Mission Update 4-11-19

Liberia's Medical Crisis:

Picture from our last Mobile Medical Clinic

Our Mobile Medical Ministry is one of our mission's most important ministries because Liberia’s medical system is broken.  The Mobile Medical Clinics takes medicine and the Gospel to remote towns and villages which have little or no access to medical care.  Many of those who make it to the hospital suffer and even die because the hospital’s staff do not care and because there is no medicine in the hospital.  

Last week, one of our staff members named Simeon dislocated his arm while playing football.  I carried him to our local hospital to get an x-ray.  We went to the emergency room first.  Every bed was full of suffering.  One young boy had blood pouring out of his mouth from a head trauma.  Another young child was barely conscious, nothing but skin and bones.  An old man collapsed on the floor while trying to go to the bathroom.  Rather than helping him go to the bathroom, the doctor yelled at him, commanding him to sit down.  

The emergency room was roughly a 20’X20’ room full of beds.  It was scorching hot and its stagnant air stunk.  Simeon was placed on a chair where he sat for what felt like hours.  Drenched in his own sweat, he waited for a doctor.  

Eventually a nurse spoke to me and gave me a list of drugs that I needed to purchase from the hospital’s pharmacy.  The pharmacy was a joke, a terrible joke.  Come to find out, there were no syringes or needles in the whole hospital.  I returned to the emergency room with the medicine they had in stock.  I was thankful when the doctor decided to help us out by allowing the nurse to use one of his personal syringes and needles to administer the medicine.  

In time, the nurse came to assess Simeon’s condition.  I am fully convinced this woman hated men and found great pleasure in making Simeon suffer.  She grabbed his arm, hauled it this way and that way.  She gripped it tightly and started rubbing it with force while Simeon squirmed in excruciating pain.  While watching Simeon suffer, I noticed a pool of blood on the floor that was being trampled by doctors and nurses.  No one bothered to clean it up.  After Simeon torturous experience, a young girl, probably 10 years old, nothing but skin and bones, walked into the ER, carrying her medicines from the hospital’s pharmacy.  The girl was obviously sick and could barely walk.  When she gave her medicines to the doctor, he yelled at her saying, “There are no syringes and no needles.  Didn’t I tell you to go get your medicine?  How do you expect me to treat you without medicine.  Get out of here until you come back with medicine.”  The girl told the doctor that she could not walk.  The doctor yelled at her, “Move from here.”  My heart broke as I realized that Simeon was being treated well because the white man was with him.  It was clear, the doctor care nothing for the little girl. 

The nurse began the process of discharging us from the hospital because the generator for the x-ray machine would not turn on until Monday, 2 days later.  Just then, another doctor entered the room who was obviously under the influence of alcohol.  He told us they would soon turn the generator on.  I was instructed to sit outside the x-ray room and wait.  While waiting, a poor woman, came and begged me to help her daughter who was suffering.  She was not able to afford her treatment.  The doctors left her daughter to suffer until the mother was successful at begging for money.  I gladly helped.  Another old lady came and begged me to help her granddaughter who needed surgery.  Again, the girl was suffering in her bed, waiting for medical treatment.  Again, we were pleased to share Christ with her and to assist with her treatment.  Later, a young boy, with diabetes came and spoke to us.  The boy was obviously suffering, nothing but skin and bones.  Christian presented the Gospel to him and his friend while we waited.  

After sitting for a long time, we were told again that the generator would not be turned on until Monday.  I went back to the emergency room and discharged Simeon while Christian ministered to the children.  While leaving the hospital, the boy with diabetes told us that no one was helping him with his treatment.  He asked us to buy his medicine.  We were happy to help.  In the end, Simeon waited two days for the x-ray machine to be turned on and then he waited another 2 days to receive the results from the x-ray.  

Many people die, having never gone to the hospital because they know no one will care for them at the hospital.  Thank you for empowering our mission to take the love of Jesus and free medicine to so many people who are in need!  Here is a brief letter from our head Physician Assistant:

“This week was a great and wonderful week serving Jesus by treating people and by leading them to Christ.  Our team treated 274 patients and 12 received Jesus.  We need your prayers for good health and strength for our workers and team.”

Here are a few pictures from our most recent mobile medical clinic.  

Every clinic starts with a health talk that is given by a physician assistant and the Gospel is presented by a pastor.

Patients get their vitals taken while registering.  Every patient is prayed over by our registration team.

Next, patients meet with a physician assistants.  After receiving a diagnosis, the physician assistant prays for each patient.

