Ministry Partners Reunite
A Special Connection between PMTs and Luke Society International Directors
Imagine twenty-two family reunions all taking place at the same time under a big outdoor tent. That was the atmosphere at the Partnership Ministry Team (PMT) luncheon on the day before the Luke Society International Conference. There was much hugging, laughter and tears as Luke Society directors from all over the world were reunited with their PMTs. It was a wonderful opportunity to honor and network with PMT alumni and conference supporters.
To spend time face to face with Ben and Susie Cayaon, our team members from the Philippines, was the culmination of two years of praying and planning. Our feelings of anticipation were finally realized! Seeing them in the United States meant that they had jumped over many hurdles to make this trip a reality. They had obtained their visas and passports and made all the correct flight connections.
Although this feat may seem trivial for those that travel abroad frequently, it was not so for our Filipino brother and sister. Obtaining proper documentation to leave the Philippines often involves traveling to the capital and undergoing a scrutinizing interview. Next, Ben and Susie had to get many things in order on the home front before leaving.
Unfortunately, Dr. Susie was unable to find a replacement physician who would take on her responsibilities during her month long absence which meant leaving the local population at risk medically. Pastor Ben, who mentors many lay pastors, visits local churches, is principal at the Luke Society preschool, and has a daily Christian radio program also had to put his responsibilities “on hold.” And coming to the conference meant leaving behind their three school aged children and staff, in a country that is very politically unstable. Needless to say, we felt truly blessed and thankful to have Ben and Susie with us.
Because of these sacrifices made by Ben and Susie, we were able to hear and experience by PowerPoint presentation what the Lord has been doing in the hearts and lives of the people that live on the island of Palawan.
We learned that the preschool is thriving due to new government regulations that require all children entering first grade to be able to read and write. Since the Luke Society Kiddie Center has such a good reputation for bringing its graduates up to this standard, there is increased enrollment, including children from families that are not Christian. What a wonderful opportunity to share the gospel!
We were also told that the staff has been hosting “Film Nights.” On Film Night, the staff travels to a surrounding village to show Christian videos. The events have been well accepted and have identified those people who are expressing a desire to have a relationship with Jesus Christ.
We also heard their struggles and hardships. Their main prayer request is to have registered nurses at the clinic and hospital, which are currently operating with a nonprofessional yet competent staff trained by Dr. Susie. The government is threatening to close down the facilities if qualified nurses are not hired soon. This issue tugs strongly at the Cayaons’ hearts as they are in a position where the native people are in desperate need of medical care and have very limited options if turned down by the Luke Society.
After the conference, we had the privilege of hosting the Cayaons at our home in Minnesota. Here they shared their ministry among churches and small groups that were familiar with their work. This was a great opportunity to better equip the supporters and prayer warriors who could now put a face to the ministry they had only heard or read about in the past.
What we enjoyed most about the experience of being with Ben and Susie on this side of the world was just having them available without the constraints of their responsibilities to patients, staff, pastors and community which happens when we go to visit them on their turf. We had time to hear Susie’s testimony, and many of our questions were answered about the history of the ministry. They shared stories about how God is working despite political parameters that are stifling their outreach. We laughed and cried as we heard stories such as the income-generating project of raising lobsters that failed miserably.
A highlight was the times spent in devotions as Pastor Ben lead our family in a question and answer format. This prompted a discussion about the Heidelberg Catechism, and soon a copy was being packed into one of the many boxes that were going back with them. Ben is looking forward to using this resource in training lay pastors.
Our children also enjoyed their enthusiastic personalities and gained a new perspective on what life must be like on the other side of the globe. Their eyes were opened as they watched the Cayaons marvel at our North American conveniences that we take for granted.
Our memories of their visit would not be complete if we didn't mention the many cross-cultural, humorous situations we found ourselves in. There was the “tug-of-war” on the thermostat where Ben would raise and Greg would lower the room temperature throughout the night. We fondly remember lighting our gas fireplace in August just so the Cayaons could warm up from the cool Minnesota evenings.
We found out that many of the things that are considered “antique” in our world are considered “state-of-the-art” in theirs. They laughed that we were using our antique treadle sewing machine as an ornament and conversation piece because, in Palawan, barongs (Filipino men’s dress shirts) are still tailor-made on machines such as ours.
Although we planned unique outings such as a Buffalo Tour and a visit to the Vogel Paint factory, everyday experiences were usually viewed as tourist attractions for the Cayaons. A visit to our town's new clinic and hospital quickly lead to the pillaging of the old clinic. It gave us great satisfaction knowing that Susie could use the “antique” blood pressure machines from our abandoned clinic. As she and Greg salvaged the apparatuses, Susie’s quick wit changed our Luke Society acronym (PMT) from Partnership Ministry Team to Partnership Ministry Thieves!
The Luke Society International Conference was a time of reuniting with loved ones, celebrating what God is doing through His Body all over the world and spending time with friends in praise and worship and laughter. Could this be a glimpse of heaven? If it is, we can’t wait to get there!
Dr. Greg and Marg Kuiper