Around (this part of) the world in 18 days

The Christian Medical and Dental Association holds an international meeting every year, alternating between somewhere in Africa and Asia.  It is a ministry to the medical missionaries in those areas.  For doctors who live and work overseas, it is difficult to get enough continuing education credits to keep up with licenses and certifications.  The conference basically works as one big CME cram session.  But it is so much more than that:  there are worship services and sermons in ENGLISH, time for reflection and spiritual renewal, fellowship with other missionaries from around the region.  And of course... a bit of fun.

I think I first heard about the "Thailand conference" when I was a resident.  I came to PNG and volunteered for a month, to help cover the hospital so that some of the missionary docs could go to the meeting.  When they returned, I heard such wonderful things about their trip.  I have long anticipated being able to attend myself.  This is the year!

On Thursday morning, we will be loading up two mission vehicles with the Dooleys, Bennetts, Myers, me and Beck, and all of our luggage--13 travelers in all.  Our journey will take us from Kudjip to Mt. Hagen, to Port Moresby, through Singapore and on to Kuala Lumpur, Malasia.  We will stay the night at a hotel in KL and head on to Chiang Mai, Thailand early Friday morning.  Lucky for us FOB (fresh out of the bush) missionaries, Air Niugini's limited flight schedule requires us to go a few days early.  We will be staying in downtown Chiang Mai for two nights, enjoying sites and shopping.  Sunday afternoon, our group will move out to the Suan Bua resort to participate in the two-day pre-conference.  I am reuniting with some of my former colleagues from JPS to help teach the ALSO course.  The actual conference starts that Wednesday and will end 8 days later.

As we say goodbye to Thailand and make our way back to PNG, the rest of the group will be leaving me in Singapore.  I am spending a few extra holidays with my friends Sarah and David.  I recently learned that Behzad, one of my good friends from Texas, will be in Singapore for a medical conference.  Wow... what a small, small world!

I am hoping to blog about our trip along the way (depending on internet access).  And if not, I will definitely make up for it when I get home.  I am sure there will be lots to tell.  In the mean time, we would all appreciate your prayers for this trip:  for safe travels, flight connections, for the conference, for God's presence, and that we will all be refreshed and renewed.

Vanuatu update: Tanna

Just about a year ago, I was getting ready to travel with a Kudjip delegation to the country of Vanuatu.  Our international group went to the small island of Aniwa, where we spent a week teaching community health.

On the way to and from Aniwa, we briefly stopped to change planes on the island of Tanna.  Both Tanna and Aniwa have been strongholds for the John Frum cult.  Tanna has been especially closed to Christianity because of the influence of the cult... until recently.

Last summer, a Youth in Mission team from America spent two weeks on Tanna.  The team made friends, organized kids clubs, showed the Jesus film, and shared the gospel in several communities around the island.  Many became believers as a result of the ministry.  Praise God!  The Potters wrote a 3 part series about the trip on their blog.

Outreach to Tanna Part 1:  Getting there

Outreach to Tanna Part 2:  Answered prayer, TV screens, and open doors

Outreach to Tanna Part 3:  Jehoveh Jireh--the Lord provides!

In January, the Potters returned to Tanna to hold discipleship classes for the new believers.  Here is the story...

God's plan of redemption for the people of Tanna

The South Pacific has been pounded with several cyclones (a.k.a. hurricanes) over the past weeks.  Cyclone Vania hit Tanna directly, devastating the island.  The Potters have been in touch with some of the people they met on their trips.  The cyclone has damaged houses and destroyed gardens.  It will be some months before food is growing again.

But Tanna is not forgotten.  Local churches in Port Villa are collecting offerings to help the people of Tanna.  Nazarene Compassionate Ministries is also organizing a relief project for the island.  (If you would like to give toward this project, click here.)  Please pray that new Christians will be strengthened in their faith, others will believe, and that God will use this disaster to advance His kingdom!

All things to all men

I loved this post by Dr. Erin.  She gave me the OK to share with you, so here it is...

"Just as I [Erin] am about to give chemotherapy to a pregnant lady with breast cancer, I look over and see Bill getting ready to give intraperitoneal chemotherapy to a lady with ovarian cancer.  Neither of us have experience in what we are doing, we are just doing our best and trying to help.

"In 1 Corinthians 9:22 Paul says, 'I have become all things to all men so that by all possible means I might save some.'  Paul was talking about being able to relate to different kinds of people in the hopes of sharing the gospel and helping them learn about Christ.  In many ways, here at Kudjip we are doing the same thing.  As doctors, we came with a certain amount of knowledge and training, but every day in order to reach those who come through our gates, we are being stretched beyond our knowledge, skill and expertise.  We are not specialists, but missionary doctors who read, learn and are willing to help where we can.  In the process of bringing comfort and physical healing, we hope and pray they learn more about Christ.

"Bill and I are not oncologists, but to give the many with cancer a few more days, we do what we can with the chemotherapy we have.  Andy is not an orthopedist, but when the need arose, became an expert in treating talipes (club feet) and has given many little boys and girls the ability to walk on the soles of their feet.  Steph is not a neonatologist, but everyday she cares for our premature babies as she rounds in the nursery.  Scott and Rosie are not infectious disease specialists, but have and are caring for many with HIV and TB.  Susan is not a pediatric cardiologist, but takes care of our kids with congenital heart defects.  Jim is not a surgical specialist, but has helped many by doing everything from neurosurgery to gynonc to ENT to urology to orthopedics and anything that needs done.

"Individually we lack knowledge, skill and expertise, but collectively we share our knowledge, skill and expertise to serve those who come and attempt to bring home and healing in the process.  There is still much to learn and more we can do, but it is a blessing it is to be a part of this team who is trying to do what we can to help."

And what a team.  Thanks, Erin.

To read more from Dr. Erin, here is a link to her blog:  http://erininpng.blogspot.com/