October 2021 Update
Hello Friends,
Here is a prayer that was written by Ben Campbell Johnson, one of my favorite Presbyterians:
Gracious God
I am before You, I am always before You
You see me as I am and love me for myself
You hear the words I cannot say
You know the longings I cannot express
Grant that it be enough for me
To be seen, to be known, and to be loved by You this day
I am a striver. Sometimes the striving comes from a mature solid place that the Lord has created in me and sometimes it comes from a dark place of fear and lack of worth. This prayer opens my heart toward obedience to follow Christ and to serve and plan and dream under His authority and desire. As we walk on this new journey this prayer is necessary to stay on course. I hope it helps you too.
Much Love.
Thank you new partners! Ruby and I love how the Lord creates blessing and lots of love in each encounter. Each meeting is a divine appointment and we are excited for every meeting.
We are now at 40% of our funding for 2022! Please invite your friends and and associates who would be interested in our journey and what the Lord wants to do through us collectively. Email me or better yet give me a call.
This week (October 15-17) we are guests at Grace Bible Church for their Missions Weekend. We are excited to attend the events of the weekend as we will see people we have known for a long time as well as many new faces. One of the other speakers and I met in 1981 when I was on Guam serving with Trans World Radio the summer before starting college!
February 2022 we are scheduled for SIMSendOff in Charlotte, NC., the final phase of our training and our launch date to start full time. Please pray for the Lord’s provision of resources as well as time!
Ruby and I have enjoyed catching up on life with you and are grateful for your prayers and support!
Listening Tour
| In June the HMT began a listening tour to interact with SIM medical personnel in hospitals with whom we normally do not connect. What wonderful people. I’ve included a link to a couple YouTube videos. One is a tour of the Mukinge Hospital in Zambia and the other is an interview with two of the medical couples that provide surgeries. In watching the video, you will meet two amazing couples and you will get a sense of why the HMT desires to provide care. I’ve been given permission to share these videos with you (not necessarily since the whole world already has “permission” to watch these Youtube videos, haha!). |
Dr. Stephen Foster from CEML Hospital in Lubango, Angola Visit
Dr. Foster is a third-generation missionary doctor serving in Angola with many stories to tell. On the SIM Health Ministries Team, I have the privilege of serving Dr. Foster and his amazing team as they share Christ and bring healing to people who need healthcare and the Good News!
I’ve included a video of the resident doctor training program that Dr. Foster initiated. SIM and our team are committed to developing national doctors. We love serving Dr. Foster and his team.
Visit hopeforangola.org to see the Foster’s work in Angola.
Advancing the Gospel in Angola Board Meeting
I was able to host the AGA board meeting held at Ada Bible when Dr. Foster was in town. I serve as a volunteer on the board. Mark Faus (last person on the right standing) is also a member of the SIM HMT with me. He spoke about governance and is assisting the board in its development.
Update on Us
Ruby has her hands full teaching second grade. She is excited to have several students from around the world that have come to live in Caledonia. Soon Ruby will know at least three more languages besides English and Spanish…okay a few words:). One student told her he loves her with his whole heart. I know what he means. Ditto.
We were able to take an afternoon break and picked up some apples on a nice drive searching for Fall leaves. Soon they are coming!
Let Us Pray For You!
It is always a joy to pray to our Father for you. Just email me at brian.vanderark@sim.org and send me a request!
Pray for Us
Pray with us as we find partners to join us. Our goal is to be funded by December 2021.
Pray for the Ministry
Pray for the Health Ministries Team as we meet every Wednesday from 11-1PM.
Will You Join Us on the mission
to bring hope and healing
in Jesus’ name?
Just click here and you will go to our safe and secure online giving page. You can give monthly or one time. Thank you!
To donate by mail:
Make check payable to SIM and send to SIM Donor Care, PO Box 7900, Charlotte, NC 28241. Please write my name and account #052555
Other options:
Some of you have asked about any specific one-time expenses, so here is a list (some have been taken off-thank you!)!
- Shots-Rabies (Three shot protocol for outside US) One Shot $300
- Security Training Required Event at SIM Send $500
- Health Ministries Team in-person planning meeting in 2022 $1,000
If you are interested in supporting me through a one-time gift to cover any of these expenses, please email me.
Besides raising support for my position I will be raising funds for projects you might have interest in joining.
Key Projects 2021-2022:
1. Listening Tour to assess needs of hospitals
2. Pilot project with hospital-evangelism process assessment
3. Hospital Management cohort conferences for West and East Africa
Email me if you wish to assist with these projects!
