banta larry ellen 1982 india&kenya

8/11/2019 Banta Larry Ellen 1982 India&Kenya

1/18

O ilX L iX

Tribal Health & Evangelism

Dr Larry

and Ellen Banta

Sitapur Madhya Pradesh

Ind ia

MEDICAL EVANGELISM IN EAST

AND

CENTRAL

INDIA

VOL

N O

1

APRIL,

198

IF

YOU

HAVE NEVER travelled outside the U.S., hove you ever wondere

whet it is really like

in

some other countries? Have you ever thought what

would

be like to hove no electricity, no phone, no running water?

Have

you

eve

really been worried that you could not afford your next meal knowing your la

meal was

3 days

ago?

MOST OF THE

WORL

lives at a level of poverty that we can little

imagin

India has no

functioning

social welfare

systems

no relief programs for

poverty

famine

earthquake or

drought

outside of what

is provided by

Christia

missions. Much of rural

India

has

never

seen a doctor

never received life savin

immunizations of compassionate care when

they

are ill. Most have

no

concept o

a

loving

caring God.

They

must constantly strive to please gods mode of stone

metal or

wood

that never answer.

Many

are under the bondage or Satan's

ow

messengers

and live a life of agony

and

fear.

WE

HAVE BEEN GIVEN so much, blessed so greatly by God in our country. B

even more than that, we have the hope of eternal life in Christ. How can we s

idly by? Woe is me if I preach not this Gospel

Truly Unto whom much has been given much is requir^ed .


2/18

D E VE LO P IN G P LA N S

As it happens often, one may know

the goal long before he learns how to

reach

it. The goal for

TH E

is to

develop a medical evangelistic

o u tr each

in

cent ral India in association

with

the

Bernel

Getter

family. In

order

to

do

that, one first needs permission

to

enter the

country of India,

an d

then permission to enter Surgujo dis

trict wherein lies Sitopur).

In order to gain permission to

enter

India, application

was made

to enter

southern

India known to be politically

less

sensitive).

As

mentioned

previously, the first year is planned to

be

training at the

Schieffelin Leprosy

Research

and

Training

Centre, gaining

necessaj:y_xnedicaLskills^ to^ deal with__

Hanse n s Disea se . During

the

training

period,

arrangements have been

m de to w ork w i t h

B e n e v o l e n t

Social

Services of India, Inc. J. Lois

Rees,

Mr. and Mrs. Emrys Rees). They have

been

supervising a Leprosy

Program

for

some time

using

native personnel.

Following

the

12-month training

period,

an

additional year will be

spent with Benevolent Social Service s

Leprosy

program

with Larry

serving

as

medical supervisor

and

Ellen con

sulting in Health Education

and

Physio

therapy see col. 4). It is anticipated

that

during

both

initial

y ea rs , s ev er al

trips

can

be made into

Orissa and

Sitapur area to begin preliminary

work on the medical

program

in each

re

T . B .

Of the many diseases one comes

contact with in the developing wor

o n e of

th e

m os t c om mo n

in

tubercu

sis.

Like

H a ns en s D is e as e,

it is

cau

by a bacteria actually related in str

ture to the

one

that causes H.D.). I

far more prevalent than H D and a

more deadly.

In

the

U.S. some 28,

people developed

T B

last year. In

dia s o m e millions h o v e it a n d m

co n n e v e r rece ive t r e tm e n t

The bacteria in adults will ordina

be

inhaled and begin an infection

the

lung. It may only cause a mi

cough or it may destroy the lung

left untreated. It can also spread

other

ports of

th e

body. In childre

may manifest itselt as swollen gla

in~the neck or jowT or irrfdtdT m^

gitis.

Commonly in India, spread to

b o n e s occurs. G r a d u a l de st r uc t i on

the

infected

bone

may

occur.

It

attack the spine

an d

leave one

p

lyzed,

or

cause

death

by invading

adrenal glands or other structures

short,

the

disease can spread

almost

any part of the body bring

suffering, disability

an d

eventu

de th

If the

disease

is

diagnosed early

X-ray or

microscopic exam

of

sputum, the disease can

be

tot

cured. Even in

late stages,

s

damage is reversible.

Treatmen

relatively inexpensive with two

three drugs taken every day or e

just three t imes weekly

for 12-24 m

ths


3/18

Treating tuberculosis

and

controlling

its spread is a very effective tool to

show Christ s

compassion.

Treatment

always involves

prolonged

contact

with

th e Christ ian

medical

t eam

al low

ing

the patient

to see, understand

and

respond to God's

love

for them.

PRAYER NEEDS:

*Continue fervent prayer

for

perma

nent

resident visas in India. Papers

are

in

progress.

*Living link

support

of 800 per month.

(Over 50

now

committed).

