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AHI-Zambia hospital administrators assist with building new church
The current Kakona Seventh-day Adventist Church structure is made from bamboo, straw, and tree branches.
Helard Mangold, MD, hospital administrator of Yuka Adventist Hospital in Zambia, leads a multinational team of dedicated personnel that not only cares for the sick, but also shares the good news of Christ's return.
Sharing in the mission of the church and the hospital, Dr. Mangold's staff continually seeks for opportunities for community outreach and development.
Yuka Adventist Hospital is a rural hospital situated in the western province of Zambia that provides medical services to the indigenous Lozi population.
Nearby, Kakona Seventh-day Adventist Church shares their faith with the community.
Braulio Concepcion, a medical student from River Plate Adventist University, Argentina, was invited to perform special music for the church on his saxophone Mr. Concepcion, who has dedicated eight months to serving Yuka Adventist Hospital and the surrounding community, was intrigued by the large concentration of children and the unwavering dedication of the church leaders to share their faith with the community.
Kakona Adventist Church consists of about 60 members who gather together each Sabbath under the structure made mostly of bamboo, grass straw, and wood branches.
"When it rains, you need to use an umbrella in church," says Mr. Concepcion.
Since visiting the church with Dr. Mangold and his wife, Mr. Concepcion noted that the church attendance had increased significantly. Simply through word of mouth, many villagers from the surrounding communities are coming to hear the good news.
Yuka Adventist Hospital administrators worship with the Kakona congregation.
As a result, the Mangolds, Mr. Concepcion, and the Kakona congregation have dedicated themselves to building a new church structure. Sundays have been designated as the day for community involvement in the construction.
Current plans include building a solid structure made of bricks with straw roofing.
"It is important for the church body to share equally in the involvement of constructing the church," says Dr. Mangold.
Yuka Adventist Hospital will be providing the oxen and cart, brick mold, and voluntary manpower.
The church will still need 90 bags of cement, gravel, and support beams in order to complete the job. The church project is estimated to cost $4,000.
"Adventist health care institutions continue to create communities of faith which serve as a conduit for proactive ministry," says Edward Martin, country director for AHI-Zambia. "Assisting with this church is in keeping with the holistic approach to man." The church structure is expected to be completed in August, 2007.