Well, we have a great new website for Spirit-Led Expeditions! We will now be releasing a quarterly NEWSLETTER! Whoohoo! Here is a link to the website as well as the newsletter:
Website: www.spiritledexp.com
Fall '08 Newsletter: http://spiritledexp.com/Fall2008.pdf
Monday, October 27, 2008
President Stresses Faith Values in International Development
This is an article from CMDA News and Views (Christian Medical and Dental Association)
Editor's Note: Following are excerpts from the President’s speech on Tuesday, October 21, 2008 in Washington, DC. CMA attended this White House summit, representing the hundreds of CMA medical missionaries serving overseas.
THE PRESIDENT: I appreciate the fact that folks in this room represent thousands that are replacing disease with health, dependency with self-reliance, and despair with hope. During times of economic crisis, some may be tempted to turn inward -- focusing on our problems here at home, while ignoring our interests around the world. This would be a serious mistake.
America is committed -- and America must stay committed -- to international development for reasons that remain true regardless of the ebb and flow of the markets.I strongly believe in the timeless truth: To whom much is given, much is required. We are a blessed nation and I believe we have a duty to help those less fortunate around the world. We believe that power to save lives comes with the obligation to use it. And I believe our nation is better when we help people fight hunger and disease and illiteracy.In the new era of development, America and our partners are helping to lift the burden of deadly disease. In Africa, the treatable and preventable disease of malaria kills one child every 30 seconds. So in 2005 I launched a five-year, $1.2 billion initiative that cut the number of malaria-related deaths in 15 African nations by half.Through the initiative, we joined with African governments -- notice, "we joined with African governments" -- to design malaria control strategies that will work with their nations. We expect results for the money we spend. And yet we're confident when we work with governments that they can develop the strategy necessary to achieve the objectives. And so we supply the money, and our partner nations work to distribute insecticide-treated bed nets, conduct indoor spraying campaigns, and provide cutting-edge drugs.It [the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR)] employs a prevention strategy that works: ABC, which means abstinence, be faithful, and use condoms. This isn't guesswork; this is a program that is working. It puts local partners in the lead, because they know the needs of their people best. It enlists new partners from the international community, the private sector and the faith community.
I can't tell you how many people that I've met in the United States who say, "I'm part of PEPFAR, because my church has adopted the program." You know, there's nothing better than having people who hear the universal call to love a brother like you'd like to be loved yourselves on the front line of helping to save lives.History shows what happens when America combines our great compassion with our steadfast determination. We are a compassionate people and we are a determined people. I'm honored to be the President of such a nation filled with people -- filled with people of such generosity and goodness. This is an historic commitment that we all can be proud of -- one that will secure a bright future for our partners in the developing world, one that will make America a better place. God bless you.
CMDA CEO David Stevens, MD: "No administration in my memory has done more to deal with international health issues that cause millions of deaths each year. Funds wisely have been granted largely to in-country organizations that know the problems best. Many mission hospitals have benefited.
"Despite concerted efforts to force change, the 'condom-only' crowd has not been able to overturn the ABC message. Its effectiveness continues to be well documented.
"Most importantly, less money is being wasted and many more lives are being saved. Our missionary colleagues, that still provide 30-70% of healthcare in Africa, report both the malaria and PEPFAR initiatives are making a difference. We can praise God for that!" Missionaries Comment on USAID
Editor's Note: Following are excerpts from the President’s speech on Tuesday, October 21, 2008 in Washington, DC. CMA attended this White House summit, representing the hundreds of CMA medical missionaries serving overseas.
THE PRESIDENT: I appreciate the fact that folks in this room represent thousands that are replacing disease with health, dependency with self-reliance, and despair with hope. During times of economic crisis, some may be tempted to turn inward -- focusing on our problems here at home, while ignoring our interests around the world. This would be a serious mistake.
America is committed -- and America must stay committed -- to international development for reasons that remain true regardless of the ebb and flow of the markets.I strongly believe in the timeless truth: To whom much is given, much is required. We are a blessed nation and I believe we have a duty to help those less fortunate around the world. We believe that power to save lives comes with the obligation to use it. And I believe our nation is better when we help people fight hunger and disease and illiteracy.In the new era of development, America and our partners are helping to lift the burden of deadly disease. In Africa, the treatable and preventable disease of malaria kills one child every 30 seconds. So in 2005 I launched a five-year, $1.2 billion initiative that cut the number of malaria-related deaths in 15 African nations by half.Through the initiative, we joined with African governments -- notice, "we joined with African governments" -- to design malaria control strategies that will work with their nations. We expect results for the money we spend. And yet we're confident when we work with governments that they can develop the strategy necessary to achieve the objectives. And so we supply the money, and our partner nations work to distribute insecticide-treated bed nets, conduct indoor spraying campaigns, and provide cutting-edge drugs.It [the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR)] employs a prevention strategy that works: ABC, which means abstinence, be faithful, and use condoms. This isn't guesswork; this is a program that is working. It puts local partners in the lead, because they know the needs of their people best. It enlists new partners from the international community, the private sector and the faith community.
I can't tell you how many people that I've met in the United States who say, "I'm part of PEPFAR, because my church has adopted the program." You know, there's nothing better than having people who hear the universal call to love a brother like you'd like to be loved yourselves on the front line of helping to save lives.History shows what happens when America combines our great compassion with our steadfast determination. We are a compassionate people and we are a determined people. I'm honored to be the President of such a nation filled with people -- filled with people of such generosity and goodness. This is an historic commitment that we all can be proud of -- one that will secure a bright future for our partners in the developing world, one that will make America a better place. God bless you.
CMDA CEO David Stevens, MD: "No administration in my memory has done more to deal with international health issues that cause millions of deaths each year. Funds wisely have been granted largely to in-country organizations that know the problems best. Many mission hospitals have benefited.
"Despite concerted efforts to force change, the 'condom-only' crowd has not been able to overturn the ABC message. Its effectiveness continues to be well documented.
"Most importantly, less money is being wasted and many more lives are being saved. Our missionary colleagues, that still provide 30-70% of healthcare in Africa, report both the malaria and PEPFAR initiatives are making a difference. We can praise God for that!" Missionaries Comment on USAID
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