*Funding for hospital, medical equip

ment,

supplies, etc.

*Funding for hiring of native person

nel for hospital.

*Safe traveling for Bontas.

*The effective spreading of God s

word through the work of Tribal

Health

and

Evangelism.

PRAISE GO

*For opening doors thus far.

*For several faithful

supporters.

*For

continued

good

health

for Larry,

Ellen and family.

PHYSIOTHERAPY TRAINING

Visa

permitting,

Ellen will

also

ente

special training in Leprosy as Schieffeli

Leprosy Research and Training Centre

Karigiri. Ellen

was

recently accepte

to train

as

a physiotherapy technician

She has already begun her studies b

correspondence. The course

las ts for

months. This type of training couple

with Larry s training in surgery will b

quite helpful in developing a good

rehabilitation program for those

se

verely disabled by Leprosy.

MOBILE CLINIC

The

funds

( 12,000)

for

a mobil

clinic in Sitapur have been raised b

F.A.M.E. (Fellowship of Associates i

Medical

Evangelism),

Columbus,

In

diana,

and have been

sent to

th

field. The van is ordered but may

tak

3 /2 years to obtain

ON THE ROAD

Over the past several

months,

th

Santas have visited

congregations

an

presented

the

work of

TH

in Colo

rado,

Nebraska,

Texas,

Iowa an

Ohio. January was a

month

of rest a

South Dakota and o the r a reas w er

not conducive to t raveling

PRAYER CARDS

A

prayer

card for the Santas is en

closed with this newsletter. Use th

as a reminder to pray for them. A

ditional prayer cards are availab

upon

request. *


4/18

S U P P O R T

Gradually, support

seems to

be

coming. Over one-half of

the

living

support

is

committed

already. Many

have

also

given gifts specified for

medical supplies. It is quite humbling

to see

God at work

among His

people.

M uch o f

th e

fu n d s

h a v e

b e e n s e t

aside in a savings account to

be

used

for shipping expense

and

for living

when Larry is no l on ge r wor ki ng J un e

30).

Several

necessary

medical

texts

have

been

purchased

as

well

as

special surgical instruments. A micro

sc ope and

other laboratory equipment

h a v e b e e n o r d e r e d

If you desire a copy of

the 9

Financial Report, please write to

the

a d d r e s s b e l o w .

The most pressing financial nee

for

individuals

or churches to m

committments of monthly sup

whether

small or large.

*-,1^

N A TI ON A L M IS SI ON AR Y CONVENT

Sept. 28 O c t . 1, 1982

Lexington, Kentucky

S P E A K I N G

D A T E S

A very few speaking dates

available in May and

June

for chu

es

in Nebraska.

South

Dakota

or Io

Please contact Forwarding Agents

information (address below).

Tribal

Health and

Evangelism

First Christian Church Mission to

India

P O B o x

841

O N e i l h

N E

68763

Forwarding

Agent Mr. Mrs. Robert

Bergman

4 0 2 - 3 3 6 - 2 3 5 4

N o n - p

Organi

U.S.

P

P A

P e r m i t

O Neill , N

Dr. an d

Mrs. Larry Banta

U SP HS In dia n H osp ital

W a g n e r , SD

57380

6 0 5 - 3 8 4 - 5 9 1 2

B o x O T

t

S erUic.^.S

h . ~~ ^

/


5/18

r 1

d

O U Z SZ

Tribal Health

Evangelism

Dr L ar ry a nd Ellen Banta

Sitapur Madhya

Pradesh

ndia

MEDICAL EVANGELISM IN EAST

AND CENTRAL INDIA

VOL

II

NO

2

PRAYERS

ANSWERED

On

the

21st of June our prayers concerning o visa

were

answered The I

dian government chose to reject our request for permanent visa. The news w

somewhat expected but still quite devastating. Theweek prior to the news we h

heard that India had passed a law restricting the admission of foreign physicians

India. This was a result ofa delegation ofmedical students desiring jobsecurity. I

dia has many physicians most cities

are

oversupplied. ut few ever go to the rur

areas

Thus India has most likely compounded its own problems.

India has not left our hearts nor has the prospect of leprosy work. The

possibilities will be looked into

sometime

in the future. Meanwhile

God

has calle

us to serve

and

the

need

is great

wherever we

look.

After

receiving

our

news

we

looked

into

other

areas

of

the

world

that

cou

use

us. Few mission stations

are

actually

set

up where a physician could

be

used e

fectively. After many phone calls all over the country discussing various field

Africa seemed a recurrent theme. Of the three possibilities found inAfrica Keny

seemed more of the type of work where we would best be used. After much praye

a telephone call to ick Hamilton in Kitale Kenya and with the approval and e

couragement of the elders of our sponsoring congregation we decided to set ou

sites on Kenya East Africa to work in association with

the

Hamilton family.


