May 2020 - Lockdown!

Hello from lockdown!  Although we may be out of lockdown by the time you receive this letter, while I write this we have just finished the second of three weeks of national lockdown.  Unfortunately, from what I hear, a large percentage of the population isn’t really staying at home so I suspect things will go on for quite a while. 

Although South Africa is nowhere near being a third world country, there are still around 15 million people here without running water in their homes to wash hands.  Many villages only have a few water taps that everyone uses.  How do you effectively lockdown in those situations?  And huge numbers of households share outhouses.  You cannot stay isolated in your house if there is no toilet in it!   

The lockdown started about mid-term here at the university.  Starting next week, they are hoping to resume classes online, but at this point there is still doubt about all students having reasonable internet access.  Most homes in the villages and townships don’t have wired or wireless internet access. The university has been attempting to work out a deal with cell phone services to allow access to the university’s websites for free so that students can use their phones without needing to buy data. Hopefully that can be finalized before we start again. 

The first rotation group of the year back in February

I’ve converted the last missed test into multiple choice and short answer questions that can be randomly chosen for each student through an online platform.  The final lectures in my module still need to be recorded and uploaded for students to listen to and watch.  We can handle the lecture side of things online, but the practical, hands-on rotations for the final-year students may be a complete loss. 

The clinic has been slow, with limited hours and limited staff.  Yesterday though, I assisted one of our new grads with a double enterotomy and gastrotomy (took stuff out that was blocking the intestines and the stomach).  We removed a bunch of bones and this very strange grey putty like material that had packed up to block the intestines.  I have no idea what that dog ate!  Next week is my rotation in the clinic so we will see what comes in.

Please keep the students in your prayers.  Both those in the animal health program that I teach and those who participate in our Bible studies and witnessing training.  Pray that the Lord would be their foundation and strength so that they do not live with a spirit of fear during these difficult times, but with His love and power and a sound mind. Pray that they will be lights shining in the darkness offering peace and hope to those around them.

For myself, I am safe and healthy with plenty of food, a lovely garden, and two feline companions.  Thank you for all for your prayers and emails.

Lockdown Update Week 2

Week two complete!  Well, it will be complete tonight at midnight.  The time is flying by!  Thankfully I’m one of the people perfectly happy to stay home with my cats.  I have two boys; a 2-year-old ginger named Laddie and a 6-year-old tabby named Leo.  Laddie was a campus kitten who was brought into the clinic by security because he had a severe upper respiratory tract infection and ringworm.  We treated him and then I couldn’t help but adopt him.  Thankfully, he and Leo bonded quickly and they play together all the time.  Laddie is an endless source of amusement.  He is very playful and always looking for trouble!  They are both very large cats, weighing in at 12 and 14 pounds (although Leo could stand to lose a pound or two :). 

Last week we had several days of rain and cool weather, which I absolutely loved!  I’ve been baking and taking goodies into the clinic several days a week (I live just across the parking area from the clinic).  It has even been cool enough for tea in the mornings and evenings.  The rain also meant I didn’t need to do much to water my garden.   Usually my automatic system does the heavy work, but for the last few weeks my water pressure has been very low and the automatic system isn’t working.  If it doesn’t rain, I have bring the watering can into the kitchen and it takes over a minute to fill each time due to the low pressure.

Thankfully there has always been just enough pressure for a shower if I turn the shower head to the pulse setting.  I’ve also been able to continue with laundry although it takes ages for the washing machine to fill with water.  Every once and a while the pressure comes back for an hour or two and I quickly do the dishes, turn on the automatic watering system, etc.

Last night I was helping with an emergency surgery in the clinic and we had no water in the surgery suite!  I was able to wash my hands by going into another room and draining the last dregs from the pipes, but it was very frustrating.  Despite the challenges, the dog is doing well this morning.

Please continue to pray for South Africa; her leaders, people, and the university.

Week three, here we come!

God bless,

Rebecca

Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.
Joshua 1:9

March 2020 - Protests again!

One again, the new year started with student protests!  During registration, a nationwide 7-day shutdown was called for by national student organizations and Mahikeng’s students were fully on board.    Thankfully, there was very little violence and destruction of property this time around and all was resolved peacefully by the end of the week.  I opted to stay in my home on campus rather than evacuate, but with the gates blocked by students it was a bit like house arrest. 

To watch a local news broadcast about the protests visit: https://www.facebook.com/GoSpeakLiveBoldly/videos/186187259408285/ 

In addition to shutting down registration for a week, the protests also meant we were unable to continue with our planned student outreach activities.  We had Bible studies organized for several evenings during the week and a movie outreach on Saturday that all had to be cancelled.  Once everything calmed down and the term got underway, we held the first-year movie outreach a week later with good attendance.

