|
|
||||
| JUNE 2005 | ||||
| Newsletters top | ||||
| Against All Odds | President's Desk | ||
|
|
|||
 |
||
 U.S. Air Force
Major Glenn Kennedy (now retired and serving as the Far East Director for
CinA) led yet another attack unit into the Philippines, landing at the
Manila airport on April 10, 2005. This force of highly trained
soldiers—soldiers of the cross—were armed only with Swords, the Word of God.
This unit was also outfitted with medical professionals to heal the wounded.
Though they were up against great numbers, they advanced upon the enemy to
set people free in Christ. With only 65 members on the team they were
outnumbered a hundred to one.Even against such odds, they returned to base camp two weeks later having treated 5,000 patients, not to mention dealing with hundreds of other family members. Records indicate that more than half of the patients also chose to receive eternal life through the Lord Jesus Christ. Centuries ago, the Lord spoke through Moses saying, "And five of you shall chase an hundred, and an hundred of you shall put ten thousand to flight…." (Lev. 26:8). God literally brought those words to pass as throngs of people swarmed the team's hastily constructed positions. Here are some testimonies from those who entered into combat and then returned in victory. |
||
|
|
||
|
|
||
| Beth Konold | ||
|
The 10th annual Philippines Medical Mission Outreach (PMMO) in April was the
first one for me, but this story begins from last year's outreach. One of
the members of a mountain tribe in the Philippines had seen a sign
announcing that CinA would be holding a medical mission in April 2004.
Twenty-five tribal members came, including the chief, walking on foot for 8
hours. Some of them walked barefoot. At registration they were asked if they
had any needs. Their answer was, "We heard that you are talking about the
Son of God and we want to hear." They stayed all day, listening to the evangelist's message over and over. The next day a vehicle was hired to drive them to the end of the road. They walked the remaining way up the mountain, rejoicing in their newfound faith. During the year, they were given some discipleship materials, but their remote location made follow-up difficult. This year we were wondering, "Will the mountain people come again?" On the second day of our outreach north of Manila, the entire tribe came. Seventy-five people, including two very young babies, walked down the mountain, slept in a field overnight, and continued their trek the next morning, all without any food. This time they agreed to receive medical and dental care, as well as a chance to hear more about Jesus' love for them. They were given clothes and we helped them on their way home. We are praying that God will continue to work in the lives and hearts of these precious people. How many will come down the mountain next year? |
||
|
|
||
| Becky Sutherland | ||
 I was one of five
nurses that were on this year's PMMO. The work was as demanding as it was
rewarding. Our job as nurses was to perform triage—deciding who would need
to see the doctor and who simply needed over-the-counter medicines that our
free pharmacy offered. I stood aghast as I looked out the door on the first
day and saw literally hundreds of patients lined up outside in the heat.
Many had traveled untold miles and arrived at the break of day; they simply
seemed to be a mass to me. The nurses and I decided to look at them
individually, spend extra time with them if needed, and to call on each
other for special prayer over particular patients. We saw people of all
ages, from tiny infants to the elderly. Even now as I write this, I see
their faces come before me and I am overwhelmed at the goodness of the Lord
in letting me take part in touching their lives. |
||
 I knew this trip
would be bittersweet for us. This would be my daughter Kim's and my first
time back to the Philippines since our family moved away from there as
missionaries seven years ago. After relocating to the States, my husband,
Doug, made several trips to that country, paving the way to expand these
annual mission outreaches. His battle with cancer ended a year ago when he
graduated to heaven. Tears streamed down our faces on this trip as we heard
many testify how Doug impacted their lives over the years. One national
pastor and his family had moved to a province of the Philippines because of
Doug's vision for a church in that area. Others on our team told how Doug's
love for Christ and love of people influenced them to continue on this
medical outreach from year to year. It was on this trip that we discovered
another part of God's healing of our broken hearts. For further insight to
Doug's spiritual legacy, visit his web site
www.sutherlandsfaith.org. |
||
|
|
||
| Kim Sutherland | ||
Taking a 3-week break from my senior year of high school to be a part of the
2005 PMMO was one of the most amazing times of my life. My mom and I had
always wanted to go, but it was never the right timing until this year.
Although we are still very much in the healing process from my father's
passing, it felt like God really wanted us to be there to help heal the
people through Jesus Christ and to also have this mission as a time of
healing for us. I was a teacher in Children's Evangelism, working with Beth Konold (we had a blast!!!) and Peggy from Wisconsin (who was also tons of fun). We sang songs with the kids, played with them, but most importantly shared the love of Jesus Christ with them. Most of these children didn't have anything, but we offered them Jesus so that they could see the hope of their future in Him. We saw about 200-400 children and their parents each day! I also shared my testimony with the adults in the evangelism room as they were waiting to see the doctor. I wanted to touch and bless the people, especially women, with what God has done with my life. God has placed a part of my life and heart toward missions and the people of foreign countries, to give them something that they don't have—Jesus Christ. This trip was an awesome gift from God. I grew spiritually and had so many exciting experiences. This year I head off to a mission/Bible program at Hume Lake Christian Camps. I want to go on the next PMMO in 2006. It is my dream to someday live in the Philippines—it feels like my second home. |
||
|
|
||
| Elaine Hatch | ||
|
As North Americans we are “out of our comfort zone” when we minister in a
developing nation, but the blessings we receive far outweigh any temporary
discomfort. The first week of the 2005 PMMO we went to Puerto Princesa on
the island of Palawan and the second week we went to Cabanatuan City in the
General Tinio area. About 5,000 people were ministered to during this time. Hundreds of people lined up very early in the morning to see the doctors and dentists and to receive medicines. After being registered they would come to the evangelism room, then to triage, medical, dental and to pharmacy for medicine, a Bible and rice. Over 10,000 prescriptions were filled. I was blessed to again minister for the third year in the adult evangelism room during the outreach. What a joy to share Jesus with the Filipino people. Many have hardships and yet they smile and join in singing in their language and also in English. Team members shared their testimonies followed by a short message from the Word. The Filipino people were given the opportunity to accept Jesus Christ into their lives. Local pastors translated for us as we prayed with them. Over 2,500 people accepted Christ in the evangelism room, besides others who were led to the Lord by team members in different locations. |
||
|
|
|
|
|||||
| Top | |||||
| Against All Odds | President's Desk | ||||
|
|
|||||
|
Home
| Ministry News |
Newsletter | Short Term |
Ministry Resources |
Training |
|||||
