May 28, 2010
Alliance international workers Mark and Pattie Brinkman have served in Hong Kong and in the Balkans. Today, they are the pastoral couple at Trinity International Church of Strasbourg, France. The following is Pattie’s reflection of Trinity’s “way-station” ministry to a continually changing congregation of multinationals.
The coffee and tea are ready on the back tables, chairs have been lined up in our rented Catholic youth center, and cords run over the cement floors. Amps are plugged in, and greeters are stationed at the door. Another Sunday worship service begins.
Our worship leader adjusts his microphone, pushes back his dark bangs, and strums a chord on his guitar. He looks around and smiles at the faces gathered before him, and we swing into, “Light of the world, you stepped down into darkness . . .”
As the worship leader closes his eyes to sing, it is my turn to look around the room and smile as well. Six months ago as I looked out at the congregation, I wondered if I would ever know everyone’s name. Today, I can name probably 60 percent of the worshippers, who have come together in France from Benin, Brazil, Germany, Peru, China, France, the United States, Ireland, Gabon, Hong Kong, Ecuador, Bulgaria, Korea, and more.
If I were in an American church, I would feel guilty for not recognizing the other 40 percent, but in this church, it is not an unusual day. Each service is a first-time experience for 20 percent of the attendees; they are visitors from out of town, have lived here for only a month or so and finally found us, or they have always lived here but have come today mostly out of curiosity about the church.
Another 20 percent have been here once or twice. I might have met them at some point in the past six months. The 60 percent I do know arrived between one month and four years ago, and only a few can say with relative certainty that they will still be here in another month, year, or two years.
In one of the most secular regions of the world, our international church plays a key role in pushing back the darkness. Trinity International Church is a community of believers from many backgrounds, worshipping Jesus as they draw into Kingdom life their neighbors and friends who are searching for meaning.
Metro Stop
International churches have been compared to a metro, an urban train that stops often to let people on and off; the doors slide open people come and people go. A river, with streams flowing in and out, also has been used to describe what this church constantly experiences.
You get the idea-international students, business people, and diplomats from other countries; transient military families; couples in bicultural marriages; locals with out-of-country experience; those restlessly seeking new adventures or hobbit-like creatures of comfort who are unhappily relocating-we all are a bit surprised to be here and unsure exactly how long we’ll stay.
What is it we are looking for? Why did we step in from our platform this morning? And by the time we step back off this particular metro, how will God have matured us, pruned us, and used us in this place?
Faces in the Crowd
A family in the front row catches my eye. As happens each week, the father juggles an energetic, blond three-year-old toddler. While the mother carries the baby in a front sling, another blond, giggly son sits beside her with several little friends. Elle and Francois, a local French couple, just became Christ followers early last summer.
God moved them into a new house next door to one of Trinity’s typical families-an American who grew up in South America who is married to a French woman with international experience. The two families struck up a friendship, and the Christian couple ministered to their new neighbors, who had recently lost a child. Their conversations were deep and God-centered, and Elle and Francois found the God of comfort and hope.
Although Elle and Francois could not speak much English, they came to church to grow. God took the seeds planted in the soil of “good and honest hearts” and helped them through biblical preaching and a loving community. After nine months as church members, Elle and Francois find themselves moving precipitously to Africa for an employment opportunity. We all are praying for a church that will nurture these young believers. They leave here with a firm foundation in truth and a real picture of love as the Body has reached out to nurture them in spirituality and practicality. They have begun their journey toward being conformed to Christ, living like Him in faith and fruit.
A Step Closer
Just behind them sits Sabine, a young northern European woman who is dressed and coiffed with precision. She was invited to the church by friends with whom she works locally. Sabine is still grieving the loss of family members several years ago, trying to control her life so that tragedy will not mar it again.
Sabine knows that there is a Father who cares for her, but she is not yet at the point of accepting that there is also a Lord who is asking her to give up control. We all pray for her to find that joy and release someday soon. She is here, searching; if she leaves, she will do so a step closer to the God of the Bible, having seen what life in His Body looks like. Sabine is on her way to becoming more like Jesus in faith and service to others.
