Touching Souls for the Kingdom of God

2012 India Medical Mission Outreach

Let us not lose heart in doing good, for in due time we will reap if we do not grow weary.
So then, while we have opportunity, let us do good to all people. Galatians 6:9,10

I’m delighted to report that the 11 team members of the Medical Missions have returned safely from a trip to Pune where we had the opportunity to serve the poor and needy people of India again this year. We are grateful for the love, guidance, and many prayers for us during our two week visit.

By God’s grace we ministered to over 1700 individuals during the five day medical camp in Pune, and another 800+ children and teachers at a remote village school about two hours away by bus the following week. (See report on Daund visit) Many indigent families were assisted through the various stations at the Pune clinic, including: registration, blood pressure, diabetes screening, and personal evaluation by two Indian physicians, reading glasses assessment, dental exam, pharmacy and health education. This year there were a significant number of follow-up procedures each day that required immediate assistance, including several emergency EKG’s for heart abnormalities. Also, for the second straight year there was a much-needed women’s health program headed by Dr. Christine Jegadesh and held at a different time and place than the main clinic. (See Women’s Program article.) This program served over 60 women from the surrounding area with health care education and personalized interaction.

“For I was hungry and you gave Me food; I was thirsty and you gave Me drink; I was a stranger and you took Me in; I was naked and you clothed Me; I was sick and you visited Me; I was in prison and you came to Me.? Matthew 25:35-36

For more pictures, visit our Facebook page.

In addition to addressing medical needs, we set up a prayer station (consisting of a team member and translators) each day of our medical camp in Pune & at the children’s school in Daund. It was a wonderful blessing to pray for the health and social needs of each person and, most importantly, for them spiritually. We could see the desperation in their eyes for peace in their lives and homes. What a great honor to share with them the life-changing gospel of Jesus Christ. We gave freely to all those who asked for God’s Word a New Testament in Hindi. It’s amazing to hear many say they never heard of the name of Jesus Christ. Brother Michael Hiwale, a translator, wrote down the Lord’s name in Hindi for one woman, who responded by saying: “Now I will pray every day only to my Lord Jesus Christ!”

We are so appreciative for your prayers during our visit and during the medical camp. One young Hindu teacher gave her heart to Jesus Christ on the very last day and asked Him to cleanse and save her, with tears of joy following. We read in Isaiah 35:4: “Say to those with fearful hearts, "Be strong, do not fear; your God will come, He will come with vengeance; with divine retribution, He will come to save you.?

We see the enormous need in India today for the Koinonia medical services to be expanded, for so many poor and underserved go neglected. Let us all continue to pray for the establishment of a fully equipped Clinic/Health Care Facility on our own land. This truly would be a “beacon of light” for the physical and spiritual needs of thousands who are without hope and so desperate to hear the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Matthew 9:36: “But when He saw the multitudes, He was moved with compassion for them, because they were weary and scattered, like sheep having no shepherd.”

Dear saints, please continue to pray for the India Medical Ministry, and consider joining us on our next visit.

For His glory and honor,
Pastor Tony Joseph

The 2011 team:

Jacqui Doucette, R.N. - Pediatric specialist
Dr. Christine Jegadesh - Pharmacy Professor and Women’s Health Instructor
Klara Manning, Alicia Habershaw, Kim Wilbert - Pharmacy Students
Sarah Hiller, Kelly Refner - Dental Hygiene Students
Kathy Tetlow, John Cole - Medical Clinic Support
George Jegadesh- Reading Eyeglass Clinic
Tony Joseph - Prayer station.

Background on the Medical Mission to India

We have seen the plight of the poor and underserved in India. For the most part their extreme poverty prevents them from receiving any medical attention, and thus, often major illnesses go untreated. The doctor-to-patient ratio in India is approximately one physician to every 2000 natives. Many preventable conditions / diseases, such as diabetes, hypertension, blood disorders, and skin problems go undiagnosed and untreated. The lack of basic dental care also contributes to the suffering and health problems of India’s poor. Maladies such as tuberculosis, malaria, and typhoid fever are prevalent, and amazingly, diseases such as polio and leprosy are not uncommon in India today.

As in the past, we are so grateful to offer the opportunity for prayer to everyone who comes through our medical camp. Please pray that the “seed” of the Gospel of Jesus Christ would be planted and take root for His Kingdom’s sake.

Included in the clinic services, the team will again be conducting a vision screening for patients and will provide reading glasses free of charge. Last year was the first time the eye screening was conducted, and it was a great success. The team is hoping to bring even more glasses this year in an effort to reach and better meet the needs of more people. We are currently collecting reading glasses, if anyone would like to donate. Various strengths are needed, but strengths of +2 and higher are preferred.

In addition to the medical camp, the female members of the medical team will again this year be conducting a women’s health workshop. Building upon some of the skills and knowledge gained from last year’s program, we are planning to delve deeper into conversation about the challenges the Indian women encounter personally as well as in their communities. This intimate time with ladies from two continents provides a unique opportunity to these women to connect in a personal way, and address concerns not often discussed at the large medical camps.

Above all, this medical mission team desires to glorify God in all of their work. Pray that the team is used of the Lord in a mighty way during their two weeks in Pune, and that they would effectively follow Christ’s example of reaching out to the poor and sick both in word and deed.