Celebrating Heritage Church Team Impact
In April we wrapped up a visit from a team of eight people from Heritage Church in Ohio, and our hearts are full of gratitude as we think about all that God did through them during their 12 days here in Kapsowar.
Heritage Church has been walking alongside us for years, and every time they come, their presence brings fresh encouragement. They brought energy, servant hearts, and a willingness to jump in wherever needed. Check out what an impact they made!
Pastor Zoe, visiting with moms in the pediatric ward
Mike, busy at work painting the new Kangaroo Care room
Practical Projects That Touched Many:
• Transported 14 bags of mostly donated medical supplies
• Renovated the Kangaroo Care and Community Educator rooms
• Built 4 benches, 3 picnic tables, and a gaga pit for a local school
• Installed 250 feet of chain-link fencing at a local school
• Built and installed 4 new shelves
• Fixed 6 sinks/faucets and repaired 4 doors
• Helped block and install structures for our upcoming Intensive Care Unit
The before and after transformation of our new “Kangaroo Care Room”, which will provide a space for our mom’s to do skin-to-skin contact with their premature babies, which studies show is linked to a higher survival rate. Not only did Heritage provide all the funds to complete the project - they themselves also painted the room, re-grouted the floors, wallpapered, and assembled the furniture!
They also organized, participated and led several medical and community outreaches:
• Conducted a pharmacy audit
• Offered newborn and adult resuscitation training
• Led menstrual health education and provided reusable sanitary supplies to local girls
• Consulted with nurses in the ER and newborn unit
• Gave training on breast pumps and neonatal care
• Participated in clinical rounds
“The thing that affected me the was how gracious, welcoming, and grateful the African people are. I was really struck by how vastly different people are in America. We are so blessed here with so many comforts and material things, yet we complain so much! The people there are so joyful and grateful for the little that they have. This has made a huge impact on my perspective.”
Marsha and Kathy doing menstrual education in local schools - a topic not commonly taught in households or schools here. They also brought bags filled with goodies for the girls.
The team built this Gaga Pit for a local school from scratch!
They also built some beautiful picnic tables for our community as well!
Andrew helping with our pharmacy systems.
Marsha preparing to teach newborn resuscitation techniques to our staff
But what truly stood out wasn’t just their work—it was the heart they brought to it.
• The men encouraged our Men’s Recovery Group
• The women visited and supported the Children’s Home
• They embraced life on the mission station, building relationships and sharing in fellowship
• Back home, their church community sewed and knitted over 350 hats for newborns and donated preemie diapers, clothing, and milk fortifier for our tiniest patients
Kathy with a group of kids from the nearby school
It’s easy to think you need to be a doctor to serve here. You don’t. What we need most are people who are willing to show up with open hands and hearts. There’s always something to be done—whether it’s fixing a sink, training a nurse, painting a room, or simply encouraging someone over tea.
Thank you, Heritage Church. You are a gift to us here in Kapsowar!