From the Field
Updates from Luke Society Ministries
N'Dali, Benin
Reaching Out Into Rural Villages Proves Difficult
Dr. Martin Osse is beginning to realize the limitations of his outreach to rural villages. The residents of the Gnakparé village have been the most enthusiastic about the work of the Luke Society in Benin. “It is evident that the Lord attracts them,” says Dr. Osse. “Unfortunately, they are also cut off from the world.”
The Luke Society team visits the village on motorcycles, and the tracks they follow to the village are frequently destroyed by rainwater. “Because of their isolation, there is no school nor health care facility near this village,” says Dr. Osse.
“Close to 100 school-age children pass their time walking between the village, the fields and the water source.” Dr. Osse says when the Luke Society visits, it is a highlight for those children.
Orissa, India
Villagers Filled with Holy Spirit
“We thank and praise the Lord that He has given us the lowly and poorest communities to minister to,” says Dr. Pushpa Rout. “In spite of the law of the land and prohibition of sharing one’s faith to others, we visit them at the command of our Lord Jesus!” The villagers in these remote places have welcomed the Routs with open arms and wait hours to have fellowship together.
In early August, a worship service was scheduled in Chintalguda. As the Routs were traveling 40 km through mountainous terrain, the entire village was singing and praising God in their small prayer house. When they finally arrived, many of the villagers were filled with the Holy Spirit as Rev. Prem Rout preached the message of salvation through Jesus Christ. “Poor, illiterate villagers were dancing and shouting, ‘Hallelujah!’” reports Dr. Rout. “Our hearts were filled with joy and thanksgiving to the Holy Living God who chooses the lowly and innocent for His Kingdom!”
Managua, Nicaragua
Political Situation Looks Unsteady
Drs. Francisco and Reyna Moraga are becoming increasingly worried about the state of their country. “Nicaragua is facing a never before seen political and economic crisis that is creating a tension among the people, a loss of hope, social violence,” they write. “This brings about an atmosphere of uncertainties in the communities.” Please pray for the Moragas as they work to instill peace and hope through Jesus Christ in these rural communities.
Drs. Francisco and Reyna Moraga have also found increasing limitations from the director of the Health Center in the ministry village of La Conquista. He is putting up roadblocks against the Social Orientated Sales (SOS) project. “SOS is an economic alternative for people with scarce resources,” says Reyna. “It will supply the medicines the people do not find in the government pharmacies. They have access to these products at a 30% discount from what they would pay in private pharmacies.” The profits made from SOS will go back into the community to buy more medicines.
Bamenda, Cameroon
Mothers Seeking Abortions Find Christ
Ever since Dr. Paul Atem opened the Mt. Zion Clinic many years ago, he has been confronted with young women wishing to terminate their pregnancies. He has counseled many of these girls, leading them to Christ and convincing them to keep their babies.
In early September, two women walked through the clinic doors. Mary, 20, and Charlotte, 21, were both two months pregnant, and both wanted abortions. “I succeeded in leading Charlotte to Christ but not Mary,” writes Dr. Atem. “Pray that none of them will go and destroy any of those babies. Also pray that they should come back for prenatal care. Pray that they really make a firm decision to follow Jesus Christ.”
Quininde, Ecuador
New Consultation Room is a Blessing
Recently Dr. Yeny Agila was invited to a meeting with the Public Benevolence Board of Trustees, which is the social welfare committee in the city. She was invited to speak on how she has been helping the poor and marginalized mothers and children. After talking with them about the Luke Society work, they told her about an unused, well-supplied consultant office with all facilities. She enquired about the office further, and they have allowed her to use the space for free! “Now I have a consultant room where I can take PAP smear samples, do prenatal exams and perform routine check-ups on women and children,” wrote Dr. Agila. “Praise the Lord!”
Irian Jaya, Indonesia
Church Dedication Draws Hundreds
After canceling the new church dedication in Dimba several times, Dr. Julius Surjadi is happy to report that it has finally happened! As several tribal people came forward to help with the preparation for the celebration, they were divided into groups. “One group to collect firewood, the other to collect the vegetables and the other one to cut the meat and cook,” Dr. Surjadi said. “They were cooking all night long and singing together. They worked happily and with enthusiasm.”
The ceremony began at 10 a.m., and nearly 200 men, women and children were in attendance. The church leaders who were the pioneers of the ministry in Dimba shared their testimonies in tears. “They said that now Dimba had the Light, and it is not dark anymore,” Dr. Surjadi said. “They said they have put the banner of Christ here to clam that this area belongs to Jesus.” Dr. Surjadi dedicated the church and named it Ecclesia.
San Pedro, Guatemala
Work Continues in New Rural Communities
Dr. Israel Hernandez is excited about the possibility of starting community health work in a new village. Monte Cristo is located an hour from San Pedro, and the people are from the Quiché tribe. “They are marked with problems of health related to malnutrition, parasitic conditions, respiratory and skin infections as well as other diseases,” says Dr. Hernandez. “But right away, they were sympathetic to the kind of cooperation we offer. So the first steps of a relationship were drafted with the cooperation of the leadership.”