The Jesus Student
Across the aisle toward the back windows sits Luc, a local master’s student. He spent some of his undergraduate years in the Midwest of the United States and found Jesus there, with the help of Asian students and their church. He came back to France, looking for that kind of community again.
Today, Luc is involved in ministry to Asian students here as well as being discipled in a home group. When Luc graduates next spring, he will leave with more biblical truth in his head, more selflessness in his heart for having served, and more love given and gained through the church-more like Christ.
The Faces of Maturity
On the right side toward the back sits a couple my own age with their son, a local family who met Jesus in Paris after several years of searching for meaning in Buddhism, the biker lifestyle, and whatever else they could explore. They are mature Christians now, living lives of faith before coworkers and neighbors. In their year or so at Trinity, they have had opportunity to encourage all of us with their lives of trust in God, and they have seen more of God’s Kingdom in the church and in the world. They are growing more like Jesus in faith and humility.
Everyone Has a Story
Scattered behind me are more individuals with their own stories. I see a young man from Peru with gifts in theology. He will leave here soon for Bible school in another country, having been gently challenged and encouraged in his enthusiastic ponderings. Nearby is another man from Benin, who, having just recently begun his journey within this community, is struggling with God about why He has not provided employment and conflicted about his family background, which includes witchcraft.
I wish I had time to tell you how the French military man is stronger for having been here, how the South American MK received rest and a place to use his gifts, how the Irish lawyer understands her faith in the real world more fully, and how the American space engineer has had a place to bring her Indian and Asian classmates.
Another Stop along the Journey
We come, needing truth, wisdom, and salvation from God; we need guidance from our brothers and sisters, a place to worship, tasks through which we can express God’s love, and a community in which we can explore who God is and what He offers and requires.
When we leave, we move out those “sliding metro doors” a bit more like Christ-trusting our Father, serving Him in His Body, loving, knowing, and telling truth. We leave with more gentleness, joyfulness, and with His peace, ready for His next stop.
The church together sows the seed of God’s Word and the love of His community. Sometimes we see harvest; many times we see only a small step on our friends’ journeys, either before or after they find Jesus. Either way, we rejoice to live our lives of faith and love together.
“So here I am to bow down . . .” I have sung “Here I Am to Worship” in other languages and other countries, and roads from France east to the Balkans and China are in my head as we sing. It is easy to imagine the many, many roads in others’ minds, connecting us to all continents. May God use His church in this town-beautiful and lost-to make Himself known here and around the world as we come and go.
Learn More
Read about other Alliance work in France.
View a video about postmodernism in France at
What You Can Do
Impact your world for Christ! Give to Alliance Great Commission Ministries and help support international workers like Mark and Pattie Brinkman.
The roar of revved up motorcycles is deafening. A few dozen men, adorned in leathers and bandanas, are primed for a ride on their hogs. Curious residents in Hawley, Minnesota-a quiet bedroom community of 2,000 just 22 miles from Fargo, North Dakota-peek through blinds and step out on porches to see the cause of the ruckus taking place at Hawley Alliance Church.
The bikers, 80 percent of whom are unchurched, are part of an Alliance outreach that began as an innocent Sunday motorcycle cruise. “One of our church members, Bob Aldrich, came to me and suggested that we go for a ride on a Sunday afternoon,” says Steve Chamberlain, who pastors the church. “Another member, Jeff Downer, picked up on the idea and suggested inviting people.” Within a month, a trip was formalized as an event: invitations were sent to Hawley residents. Participants would ride 100 miles, eat lunch, and ride back.
Hawlin’ Bike
“In the church parking lot, Jeff gathered the bikers with their bikes into a circle. ‘Come on over,’ he told them. ‘We’re going to start off in prayer.’ The bikers joined in, and then the procession was off.”
The motorcycle outreach has evolved from the first ride to a regular event. Jeff and other church members who lead the ride record participants’ names in order to stay in contact. “As of now, 110 names are on the list,” Steve says. “Every time a ride is planned, everyone on the list receives an invitation. We have five rides planned for this summer.”
