GOOD NEWS MINISTRY [GNM], PHILIPPINES

DICK AND JULIET BATES

Pr.25:25 AS COLD WATER IS TO A WEARY SOUL, SO IS GOOD NEWS FROM A FAR COUNTRY.

GREETINGS TO EVERYONE IN JESUS ‘ NAME

We arrived back in the states following a 31/2 month ministry in the Philippines. As part of this post trip review I will focus first on the two medical missions that we participated in.  The first one was the outcome of my having a desire to do one for several years. It was basically two years in planning. We needed to assemble all necessary personal, doctors, dentists, nurses, medicines and supplies. We were able to do this with the help of evangelist Richard Sebastian who we had worked with many times through the Word Aflame Worship Center in Baguio. Basically, Richard was our only available ministry assistance along with his two aids. At this point, with only two days to spare, we found and purchased a 10 year old Van which we then sold two months later before we left. So we packed 9 boxes of medicines, 5 persons, all the evangelistic film showing equipment into the Van and proceeded to travel the 20 hours to the south end of the island of Mindoro, and the village of Monteclaro,  where we would meet the physicians, dentists and nurses. All toll 452 adults were treated including 60 dental patients. Before the patients were allowed to get their medicines, all adults were assembled into small groups as were the children for ministry of Jesus Christ. There was a tremendous response to the Good News of Jesus Christ, both at the medical missions and at the four Film showing crusades conducted on our way back to the departure point on the island. The crusades averaged 70 – 80 people responding to the Salvation message.

We were then asked by the attending physicians to help in a medical mission they were conducting in Mabini in which the remaining medicines would be used. Over 400 adults, and many children were also treated during this time and the same procedure for presenting the Gospel was done. So our medicines ended up being used in conducting TWO medical missions.  An additional blessing occurred when both sites of the medical missions were supplied with young volunteer ministers to fill the vacancies of those who had previously left. It was such a blessing to see so many people helped and blessed.  Hallelujah.