Urgent Ministry Needs

Kudvumisa Clinic:  CHIPS reached operational capacity last year.  Hundreds served could be thousands with a local clinic. The vision for a community clinic and education centre buttressed by a business incubator remains the long term vision for bringing sustainable compassionate and holistic care into the impoverished and marginalized communities we work in in Swaziland.  You can help by donating to purchase the property to develop the three fold vision.  Visit kudvumisafoundation.org/RDAF/HowToContribute.asp to learn how to help. CD4 Reagent:  CHIPS clients are impacted with the rest of the country with the lack of reagents for the machines that perform CD4 counts.  The CD4 count is an indicator of how far the HIV virus has progressed in attacking a person's immune system.  The lower the count, the more compromised the immune system is.  Without the ability to measure the CD4 count, patients can not be initiated onto the drugs to control the HIV virus until they physically start manifesting symptoms of full blown AIDS.  For many it will be too late.  For patients already on these drugs, there is no way to monitor if the drugs are effective or not.  Again until it is too late.  We are striving to raise funds to supply a minimal amount of the reagent for the hospital the CHIPS clients rely on.  If you can help, visit worldoutreach.org/missionaries/donate.php?m=Daran%20and%20Teresa%20Rehmeyer&i=111 .  To ensure donations for the CD4 reagent are allocated properly, please email us as well at daran@kudvumisaglass.com UPDATE:   We have been assured that government stocks of CD4 reagent will be replenished in March.  We try not to be pessimistic about promises from Government.

Recommended Reading Here is a book we would highly recommend. It will push the envelope of our "comfortable" Christianity.

Favorite Verses Actually the entire book of James is my favorite.  But we'll leave you with this:  Suppose a brother or a sister is without clothes and daily food.  If one of you says to them, “Go in peace; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it?  James 2: 15 & 16. We are honored and privileged to be able to be here in Swaziland and do what we do.  We are thankful for the support and prayers of everyone who makes it possible. P.S. - if you want to support our ministry, the fastest way is to make an Online Donation via www.WorldOutreach.org.  Go to "Donate" and select our name.  The system can process USA & International cards.  You can also set up automatic monthly gifts if you select the "Monthly" option.  Or simply mail your gift to World Outreach Ministries, PO Box B, Marietta, GA 30061 and designate for Daran & Teresa Rehmeyer, Fund Code #111.

Empowerment

We have been able to facilitate four women from an informal settlement in Vuvulane to begin sewing classes.  One of the women is a CHIPS client.  All live in conditions that are horrendous to what we are used to.  Through the generosity of several ladies in Pennsylvania, we were able to pay for their schooling and purchase hand powered sewing machines for them.  All of the women have signed contracts to purchase the machines over time so we can continue expanding the training to more and more women and supply them with machines as well.  This is a huge first step in empowering these women to be able to earn money to take care of their families.

CHIPS 2011

Last year, CHIPS had over 2000 recorded client service contacts.  Client service contacts include individual HIV testing, counseling, drawing blood for CD4's and blood chemistry, transporting clients to the closest hospital for CD4 and blood chemistry results, initiation on anti-retrovirals, anti-retroviral refills .......
Here are several stories of CHIPS clients this past year.  The CHIPS staff began counseling with Mcebo in November to be tested for HIV.  Mcebo was already extremely sick and thin and physically exhibiting all the signs of HIV progressing into AIDS.  He agreed and was tested late November.  He tested positive, so Mary drew blood for the CD4, hoping that the hospital would run the test since Mcebo was so sick.  Thankfully they did and Mcebo started on the anti-retrovirals in December.  He was still very sick.  He also began a regimen of drugs for TB.  CHIPS provided all the transport for this father and husband.  He had been too sick to take on any work as a day laborer in the sugar cane fields.  Any cost to travel to the hospital was beyond his reach.  Especially if he still wanted to be able feed his family.  Today Mcebo is "midway through to a full recovery and out of danger."  CHIPS staff monitor his progress by making frequent visits to his home and continuing to provide transport for his drug refills and doctor visits.
This is a typical story for a man with HIV.  It seems men wait till they are on death's door before they take action.  Women on the other hand are much more proactive!  But Mcebo did get tested in time and was able to start on drug early enough that he should recover and be able to return to work to provide for his family. Praise God!
Thembi, a young HIV+ mother, was initiated on anti-retrovirals early in the year.  She suffered a stroke shortly after being initiated on the anti-retrovirals and was entirely bed ridden.  But during a home visit in December, she was found walking and praising God, shouting, “Thank you Jesus I can walk!”  Still partially paralyzed, she was up and about her homestead, praising God.