Open Hearts
At least 30 bikers have been visiting the church and are fully accepted by the congregation. “One man began attending church, and then his wife joined him,” Steve says. “She has recommitted her life to Christ.”
One couple in church, who wanted to contribute to the ministry, offered their lake home as destination. A meal is served at no cost; the atmosphere is genuine. There is no pressure to talk, but the bikers are open. “Now it’s more than a ride,” says Steve. “We sit on the lawn, talk, and the men ask questions about God. The turnout is excellent. We average about 30 bikes per ride with two people per bike.”
It’s about Community
Bob also organized a five-day men’s motorcycle run to Oshkosh, Wisconsin. The event was attended by nine men, four of whom were from church. “They had devotions each night,” Steve says. “The guys gave prayer requests, and we were able to minister to their lives.”
Word is getting out about the motorcycle runs. The most recent trip was attended by 18 men, who knew that nightly prayer was part of the package. “Wow, we get to pray with these guys,” Steve rejoices. “The church guys love this. And we’re not even a motorcycle community!”
Learn More
Read about other U.S. Alliance church outreaches on the gochurch link.
May 19, 2010
About 5,000 protesters remained on the streets in downtown Bangkok despite a government deadline to evacuate the area, according to CNN. At least 35 people have died in anti-government protests since last Thursday. The U.S. State Department issued a travel warning for Thailand, advising American citizens to defer all travel to Bangkok as well as nonessential travel to the rest of Thailand.
“As of now, all our international workers are safe in Bangkok and in Thailand,” says Alliance field director Steve Strong. “As long as we avoid the areas of confrontation between the protesters and the government troops, we should be okay. Please pray for a quick resolution and a peaceful and just ending to this crisis.”
Learn More
For more details about The Alliance in Thailand, visit our Thailand page. For breaking news about this crisis, check out CNN’s Web site. (Note: Clicking on the CNN link will take you off of the C&MA Web site.)
May 18, 2010
By Timothy Stephenson, a friend of the Koutiala Hospital for Women and Children
Editor’s note: In May 2006, The Alliance founded the Koutiala Hospital for Women and Children in southeastern Mali-a country Save the Children has rated one of the worst in the world to be a mother or child. Four years since the hospital’s opening, exciting developments continue, says Tim-executive director of the Legacy Foundation at Shell Point, Fort Myers, Fla.-in this adaptation of his May 2010 report.
Women who come to Koutiala have such varied health issues, the staff is constantly challenged. Although much of the care focuses on women’s reproductive needs, ministry extends well beyond that discipline. The ebb and flow of baby deliveries gives our medical workers opportunity to also increase the numbers and types of surgeries performed.
A year or so ago, Dr. John Gilliland and his wife, a medical/dental technologist, spent some time working at the hospital. Dr. John is an obstetrics/gynecology specialist who helps women struggling to have children.
Birth of New Staff
Dr. Dan Nesselroade was greatly impressed with Dr. Gilliland’s God-given gifts-he handled complicated deliveries, teaching moments, and the staff, all with great skill. He also spoke the French he learned in high school. When Dr. Dan conferred with Dr. John about his unique preparation, which suited him to be on a medical missions team like Koutiala’s, he learned that God had been at work. The Gillilands were already sensing His call to the hospital.
Dr. Gilliland and his wife-who spent most of her time during their visit attending to the dental needs of the hospital staff-returned home to northern California with a strong desire to sell their practice and move to Koutiala. Subsequently, they have received support funding from the American Baptist denomination to join the Koutiala Hospital ministry. Now in Albertville, France for additional language training, the Gillilands are scheduled to deploy to Koutiala in early 2011.
Hoped-for Residency Program
We have strong hopes that a U.S.-approved residency program in obstetrics/gynecology can begin at the hospital in 2011, certified through Loma Linda University in California. Provision of two board certified, trained doctors in obstetrics/gynecology required to lead a resident training program in this field is added confirmation of God’s long-term plan.