6/18

THE

PEOPLE

The

Kara

Pokot

are a

primitive peo

ple living in the highlands of western

Kenya and eastern Uganda. ntil

recently progress hod largely passed

them by. They number approximately

220 000. Their

primary occupation

is

forming cattle raising and cattle steal

ing. Their religion is animistic that is

worship of spirits. Much of their life is

spent

attempting to appease various

spirits which they believe cause

drought illness natural disasters crop

failures or good fortune.

THE

SET-UP

At present two nurses

ore

working

in the

area,

doing what medical work

they ore able to. A lini building is

under construction and should be com

plete by the time we arrive. Roadside

clinics

are

held throughout

the week.

The area has had recent problems

with

drought. World Vision is assisting

in the

area

to develop wells to improve

the living conditions. Tropical skin

diseases

eye

problems tuberculosis

malnutrition and parasitic diseases

bound

The opportuni ty for medical

evangelism

is very great in this

area.

MEDICAL EVANGELISM

is

demonstration of God s love thr

the use

of medical

skills

a nd ta

Many who might not otherwise un

tand

the message

of Christ wil

God s love in action

and perhaps

understand

and

respond

to

God s

and

He sent them

out

to preac

Kingdom of God and to hea

sick.

Lu

THE PRAYER

NEEDS

We are

confident that

God

know

every need and desire and He k

where

we con best be utilized

Kingdom. Please pray for:

Financial

support

Completion of papers

Adjustment to climate and lan

Schooling for

the

children

Heal th

Cooperation with co-workers o

field

Medical equipment and supplie

Continued open door for the G

and our effectiveness in pro

ing it

Strength and wisdom for our

and

our

forwarding agents

Praise

God for His continuing

w

core and for supporters who ore

interested

in

the work.

Praise God for His

continuing

and for supporters who ore rea

terested

in

the

work.


7/18

TH E

PLAN

We plan to

depart

for Kenya in

gust, 1982, to work for at

least one

5

ear term, to develop and expand the

isting medical services in

th e are a.

this

time

period, it is

hoped

to

a primary health care system,

is, teaching

the

people to core for

(more

next

issue). It is also

that 2 or 3 times per year,

will

n e e d to be m o d e into n o r

Zaire fo r c on su lta tio n until a

hysician is able to start

there

full time.

his is yet to be worked out fully.

THE NEED

The cost of living in Kenya is quite

high due to high cost of housing an d

f u e l s .

M u c h

o f

the m e d i c a l w o r k is

a t

present subsidized through World Vi

sion

and other groups

in

the

area. In

o r d e r

t o a r r ive o n

the

field

a n d

to d o

o n

effective

work,

the

following is

yet

needed

Living Support: 1000/month

(50

now c ommitted)

Service Link: 1000/month

yet

need

ed (for transportation, clinic upkeep,

medicines)

Air Fore and Shipping: 6000 ( still

needed)

Prayer Partners

are

still needed.

you ore interested in being involv

ed in this vital ministry in so me way,

please write to us at Box 841, O Neill,

Nebraska

6 8 7 6 3 .

U P D A T E ON

THE

B A N T A

FAMILY

On June 27, 1982, Larry's term of ser

vice

wi t h

the

U.S.

Public

Health

S e r v i c e

at Wagner, S.D. was completed. Lorry

Ellen, and children then spent a fe w

days in Omaha and

Lincoln

visiting

family and friends and taking care o

business. On July 2, they left for Ohio

where they visited with Larry's family

and spoke in churches. From July 14 un

til their

departure

to the mission field

Bontos will b e in Son Antonio, TX, with

Pete

and

Jewell Martinez

and

family

(Jewell is Ellen's sister). Another sister

Jeonnie Foirbrother, is also in

Son

An

tonio.

Bontos will

be

available to speak

in c h u r c h e s in

the a rea

It may have

been

many months sinc

some

of you hove

seen

the Bontos. A

an update, their children s ages are

now:

Ethan, 4; Heather, 2;

Nathanneal

22 months. Heather s third birthday wil

be July 29; a

card

would

reach her c/o

Pete Martinez, 6802 Cerro Bojo, San

Antonio, TX 78239, Lorry and Ellen

ca n

a l s o be c o n t a c t e d a t t h a t a d d r e s

phone

512/657-2461) or through thei

forwarding agents see page 4).

N A T I O N A L

M I S S I O N A R Y

C O N V E N T I O N

Sept.

28

Oct.

1, 1982

Lexington, Kentucky


8/18

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

July

As Eidersof the sponsoring congregation of

Dr

and Mrs. Larry Santa

Health and Evangelism), we support and encourage them in their plans to w

Kenya.

