(continued from Tumutumu page) This first trip was to discuss the idea of partnership and to discuss with the leadership of Tumutumu the potential of SBPC funding the construction of the new maternity ward that the hospital desperately needed. The maternity ward at Tumutumu was built in 1929 and has 37 beds (though there can be 65-100 women in the ward).  In 1965 the ward was deemed structurally unsound and the top floor was removed.  While Tumutumu can meet its operational expenses with patient fees, it is hard for the hospital to fund all of its capital improvement.   In the fall of 1999, the Session of SBPC agreed tithe from our capital campaign and use that money to fund the building of the Tumutumu Hospital Maternity Ward.

SBPC began sending teams to build relationships with our friends at the hospital starting in the summer of 1999.  Over the course of the next 18 months, the two communities built friendships and created a partnership agreement.  Both communities also began to raise funds for the construction of the maternity ward.  This time was a huge blessing to all of us as we prayed for each other, visited one another and began to build the bonds of the family ties in the household of Christ.

In April of 2001, SBPC was able to tell our friends at Tumutumu that we had raised $250,000 for the construction of the maternity ward and ground was broken in December of 2001.  The building has been a blessing to both communities.  There have been many wonderful tales of sacrifice on both continents to make the funds available to get this vital building up.  On January 12, 2003 a delegation from SBPC and Glenkirk Presbyterian Church (another partner of Tumutumu) will visit the hospital to celebrate the dedication of this maternity ward.  We are expecting 800-1000 people to be there rejoicing in what the Lord has done for and through our communities.

In June of 2004 we renewed our partnership agreement for three years.

We continue to build relationships with those at Tumutumu.  These are deep friendships that cross cultural and geographic lines.  The US churches involved (SBPC, Glenkirk PC and South Highland PC) have been blessed in working together as well.  All four communities pray for each other daily and can rejoice in this partnership to which the Lord has called us all.