We need YOU!!

To the right you see a picture of me working at a clinic near Lake Victoria in southern Uganda.  Just below is a picture showing the effect of jiggers, which are flees known for inhabiting dusty and dirty areas in tropical regions.  This was the first time I had seen this particular ailment and the more I understand it, the more horrible it becomes.  Jiggers burrow into the skin and lay eggs.  Over time the flesh in the affected area rots.  We could not do much to treat this condition with the basic equipment we had, but we did what we could - soaking the wound in betadine, covering it with triple antibiotic and wrapping it with gauze.  The ministry was also able to purchase shoes for the 200 children in this village with the hope that this would halt or slow the jigger infections.  

During our one day clinic we saw many cases of jiggers, malnutrition, HIV/AIDS, and at least one very sick infant with a high fever.  Aside from HIV/AIDS, nearly every condition we saw could have been easily prevented or treated in the U.S.  These people do not have that option.  Due to funds and distance, many cannot even afford to get to the local public hospitals, which are two hours away.  They are forced to wait on U.S. medical teams that come through with the little bits of care we can provide.  I am only an Emergency Medical Technician in the U.S., but in Uganda I function like a doctor. 

 There is little we can do without all the equipment and facilities we have in America.  Leaving these clinics is frustrating because we cannot do more, but also rewarding to know we are helping some.  It is also comforting to know that we bring more than Tylenol, Band-Aids, and the occasional antibiotic.  The ultimate reason we do these clinics in villages or help provide food and education for orphans, widows, and others affected by poverty is to share the love of Jesus Christ.  We do not bring Help for Today alone we also bring Hope for Tomorrow and, Lord willing, Heaven for Eternity to the people of Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania and Congo as well as those in Bolivia and other parts of the world.  We are more than social services for the poor but, more importantly, God’s conduits for new life in Christ.  What a tremendous honor, privilege and responsibility!

While this work is tremendously rewarding it is also tremendously expensive.  The people of East Africa cannot afford to pay our salaries or pay our way to serve there.  Though teams can help offset some of my travel expenses, Sarah is still responsible for her trips to help the orphans and serve with me.  Neither teams nor those we serve can afford to fund our salaries.  This is where you can help.  We are currently at 27% of our monthly support goal for our salaries.  When you add our salaries with the cost of doing ministry we are only at 18% of our need.

Will you serve the people of East Africa and others around the world by helping to support Sarah and me?  We cannot do it without you and many others. Certainly no amount is too large but neither is any amount too small.  It all brings help to the people of East Africa and allows us to share the love of Christ.  Your monthly contribution of $25, $50, or more is a blessing to us and a tremendous help to our ministry.

Please take time to pray and consider supporting our ministry at Helping Hands Foreign Missions.  All donations are tax-deductible.  If you have any questions, or would like more information, please feel free to contact us any time. 

Thank you!

Mike and Sarah

Contact Us:

At Home: 811 Crest Park Point, Gainesville, GA 30504

Mike: 251-605-1806     Email:  mike.mccord@helpinghandsmissions.org

Sarah: 251-689-3148    Email:  sarah.mccord@helpinghandsmissions.org