Our Stories
Anguganak - All We Signed Up For… And More!
By Ansie Van Teijlingen
When Francois and I were approached by Deb and her team to join them on their annual journey to Anguganak, we were not quite sure what to expect. I heard tales of rats, no electricity or running water and of weather like that of a hot, humid Hervey Bay in February. And as some of you may know, I am more of a glamper than a pioneer woman. Francois, however, heard tales of no meat, bush aeroplanes and 4WD adventures. I can assure you neither of us were disappointed! It was all we signed up for and more!
Francois, as general bush engineer and real life McGyver put his skills to very good use. As well as getting the team’s training equipment up and running every day, he was able to fix a broken generator (that had not worked in 10 years) and installed a Solar system, resulting in a power supply at the Health Centre, day and night. He installed taps, fixed computers, trained staff in energy supply and the efficient use thereof and consulted on the repair of the in-operational airstrip, a project he would love to continue working on. His ‘can do’ attitude and outgoing nature endeared him to the Village people and his loyal band of ‘apprentices’ grew by the day!
As a midwife, assisting with the education and simulation training for both the VBA’s and the Health workers and being invited to assist with a complicated birth, gave me an insight into some of the overwhelming health care challenges they face. In my world, pregnancy and birth is largely a normal, natural transition to motherhood and usually a very joyful, happy event. In these remote parts, being pregnant is more dangerous than joyful and tragically, many mothers and babies still die due to preventable and treatable conditions.
Eighty-six Village Birth Attendants presented for the five-day training program, some having walked for many hours through difficult terrain and a rising river, in the rain. Their eagerness and hunger for knowledge to achieve safer births and improve outcomes for the women and children in their communities were awe-inspiring.
Each day of our training started with devotion and our ‘theme’ song, Bind Us Together, Lord. From my privileged position, I thought I was going to help make a difference to their lives; however, I was the one struck by the warmth and vibrancy and joy of these people. Their unwavering faith and trust in God, despite the challenges they face to survive every day, was humbling and encouraging. There are many differences that seek to divide us however in love, we are bound together, serving one God and King as One Body and we are all fearfully and wonderfully made and precious to Him.
I’ll leave you with this message from Ephesians 4: 1-6:
In light of all this, here’s what I want you to do. While I’m locked up here, a prisoner for the Master, I want you to get out there and walk—better yet, run! - on the road God called you to travel. I don’t want any of you sitting around on your hands. I don’t want anyone strolling off, down some path that goes nowhere. And mark that you do this with humility and discipline - not in fits and starts, but steadily, pouring yourselves out for each other in acts of love, alert at noticing differences and quick at mending fences.
You were all called to travel on the same road and in the same direction, so stay together, both outwardly and inwardly. You have one Master, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who rules over all, works through all, and is present in all. Everything you are and think and do is permeated with Oneness.
God has started an amazing work in Anguganak many years ago and I am certain He will not stop before it is completed.
When Francois and I were approached by Deb and her team to join them on their annual journey to Anguganak, we were not quite sure what to expect. I heard tales of rats, no electricity or running water and of weather like that of a hot, humid Hervey Bay in February. And as some of you may know, I am more of a glamper than a pioneer woman. Francois, however, heard tales of no meat, bush aeroplanes and 4WD adventures. I can assure you neither of us were disappointed! It was all we signed up for and more!
Francois, as general bush engineer and real life McGyver put his skills to very good use. As well as getting the team’s training equipment up and running every day, he was able to fix a broken generator (that had not worked in 10 years) and installed a Solar system, resulting in a power supply at the Health Centre, day and night. He installed taps, fixed computers, trained staff in energy supply and the efficient use thereof and consulted on the repair of the in-operational airstrip, a project he would love to continue working on. His ‘can do’ attitude and outgoing nature endeared him to the Village people and his loyal band of ‘apprentices’ grew by the day!
As a midwife, assisting with the education and simulation training for both the VBA’s and the Health workers and being invited to assist with a complicated birth, gave me an insight into some of the overwhelming health care challenges they face. In my world, pregnancy and birth is largely a normal, natural transition to motherhood and usually a very joyful, happy event. In these remote parts, being pregnant is more dangerous than joyful and tragically, many mothers and babies still die due to preventable and treatable conditions.
Eighty-six Village Birth Attendants presented for the five-day training program, some having walked for many hours through difficult terrain and a rising river, in the rain. Their eagerness and hunger for knowledge to achieve safer births and improve outcomes for the women and children in their communities were awe-inspiring.
Each day of our training started with devotion and our ‘theme’ song, Bind Us Together, Lord. From my privileged position, I thought I was going to help make a difference to their lives; however, I was the one struck by the warmth and vibrancy and joy of these people. Their unwavering faith and trust in God, despite the challenges they face to survive every day, was humbling and encouraging. There are many differences that seek to divide us however in love, we are bound together, serving one God and King as One Body and we are all fearfully and wonderfully made and precious to Him.
I’ll leave you with this message from Ephesians 4: 1-6:
In light of all this, here’s what I want you to do. While I’m locked up here, a prisoner for the Master, I want you to get out there and walk—better yet, run! - on the road God called you to travel. I don’t want any of you sitting around on your hands. I don’t want anyone strolling off, down some path that goes nowhere. And mark that you do this with humility and discipline - not in fits and starts, but steadily, pouring yourselves out for each other in acts of love, alert at noticing differences and quick at mending fences.
You were all called to travel on the same road and in the same direction, so stay together, both outwardly and inwardly. You have one Master, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who rules over all, works through all, and is present in all. Everything you are and think and do is permeated with Oneness.
God has started an amazing work in Anguganak many years ago and I am certain He will not stop before it is completed.