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Saving Lives Means Saving Lives!
UIM International is all about the proclamation of the Gospel and saving lives from an eternal separation from God that is unimaginable. Saving souls is also about saving lives.
Ephesians 2:8-9 is, without doubt, one of the most poignant declarations of Scripture describing the means and conditions of salvation, "For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, so that no one may boast." Absolutely, the eternal saving of a life comes purely "by grace . . . through faith" alone in the cross work of our Lord Jesus Christ.
However, we must not forget that all-important tenth verse, "For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works . . . ! (emphasis added). Saving lives is a "good work" for bringing and demonstrating the lifesaving Gospel!
The little book of Titus is probably the most evangelistic epistle for its size, referring to "God our Savior" and "Christ our Savior" in every chapter, but it is equally saturated with exhortations to engage in "good works." Good works open the door to the saving work of Christ.
UIM is making connections with the First People groups of North America, proclaiming Christ as Savior and engaging in good works to make Him known. In this issue of the UIM Connection! you will be compelled to rejoice in God's life-saving grace. Your connection in prayer, giving, and sharing in the ministry of UIM International makes it possible. Read with thanksgiving and praise to our Lord Jesus Christ!
In Christ Jesus,
Daniel P. Fredericks
UIM Executive Director
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Medical Hospitality in Oaxaca
The Lord took UIM missionaries Dave and Wendy Nellis seriously when they told Him they were willing to help the Chatino church and community with special medical situations. The local clinic is limited when it comes to diagnosing difficult illnesses where a specialist is required. Oaxaca, Mexico, is 140 miles north of the Chatino community, but it takes six hours to drive the curves. There are other towns closer, but Oaxaca is the best choice for finding a specialist. Over the years, Dave and Wendy have developed a list of doctors whom they trust and who are patient to work with Chatino speakers, with their help as translators.
Usually, the Chatino pastor calls Dave and Wendy about a medical need. Dave and Wendy make an appointment with the doctor and then call back to confirm the time with them and inform them of the cost involved. When it is time for the appointment, the patients travel to Oaxaca and arrive at Dave and Wendy's home, where they stay and eat dinner before they are taken to their first appointment. Dave and Wendy have an upstairs bungalow (as they call it) that was designed for hospitality. It has complete privacy with external access, a bathroom, kitchen, and living area. Over the years they have purchased extra foam mattresses, blankets, sheets, and towels for whatever group is arriving.
When the patients arrive, Wendy has a pot of black beans on the stove, spiced with onion, garlic, salt and epazote, just like she was taught years ago. Lately, she has been serving tuna-celery salad as a diabetic option, lacking only tortillas and some hot sauce to complete the meal. She uses whatever fresh fruit she has on hand to make a pitcher of delicious drink---guava, melon, papaya, lime, or orange. Before getting up from the table, they read a portion of God's Word to feed their needy souls with the Bread of Life. The patient(s) is (are) sent off with His blessing as the Nellises continue to pray for complete healing.
Often a diagnosis and steps toward a solution are made within that first visit; other times analysis, surgery, and post-operative care are required. Gaby had gone to several doctors in her community, but the pain persisted in her inner ear. Finally, a specialist with proper equipment was able to solve her problem.
 | | Gaby and Wendy |
Felicitas had continual ocean waves sounding in her ear; with proper medication the fluid trapped behind the eardrum was absorbed. Others require multiple trips to Oaxaca, surgery, and weeks of post-operative care. Lisania had plastic surgery on her right hand, repairing several fingers disfigured from a childhood burn.
 | | Lisania with parents and Wendy |
Benigno's eye was injured while cutting branches with a machete. Intense pain brought him into Oaxaca to see an ophthalmologist and obtain needed cataract surgery. Of others who have had cataract surgery, Justino was born with cataracts and Daniel developed cataracts at age 20. Another Felicitas, a diabetic, needed special attention regarding her diet before surgery. Enriqueta came in to see a cardiologist and found a solution to her high blood pressure.
Pastor Venancio and wife, Beti, both diabetics, lived with Dave and Wendy for six weeks during post-operative care after his toe was amputated. They prepared and all ate a diabetic diet together. In a matter of weeks Venancio and Beti noticed that their teeth were no longer loose and their eyesight had greatly improved. They now have tools to teach other Chatino diabetics in their community about diet and checking their blood.
 | | Pastor Venancio and Beti |
These people have expressed gratitude to Dave and Wendy in many ways, but they know their ultimate healing comes from the Lord. Often Dave and Wendy find themselves serving God's servants, like pastors, missionaries and elders. What a privilege! |
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God's Amazing Provision
Our sovereign God knows everything and we know that, but sometimes the way He coordinates our daily schedules for His glory is mind boggling! In the December 2 UIM Connection (Together in the Task) the Huichol people who six years earlier had lost their homes because they worshipped Christ instead of spirits were mentioned. All of the believers had agreed to relocate on the outskirts of the town of Puga, about a 30-minutes drive from Tepic. They named their new village "La Bendición (The Blessing).
 | | La Bendición villagers |
Pilots from UIM Aviation have been transporting Mexican nationals and Huichol pastors into Huichol villages to provide Bible training and other assistance. Seven Huichol mother-tongue-translators involved in an Old Testament project had agreed to meet the first week of November 2011 in the village of Zapote to work on polishing the draft of 1 Samuel. Hilario from Los Aires, a 6-hour hike, 10-hour rural bus ride, 1-hour local bus ride, 40 minute-boat ride and an additional 40-minute hike from the host village, had originally said he could not make it because his pregnant wife, Angelina, would be due to deliver their 6th child during that time. Angelina encouraged Hilario to attend and said she would take care of delivering the baby herself.
The boy, Manasés, was born November 6, five days before Hilario returned from the project meeting. Two weeks later, little Manasés was having trouble breathing; within three days he had completely quit nursing. Hilario knew the baby would not survive a trip hours away to the local clinic. He and Angelina prayed for a miracle. The following morning, UIM pilot David Wolf "just happened" to arrive at the airstrip, a 40-minute hike from their home, for a pre-arranged meeting of the Huichol Bible students from Hilario's isolated village with the Mexico director of the study program. David was able to airlift Hilario, Angelina and the gravely ill baby Manasés to Tepic, where he was admitted, nearly unconscious, to the pediatric ICU of a local hospital. The Lord saw fit to spare the life of the 20-day old baby, and 10 days later he was discharged to return to the village.
We are happy to report that Manasés is now two and a half months old and is doing well! His parents intend to tell him the story of God's provision for his life.
 | | Angelina and Manasés |
"And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose" (Romans 8:28, NIV). |
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