AFRICAN MEDICAL MISSION
TRIP:
Because
of your prayer, support, and giving, you provided medical care to
over 1,300 people who had no access to a doctor, and over 800 of
those people prayed to receive Christ as their Savior. You also
planted a church in this previously unreached
region. To help you
mentally visualize the mission trip:
After a twelve hour flight, we took a six-hour bus ride to the village of Aiyinasi. We met at a school, but we had to walk up a hill to the school because our bus could not travel down the weather-worn trail. The people lined up at a registration table manned by native pastors. Unfortunately, there were more people in the line than there were hours in the day, and at the end of the trip, the line was just as long. From there, the people walked across a sandy courtyard to the screening area where they had their vital signs taken. The next stop was over to the school. In one room, the people visited one of the two doctors. In the next room, they visited with evangelists who shared the evange-cube (a dynamic visual tool that quickly captivated the hearts of the African people) with them. Their last stop in the school was the pharmacy to pick up their medicines.
The purpose of the trip was to provide medical care, the Good News of Jesus Christ, and to help plant a new church. Since we were there on a Sunday, we got to witness an authentic African Baptist worship service. It was quite lively. On that first Sunday, they had more than 100 people present. During our visit, we learned that it would take only $5,000 to buy the property and build a church. We are glad to report that we had enough funds to make this a reality.
The people were friendly and grateful. While the average family makes less than $400 a year, many of them put on their best clothes for our arrival. Dr. Ralph Izard, the director of Baptist Medical Missions International, told us that this was the best trip (and group of people) that he has had the privilege of working with on a medical mission trip.
GIMP:
What is GIMP? It stands for
Go In My Place, and it is a way for you to help others
who want to go on the African Mission trip next summer, but may be
unable to raise enough money. GIMP is a unique way for you to be an
important part of sending others to the mission fields. Simply mark
your offering envelopes "GIMP." With GIMP, everyone can be part of
fulfilling the Great Commission (Matthew 28:18-20).
FAITH OUTREACH:
FAITH is a non-confrontational way to witness to family and friends
for Christ. Will you stand before the Heavenly Father and feel
embarrassed for never telling another person about Jesus Christ?
FAITH
meets at 5:00pm in the foyer of the Student Center. For more
information, please call Joe Hull at 903-693-4978.
