Newsletter from the Chambers- Feb. 29, 2008

Dear friends and supporters and prayer partners,

It's another Friday afternoon and as usual the clinic closed around one o'clock.  Today being the last day of the month, the clinic staff headed
to Corozal town to do their banking with their pay checks in hand.  The clinic staff are much encouraged, including myself, as we see God's hand
directing our steps in ministry.  I am amazed at the amount of people that come from great distances to receive care.

One recent highlight was the welcoming of Drs. Cal and Linda Dykstra. Dr. Cal saw several patients in the clinic being a "second opinion"
doctor for cancer patients.  He also saw many of our regular diabetics, etc.  Dr. Linda, being a psychologist, counseled several needy families.
This warm, amiable, sensitive woman was assisted by our staff member, Lydia Vallejos, who received training (she already has the gift of a
counseling heart).  The staff members have come to me in the past requesting a counselor to come help us and we are thankful for this
provision.  Pray for Lydia as she follows up our patients.  Patchakan has the reputation of alcoholism and abuse in families.  (I could tell you
some heartbreaking stories)  We continue to pray that God will use us. Another praise is the development of "Jacob's farm", a nearby Christian
alcohol rehab camp, started by men in our Patchakan church.  Support is coming in the way of our church and surrounding villages to create a
place where men can stay for several months to overcome their gripping alcohol addiction and find the Purpose God has for thier lives in Christ
Jesus.

I have a story to tell about a home visit....  Lydia Vallejos goes with me on home visits.  Many of my patients are Spanish speaking and Lydia knows
the language and the culture!  I scheduled a visit to one woman (82 yrs young) that I have visited for years, bringing her high blood pressure
medicines every 1-2 months.  When we arrived at her house she was in a fight with her common law husband getting ready to leave him (walk out)
at that very moment.  I could tell by the heated talk that something was wrong and I prayed, as Lydia sat quietly listening to each side, drawing
up a chair between them.  Each had their time to vent and vent they did. Each were hurt from happenings over the Christmas/New Year holiday.  She
went off with her family and didn't include him.  He was hurt.  He has provided for her for longer than we knew and were touched by the fact
that he really did care for her.  After they talked, they became calmer. Lydia brought them together, said a few words, brought their hands
together and prayed for them.  Each had tears in their eyes and thankful that someone was there to help them communicate how they felt.  When we
passed by their house the next week to quickly check on them, the wife looked up at Lydia and said, "I am very happy now."  Little did we know
that the next elderly couple to visit that day was in a big argument as we arrived!  Lydia and I did the same thing.  We let them talk out their
grievances and got them to hold hands, ask for forgiveness and they cried in reconciliation.  I thought my home visits were only for medical
reasons!!!  Ha!  We have become marriage counselors!

Our house seems empty now with the girls gone, but next week comes Caroline Neely, a nursing student friend from our church in Stanley, NC.
This summer we will house more people, mainly a nurse that comes for 2 months.  I am proud of Garry as he works diligently on his courses and
his steady guiding work with the churches and at the clinic.  He is developing discipleship material to implement in the local churches.  On
Good Friday he will be the speaker for the local Presbyterian churches as they meet together all day.  Pray for him as he prepares his message and
for good attendance.

Our Rebecca leaves with her friends for Florida on Sunday for Spring break.  "I have to go where it is warm!" she says.  Pray for them as they
travel.  Saturday, March 1, is Chayo's (Amy's husband) birthday.  We love our wonderful son-in-laws!!  Garry especially likes them as now he has
more men in the family--more on "his side", he says.

Thank you for praying...thank you for caring....We thank the Lord for all of you,  Anita Chambers

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