Liberian Medical Clinic Update

Liberia is one of the world’s poorest countries with approximately 85% of the population living below the international poverty level. This means that the people of Liberia are extremely vulnerable to food shortages and in 2007 a reported 20.4% of all children under the ages of 5 were malnourished. Liberia is also home to a number of communicable diseases including Tuberculosis and Malaria among many other ailments that when  left untreated can cause extreme sickness and even death. Civil war strife destroyed 95% of the country’s healthcare facilities. In 2008 it was reported that there was only 1 doctor to every 100,000 people. With statistics such as these it is imperative that Compassion Services International continues to support its current medical clinic. This is an ongoing 24 hour clinic that serves hundreds of patients every month. We have received another great first quarter report from those working in the clinic. The clinic reported treating over 800 patients during the first quarter of 2012. The staff treated cases of Malaria, Measles, UTIs and other Typhoid related illnesses. They also treated traffic accident victims and those suffering physical trauma and head injuries and the list goes on.  They happily reported the birth of 34 healthy babies. In the midst of the daily business of taking care of patients the clinic was able to undergo some renovations and was  blessed to receive some much-needed medical equipment and supplies.Compassion Services International celebrates a successful 1st quarter. Thank you for your prayers and support. Because of your gifts this clinic is able to help people who normally would be without basic medical care. What you give matters. It matters to children like these who were recently treated for Malaria.

You can donate at anytime by visiting http://www.compassionservices.org or by mailing your gift to our office:

3333-1 Rue Royale, St. Charles, MO 63301

Are You Ready To Make a Difference?

There are many times during a day when you may ask your self, does my life make a difference? Do I give enough? Am I the change I want to see in the world? Are the things I am focused on making a difference for eternity? If you can relate then Compassion Services International wants to give you the opportunity to make a difference in the lives of people in desperate situations. Compassion Services International has partnered with Apostolic Youth Corps for a combined trip to Haiti in June/July 2012 and another trip is planned for August 2012 to the Dominican Republic. There is still time for you to be involved in both of these efforts.

What role can you play? The team traveling to Haiti will be participating in several medical clinics and visiting two Orphanages. The Dominican team will also be conducting several medical clinics. Supplies are still needed to make these efforts a success. If your church, group or company is interested in helping with donations there is still time. Items needed include: Over The Counter Vitamins with iron for children and adults, Pain relievers, Cold medication, Triple Antibacterial Ointment, Bandages and tape, Band Aids, Pepto, Gloves, Thermometers, Scales, Stethoscopes, Blood Pressure Coughs, Tongue Depressors, Cotton Balls, Gauze, Tooth Brushes, Tooth Paste and personal hygiene and feminine products. Financial donations for supplies and to purchase food distribution items and small toys can also be sent to our office. By partnering with us by donating financially or by gathering supplies you will play a personal role in reaching the people of Haiti and the Dominican Republic.

If you feel like you would like to volunteer for a trip we still have slots available for the Dominican Republic. To receive additional details and an application you can contact CSI at mlavoi@compassionservices.org. Financial donations can be made on our homepage by visiting http://www.compassionservices.org and clicking the Donate Now button. Supplies and check donations can be sent to our office at: 3333-1 Rue Royale, St. Charles, MO 63301. By being one to Give or one to Go you will be fulfilling the words of Christ when he said, “I assure you, when you did it to one of the least of my brothers and sisters, you were doing it to me!” Matthew 25:40 NLT

Some of the faces YOU have helped

Faces like these remind us that our giving matters. You may feel like that your gift can’t matter when so many are in need but these pictures prove that it does. These families have felt the strain of worry due to a severe drought in Africa. Worried that they will not have enough food to feed their families.

The smile on this woman’s face brings tears to my eyes. Her excitement over receiving a tub filled with grain is undeniable. The worry she has felt because of the drought has lifted. Her family now has food. I began to think about my recent Easter weekend. Gong to church and celebrating our risen Lord was the focus but, like many people, I spent Easter morning  worried about matching outfits and taming bed head so that the Easter picture would look nice. I wasn’t worried about if there was enough food at the Easter feast but rather,  how in the world could we possibly eat it all. Leftovers have provided some yummy ham sandwiches this week. Baskets were filled with special treats and eggs were hidden for the little ones to find. Upon receiving these pictures I got a much needed reality check. My worries pale in comparison. To help a world in need is the mission of Compassion Services International. Helping people just like this. Because of you it is happening. Thank you again for your continued support.

If you have not had the chance to give there is still time. We have received word that there are funds to purchase only a few more bags of grain. Those on the ground have told us having these bags of grain has given them tremendous ability to meet many people. While helping to meet the physical need of hunger they can also share the message of the Gospel. If you would like to help you can visit our homepage at http://www.compassionservices.org and click on the Donate to African Drought  link. It only takes $36.00 to purchase a bag of grain that can feed a family for 2 months. You can also mail donations to our office at 3333-1 Rue Royale, St. Charles, MO 63301. Please mark your donation for African Drought Relief. Thanks again for all that you do to help a hurting world.

Give or Go?

If given the opportunity most people would like to go on a trip with the purpose of helping those in need around the world. But not everyone is called to go some are called to give. That is the question for you today. The world we live in is a place plagued with disaster and suffering. Many times we may think if we can’t go we don’t matter. We can’t make a difference. Just because I can’t go doesn’t mean I am not called. Not everyone has the physical or financial means to go to a far away place to help those in need. So often we think I have so little to offer. I can’t make a big difference so why give at all? Mother Teresa said it this way, “We ourselves feel that what we are doing is just a drop in the ocean. But the ocean would be less because of that missing drop.” God has given us all unique talents and financial resources. Thankfully God and those in need do not measure our generosity based on the miles traveled or the dollar amount of our donation. What matters is the desire to help those less fortunate and then taking the action to help.

Compassion Services International has two exciting projects planned for the summer of 2012. The first is taking place at the end of June. CSI is partnering with Apostolic Youth Corps for a trip to Haiti. While in Haiti volunteers will be sharing the love of Jesus while visiting Orphanages to pass out toys to more than 100 children. Medical volunteers will be holding medical clinics and participants will also be doing food distribution to those in need.

The second project is a Medical Missions trip to the Dominican Republic in August. There is still time to sign up as a volunteer for this trip. The dates are August 13-18, 2012. The estimated cost is $1500.00 which will include air travel from Miami to the Dominican Republic, transportation, housing and breakfast and lunch while in the Dominican Republic. Volunteers will  need to add in additional travel, food and spending money. For more information or to request an application email mlavoi@compassionservices.org.

If you do not feel called to go you have the opportunity to give to these projects. The participants are in need of medical supplies for both trips. Supplies needed include: Adult/Children Vitamins, Cold Medications and Pain Relievers, Triple Antibiotic Ointment, Peroxide, Rubbing Alcohol, Iodine, Band Aids, Bandages/Tape, Latex Gloves, Face Masks, Pepto bismol , Antacids, Vaginal Creams for infections, Tooth Paste, Tooth Brushes, Large Ziploc bags and equipment to take temperatures and blood pressure. Supplies can be sent to our office at 3333-1 Rue Royale, St. Charles, MO 63301.

Financial donations can be made on our homepage at www.compassionservices.org or mailed to our office.

We ask that each of you prayerfully consider your role to go or to give and answer the call.