Most of our patients visit our portable lab for a malaria test.  After taking the test, they are prayed for again.

Some patients receive IVs.

At our mobile pharmacy, our patience receive free medication and more prayer.  

Lastly, patents meet with a pastor one on one.  The gospel is clearly presented to everyone who does not have a relationship with Jesus.  Believers are encouraged in their faith.

I am often asked what kinds of sicknesses we treat in our clinics.  Here is a copy of the report that I got after our last clinic.  As you can see, Malaria is always at the top of the list.  Malaria is one of the greatest killers in Liberia.

Our medical charts not only record our patients medical records, they also track a person’s spiritual development.  After seeing a Physician Assistant, our patients spend one on one time with a pastor.  As we revisit towns and villages, the pastor monitors the spiritual development of our patients.  If a person accepted Christ, it is written on their chart.  The next time our pastors see that patient, they will encourage them to take the next step in their faith.  Here are some of our pastor’s notes that were recorded in the spiritual development section of our medical charts.  Please pray for our patients.  Please pray that they will know Christ and follow Him with their whole hearts!  

• Norah is a believer, she needs prayer that God would provide for her because her brother in law died who used to help her.  
• Yamah is a believer.  Pray that Jesus will change her life so she will not be in sin.  She wants prayer that God will bring her back to her husband and for them to be legally married.
• Lorpu is a believer.  She was encouraged to stop doing man and woman business (adultery).
• Gormah is a believer.  She was also encouraged to stop doing man and woman business.
• Joannah is a believer.  Prayer request: Let God strengthen me.  Let God change the man that I want to marry because he is a Muslim man.  If he cannot be changed, let God separate our relationship. 
• Lorpu M. wants to be more faithful in reading her Bible and praying.
• Korto was encouraged to trust in the Lord for her needs and to remain faithful to Him. 
• Bill is a believer.  We encouraged him to keep strong in the Lord. 
• Kamah is a believer.  Prayer request: Let God strengthen my marriage and help me live for God. 
• Victoria is a believer.  She confessed having many adulterous relationships.  She wants us to pray with her that she can serve God faithfully. 
• Sarah is a believer but she does not attend church actively.  She was encouraged be faithful in her church attendance. 
• Dorcas is a believer.  She was encouraged to be faithful in attending church. 
• Sianneh is a believer but does not read her Bible.  She was encouraged to spend time with God daily. 
• Eric is a believer but is not faithful in attending church.  He was encouraged to be in fellowship.
• Rebecca is a believer she was encouraged to be baptized and serve God faithfully.
• Mary is a believer.  She wants to do devotions at home but her children are active and loud.  She was encouraged to keep on and press forward. 
• Gormah gave her life to Jesus for the first time.  
• Mary gave her life to Jesus for the first time.
• Korto gave her life to Jesus for the first time.
• Prince gave his life to Jesus for the first time.
• Teleteh had put her faith in Jesus a long time ago but needs prayer to keep strong.
• Blessing gave her life to Jesus for the first time.
• Esther was encouraged in her faith.
• Martha gave her life to Jesus for the first time.
• Michelle gave her life to Jesus for the first time.
• Gorma is a believer but wants to be more and more active in her faith.
• Dinah was encouraged to begin attending Bible study.
• Evelyn is a believer.  She was encouraged to be more active in serving God.
• Titus was encouraged to read his Bible.
• Howah was encouraged to be faithful in serving God.
• Jestina was encouraged to be part of the Bible study in her church.
• Sianneh put her faith in Jesus today.
• Sarah is a believer and was encouraged to be faithful in her church attendance.
• Ophelia was encouraged to keep in the faith. 
• Wendor is active in the church and was encouraged to do even more.
• Momo is a believer.  He asked us to pray that he would be strong in his faith.
• Evelin is a believer.  She was encouraged to keep strong in her faith.
• John is a believer.  He asked us to pray that God would give him wisdom to lead.
• Wennie is a Christian but is not faithful in attending church.  Please pray for Wennie’s faithfulness.
• Samuel is a believer.  He asked that we pray that God would give him a godly wife. 
• Remember is a believer.  She was encouraged to stop her adulterous relationship. 
• Ellen is a believer. She asked that we would pray that God would bring peace in her home. 
• Joyce is a believer.  She was encouraged to attend Bible study.
• Lucy is a believer.  She was encouraged to be active in church.
• Joannah is a believer.  She was encouraged to be active in studying her Bible.
• Fatu is a believer. She was encouraged to make things right with God regarding man and woman business. 
• Ellen is a believer but she is not active in church service.  She was encouraged to do so. 
• Elizabeth is a believer. She is faithful to her church but is doing woman and man business.  She was encouraged to make things right with God.
• Deborah is a believer.  She was encouraged to go to church.
• Princess is a believer but is not faithful in church attendance.  She was encouraged to be faithful.
• Alice is a believer.  She asked us to pray for her.  She wants to get married and make things right with her boyfriend.
• Theresa is a believer.  She said she does not have money to serve God.  She was encouraged that money is not the only way she can serve God she can serve Him through her faithfulness.
• Marry is a believer.  She was encouraged to do away with fornication and wait for God to give her a godly husband.
• Gitter is a believer.  She wants her prayer life to be strengthened.
• Benetton is a believer.  She was encouraged to serve God as a young woman.
• Blessing is a believer.  She was encouraged to be faithful in her church attendance.
• Musu is a believer.  She was encouraged to repent from her sins.  
• Precious is a believer.  She was encouraged in how she lives for God.  
• Blessing is a young believer.  She asked that we pray that God would help her learn in school and live a long life.
• Dorthy is a believer.  She wants to live a faithful life for Christ.
• Quite is a believer.  She asked us to pray that God would help her be wise and to do the work God gave her to do in the church faithfully.
• Meme is a believer.  She asked that we would pray that God would help her be more faithful in church attendance. 
• Junior is a believer.  He was encouraged to keep strong in his faith.
• Tabitha gave her life to Jesus for the first time.
• Prince is a believer he needs prayer so he will be obedient to God.
• Bends is a believer.  She needs prayer that God would bring her sister to be living with her so that she can help her stay strong in her faith.
• Joshua is a believer.  He asked for prayer for God’s blessing and long life. 
• Measure is a believer.  She needs prayer that she will keep strong in her faith.  Also pray that God will give her a job.
• Joseph is a believer.  Please pray for his health.  He is an elderly man.  
• Princess needs prayer to be strong in her faith.
• Victoria is a believer.  She asked that we would pray for her family that she could lead them to faith.
• Gorma is a believer. Pray that God would help her grow strong in her faith.
• Mary is a believer but is not active in church.  She wants to be active in church.

