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Troy couple become medical missionaries in Swaziland

Faye McNerney helps a 7-year-old boy onto a personal energy transportation during her time in Africa. The tough, off-road wheelchair will provide a new life for the boy with cerebral palsy. Contributed photo

Contributed photo Faye McNerney helps a 7-year-old boy onto a personal energy transportation during her time in Africa. The tough, off-road wheelchair will provide a new life for the boy with cerebral palsy. Contributed photo

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Staff Report 4:40 PM Wednesday, November 4, 2009

VANDALIA — Three years ago, Faye McNerney heard U2 lead singer Bono talk about the HIV virus’ pandemic spread through Africa. Maybe it was his sense of urgency — or perhaps his deep conviction — but something touched her.

“He called on the church to look around and to see what was happening and to get active,” she said.

It was a wake-up call for the Troy woman, who while devoting her life to sometimes critically ill patients as a physical therapist in Dayton, had never considered spreading her wings overseas. That’s why it didn’t take much nudging when her church, Christian Life Center near Vandalia, announced plans to send medical personnel to Africa.

McNerney and her husband, Jim, a local family physician, touched African soil in August when they joined the Luke Commission, a team of medical missionaries from the United States, to serve the people of Swaziland.

The husband-and-wife team helped combat the ever-growing needs of the Swazi people, who are trapped and scarred by the highest HIV rates in the world.

»Woman returns from Africa with mission Page 5

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