The Anthis Family Adventures
Volume 3, Issue #1 joel.anthis@sim.org www.anthisfamily.com February, 2004
Anthis Family at SIMCO in July, 2003 Joel and Cindy with the Chief of Dass and his new solar
powered hearing aid
Anthis Update
Dear Friends and Family,
We have hit the ground running in 2004. Joel preached a wedding in December (don’t worry, a real pastor did the vows), and another Sunday sermon in January. Joel and Cindy have both been on village medical outreaches. Joel has increased his clinical time in the hospital, and Cindy is beginning to help in the medical clinic at Gidan Bege (an inter-city ministry to street kids and the outcasts of society). The highlights so far have been Joel meeting the Muslim chief of the small village where we held our medical clinic. He has a significant hearing loss, and we invited him to come to Jos and be evaluated for a solar powered hearing aid. The chief was a good candidate for a hearing aid and will be making monthly visits to Joel’s clinic as he adjusts to his hearing aid. Praise God for beginning this relationship through the chief’s felt need. Pray that Joel will have opportunities to share as this relationship grows. For more complete stories of our recent medical outreaches go to our web site at www.anthisfamily.com and go to the Blog section.
Cindy examining a patient on an outreach Austin, Abigail and Allison with our puppy Grace
Cindy’s Corner
The New Year has brought a new semester at school for Austin and Allison. Austin is struggling to find his place and his group of friends. He has started tennis lessons and is really enjoying playing. We hope this will help him in his adjusting. Allison has started gymnastics and is a natural. The fact that her mother is her coach is the only draw back! Abigail is continuing to increase her vocabulary in both English and Hausa. She is in the two year old class at BSF each week. Her teachers call her “Peace”. When I asked why, they told me whenever the other children are upset she hugs them and wipes away their tears. I think Abigail’s adjustment has been the easiest of all of us!
Hausa Language Class
We are both continuing to study Hausa daily with a language helper. We are also putting ourselves into situations where we have to use what we know. Joel is using his language skills in the clinic as he sees his patients. Cindy is trying out her Hausa at a free clinic for street people a few hours a week. We both are realizing that we must adopt a lifestyle of learning and be willing to make mistakes trying if we are going to be successful in our language acquisition.
Medical Rounds
Praise the Lord for the arrival of an operative microscope in Jos. This scope was donated by an ENT in California over a year ago, and through a series of miracles and the help of many of our supporters it has arrived in Jos and is ready to be installed in the Eye and Ear Clinic. This is the only instrument of its kind in Northern Nigeria and will allow Joel to begin doing delicate ear surgery to restore hearing. Slowly the Lord is providing a way for the needed ENT specific medical equipment to make its way to us in Jos! Thanks for your continued prayers for this aspect of our ministry.
Prayer and Praise
Praises
1. God’s awesome presence on our recent medical outreach trips.
2. God’s protection for our family
3. God’s faithfulness in providing for the safe arrival of the operative microscope in Jos!
4. Improved water supply at our home
Prayer Requests
1. Pray that Austin will find his place here and adjust to life as an MK
2. Pray that Joel’s ministry as the only ENT in Northern Nigeria will continue to develop
3. Pray for open hearts to hear the Gospel and believe in Jesus Christ, the Great Physician, who saves completely and eternally.
4. Pray that God would open the way for more of the equipment Joel needs to do ENT specific work to be acquired and shipped to Jos
5. Cindy’s upcoming two week CME conference in Kenya which is held every other year specifically for medical missionaries. She leaves this Saturday.
In Christ,
Joel and Cindy
Austin, Allison, and Abigail