Dear Friends,                          

 I’ve just come back from a very exciting trip to the DR Congo and wanted to give you an update on the work of International Needs in that region, particularly at Ephata School for the Deaf in Lubumbashi.

Our mission was to hold a week long VBS for the children at the school and work on a dormitory that is being built for those who would like to attend the school but live too far away.

The first part of the dormitory is now finished. We still need to add a section for the house parents, a dining hall and a kitchen. With the help of our partners, we will continue to support the school until the project is finished.

The VBS was a big success with the students. Over 100 children attended. With the help of their teachers, we were able to communicate with the children the wonderful love of Jesus in stories, songs (the deaf sing by signing their songs), puppet shows, crafts and games. I will hold memories of that week in my heart forever. One especially thrilling moment for me was on the last day of our VBS when Jenovic Kisindi, an 8 year old boy, signed excitedly that when Jesus comes back, he is going to go up, up, up to meet Him and go to his new home in Heaven. That spurred the others on to declare their love and devotion to Jesus. It was very moving.

The teachers and administrator at the school are an amazing group of dedicated Christians. They work tirelessly to give the children a quality education. The students also learn a trade so that they can be self-supporting when they graduate from the school. The teachers were thrilled when we told them that we were leaving all our teaching materials with them and that twenty-five boxes of French books were on their way to the school from Canada, donated by School District 1 in New Brunswick.

Every day, lunch was provided for the children and on the last day of our VBS, each child received a care packet with toiletries, fun school stuff, sweets and a gospel of John.

Your love and support is having an amazing impact on these children. Their classrooms have been painted with bright, happy colors and really nice artwork. They now have equipment for playing sports. The soccer team won a championship and proudly showed us their trophy. They are receiving a quality education from highly qualified staff, most of whom have over 20 years of experience. The children have a warm, nutritious meal every day, school uniforms, medical care, Christian care, Bible teaching and hope for the future!

I wish you could have been with us. I’m hoping that the photos in this newsletter will show you a little of what we were able to do. From the children and teachers at Ephata School for the Deaf, many, many thanks for your kind and generous support. You are making a difference! I have seen it with my own eyes.

God bless you all,

Gabrielle Marshall

International Needs Canada

“The LORD is a refuge for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble. Those who know your name trust in you, for you, LORD, have never forsaken those who seek you.”

Psalm 9:9-10

Clinique Papillon

Clinique Papillon is now an established maternity clinic with 33 beds serving the Lubumbashi area in Katenga province, DR Congo. The clinic sees on average 600 patients and delivers between 55-60 babies monthly.

Because of the highly qualified staff, the beautiful facility, the cleanliness, the abundance of water, the mosquito nets and the wonderful Christian care received by patients, Clinique Papillon has been chosen by the government to be the official vaccination centre, circumcision centre and HIV centre for Lubumbashi.

Clinique Papillon is also self-supporting with a little left over every month to put in the bank and some towards the Poor Fund (for those who can’t afford to buy food while they are receiving care and for those who cannot afford the clinic fees).

January Revenues - $3,335.82 US              April Revenues - $3,795.14 US

January Expenditures - $2,932.93               April Expenditures - $3,675.94

Bankable for January – $402.89                  Bankable for April- $119.20

The Clinic employs 2 full-time doctors, 9 nurses, one lab technician, an administrator, a chaplain , 2 cleaning ladies, 1 day guard and 2 night guards.

Excellent healthcare benefits everyone. Clinique Papillon is a shining example.