Thank you again for helping us love on people.  You buy all our medicines and pay our medical staff’s salaries.  

So how much does our medical mission cost?  Last month we spent nearly $1,000 on medicines and $1,000 on our medical team's salaries.  We treated 847 patients.  That means we spent on average $2.36 per patient we treated.  A little money goes a long way in Liberia.  On behalf of many, thank you!  

Fairview Missionary Children's Church Project

Last month, Fairview Missionary Church's Children's ministry took up a special offering to help us complete another group home for special needs orphans.  Kids, I am so proud of you!  I want you to know that your pennies, nickels, dimes, and quarters really add up.  You and are making a difference here in Liberia.  I'm going to try to post regular pictures of the house you are building so you can see how the Lord is using your donations.  Thank you!!!  Kids, this part of my blog is for you.  

Meet Lawrence.  He is the contractor who is building your house.  

Last week, we bought wood, steel rods, and nails for your house.  

Look at the wood.  It is black because we have to put termite protection on all our wood.  The termites in Liberia eat everything.  Believe it or not, the termites are so large that we enjoy eating them.  It's a love hate relationship.  They love to eat our wood and we love to eat them.  We boil them in oil, add a little salt and eat them like popcorn.  They taste great!

We stated framing the interior ceilings.  

This will be a foster mother's room.  Notice the ceiling has been framed.  Stay tuned kids.  I'll try to post updated pictures of your project every week on my blog.  To see pictures from last week, visit liberiacalls.blogspot.com.  

Prayer Requests:
1.  Please pray for our family as we are going through the process of getting visas for our three new children to travel with us to the States for a visit.  We are hoping to visit this summer.  The process has been very slow.  We are beginning to wonder if we will have to wait until this fall to travel. 
2. Please pray for our various ministries (the Bible Institute, Mobile Medical Ministry, Liberty Elementary School, Group Homes, and Sponsorship Program).  Please pray that we will see people coming to Christ and be discipled in their faith. 
3.  Please pray for Susan McLay.  Susan just joined our mission here in Liberia.  Please pray for her as she acclimates. 
4.  Please pray for my wife as she home schools all 7 of our children. 

Thank you for your faithful prayers and for your partnership in the Gospel!