Tribal

Health and Evangelism was begun initially to begin a m

evangelism program among the tribal people of central India. However, the I

government has refused to grant the Santas permission to enter the country

After discussing with Dr Santo the information concerning other are

possible service, we approved and support their plans to apply for entry to

K

and to work among the tribal peoples there.

We cordially commend

Lorry

and Ellen Santa to the churches and bre

everywhere as

faithful

ministers and laborers together

with

us

in

the Gospe

signed) BennieJohring

D o n O l s o n

Melvin

Joh

Dennis Qu

Tribal Health and Evangelism

First

C hristian C hurch Mission

to

India

P O

B o x

84 1

O N e i l l

N E 68763

Forwarding Agent Mr. Mrs. Robert Bergman

4 0 2 - 3 3 6 - 2 3 5 4

First Christian

Church

P .O . S o x 3 0 8

O Neill

N ebras ka

Non

Organ

U.S.

P

PA

Permi

O Neill


9/18

TRIBAL

HEALTH & EVANGELISM

Prayer

Let ter

Miss ionar ies

Forwarding

Agents:

Dr. and Mrs. Larry Banta Mr.

and Mrs. Bo b

Bergm

P.

0 . Box 900

Box

841

Kitale,

Kenya1 Africa O Neill

Nebraska

68763

Dear

Go-Workers

in C hr is t , August

22,

1982

By

the

time

t h i s

l e t t e r

reaches

you,

we

wi l l

al ready

be

a t

work

in Kenya.

This

8 weeks fo llowin g the v i sa

re jec t ion

from Ind ia

have

been

f u l l

of t r ave l , prepara t ion , packing, buying, speaking

and wri t ing .

Now

comes the r e a l t a sk .

Years of prepara t ion have

al ready

gone

by

and God

has

ca l l ed

us to

the ba t t l e l i n e s .

We l e f t August 22, 3*45

p.m.

from Houston,

and

a f t e r a l6-hour

layover

in Amsterdam, we flew

non-stop to Nairobi where

Mr.

Dick

Hamil ton was to meet us a t the a i r po r t .

Af te r

a

few

days of paperwork in Nairobi , we wi l l proceed to

Kitale ,

a

c i t y in

the

h i l l

country

where

many

of the

missionar ies

r e s ide .

Ki ta l e i s

where

we wi l l

r ece ive our mai l . Af t e r

a few

days r e s t ,

purchase

o f food

and

supp l i e s , we wi l l

make

th e

80

mile

t r i p

to

Kiwawa where th e main miss ion s t a t i on i s . We

wi l l

be l i v i ng

with

ano the r

couple

fo r

severa l

months wliLe a house i s b u i l t and furn ished

The

house in Kiwawa i s wi thout r unning water , e l ec t r i c i t y or indoor

b athrooms so

wi l l

be

a r e a l ad jus tment fo r us .

We can pra i se God fo r the many,

many

answered

prayers over

the

pas t

severa l

weeks. Monthly support

i s

s tead i ly increas ing;

enough

was given fo r purchase of t i cke t s and fo r shipping of goods

with

probably enough reserve fo r customs.

Visas

were

no

problem. A

veh ic l e

has been

arranged

f o r ,

in

Kenya,

and

a

home

wi l l

be

bu i l t

from

pro j ec t

funds . Now with

the

undergi rd ing of your prayers

o f f a i t h fo r hea l th and s t r eng th , the .work can be accomplished .

World

Vision,

a non -p ro f i t

r e l i e f

funding organ iza t ion , has been

given

a

gi f t

of 500,000 ear-marked

for

re l ief in

our

area. Much

wll

be

usea

xor agricultural , ree(iing,~~and

well-digging projects

(in

our l a s t

newslet ter ,

we described the

devastation

and starvat ion

among

the

Pokot people due to severe drought of several

years) but

the

remainder

i s fo r medical r e l i e f . The funds wi l l help complete

the c l i n i c , buy suppl ies ,

and

medical equipment,

and eventual ly

to s t a r t a smal l hosp i t a l . We need wisdom to

handle

t he se funds

in a

way

th a t w il l

glor i fy

God.

PRAYER

NEEDS:

l)Safe

trav els in Kenya

2)Completion

of paperwork

3)Good relat ionship with government 4)Health

5)Adjustment to cul ture and language

6)Wisdom

in

the use

of World Vision pro jec t funds

7)Abili ty to use medical

and

teaching ski l l s to bring the Pokot

to

C

8)For

the Pokot to understand the Gospel of Love and have th e oppor t

to

r e spond

9)For more workers to

the

harvest f ie ld

of

Kenya

10)Good

cooperat ion between missionaries

and

between missionary groups

11)Additional

monthly

support fo r

l iving

and

fuel

costs

12)Wisdom for our forwarding agents and

board

PRAISE

GOD

FOR:


10/18

Mission Services

-

HORIZONS

Dr. Larry and Ellen Banta

Tribal Heal th

and

Evangelism

Fie ld Addresss P.O.