Movie outreach for 1st year students

Our regular Monday night Bible studies are now well underway, and we are focusing on Jesus’ “I am” statements such as “I am the bread of life” and “I am the light of the world.”  In Acts 29, our discipleship/witnessing training group, the new students are learning to share the gospel using the bridge method (also called once verse witnessing) and the returning students (we call them trainers) are doing a study with me on Discipleship, 10 Qualities That Move You From A Believer To A Disciple, by Denis Rouse to help them disciple new believers.

My group of trainers studying "10"

We also held a special training day for our 15 trainers one Saturday covering servant leadership and how to develop personal mission/vision statements to keep our focus where it should be and not get distracted by all that life throws our way.   One of our goals for this year is to work harder on developing leaders among the Acts 29 students and allowing them to take on more responsibilities in the groups and outreaches.

Our group of trainers for 2020!

On the veterinary side, our final-year group has jumped from 80 to 100 students.  A new rotation needed to be developed to accommodate the higher numbers and it will include several days of equine work.  This is a new avenue of experience for our students (and for me!) and I’m excited to see how it develops.  A local horse rescue and welfare organization, Highveld Horse Care Unit, is partnering with us by organizing health clinics in surrounding villages for horses and donkeys.  I’ve also been working for the past 6 months to improve our facilities to allow two horses to be kept at the university and used in student practicals. Practicals, in basic handling, grooming, restraint, and physical exam, etc., for equines are planned and should provide a nice addition to their education.  

Thank you all for your prayers and support.  I am blessed to say that once final year donations were tallied, my support for last year actually surpassed my expenses slightly!  Thank you so much to all who contributed and helped me to be financially stable!

God bless,

Rebecca Quam

January 2020 - A New Year!

Summer is here and it is hot, hot, hot.  Although we have had a few days of good rain (2.75 inches over 5 days in mid Dec) it is generally blue skies with temps in the upper 80-90’s.  For some of you, that is probably ideal, but for this Seattle girl, those few days rainy day in Dec were a true blessing.  I’m already looking forward to winter!

The new university year starts the first week of February so there are a few more weeks of calm and quite before activities begin again.  We hope to have several students come back early for a freshman outreach the last week of January.  This will likely include nightly Bible studies, a movie showing, and going door to door meeting the incoming students.  Please pray that God will lead and direct us in the organization and details of this event. 

Please also pray that the students God would have join us for the coming year will be drawn to our Bible study and witnessing training group and that the student church in my home would continue to provide rich fellowship.

Pray for the new students arriving on campus who may be experiencing their first time away from home and, for those who are Christians, the first tests of their faith.  Is it their faith or their parent’s faith?  Will they put God first or be distracted by university life? For those who are not Christians will they see His truth when they hear the gospel?  For those who’s faith is more cultural than personal will they come to seek a relationship with Him? 

So many challenges and opportunities will be presented to each student over the coming year.  Please pray they God will lead and guide each one to find or be strengthened in their relationship with Christ.

Finally, please remember me and the Gestrings in your prayers as we decide on the curriculum/topics for Bible study and church this coming term. Let the Lord lead us to share His truth clearly and openly.

So many prayer requests fill my heart at the start of each year.  Thank you for coming alongside me in these prayers.  May the Lord be with you in this New Year!

December 2019 - Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas!  It was wonderful seeing so many of you last year while I was home, but this year I am looking forward to a quiet Christmas here in Mahikeng. I have an artificial tree to put up, a few decorations for the house and Christmas movies to watch on Netflix to get me into the Christmas spirit.

The term finished in late Nov, but the final-year animal health students took their last practical exam for Companion Animal Care in late October.  I have to admit I was discouraged by the results.  We allowed those who wished to try to improve their score to have another chance at some of the questions (calculations) which did improve the marks somewhat.  A 40% is the minimum and several students did not even reach that level.  On the other hand, quite a few students did remarkably well, hitting 80%.

A few weeks earlier, we took a team of 10 students from Acts 29 to the Kingdom of Lesotho over spring break.  This time we stayed in the capital of Maseru rather than traveling up into the rural mountains. We assisted at an Anglican ministry, Durham Link, as well as working with Scripture Union in many schools and one college.  Each morning the students broke into teams of 3-5 to visit local primary and high schools and speak during assembly, where they shared their testimonies and short gospel presentations.  These were well received by the kids and the Acts 29 students found they truly enjoyed the experience.

Over the weekend and once during the week we went out to more rural locations to host Tae Kwon Do events for the children.  We use the colored martial arts belts to tell the story of Jesus.

Afternoons in Lesotho were spent working with troubled or special needs children and youth coming to Durham Link for outdoor education.  Our team worked alongside the Durham Link instructors to teach abseiling, rock climbing, canoeing, and paddle boarding and provide lots of loud encouragement.

