From the Field
Updates from Luke Society Ministries
BAMENDA, CAMEROON
Christmas Celebration a Success
On December 25, 2007, it is Christmas day in Bamenda, Cameroon. As early as 8 a.m., I set out with three of my four children, Emmanuel, Peace and Favour to make the journey by car and then by canoe to the ministry village of Okwala. For my children, it was an exciting experience to travel first on the dusty and bumpy road to Tingoh then for the first time making a canoe ride on the Tingoh River.
December is the heart of the dry season in Cameroon so the river was really at low tide. We all had our life jackets on, which were supplied by the Luke Society in 2006. We could observe the massive erosion of the last rainy season that carried away the Luke Society canoe.
After crossing the river, it was time for us to meander through the fields and bush paths to walk to Okwala. As we approached the village our evangelist, Louis, started making the announcement in the local language that the Luke Society children team has finally come. The children of Okwala had been informed a few days before, to come out and meet with other children from Bamenda on Christmas day.
I observed how children rushed from one compound to another. Some first dashed to the stream to tidy up and look neat before showing up at the uncompleted health center. Others just came as shabby looking as they were. Then my daughter, Peace, sang a series of Christmas carols beginning with “Joy to the World, the Lord is Come.” By the time I started speaking to the kids, all 150 children were present. In my sermon translated into the local language by our evangelist, I told the children that Jesus was born in a manager in Bethlehem: a humble place like Okwala but rose up from that humble beginning to become the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords. I challenged them to commit their lives to Christ and they too will rise from the level of Okwala to reign with Christ in His Kingdom.
My three kids then started distributing the gifts that we brought. Every single child was given a Christmas present. We were all full of joy to see those smiling young faces as they each received a present. Most of these children were receiving a Christmas gift for their first time in life. Even babies brought on their mother backs were given presents. Some of these gifts cost as little as 50 cents. Thanks to the Luke Society, the village came alive on Christmas day as children could be seen making joyful noises with their toys and moving from house to house showing off their presents.
In this picture, you can see me and my three kids “drowned” in a sea of children as they lifted up their toys to say thank you God and thanks to the Luke Society.
On the Friday after Christmas (market day), the chief of the village and all the elders addressed a special thank you to the Luke Society for bringing so much joy on Christmas morning to every child in Okwala.
Christmas Day in Okwala has been to me personally the most satisfying ministry experience so far. I am grateful for the privilege that you at the Luke Society have given me to express my love for Christ through this ministry.Because of your support and prayers we here in Cameroon are truly touching lives in Jesus’ name. – Dr. Paul Atem
RIVNE, UKRAINE
New Ministry Works to Build Rehab Center
As one of the newer Luke Society ministries, this work is just beginning. We are partnering with Rev. Vitaly Korsunsky and Dr. Oleg Kolbach. Their ministry is called, “The Right Way,” and they currently are in the process of building a Christian Rehabilitation Center for those suffering from addictions. They have a three-step process to dealing with addictions. The medical treatment includes the use of medications and scientific methods to stop the physical addiction. The spiritual rehabilitation includes using a Christian model to change the way of thinking, the world view and the value system of the addicted. Finally, they will work with their patients on social adaptation, which involves the return of the patient to normal social life. “The Center will be unique not only in our region, but in Ukraine too,” wrote Rev. Korsunsky. “Unfortunately, this method does not take place or is used at a low level in our country.”
N’DALI, BENIN
Triplets Gaining Strength
Several months ago, Dr. Martin Luther Osse shared the story of triplets being born in the Luke Society clinic! He was very excited to witness the event. The two boys and a girl were named Saïdou, Saadou and Hawa. Unfortunately, they were born into a very poor family. Previous to the babies’ arrival, the family had been very friendly to Dr. Osse, so he could not help but aid them in their time of need. They are originally from Burkina Faso. “They were adopted at their arrival by a wealthy person in the community, but they were rejected and driven out a few days after the birth of the triplets for incomprehensible reasons,” says Dr. Osse. “Twice, the babies were dangerously threatened by disease, but by the grace of God and the free care at the Luke Society clinic, they were saved.”
The parents of the triplets are accustomed to begging and receiving the hand-outs of the wealthy villager. Dr. Osse and his staff have encouraged them to start a small business to create income. “We continue to follow the health of the triplets each week,” he says. “We are trying to help the children reach a less vulnerable age and to help the parents learn how to work to provide the needs for their family.”
JALAPA, MEXICO
Ministry Gets Nod from Government
Dr. Jose Luis Guerrero celebrated National Day of Vaccination by having the government set up a vaccination booth in the Luke Society clinic. They provided vaccines to 120 children in their community of El Porvenir. “We are collaborating with the government in order to improve the health of our children,” Dr. Guerrero says. Also, a health inspector from the Health Ministry arm of the government came to oversee the facility. “Thanks to God, he had a good opinion of our work and made just a few observations about the administrative procedures that we can improve easily,” Dr. Guerrero said. We are thankful that Dr. Guerrero’s ministry work is getting such good recognition from the government.
QUININDE, ECUADOR
Working to Improve Women’s Health
Dr. Yeny Agila de Penos is happy to report they have received a donated colposcope, which will help in the follow-up and treatment of abnormal Pap smears. There is a ministry in the capitol city of Quito that works with women’s health and preventing abortions. Dr. Yeny is meeting with the director of this program soon to discuss a partnership to help the women in Quininde. “I have the statistics that in Quininde between 20 and 25 women each month go to hospital for complications as a result of attempted abortions,” says Dr. Yeny. “Imagine how many there are who don’t have complications? The figures are truly alarming!” Pray that a quality partnership will be formed, and that women will be open to Dr. Yeny’s care.
ADDIS ABABA, ETHIOPIA
New Clinic Attracts Many Patients
The Luke Society clinic in Ethiopia is now several months old, and Dr. Wondwossen Desta is happy with the progress they’ve made in their community. “We have clients who are referred from the evangelical Christian community,” Dr. Desta reports. “Many tell us that they like our holistic approach of managing patients and our close cooperation with neighboring churches.” In November, four patients received Jesus as their Savior in the examination room! All four were referred to a local church, and they are currently taking discipleship lessons by the pastor. Praise the Lord!
PALAWAN, PHILIPPINES
Storm Doesn’t Dampen Spirits
Near the end of November, Dr. Susie Cayaon heard that strong thunderstorms were headed for their island. But the storm was far worse than their expectations. “The sea was reported to have swollen with ten feet of added height to the usual predictions!” she said. The church fence in the community of Tabon was destroyed, allowing sand and garbage to be dumped into the church property. Despite the destruction, they still held Sunday School amidst the rubble. “The shade from a nearby coconut tree and the smiles of the little children were enough to remind us that behind the clouds, the sun is shining,” Dr. Susie said. “In the church, we sang and praised the Lord because He kept the building in place and added more sand, which we actually wanted!”