Box

Kita le / Kenya]

frica

August 23 1982

Forwa rd ing Agent s;

M/M

Bob Bergman

Box 841

O N e i ll Nebraska 6876

The

Bantas a re

in

Kenya.

n

August 22, 1982 Dr. Larry and Ellen Banta, and their children,

Ethan, Heather, and Nathanneal left

the

United

States for

enya,

to work as medical missionaries. Ln Kenya, they will be working

among the Kara Pokot

tribal

peoples

in

the western

part

of the

country, along with

missionaries

Dick and Jane Hamilton,

Diane and

Justin

Sylvestre,

and Mike and Linda Courtney.

Over the past several years, as

Dr

Banta has been completing bis

medical training, he and Ellen had planned and prepared to go

to

India, but

on June 21, 1982,

they received

word from the

Indian

government

that

the government

there

had denied

them visas to

enter and work in India. Larry and

Ellen

prayerfully sought out

other areas

of

possible service,

and decidedupon Kenya and

the

Kara

Pokot

peoples .

Praise God

for

the many, many answered prayers over

the

past

several

weeks

that

have

enabled Bantas to

go

to

Kenya. rom

the distress and feeling of what do we do now that came with

the Indian visas being

denied,

God has brought joyful anticipation

of

serving in

Kenya and an everincreasing love and burden for

th e

Kara Poko t

Enclosed

i s Larry

and El len s most

recent

newslet ter , and

prayer letter^

which

is the most up-to-date information.

Enclosed

is

a photograph

of

the Banta family.

Please

return

i f at

a ll

possible.)

Please write i f

we

can supply any further information at this time.

e

will

be submitting information as

it

becomes available from

Ban ta s on t h e field

Thank

you.

I n

H is

s e r v i c e ,

Mr. and Mrs. Bob Bergman

Forwarding Agents fo r

Dr. and

Mrs. Larry Banta

TRIBAL

HEALTH AND EVANGELISM

Box 84 l

O N e i ll

NE

68763


11/18

Tribal Health

V Evangelism

\ /

*Dr.

Larry and Ellen Banta

O Box 900

Kitale

Kenya

MEDICAL EVANGELISM IN AFRICA

VOL

II

NO

3

SEPTEMBER,

198

BANTAS ARE IN KENYA

On August 22, 1982, Larry and Ellen Banta and their children left the Unite

States

for

Kenya. Years of preparation have already gone by and

God

has called

us to the battle lines,

Larry

wrote.

After

a

hour layover in Amsterdam,

they

flew nonstop to Nairobi where

Dick Hamilton

was

to meet them. They expected

to be

in Nairobi tor

a

few

days

of paperwork, and then to proceed to Kitale.

Praise

God

for

the

many,

many

answered prayers

over

the

past

several

weeks

What order

and purpose

He has brought

From

the distress

and

the

feeling

of

what do we do now? that

followed Bontas being denied visas

to

India

in

June,

God has

brought them

to

joyful anticipation of serving in Kenya, and has

given

them an ever-increasing

love

and

burden for

the

Kara Pokot tribal peoples. Praise

God

for His

leading

them

to

the Kara Pokot and for His providing so that Larry

nd Ellen can go there to serve. Monthly support is steadily increasing, enough

has been given to purchase the tickets and for shipping their goods, visas were

no problem, a vehicle has been arranged for

in

Kenya, a

missionary

couple will

their

home

in

the village

with

Bantas so

that

housing

is

immediately

pro

and funds are available for

them

to

build

a village home in the

months

ead. Praise

God

for the missionaries in that area (Dick and Jane Hamilton,

and Diane

Sylvestre, Mike

and Linda

Courtney)

and

for

the encouragement,

upport and guidance that they have already extended to Bantas. Praise God also

or the love and support that each of you has given to Larry and Ellen over these

ars of preparation, and for the

vital

port that you continue to have

in

their work.


12/18

W HE N Y O U P R A Y . .

.

Anytime a family moves there ore

many adjustments to be made. Imagine

moving half-way around the world to

a different culture, language, climate,

co-workers, home (with no electricity

or running water). Please pray for Larry,

Ellen, Ethan,

Heather and Nathanneal

as they face

these

adjustments. Pray

for Go d to give

them peace strength

health and wisdom.