Three evenings during the week we were also able to join the Scripture Union at the Lesotho College of Education hosting discussion nights for the students on the topic of temptation and giving a lecture on having a Biblical attitude about success.

After 7 days, we drove the 7 hours back to Mahikeng exhausted, but encouraged by God’s activity and presence in Lesotho.

Please pray for the student over the summer holidays as they are back with their families and enjoying a much-deserved break. 

Also, we hope to again run an outreach for Freshmen in late January as they come to register for classes so please keep that outreach in your prayers. Pray that the Acts 29 students will be able to return early to help with the outreach and that many Freshman will be reached with the good news of God’s love for them.

Finally, as you plan your end of year giving, I am still in need of additional yearly and/or monthly financial supporters to remain sustainable here long term.  If God is leading you to give, your assistance would be greatly appreciated.

Once again, wishing you a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

October 2019 - Pizza makes great bait!

Pizza is wonderful bait for catching university students!  Never fails!  We went through 50 pizzas over two nights to feed almost 80 final-year animal health students.  As part of the CVM short-term mission trip I host each year, we offered two Tuesday evening review sessions last month with pizza working like a charm.  It is always fun to bless the students not only with academic help, but also with good food and lots of laughter.  This year, the students requested topics including hematology (evaluating blood cells) and round cell tumors.

On the Saturday in between, we offered extra-curricular suturing practicals for a portion of the class.  This is a skill that isn’t included in their course, but it is always a big hit.  They really enjoy getting the chance to learn how to handle the instruments and perform a few simple suture patterns.  I usually pick up trotters (pig’s feet) at the local butchery as the skin isn’t too thick or difficult to use and utilize donated expired suture so there is no cost for the students.  One year several of the students took the trotter home afterwards for a stew!

Having the team visit was also a good excuse to organize another rabies vaccine outreach with the students and the local SPCA.  We visited a village about 10 minutes south of Mahikeng and had our busiest clinic yet!  Nearly 100 dogs vaccinated in just 4 hours.  We even had to send the van driver to bring more vaccines!

All-in-all, the two weeks of the short-term team flew by.  This month, our Acts 29 witnessing team students are preparing for our spring break outreach, which will once again be in the country of Lesotho.  We will be joining with a local ministry for the week in serving children head-of-households and encouraging Christian college students toward campus evangelism in the capital city of Maseru.  What is my most important responsibility for the outreach?  Keeping the team supplied with cookies of course!  At least, that is what the students tell me :)  Good thing I’ve got 10 pounds of Costco chocolate chips in my fridge!  After all, chocolate chip cookies work almost as well as pizza!

Aug 2019 - Change!

Change! Sometime good, sometimes not so good, it just keeps coming.  Thankfully, for the last few months the changes have been good.  One of my goals for the year was to change up the way we run our practical exams at the end of the term. Previously, each student had four 10-minute stations to complete, which also meant each examiner had 10 minutes with each student.  It worked OK when we had 50 or so students (8+ hours), but this year we are at 81!  My hope was to change to a practical with 20 stations and 3 minutes per station.  We ran 4 groups of students though and were finished by lunch!

Most of the stations allowed the student to work on their own doing drug calculations, identifying parasites, writing prescription labels, etc.  The others had staff members to evaluate the students making blood smears, preparing fecal exams, taking owner histories, and restraining stuffed animals.  Although it took more time to set up, all the work was worth it.  All the staff and the external examiner seemed to think it went  really well and allowed for a fair and accurate evaluation of the students skills.  Even the students seemed happy :)

Secondly, after several years of figuring out logistics, we are getting a few horses and a donkey for our program.  I’m very excited to be around horses again and hope they are ridable!  Initially it was organized to get horses from a research facility associated with the vet school, but I was getting sketchy answers to my questions about these horses, so I decided to go see them.  So glad I did!  They were completely wild!  There only human contact was being run through a shoot and groomed a few times a year.  They were also only 2-3 years old.  What a disaster that would have been for teaching horses!  Thankfully we are now working with a large horse rescue who has several mild mannered and well-trained horses available.

Quite a bit of work was needed on the stable block at the university farm, but we are nearing completion and hope to have the horses arrive by the time you get my next letter.

We are also changing the name of our witnessing group to better represent the goal of the program.  We were Acts 1:8, but are now Acts 29. Focused on making disciples who make disciples rather than on just sharing the gospel.  We even have the T-shirts to prove it!

A final fun change has been the addition of 4 chickens to my family here in Mafikeng.  A friend at church built me a small coop and, just as it was delivered, other friends were moving and getting rid of their chickens, so the timing was perfect.  Interestingly, due to the difference in light here during the winter, the chickens keep laying even without a light in the coop so I’m getting 3 eggs a day. I foresee lots of omelets and quiches in my future.

Signing off here in chilly Mafikeng!  Enjoy your warm summer weather!