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| Medical Mission International Newsletter |
Newsletter
August 2009
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 Dear Friends in Missions,
Not everyone has the burning desire to work in a different culture, but many have as strong desire to do something to ease the lives of people living in difficult circumstances. This is exactly what happened on June 16. Many people actively participated in a 10k Walk (run)- a-Thon. The enthusiasm demonstrated on that day, encouraged the Malians in their effort to build the Dorcas Center. Since the beginning of the construction, they have built on a shoe string budget, but every month little by little they have worked at it. At the end of June, $5000 was sent to Mali to purchase materials on behalf of all the participants who walked/run that day, and on behalf of the donor who was pleased to see so many of you taking up the challenge. (read the story below).
Encouragement may also come in a message of hope as introduced by Mrs. Rhonda Fischer in this email. And for others, encouragement is given through an act of love. The Lord told us that "they will know we are His by the love we show to one another". Let's bear one another's burden in love so that others will know the Lord Jesus.
Madeleine Allard
Director
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TWO CONTINENT WALK-A-THON
What sounded like a "crazy" idea, turned out to be a very successful
event. Imagine, $5000 was promised if we could only show solidarity
and partnership in a project involving two nations. We took up the
challenge on June 16, which happens to be the day of Children in Mali.
The
number of walkers and runners from across the US, Canada, and Mali
exceeded our expectations and our goal of 100 participants. Over 150
people between the two continents, joined together on that day to
complete 10k. Your participation demonstrated unity and sent a message of support to the
Malians in the construction of the Dorcas Center,
which will provide a safe home for kids in Bamako, Mali.
You
can view the pictures of the participants from Mali, 8 different states
and 3 different provinces. We apologize if you don't see your picture, we might not have received it.
I saw a couple of ladies
physically struggling with hip problems during the walk but they both
had such determination. They didn't quit but walked in pain because
they were sending a message of love. You can read also in this
Newsletter the note from Robin Schumaker who remained
faithful even in the difficult circumstance he was experiencing that
day. This is really Church -- Christians united to bless those who
have needs.
The construction of the rescue center is going ahead.  A heart felt -THANK YOU!- to all!
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Peru project in Olof Palmas, June
Submitted by Dustin Stidger
I really like your model of ministry. Partnering with local churches allows you to offer medical assistance to almost any area, and, more importantly, the local church can communicate the love of God to the people in ways that we never could. Also, the church will still be there to disciple new believers when we leave. We offer them the best health care we can, and then we direct them to the Great Physician.
It is an experience I won't soon forget!
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Submitted by Robin Schumaker
Thank
you for the opportunity to run for the Medical Mission International
Walk-a-thon. After I saw my wife into the operating room for some
surgery, I hurried over to The Works Health and Fitness Center here in
New Hampshire to complete my 10 km run and consider how grateful I am
with the quality and availability of medical care in this country.
Anyhow,
I completed the run (actually went a little bit over to make it a
nice, even 6.5 miles) in 1 hour 7 minutes on an indoor track, burned
off some of my anxiety and made it back to the hospital just as my wife
was coming out of the recovery room. I regret that I couldn't run/walk
with the others in this area at the church in Durham, but logistically,
that was just not possible.
Good luck and God bless your mission with its ministry.
Robin Schumaker
Milton, New Hampshire
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Hope came in the form of a message
(Rhonda Fischer)
After her experience with MMI in Peru in April, Rhonda wrote,
"We
met many needs during our week of clinic...but if I had to narrow it down to our
area of greatest impact, I would say that what we did most of all was bring hope . . . for
some, hope came in the smallest of packages.
Like multivitamins. Just a simple
intervention, but eyes would literally light up in anticipation of feeling
stronger and healthier, of having more reserve to meet the grueling demands of
their day to day living...and you would think that we brought them the
world.
For
others, hope lit up darker corners...
Most
importantly of all, hope came in the form of a Message...a message that there is
a God who sees them, who is with them in the trenches and whose love for them
surpasses their circumstance... a Message that there is a greater hope - for a
greater day when that same God will wipe every tear from their eyes and every
trace of poverty and injustice from their world...and in the meantime, while they
wait...hope often shows up in the form of those who come alongside bringing
practical provision and loving care in the name of Jesus."
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Peru June 27-July 4
A small team of professionals from New Hampshire led by Dr. Russell Shipman and Mrs. Greta St-Germain ministered in a small village south of Lima at the end of June. They offered medical and dental ministry and a small team ministered to the children.  Mrs Greta St-Germain with children during the Children's ministry Group picture on the debriefing day
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Sept 12-19: Chancayllo Peru (Medical/Dental/Construction) Team leader: CJ Wood
Sept 19-26: Chosica Peru (Medical) Team leader: Kathleen Asselstine
Oct 30-Nov 12: Bamako Mali Africa (Medical) Team leader: Cindy Boudreau
Oct 13-Nov 26: Mahou Mali Africa (Medical) Team leader: Rebecca Zerwick
THANKS FOR YOUR PARTNERSHIP IN PRAYERS!
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