I was recently visiting with a regional medical coordinator named Adelphia in his small two room clinic in the Wounaan village of Maje, deep in the Panamanian rainforest. Adelphia pointed to the grass roofed houses of his children on the hill side below the clinic as he shared his family's story. The gospel transformed his life thirty years ago and now his many children and grandchildren are following Christ.
A "witchdoctor" in Maje was the primary health practitioner 30 years
ago, and someone carrying that title still holds significant influence
in the village today. However, the introduction of preventative health
measures, good sanitation and systematic immunizations has
significantly raised the life expectancy in Maje. Adelphia spoke of the
training he had received from Herta Voth, an MBMS International medical
missionary who served in the remote Wounaan communities during the
1960's and 70's. Her life example and impact on the Wounaan continue to
be felt to this day.
When a youth team from Forest Grove MB Church in Saskatoon visited
the village last year and hosted a youth convention, one of the
visiting youth broke his big toe in a swimming accident at the river.
After seeing the toe twisted at an unnatural angle, several young
Wounaan men began running for the witch doctor to get help. Einer
Zuluaga, the local MBMS International missionary shouted at them to
stop. They returned to the accident site and Einer explained that when
accidents happen we can call on Jesus for healing. They laid hands on
the injured foot and asked the Great Physician for his intervention.
Within the hour the young man was walking normally and pain free. This
testimony of healing had an impact on many of the youth in the village.
Where there was formerly no youth group, there are now 35-40 young
people in Maje who meet regularly for Bible study and prayer.
The impact of long term missionaries like Herta Voth, and more
recently Einer and Girlesa Zuluaga, as well as short term teams from
local churches such as Forest Grove all contribute to ongoing community
transformation. The spiritual battle for Maje and communities like it
around the world continues.
Ministry Highlights
-Team 2000 in Thailand recently celebrated the baptism of 11 believers
in their church plant, The Life Centre. To view an amazing video of
this event, visit www.mbmsi.org/thailand/baptism.
- Rob & Marlene, missionaries in Central Asia, recently
shared that the young men they work with have begun praying publicly
and showing signs of spiritual growth and hunger, breaking through the
apathy and hopelessness that binds so many men in their country.
Items for Prayer
- Pray that the Thai government would give their approval for registered charitable foundation status for our work in Thailand.
- Pray for the health and protection of missionary families and marriages.
- Ask the Lord for continued spiritual growth among the Wounaan
and Embera people of Panama. Pray for wisdom, strength and protection
for the Zuluagas in their ministry.
Watch for Celebration Missions Nights coming to churches across North America in 2007.
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