LARGE G R A N T GIVEN FO R P OK OT W ORK

A group of interested individuals

from Minnesota has

decided to

grant

through World Vision a total of 500,000

for

the purpose of relief work

among

th e K a ra P o k o t. T h e monies

o re

to b e

used in development of

water

sources

agricultural

programs expansion

of

feeding programs

completion

of clinic

and expansion to a

hospital

roadside

medical programs, medical instruments

and

supplies. This

grant

frees our

per

sonal budget a great

deal

allowing

us

for

the

tim e being

to

be

only

respon

sible for

the

Bontos

ow n

living support,

f u e l c o s t s nd i n c i d e n t a l ssoci ted

e x p e n s e s

Th e

project

funds con also be

used

to build a

dwelling

for the Bontos in

Kiwawa the main mission

outpost

in

the Kara Pokot area. They will also be

permitted to use the World Vision

jeep

for t r ve l

L I VI NG Q U A RT E RS

Kitale is the main city in the

ar

th e

P o k o t

t ri b e. It

lies in the

hill

boasts a

good

climate and has

quate facilities for purchasing

and

supplies. Many of the mission

in

the

re

live

in

Kitale

a n d

t rav e

to mission posts,

spending

several

and returning for supplies and

As Kitale is part of th e White High

settled by

the

British, many adeq

h o m e s

ore

avai l abl e.

T h e B a nt a s

been given use of a house rente

Helimission a

nondenominot

helicopter mission service. They

be a b l e to

u s e

it s e v e r a l m on th s

arranging

fo r one of t he ir o wn .

Though living in Kitale is relat

comfortable th e

Bantas

h a v e de

to hov e o r to s h o r e a sm a l l

h o u

Kitale for use 4 or 5 days per m

for rest and to stay in while bu

supplies.

The remainder

of each month

be spent in Kiwawa, some 80 mil

poorly

(or un-)

maintained road

th e n o r t h of Kitale.

Justin

and

Diane Sylvestre are

rently residing in Kiwawa and

opened

their

home

to

the

Bontos

w

the Bantas plan and build

their

home

nearby.

Living in the village of Kiwawa

allow Lorry and Ellen to be cl

associated with

the

Pokot people

THE

CCK

The ssociation

of

Christian

Church

of Kenya

ACCK was develo

for the purpose of meeting government requirements that missionaries m

work under

recognized

organizations.

ll

work among the western Pokot

is

un

ACCK and therefore the

Bontos

are

also The

ACCK is

made

up of

fricans

acts as

the

on-the-field board for

the

work in

the

Pokot area.


13/18

PRIMARY HEALTH CARE (PHC)

In our own country,

i

a community has 1000 people and no doctor, they are

considered to be in a shortage area. n most urban areas, there

is

one physician

for

each

500

people. n many

parts of

Africa

and other

developing

areas of the

world,

there

may

only

be one

doctor

for

20,000

or

even

50,000

people. One

docto

cannot provide services for all these people. he were to see 100 patients pe

day a reasonable day

in

the tropics for a year, he

would hove only

seen a por

of

the population, and

no

one could hove

had

surgery or returned

for

follow-up

Since

in many of

these

areas,

a large majority of the population

is

sick, a

higher

percentage must be seen than in our own healthy country.

The World

Health Organization along with many developing country

governmental

health agencies

developed

a plan to best utilize available resources and

provide

health

care to the greatest

number

of

people.

These methods

hove

been

adopted

world-wide

and

have

attained great

success

in

many

areas.

Medical

evangelism

programs have been the leader in its development and continue to promote i

effectively

as it also opens the way for

effective

planting of the

seed

of the Gospel

1) Health Services available to all. Technology directed at the majority health

problems rather than developing sophisticated western technology to benefit the

few

2) Community participation in Health Care so that health becomes a way o

life rather than a profiting business. Poromedicols and technicians can be trained

to core for a wide variety of common problems, freeing

the

doctor and nurse to

do the more difficult tasks. Communities con participate in their own health

teaching programs using traditional means of communication (drums, dancing

songs, etc.) Bible

stories

con also

be

effectively

taught

this way.

3) Focus on prevention. Nutrition, agricultural

and

water programs, health

teaching, immunizations, and under 5 s program. Maternal and infant health

training of midwives and even traditional healers in useful medical techniques.

4) Integration with general educational and relief programs.

n

this manner, the doctor and nurse are less overworked (after the program

s implemented) and skills they have can then be used quite effectively to

demon

the love

of od

Effective paramedical training programs can be associated with preacher

raining schools on the field, thus allowing these trained to preach to also be

le to provide some physical help. In manyways PHC can open doors to effective


14/18

FINANCIAL

REPORT

Monthly financial support for Larry

and Ellen is steadily increasing. We

praise God

that

this

need

is being pro

vided. The cost of living in Kenya is

e s t i m a t e d to

b e th re e

t ime s

th at

of

U. S. a n d missionaries t h e r e h a v e told

Santos

that

they will

need

1000/month

for personal living expenses and fuel

costs for their vehicle. Currently, 575

is being given each month by committed

congregations and

individuals. Santas

feel they can exist on this; we pray

that as other families and congregations

see that arry and llen are actually

on

the

field, they will

want

to also

help provide monthly support.