When preparations and staffing can be done, a needed nursing school will likely begin, thus providing a flow of nurses and medical technicians to serve the hospital and other medical clinics. Due to the height and size of the third wing of the new hospital building, there is extra space to allow for classrooms and teaching facilities to support the prospective nursing school and training of residents in obstetrics/gynecology.
Truly, this hospital is extending its impact far beyond the city of Koutiala.
What You Can Do
“We depend on your prayers for the team as well as your financial support of the ministry,” says Tim. Your gifts to Alliance Great Commission Ministries enable powerful ministry to continue at the hospital in Mali and around the world.
Learn More
Check out our work in Mali.
Read an update about the recent building expansion at the hospital.
May 14, 2010
By Brian and Michelle Davis, serving in Senegal
The following is an adapted excerpt from the Davis family’s May 2010 update.
We moved into this neighborhood last year because we feel that God has called us to live and minister among the poor and marginalized of Saint Louis, Senegal, alongside the Yoonu Njub (Way of Righteousness) Community Center. Since moving here, we are even more convinced of our calling-to see Pikine transformed and the Church grow.
During the past few months we have been asking God to show us more specifically how to best bring the gospel to the people in this poor neighborhood. We praise Him for answering our prayers.
Significant Needs
We, along with the Senegalese believers at Yoonu Njub, envision blessing this community in the areas of health and education. Both are significant needs here. By responding with Jesus’ compassion, we will establish credibility in the neighborhood that allows us to build relationships and seek out those with open hearts for the gospel.
Our vision is to see a vocational training program for young boys, since there are so many young men in this community without jobs or job skills. We envision a place to train young men to work with wood or metal, to do tailoring or cut hair, etc. And hear about the life-giving message of Christ.
We are asking for your help to bring lasting transformation for the people in Pikine and for God’s leading in this future ministry. We cannot move forward without the direction and power of our Almighty God. It is the power of Christ alone that can bring change to the people in this neighborhood.
We are living a grand adventure here in Senegal as we are privileged to bring the message of the gospel, light and hope for a dry and dark country. We wait with anticipation for the great things that God will do here in Pikine, not because of us, but because of who He is. And we thank you for being on this adventure with us.
What You Can Do
- Join with the Davises in praying regularly for Pikine, that the Lord would transform many lives and that His name would be glorified.
- Donations to Alliance Great Commission Ministries ensures that robust, cutting-edge ministry-like the new work in Pikine-continues around the world.
Learn More
By Richard Herring
Editor’s Note: On November 4, 2009, Asia Pacific Regional Director Richard Herring and Mongolia Field Director Pieter Theron were seriously injured in a freak elephant attack. The following is an excerpt from Richard’s April 29, 2010, chapel message at the U.S. C&MA National Office. Read about God’s faithfulness in the midst of this ordeal.
This morning I’d like to tell you about what happened nearly six months ago in Bangkok, Thailand. It’s a story of the enemy’s vicious attack yet also a testimony of God’s wonderful, sovereign grace.
We had gathered together as a regional leadership team the first week of November. After going through our normal agenda, we were feeling tired and decided to go on an afternoon outing to an elephant farm, which featured a crocodile show followed by an elephant performance.
During the crocodile show, the handlers would stick their heads into the crocodile’s mouth. After the show, the Lord spoke to my heart and said, “Why don’t you stay and witness to those two crocodile guys?” Everyone left, and I had a wonderful opportunity to share the gospel with those men and another trainer. That was just before the elephant show.
After the elephant performance, about 15 of the creatures lined up against a rail fence to greet the tourists, who would pose for pictures with the elephants and feed them. The elephant that attacked us was the biggest one, with probably four or five feet long tusks and was very powerful. Pieter had no intention of approaching the elephant to have his picture taken that day and neither did I, and he actually doesn’t even remember doing so. But he went up and his wife, Haniki, took a picture. Pieter didn’t want to be there by himself, so he called me up to stand next to him.
