave us another option of reaching out to them. In total we saw 3163 medical patients, performed 26 surgeries, gave glasses out to 365 patients, 18220 prescriptions were given out, 223 dental patients (253 extractions, 7 fillings, 46 exams, 16 cleanings, and 1 surgery) and our vet team saw: 1238 cows, 1200 goats, 235 sheep, 239 dogs, 11 donkeys, 5 cats, 11 chickens, and 1 rabbit. All of this resulted in 1981 people praying to receive Christ and the start of 7 new churches.

The area of Tanzania we were working in was in the northwestern part of the country and bordering into the Seregeti. The villages were very remote and mostly without electricity. We worked out of school rooms and school yards under the trees with tarps hung to protect us from the sun. Any of the buildings you see are the school buildings. We also encountered results of Voodoo and traditional herbal remedies. Many of these are makings left strange patterns on the body. The boy in this photo had markings around his left

nipple on his chest to protect to heal his heart of "running fast". All of his life he has had episodes of rapid heart rate and the Voodoo medicine doctor thought that there was a spell on his heart and made the markings to disspell the curse. Yet his heart still races and he is left with scares. His father brings him to us for some answers and hope that we can help. The motto for our trip was "Bringing hope to a hurting world". I am hoping that we left this family feeling that we gave them some hope. Physically and spiritually.

News from the Serengeti

Serengeti is derived from the Maasai language, Maa; specifically, "Serengit" meaning "Endless Plains"

Margaux called me today from somewhere in the Serengeti. It's so amazing to me that she is able to call me from the middle of a remote area that has never had electricity. What's more amazing is that she met a 99 year old man that had never heard of God. Thanks to this awesome group of medical professionals, he has recieved medical care where normally there is none, and he had finally heard the word of God!!!

She comes home on Sunday, so hopefully there will be more to read in the coming week. Stay tuned...

I don't know if I want to be poetic or just jump for joy at what we have seen or done. Last night we saw 11 albinos that live in fear of attack or kidnapping. They were seen in the evening at the hotel so that they were not out in the sun. They all have terrible vision and multiple skin problems both from the sun. They were all given new sunglasses, sunscreen and any meds that they needed. They all prayed with the pastors to become Christians. We are hoping that they will be able to attend the new church in this area. Today at the clinic we set up in a school yard we saw three additional albinos, one of which was a child. These people need all of our love and support to make a productive and happy life. Now they will experience life with God by their side.

Yesterdays village had a high number of elderly. Todays village had a great number of babies. It is interesting to see the demographic changes in different villages. I am still in love with all the babies. I offered to deliver a baby for a pregnant woman and she just laughed.

I have been able to give shoes to adults and children that have none, and have cuts or sores, through the generous donation of two people. You know who you are.

Tomorrow we will travel into the Serengeti and be going to four different villages and doing clinic. These places will be very remote and it will be interesting to see what is in store for us.

Thank you to everyone how made donations to assist with the costs of this trip. Also, thanks to everyone who has prayed and supported me through this journey of my life.

Blessing,
Margaux

Back in Africa

Margaux is in Africa again! We are asking for prayers for safety of the medical team and the group of albinos that will be meeting with them in secret. These people live in hiding, in fear for their lives because there are still parts of our world that believe in voodoo. Let's lift this group of people up in prayer, so they may feel God's love through the medical team. If Margaux gets the chance to write a blog while she's in Tanzania she will, but they are traveling in some very remote areas and internet access is very limited.

On another note, we are now legally a non-profit organization!!!! We are hoping and praying for big things to happen this year. We will be putting together some fundraisers and possibly an event or two so stay tuned! I can't wait to hear the amazing, joyful, and heart-breaking stories that will come from this trip. I'll conclude by sharing a quote with you:

Everything can be taken from a man or a woman but one thing: the last of human freedoms to choose one's attitude in any given set of circumstances, to choose one's own way.
Viktor E. Frankl