Everybody a part of Moore's nursing ministry in Africa
Berne native Robyn Moore looks back at her 31 years in missionary service and talks about all of those who have supported her missionary work in one way or another. She admits that she is overwhelmed when she thinks about the team supporters God has put together to be a part of her work in Africa.
"There are so many people in Berne, people from Spring Hill, West Missionary, First Missionary, the Evangelical Church and surrounding areas that have been a part of my ministry," said Moore. "We never do anything alone. So many people contribute to our lives. My family and parents were the biggest."
Moore was five-years-old when she told her mother on the way home from church one Sunday that she couldn't decide whether Jesus wanted her to be a missionary or a nurse. At that time, her family lived in the Elkhart area and she attended Cedar Road Missionary Church.
"My father was transferred to EPC in Geneva," said Moore. "Before we moved, my father knew that there were two missionary churches in Berne. We had decided that we were going to visit both First Missionary and West Missionary churches. We decided that we were going to visit First Missionary first. Frank Steury and his family invited us to go to their home for dinner that Sunday. They were so friendly that we never went to West Missionary.
"I was 11-years-old when I asked Christ into my heart. I felt the Lord tugging on my heart at church camp. The Sunday after camp on a Sunday evening, I about ran to the front of the church to accept Jesus into my life when the invitation was given," continued Moore.
Moore said that when Rev. Gareth Wiederkehr spoke during missionary emphasis meetings when she was in high school, she felt the Lord ask her if she would be a missionary.
"I told Him that I would," said Moore. "I eventually attended Fort Wayne Bible College for a year and then transferred to Lutheran Hospital School of Nursing.
"In 1978 before my final year of nursing school, I went with World Gospel Mission to Burundi, Africa for a summer missions trip," continued Moore. "I was there for the summer and then came back to finish nursing school."
Moore said that a nurse in Burundi encouraged her to get some pediatric experience; when she graduated, the Lord opened the door for her to work in pediatrics in Bluffton. The final call to Africa came one Sunday when Metta Steury talked to her at First Missionary and told her that Dr. Ernest Steury needed help in his African work.
Moore said that she was amazed at the way avenues began to open to lead her to Tenwick Hospital where Steury served as the first full-time doctor. For the next 23 years, she served as the nurse in charge of the pediatric unit. During that time, her sister, Kelli Moore, visited Tenwick seven times to assist and volunteer. In addition, her younger brother, Dan, visited and caught the vision of his sisters call.
After serving over two decades at Tenwick, Moore decided to further her education by pursuing a degree of masters of Science and Nursing at Vanderbilt University, a move that conferred on her the title of pediatric nurse practitioner.
Following her graduation, she returned to Africa where she became involved with the, "Least of These Ministry," at Nairobi, the capital of Kenya. That ministry involved commitment to helping orphans and vulnerable children and to provide health care to them.
"My main job was to love these children and try to help build a preventative health care system for them," said Moore. "I was overwhelmed by the slums of Nairobi. I knew that the commitment there was going to take a massive amount of time. All you could do was help them one at a time."
Moore said that a typical day might incur seeing a boy with scabies on his head or a child whose oxygen level was exceptionally low.
"One mother stood in line with her boy. When she reached me she said, 'I wanted to bring my boy today and show you,'" observed Moore. "He had pneumonia. He would have died had he not come in. Sometime later, the mother brought him back and wanted to show him again. He was totally well. She was so happy.
"They can't afford healthcare," Moore added.
These days, Moore proudly carries photographs of Anthony and Linner, who she likes to refer to as her, "adopted children"
"His children call me, 'grandma,'" said Moore. "He is an artist. Linner's children also call me 'grandma.'"
Moore said that as she reflects back on her three decades of serving Christ in Africa and she can't thank God enough for her Bible-believing parents and family members who provided the heritage to enable her to feel the call of God on her life.
"He has allowed me to see the world and be involved in the lives of thousands of children and adults," said Moore. "He has blessed me with so many people in different tribes and countries.
"I have been very blessed to see God keep His Word. He is always with us and provides for every need," continued Moore. "First Missionary has cared well for me as their missionary and my home church. I am very grateful to them."
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