Tossed and Thrown
What happened next is hard to explain humanly, because there was no rational explanation for what the elephant did. He looked to the right quickly, and then he snapped back to the left, hitting both of us at the same time with his left tusk and tossing us like rag dolls about 12 or 13 feet up into the air. We landed hard on the brick-cement pavement about 15 feet distant from where we were hit.
Pieter fell on his head, and his skull was fractured down across his eye and his nose. Both of his shoulders were broken, his wrist was broken, some of his teeth were chipped, several of his vertebrae eventually needed to be fused, and he needed two discs replaced. He was in terrible condition, lying in a pool of blood and not moving. We thought we might lose him, and we were praying desperately for God’s intervention in that critical situation.
We didn’t know it at the time, but it was by the grace of God that when Pieter hit his head, his skull fractured across his nose, and all the blood came out of his nose. That relieved the pressure in his head and was really the Lord’s mercy.
My first recollection was intense pain, having landed so hard on the pavement. The second thing I remember was crying out for somebody to give me something to put underneath my head to relieve the pain. Our field leader from Cambodia, David Strong, looked around and there was nothing, so he ripped his shirt off and made a pillow out of it. His son Matthew, who is about eight years old, was there that day. When he saw Dad do that, he pulled his shirt off as well-he wanted to be just like Dad. That was really touching, and I thank God for the pillow made out of David’s shirt because it relieved my pain so much.
The Power of God
Pieter was in the hospital for about three weeks, and I was hospitalized for a little over six weeks. Of course, the Alliance family was praying for both of us the whole time, and we thank God that neither of us suffered internal injuries-which was really remarkable.
The socket of my left hip was completely shattered, and my pelvis was also broken. But I was never operated on, for which I thank God. The doctors just said, “You have to lie still.”
I truly stand here this morning in the power of God-because my hip socket was so broken up, so shattered, yet no surgeon touched it; it was just the invisible hand of our Divine Healer that made it possible for me to walk again. I was told, “Don’t put any weight on your left leg, or you’ll be in a wheelchair for the rest of your life.” That was a little intimidating. But there were no rods, no pins, nothing in there—God healed my hip and put it all back together again. I’m just so thankful.
Lessons Learned
I’d like to share a couple of lessons I learned through this ordeal. As soon as we were hit, I knew it was an attack of the enemy. I remember flying through the air and having this deep, clear sense that this was evil. There was no question—I knew it. And yet, God was wonderfully sovereign in all of this, and I thank the Lord for His greater truth—that He controls my destiny.
And God continues to work good out of this. I thank God for the many lost sheep He sent into my life as a result of this incident—people I never would have met, never would have seen—who came and talked and spent time with me in the hospital. And they got the whole nine yards!
During my hospital stay, I was reminded of Psalm 46: “Be still and know that I am God.” The emphasis was more on “Know that I am God through all of this.”
A Daughter’s Testimony
Our daughter Tamara is a student at Simpson University, and she was in the States when all of this happened. And the Lord ministered to her in a wonderful way. She was inspired to paint a picture of an elephant with someone riding on it. The elephant is under the shadow of a cloud in the shape of a cross over the top of the elephant. She came home at Christmastime, and this painting was my Christmas present. On the back of the picture she had pasted the words of the song “Shadows,” by David Crowder.
She wrote a note with the painting, saying, “The painting was inspired by this song, especially the line, ‘When we’re thrown and we’re tossed,’ because it reminded me that you were in the shadow of the cross that day when you were thrown by the elephant . . . God definitely protected you, Dad, and I’m so thankful for His protection and rest when we are in the shadow of the cross.”
Please Pray . . .
Pray for complete relief from pain that lingers in Pieter’s head, his shoulders, and neck and that all the dizziness would subside . . . that he would be completely healed.
Pray for me, that I will regain full use of my left leg, for strengthening of the thigh muscles (which had completely atrophied), and for relief of stiffness.
Finally, pray for protection for all of us in The Alliance who are pushing back the darkness. When I shared the gospel with those two crocodile guys just before the elephant hit us, I had such a strong sense of joy in being able to do that, and I almost left that witnessing situation feeling like I was on cloud nine—and right after that, I got slammed.
