Africa Journal Day 28, May 20

Friday, May 20, 2005
Day 28
Linlongwe, Malawi

I spent the morning with Dr. Perry Jansen, an America doctor who spent four years with the ABC Community Clinic, but is now starting a project and ministry called Hope Medical Center (www.partnersinhope.info). It is a very large Christian project targeting HIV/AIDS and they have purchased a large facility that is being converted into a medical clinic. They will teach prevention, offer voluntary testing for HIV infection, and treat AIDS patients with the state of the art antiretroviral (ARV) medications. I was impressed by Dr. Jansen’s passion, the sense of God’s calling on his life, and the enormity of the vision and dream in the project. I wish him and his staff God’s blessing and strength.

In the afternoon, I met with Grace Banda, a former schoolteacher who has felt God’s leading to change careers to do HIV/AIDS counselling and teaching. She works with Dr. Jansen and will be a tremendous asset to his staff. I was impressed with the quality of the staff Dr. Jansen is pulling together.

Friday evening is traditional potluck for all the ABC expat staff—lots of good food and lots of fellowship. Apparently this has also been a longstanding tradition here. These events are all held in the home of the founder, Dr. Jack and Mrs. Nel Chinchen.