Complete financial reports ore avail

able. Please request such information

by writing to Sox 841, O'Neill, N

68763

FOR TH E B A N T A

FAMILY

Larry and Ellen have specifi

suggested

one thing that each o

con

do

for

t he m wr it e l et te rs .

address

is :

P .

O

S o x 9 0 0

Kitole, Kenya, Africa

We would add the suggestion tha

encourage

Santas and show them

core by remembering special fa

occas ions :

Nothanneal's second birthday

September 2 (Send a greeting now

Ethan's fifth birthday is October

Ellen's birthday is November 26,

their wedding anniversary is the

s

day.

Plan ahead. It seems to req

about

2

weeks

for mail to reach th

although

some letters, have take

long

OS

a

month

to

arrive

to us

the missionaries in Kenya.

Tribal

Health

and

Evangelism

First Christian Church Mission to Kenya

P .

O .

B o x

84 1

O N e i l l N E 68763

Forwarding Agent Mr. Mrs. Robert Bergman

4 0 2 - 3 3 6 - 2 3 5 4

Non Pro

Organiza

U.S. P os

PAID

Pe rm i t N

O N e i l l N E


15/18

Dp n

Tribal Health

V Evangel

W D r Larry and ll n

P O Box

900

Kitale Kenya

/^/^EDICAL

EVANGELISM IN AFRICA

VOL.

II

NO. 4

DECEMBER

LIFE

A T K I W A W A

ByEllen Banta

America

seems like a dream

now.

The only

reality

is

the harshne

weaves thefabric of Pokot life. Scrubby thorn trees are scattered freely on t

dy

hills. Without rain these

hardy

trees, aswell asweaker people, die. The

su

that Ethan s nose

and

cheeks

are constantly

blistered

{in

spite of sun s

u^

children

are

all

becoming

white-blonde.

There

are

so

many

flies

and

be

hey fly into our mouths

or

go in

on

our food while we re

eating.

Our days ar

with sickness, including

our

own family. Thank

God

they

are better

now. H

and Nathanneol

were very sick. Nathanneal

is

getting stronger every day

(

to

all who

prayed and continue

praying).

Many

nights, Irocked him, both of

ing

and me praying.

When

he became too weak to

cry

I knew real fear. I ca

identify

fully

with

the mothers

here as their children are

sick, and some dying

sure we

would

loseNathanneal, but

in hours

hewas better.

As

1sat near

his

would pray. In my

tiredness, I

found myself praying,

of

all

things,

for

a

r

c h a i r t

Then

Larry

got

malaria. I

hit

a

new

low

in

discouragement.

It

is

during

like

these thatGod

touches His

weakening servants

and inspires

them

with

day things Ethan s ready smile. Heather s sweetness, and Nathanneal s s

that shone through illness. These oil comforted me.

Lorry

was better fast, and Nathanneal gains strength every day.

God is

Larry

is back to

his

gruelling schedule of 50-100 patients a

day,

many o

compl fted cases. I clean and dress dozens of ulcers, infected burns and th

present thorn

wounds. We

have a hard

time

keeping the patients

oft

veranda-dining room, and away from the children. We feel

cruel

sending

t


16/18

the back of the house, but our children need the protecfion.

keen them

away.

There

ore

children and

babies that

would die

m

hours witho

The only place

to hook

them up

is on the

veranda.

Then

Ihave a

hard

Heather

from mothering

them.

We

are looking forward to

the clmic

build

ing done where

the

cases can be dealt with away from

the

children.^^

The

foundation ofourhouse is doneand the

walls

are

going

up.

The hou

be

made

of

cement

block

-the

cheapest

and

coolest

material.

The

kids

are

e

that we

will

have a home after months of roaming. t ..

The

Pokot

people

are fun to

work

with.

n spite of the harshness of

the

they

have a lively sense

of

humor. And

they

are

hungry

for God s Word. N

were baptized two weeks

ago.

This makes everything worthwhile.

Soon we

will

be acclimatized and life will be more comfortable for u

then,

we are

learning

the precious gift of

leaning on God

tor

everything.

MEDICAL

EVANGELISM

MON THE

KARA POKOT

TRIBE

The

Kara

Pokot

clinic was

started

by

Diane Messick now Sylvestre as a

relief project to try to help

with the

overwhelming medical problems due

to

drought and

repeated

cattle

raids from

other tribes

with

automatic weapons.)

There were epidemics of cholera and

measles to

control,

an immunization

program to start and a clinic building to

plan.

All this

was

done.

Rains

returned,

a peace

treaty

was signed, and a

semblance

of normal life began.

