An Alliance team’s outreach to north and central Asian migrants in a creative-access country includes facilitating needed health-care services—an opportunity to share Jesus’ compassion with these marginalized people who live transitory lives.
by an Alliance international worker serving in a creative-access environment
Our ministry is all about loose ends. We often encounter people somewhere in the middle of their story, knowing little of their early influences or experiences. God “writes us in” for a few pages or chapters.
Given the transient nature of migrant workers’ lives, we rarely know the end of their stories, as they often return home or find other jobs and leave without notice.
Sometimes we get glimpses of how God is orchestrating someone’s life to reveal Himself. This is the case with Dean*. He showed up this summer with his mom and about 20 other north and central Asian migrants at Agape Clinic—our ministry partner that offers them free medical assistance once a month.
We noticed right away the large lump on Dean’s neck. He and his mom (a believer) were both in tears as they shared how they had been unable to find a doctor who could help diagnose what was wrong.
The Doctor Is In
Most migrants here are low-paid day laborers, such as street cleaners and restaurant workers, who often are treated disrespectfully and turned away from this country’s government-subsidized clinics. The nation’s residents receive free medical treatment; migrants do not.
Agape Clinic is run by local Christian doctors who have developed a heart for the migrants through their medical missions trips into central Asia. According to Joshuaproject.net, this vast area “includes people groups that are among the least-reached in the modern era of missions.”
Our vision for this ministry is north and central Asians empowered by the Holy Spirit and trained to spread the good news in their homelands.
One Friday each month, Agape Clinic provides our migrant friends free checkups and medical consultations. (Typically, they have no money for treatment, so this service is well received.) We prepare sandwiches, fruit, veggies, nuts, desserts, and tea so they can come from work and have an evening of food and fellowship with us.
New Openness
Recently, this outreach has led to many open conversations about spiritual matters since nearly all of the patients stay long after their appointments. They are thrilled to be treated respectfully at a clinic and for the opportunity to relax with a group of their own people.
Almost all of the migrants are strangers (and unbelievers) upon arrival, so we have begun using CRU’s Solarium Cards—a conversation-starter activity. Our ministry partner, Zak*, who is from the North and Central Asia Region, gives a short talk about the God who wants to be a part of their lives. As they leave, we hand out large gift bags full of hygiene and health-care products Agape helps to provide.
After each clinic outreach, we consult with the doctors to determine who requires further treatment and is most financially needy. Our team has budgeted funds that we receive through an Alliance Approved Special so we can help cover treatment costs when necessary.
Returning Home
When Agape’s doctors evaluated Dean, they determined he required further testing. Our team sent him for follow-up at another clinic in the city, where he was diagnosed with tuberculosis (TB).
We then arranged for Dean to fly home to his country, where he can receive free treatment in a medical facility that focuses solely on TB. My husband, Bill*, shared the good news with Dean and prayed for him before he left.
We have since learned that Dean is doing well and is already out of the hospital. His believing mother is so thankful for the help her son received. She told us that he is confused about faith.
For a few short weeks, we were privileged to play a role in Dean’s story. We are so thankful that the Grand Storyteller still has him in His sights.
*Names changed
What You Can Do
“Please pray for Dean and the many migrants in our country whom Jesus is pursuing,” the author urges.
Use the weekly Alliance Prayer Requests to join the Alliance family in interceding for our global teams, who often serve in challenging circumstances requiring Holy Spirit–inspired wisdom to demonstrate God’s love to those who don’t yet know Him.