Andy & Eira Patching
Andy is a qualified dental technician and dental surgeon. Together with Eira, they run the development agency Isubilo, in Ndola, Zambia. This seeks to provide dental care through one of the first fully equipped mobile clinics in Africa, undertake development work, provide income generation programmes and help orphans and those with HIV.
Another vital area of ministry is working with the church to help mentor pastors and encourage the church to work within their local community.
News from Andy and Eira
News - August 2010
We, as a team, wish to thank the CDF family for the consistent support which we are receiving and the huge difference this makes to being able to help vulnerable people on a consistent level until they can look after themselves if at all possible and meanwhile having so many opportunities to speak into their lives many of whom start a journey with God. Thank you so much for the donation of £1,300 which we put towards the dental materials ordered from England. The dental treatment that Mr Chonde is able to offer to the vulnerable is free and he is actually paid a salary from the Isubilo funds as we see him as very much part of the team even when he travels to remote areas at regular intervals with hand instruments to help isolated people with no other access to dental help.
Recently Eira went to a distant small town to minister at a conference attended by eight or more churches of different backgrounds. She took a team with her, Chonde being one of them who not only has significant input spiritually, especially in counseling, but was able to set up in a tent and treat many of the local people with dental problems.
We are part way through a programme training a group of ten church leaders from the surrounding area. This is also a source of encouragement as Isubilo was established not to work in isolation as an individualistic Christian organisation but primarily to equip the church to be more proactive and practical as they reach out to the community. These church leaders are going through two days theoretical training in each department followed by three days of practicals, going into people’s homes and attending to people in need under the supervision of our staff. It is interesting to note that by their comments and questions, they had no idea of the needs on their own doorsteps or how to address them with practical compassion. It has truly been an eye opener for them and us!
The church we are involved in is very much a discipleship community, unlearning ‘churchianity’ and being encouraged into the challenge of a Christ–centred lifestyle. It is a slow journey and some fall by the wayside, but it is encouraging to see some living out a ‘real’ life rather than flowing with the ease of a superficial Christianity.
I will be taking a member of Isubilo staff and two church members to a three day conference in Lukulu in the far West of Zambia at the end of August, teaching conservation agriculture and linking it to scriptural principles as part of the Christian commitment to honour the King in our community life.
Thank you for being part of this.
God’s blessings
Andy and Team
For further information about Isubilo visit www.isubilo.org