That

is

when th e

Santas were cal led and

went to

Kiwawa, not knowing

what to

expect or even really why they

going.

Whether this

is

long

term

a few years while waiting for

In

reopen

is

not

known.

The w

medical evangelism is now beg

Kiwawa. Clinics start with a pre

service

and

personal

witnessin

African pastor

occompanies

clinics. A wide variety of patien

treated

and eventually

even mo

be helped as

the clinic expand

purpose is now clearly seen: To e

medical

services, organize,the

m

evangel ism program, and

effe

make the clinic

an

a rea of outre

th e Afr ican church .

Dr. Larry

SIDE EFFECTS

n order to

complete

the

building

program

in

developing Kiwawa

miis

was necessary to hire experienced builders from Kitale to come and live in

Ki

The

main

contractor

has been

in Kiwawa

several

months, and enough

work re

for

him

for another 6 to 8months.

What

happens to non-Christians who

come

n Kiwawa? The

witness

of theChristians is truly alive. So far, three (the mai

factors) have been baptized and

really

have

a

great witness

themselves.

due entire y

to

the witness of

African

Christians.

Praise

God for

working in

and

pray

that

His influence continues.


17/18

tARRY AT THE

CLINIC with the

usual opening

time line of pa

tients.

The clinic

is now held in the

shade

of this

roken down

truck, or

in the

t ree-shade, or

near

or in)

the

Sylvestres home

where

Bantas

are also living un

til their house is

built.)

The clinic building

is under construction,

and

is to be completed

sho

\ WHEN YOU PRAY....

,

'eceptiveness 6f~the~Kara

Pokot to the Gosp

chi dren s regained health; for

Santa's safety

and

God's

care

of

them,

for

ciol

support that has been given. .

CONTINUE

TO

SK

GOD to protect Larry,

Ellen,

and the

children

from

diseases

to

which

they

are

exposed,

especially during

this

time

of

adju

local

conditions and

food;

to

provide

them with

the

needed financial suppo

guide them with the

wisdom

to effectively bring the Good News to the K

FINANCIAL

SUPPORT

We praise God that regular support for the Santas is

continuing

to

When

they

left for

Kenya

(August

22,

1982),

support

was at

575/monyh

about 850/month. They will be

needing

about

1,000/month for

personal

penses and

fuel

costs

for their jeep.

Enough

has

tjeen given,

also, to mak

payment on a used jeep, to pay for the licensing and insurance on the ve

for

Santas to be able to purchase the basic furnishings that they will need

home .

Additional

service

link is yetneeded to provide salaries

for clinic

help

(about 3/gallon), vehicle upkeep, household and clinic furnishings,

me

lab supplies.

Cost

of living in Kenya is estimated to be three times that

If

you would like

to helpprovide needed support, write to us; r and

Bergman (Forwarding

Agents)

for Dr.

and ^ ^s

Lorry Banta,

Tribal


18/18

SPIRITUAL HEALTH ..

uu

Since

the real objective

of Kara Pokot

Clinic is promoting

spiritual

health r

than

only

providing help

for

physical illness,

it

is

necessary

to

plan

a

way

to be

effective. Already God has provided the

row

material.

One person very inter

in hospital work has

been

assigned to the clinic. is job

is

to

visit inpotients

the

hospital is

completed

this coming

spring ,

to open

clinic withproyer and

a

Bible

lesson,

and to be available

for

counseling

of the bereaved or the

dying

last part seems

very hard

for any tribal in Africa as

even some Christians

hav

been

taught

how

todeal

with death. We

are

beginning seminars to help the

pa

deal with issues suchas this. Wehave thus far twodressers paramedical wor

with

plans to hire more as support

increases.

oth

ore

very active in the

church

and are very good at personal witnessing. Even our

own house

help

is

a

dedicated Christian, active in the church choir. What a treasure we have. No

mains thetaskofputting all this raw material

into

a

very

beautiful finished pro

Pray that God will guide us in this.

Dr. Lorry

SEND A

CARD

OR LETTER TO

KENYA

As you think of Lorry and Ellen and their family, share yourself I Write th

letter or send a cord. We hove found that it usually costs 40 cents to air mail a

and that it requires about two weeks to arrive in Kenya. Or, purchase an aero

at the post office for 30 cents on which to write your letter. For 30 or 40 cents

could provide much encouragement

to

the Bontosl

Tribal Health

and

Evangelism

First

Christ ian Church

Mission

to Kenya

P . O.

Box 841

O Neill , NE

68763

Forwarding

Agent

Mr.

Mrs.

Robert Bergman

402-336-2354

O H : i o n S

P o .

Bo/

PAI 3 y

N o n

Organ

U.S. P

P A

P e r m i

O Nei il ,

banta larry ellen 1982 india&kenya

Documents