formerly Gesher

"surrounder's letter january, 2001 monthly communications about the work of the Winer Foundation.

medical initiative for ethiopia

By now, most of you know that Gesher regularly helps the over 25,000 abandoned Jews (the Beta Yisrael people) who remain stranded in two regions of Ethiopia – Addis Ababa and Gondar. I thank those who surround our work with prayer and generous financial support. What you may not know is that we also partner with the Addis Ababa University School of Medicine to deliver better healthcare for all Ethiopians. This month I'll explain our medical work, how it started, where it's going, and how you can help.

– God Works Through Dreams –

One night in February, 2000 I had two dreams which God used to give specific direction to our work in Ethiopia. The first dream made it clear that I needed to go to Ethiopia immediately to help the Jewish people, which I did in May, 2000. The second dream led to the expansion of our rescue efforts into medical areas. Though my wife Tara and I had secretly helped the Jewish people in Ethiopia for the past seven years, we never thought to broaden the work to help others in Ethiopia. Here's the second dream:

Watching an outdoor mountain scene from above, I saw an 1850's-style train traveling fast on a snowy mountain pass. The train slowed down at an ancient-looking fork in the track. The conductor (unseen) hesitated for a brief moment and then chose not to take the fork to descend into a valley. His decision was based on logic: the descending track was in poor shape; the valley was hidden by a dense fog; and the track itself was snow-covered. He concluded that to descend into the valley would mean almost certain disaster and loss of life.

As the train sped away, a strange thing happened several miles from the fork: The entire train lifted up off the track, turned around in the opposite direction, and then headed back toward the ancient fork. However, this time the train made the turn and slowly descended into the valley on the rickety track. I watched in amazement as the track creaked and bent, but failed to crumble under the train's immense weight. The snow that had been obscuring the descending track melted under the pressure of the train's wheels – the way forward was now cleared. The dream ended with a triumphant thought as the train, engulfed by the valley's fog, disappeared from my view: I knew without a shadow of a doubt that the train's rescue efforts would be successful.

– God Works Through Obedience –

This dream was God's word to me, "you must do something more than help the Jewish people alone." Though at this time I had no heart-burden for others in Ethiopia, I knew God was asking me to try to help. Here's a spiritual principle for you to consider: When God speaks, He often requires us do something – to take some action – before He reveals a fuller view of His plan. Obedience releases into us the power of God to accomplish great things. I obeyed by arranging to give a medical lecture in Ethiopia.

– God Works Through Circumstances –

I arrived in Ethiopia intending to visit Gondar first, then Addis Ababa to lecture and help the Jewish people there. But God had other plans. The war with Eritrea broke out at the moment I arrived in Ethiopia making air travel to Gondar impossible. I was able to advance the date of my lecture and because of the war I had unexpected free time which I spent at the medical school teaching. God used the war to bring me into new friendships with doctors. The extra time enabled us to begin a Gesher-Addis Ababa University medical program to:

1. Provide tangible help to needy doctors and doctors-in-training (medical equipment, beepers, internet access, food, scholarships, and more);

2. Help start the first Psychiatric residency program in Ethiopia;

3. Began a one-week visiting professorship program for US / Canadian doctors to teach in Ethiopia.

–God Works Through Your Gifts –

I need your help to help the people of Ethiopia. Without funds from Gesher, these medical programs will not occur. There are no monies available from the Addis Ababa University to pay for these specific needs. By helping doctors, your help will make a difference in the lives of tens of thousands of Ethiopians.

• For $60, you can give an incoming medical student a stethoscope and white coat. Without these many will not be able to begin their clinical work.
  
• For $125, you can give one month of Internet access. Without this doctors in Ethiopia may not learn about the best ways to help their patients.
  
• For $200, you can provide a week of meals for doctors-in-training.

   

May the Lord bless you,

Robert Winer, M.D.

P.S. I'd like to invite you to get to know me better. Drop me note in the return envelope and I'll send, as my gift to you, my book, "Ten Commandments for Success: Unlocking Principles of Prosperous Personal, Business, and Family Living from the Life of Moses."

if you need any further information, contact us:

Winer Foundation po box 33373 philadelphia, pa 19142 info@winerfoundation.org phone: 215-365-3350 fax: 215-365-3325