As we push back the darkness, I see a direct connection that day. We can expect [to be] pushed back from the darkness in reaction and response. So pray for protection for all of us who are pushing back the darkness and that all praise goes to King Jesus.
What You Can Do
Donations to Alliance Great Commission Ministries ensure that our workers are able to continue pushing back the darkness in Asia Pacific and around the world.
May 12, 2010
By John and Lisa Sappia, serving in Paraguay
Juana came to Christ more than a year ago. She had wanted to be baptized ever since, but due to family opposition, she did not feel she could take that step until recently. Just two months ago, Juana invited her entire family to watch as she was baptized at Mi Esperanza Church. It was great to hear her testimony and to see the tears flow freely as she came out of the water. What an amazing day!
Please pray for Juana as she has recently traveled to Buenos Aires to be with her son and daughter who live there. Pray for her recovery from the surgeries that she will have while in Argentina and also that she will continue to grow in her relationship with Christ. She asked specifically for prayer that she would be able to share the love of Jesus with her children.
Learn More
Check out Alliance work in Paraguay.
What You Can Do
Gifts to Alliance Great Commission Ministries ensure that our workers are able to continue making disciples of people like Juana in Paraguay and around the world.
May 6, 2010
By Jeremy Fields, serving in Mongolia
Jeremy was a member of an assessment team that traveled to western Mongolia in March on behalf of Compassion and Mercy Associates (CAMA)-the relief and development arm of the C&MA-to offer assistance in the aftermath of Mongolia’s worst winter in some 20 years. The following is an adapted excerpt from the Fields’ May 2010 prayer letter.
Our last update referred to my failure at relief work. This wasn’t a reflection on my God-given abilities; rather it was about my delightful surprise that the people I went to serve in western Mongolia did not need or want relief!
Sometimes we meet people who need help but are too proud to ask, while others who ask for handouts are not in real emergencies. It is wonderful to find people ready to contribute their own God-given resources in order to pursue long-lasting personal and community growth.
I find that the best development principles often reflect the keys to our spiritual growth. Are we sometimes too proud to seek help in spiritual emergencies? Do we tend to rely on our pastors or church staff workers in areas where we are capable of serving? Or, are we always ready to invest ourselves in God’s family, working together to build the eternal Kingdom?
“When Helping Hurts”
The above thoughts are taken from the excellent book When Helping Hurts, by Steve Corbett and Brian Fikkert, which all of our Alliance and CAMA workers in Mongolia are currently reading. It clarifies a lot of the issues we deal with and values we try to implement in our ministries here. The book also provides a great overview of key development principles for believers and churches.
What You Can Do
Pray with Jeremy for the hiring and training of another staff person to work with Dawaa (a bi-vocational pastor/CAMA worker) on financial literacy and savings groups for Mongolians.
Learn More
Check out CAMA.
Read more about When Helping Hurts. (Note: Clicking on this link will take you off of the C&MA Web site.)
May 3, 2010
Editor’s Note: In November 2008, Pastor John Stumbo of Salem Alliance Church encountered an adversary that robbed him of basic physical function-such as walking, talking, and swallowing-and nearly took his life. But the mystery illness would have to conquer more than the mere human; it would have to contend with the Spirit of the Living God, who resides in John’s heart, as well as thousands of believers worldwide who would pray for John’s healing.
When he was able, John included his friends and family in his healing journey through a blog. His chronicles of pain and faith-sometimes blunt and graphic but always inspirational-prompted even those whom he had never met to pray regularly for God’s healing touch. On April 27, 2010, God moved mightily in John’s body, bringing him to a new phase in his healing journey. John describes his latest victory in the following blog.
Last night I went to bed with the prayer, “Thank You that I lived to see this day.” I’ll confess I haven’t had this thought too many days since becoming ill. I’ve even said more than once, “This ‘every day is a gift’ concept is completely overrated.” But yesterday, as my wife and I enjoyed a day of travel together-the pleasure enhanced by the fact that my pain level was very low-I had genuine appreciation in my heart for having been kept alive long enough to enjoy it.
