From the Field
Updates from Luke Society Ministries
Encarnación, Paraguay
Thanks to Donors
Dr. Jorge Gomez-Frey is grateful for the new vehicle that Luke Society donors provided for his ministry. “We can transport easily now to the remotest communities where the road is dirt and where almost inaccessible,” he says.
Recently, a patient came to the clinic in need of many tests in order to have an operation at a local hospital. “When we handed over her exams without cost, she started to cry and we thought perhaps she was afraid of the results. So we talked and found out she was crying because she could not believe it was free of charge,” says Jorge. The woman’s pastor gave her the voucher reserved only for the poor. “I think we are very much immersed into the daily work that we have not seen how meaningful it is when we provide medical technology to our brethren much in need.”
Nairobi, Kenya
Dr. Olewe Survives Car Accident
Recently, Dr. Tom Olewe was involved in a serious car accident. Dr. Olewe describes the situation: “In an attempt to avoid a head-on collision with a bus, I drove the vehicle into the nearby bush. In the bush, the vehicle was headed for a huge tree, so I attempted an emergency brake, which sent the vehicle rolling. But it stopped upside down. I found myself performing a head stand with the safety belt holding me. I managed to free myself from the belt, open the co-driver’s door and get out of the vehicle. I sustained no injury. My spectacles remained intact on my face! Praise the Lord!”
Trujillo, Peru
Open Doors to Youth
Many times, Dr. Felix Aldave and his wife, Bertha, have requested prayers for safety from the gangs that roam around their ministry area. Many times they have been harassed and scared. Now God has opened the door for the Aldaves to minister to the youth in their area, and He is blessing them. Recently, the Aldaves held a spiritual retreat for the adolescent class. “We worshiped God and meditated on His Word as well as having a wonderful fellowship time,” reported Bertha. They also spoke to the teenagers about personal issues. “We were able to share on the miracles of life as well as on AIDS.”
Jalapa, Mexico
At-Risk Children Reach Out to Orphans
Dr. Jose Luis Guerrero and his wife, Laura, have been reaching out to the children of El Porvenir, a community that is devastated by poverty. Recently, they brought 11 of these children to visit orphans who have been abandoned by their parents or rescued from family abuse. “We thank God our Father, for we saw how the children served others, played with them and gave them gifts and sweets that we took for them, all while the Gospel of salvation from Jesus Christ was shared,” said Dr. Jose Luis. “God operated in the hearts of our kids, many of them also children at risk. Some that came along had been street workers, and now they are sharing with those less fortunate how Christ has transformed their lives.”
Matupi, Myanmar
Matu Bibles Near Completion
Two years ago, Luke Society director, Chan Thleng, finished the Matu translation of the Bible. Chan recently heard that the “Matu Book” is going into final proof stage. “I, with my people, have been waiting for this good news,” Chan said. It is our hope that the printing of the Bibles will be done quickly, so that the Bibles will soon reach that Matu people.
Mississippi, United States
Prayer Study to Begin
Dr. Peter and Eleanor Boelens are initiating a medical intervention study measuring the effects of Healing Prayer on anger, depression and anxiety. They are praying that the data will prove this type of prayer to be medically significant in the lives of patients. No data presently exists in the literature on this subject. Dr. Boelens said, “We know our God is a powerful God, and we want Him to be glorified in a startling new way through a scientific study. We also want Christians and non-Christians alike to take notice of the effectiveness that prayer has on the healing of emotions, depression, anxiety and harmful anger in the hopes that many churches and Christian clinics will begin ministries of healing prayer in their own communities.”
Quininde, Ecuador
Women’s Groups Are Successful
Dr. Yeny Agila continues to be encouraged by the success of her groups for women. The women are involved not only in Bible studies and marriage counseling, but also in raising animals for economic development. “All of them are enthusiastic and encouraged by their projects of raising small chickens and piglets,” said Yeny. “We are encouraged, in turn, by their openness to learn from the Word of God. We need God to give us wisdom to share the gospel with much love and without pretenses.”
The local schools are beginning to benefit from the women’s groups as well. “Together with the parent association, we are forming solidarity groups to clean, build playgrounds with tires, and it becomes entertaining as the grown-ups also try and enjoy the swings.