This morning I woke up with a spirit of expectation. I felt good again-two days in a row. Wow! As I normally do, I opened my Bible and got out my syringe. The hotel we were staying at had a continental breakfast, and I had brought back to our room a couple of cups of milk and 12 ounces of raspberry yogurt. By mixing in the milk, I could get the yogurt runny enough to go down my feeding tube. I have eight cases of canned formula in the trunk of the car but prefer to use real food whenever possible.
While pouring runny yogurt down my tube, I enjoyed reading Psalm 108. When I came to the last two verses, I felt like they were meant especially for me on this day: “Oh give us help against the adversary, for deliverance by man is in vain. Through God we will do valiantly, and it is He who shall tread down our adversaries.” My heart was light, and my spirit was being ministered to.
Lifeline Malfunction
Shortly after reflecting on these verses, I noticed that my feeding tube wasn’t flowing. This has happened countless times, and with a little coaxing, it always releases. Usually, the problem is a little blockage that the plunger of my syringe easily forces through. Today, however, was an exception. Try as I might, I couldn’t get the contents of the syringe into my stomach.
Joanna came into the room and tried as well. She pushed as hard as she could, but it wouldnt budge. Something was obviously wrong. Nothing like this had ever happened before. My feeding tube-my lifeline-was inoperable.
We held each other, and I prayed in desperation, “Lord, why are you withholding this from me.” Jo didn’t tell me at the time, but she had been meditating on Hannah’s words arising from the bitterness of her soul. She clearly heard the bitterness of mine.
With huge concern, we packed up our belongings, checked out of the motel, and started to drive east on I-70 through St. Louis. We decided to give my tube a few hours to see if anything changed and headed toward Louisville. If I needed an emergency room, we could find one there.
After a few miles I asked Jo to feed me a small spoonful of the yogurt. In the beverage holder of the car sat my trusty spit cup. Every 15 minutes or so, I’d relieve myself of the saliva in my mouth and throat. If the yogurt didn’t go down-and I had no reason to believe it would as I have not been able to swallow for almost 18 months-I’d do what I’ve always done-spit it out.
As I drove, I repeatedly tried to get the yogurt to go down. Getting it out of my mouth was easy enough, but as always, it seemed to just sit in the back of my throat. Rather than just spitting it out, however, I wondered if today God had something special for us. We texted a few family members letting them know of our dilemma. “If God doesn’t heal me or open my tube, I’ll have to go to the ER in Louisville.”
Prayers of Faith
Jo and I prayed. My sister texted, wanting to know what she could do. I wanted to tell her to make me a cheesecake, as we would be seeing her in a few days, and I wanted to eat her wonderful cooking. I wanted to declare this as a statement of faith that perhaps this is the day that God would heal me. I was too afraid to do so, however. We simply asked for prayer, specifically to use Psalm 108:12-13.
Meanwhile, Jo and I drove and prayed. Very slowly I took more small bites of yogurt. After about 75 miles I said to Jo, “Look.” I had eaten an ounce of yogurt . . . the first since November of 2008!
Faith was building. We began to pray harder. She laid her hands on my neck repeatedly as I attempted more swallows. Sometimes I could understand her words, sometimes I couldn’t. However, her tears spoke deep to my heart. We cried together. I started to sing an old song I don’t really even like very well but that seemed to be the word for the moment: “In the Name of Jesus, in the Name of Jesus, we have the victory. In the Name of Jesus, in the Name of Jesus, Satan will have to flee.”
By the time we reached Grayville, Illinois, I had eaten two ounces. I texted the family and called the church with the news. At a Casey’s, I picked up a free cookie sample (one-sixth of a macadamia nut cookie). I went back to the car in kind of a daze. Was this really happening? Was God really healing me? As Joanna had prayed a couple times, I felt something different in my throat than I had felt before.
We stood by the car in a gas station parking area and declared God’s goodness. I then took my spit cup and, as an act of faith, threw it away. By God’s grace, I was starting a new era.
Swallowing!
We drove further. I kept trying to eat. We stopped again, this time with an empty four-ounce yogurt container. The man I asked to take our picture had no idea why I was standing next to my wife, holding a spoon and an empty yogurt container. I didn’t try to explain.
We sang more, prayed more, drove further, and nibbled more. After about four hours, I had eaten six ounces of yogurt, one tiny sip of orange juice, my cookie sample, and one-third of a banana. It is not easy. There have been a few times I’ve really wanted to spit but have determined not to. Somehow, some way, this will go down-I will act valiantly (Psalm 108).
A couple coughing fits have served as the warning that the food doesn’t automatically go down the right pipe. I’m definitely not swallowing normally yet, but by the kindness of God, I have swallowed!
I’ve had to confess that something within me wants to cling to self-pity-to not fully let go of this infirmity. I’ve found my identity too much in this affliction. I had to declare that I do not want to live this way.
I also had to remind myself of what I know: God is good. He can heal. He could do so today. We had prayed that this would be the last feeding tube put in me. We reminded God that He had shown Himself to us before-would he do so again today? Would he allow me to begin to swallow on the very day my tube ceased to function?
Jo is concerned about my getting enough food via this manner. I am as well. Should we stop and have a new tube put in? Can we have a formula-dumping celebration one of these days?
Five hours into this and the second four-ounce container is finished. The banana is tougher. Sips of orange juice are going okay. I’ve had occasional violent outbreaks of coughing, but I’m DETERMINED not to spit. The habit must be broken; the declaration (living sermon, illustrated sermon, demonstration to the spirit world) must be made.
Jo bought me a large vanilla frosty and a small chili. Seven hours later it is all consumed. How sweet of God to allow me to share this day with Joanna and only Joanna. So many times we’ve been prayed for in public. Often I’ve envisioned being healed while on the platform preaching-wouldn’t that make a great video? Yet, this whole journey has primarily been for Joanna and me to walk together, mostly in private.
All Glory to God
For this moment, I just want to celebrate, and I want you to do so with me. To the hostess who believed for me this week when I couldn’t; thank you! To the brother in Oklahoma who has fasted from ice cream on my behalf for the duration of this ordeal-your commitment is complete. Have a big bowl . . . with toppings! To the parents whose children have prayed for me with unusual regularity; throw a “Yay, Jesus” party. Don’t miss this teaching/celebrating opportunity. To all of you friends-literally scattered across the globe-bring glory to God. A God-timed miracle took place today. You were part of it. Thank Him!
By Bob and Becky Braafhart
Serving at Koutiala Hospital in Mali, West Africa
The following is an excerpt from the Braafharts‘ recent newsletter.
We’ve heard it said, “I don’t mind change-I just don’t like to be there when it happens.” That person wouldn’t like it here in Koutiala. Not only are the buildings going up at an amazing pace, but the hospital’s functions also are changing. Ecclesiastes 3:1 tells us that “There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heaven.”
In April, our consultation, lab, pharmacy, and medical offices were moved to the new building. Sure, there were some problems to resolve, but it all happened with relative ease. Patients and staff seem to feel right at home in the new building. Praise the Lord!
Pediatrics (peds) also moved to two large wards in the pediatric building. (The peds building has been here for a long time, but because of staffing issues it wasn’t able to be opened until now.) Because we are still limited on Malian staff, the services are limited. Please continue to pray for more staff workers.
Yes, there were some revisions to be made. Yet with God’s help, and with the great team He has given us, this transition has played out well. We are well over 50 beds at this time, between maternity and peds, and 10 more beds have been ordered.
Not only will pediatrics be able to expand as staff workers becomes available, but it will also allow more space in the existing maternity and sick patient wards during malaria season June-November.
Learn More
Check out our work in Mali.
Read “One Million . . . and One,” by Brent MacLean, MD, in alife’s March 2010 issue, to learn more about malaria’s devastation in Mali.
What You Can Do
Donations to Alliance Great Commission Ministries ensure that cutting-edge outreach in places like Koutiala Hospital in Mali continue to thrive.
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