"Using the Avenue of Medicine to Minister the Gospel of Jesus"

4801 Apple Valley Court
College Station, TX 77845-4430
(979) 690-8216
mmivelvet@juno.com
http://solidrockinternational.com/mmi

Quarterly News - September 2002

Hello friends and family,

It's been a while since we have sent an update. We would like to begin by giving tribute to Mr. Fulton E. Fenner, Velvet's dad, who had his home going in April. Mr. Fenner was our secretary and had been a valuable asset to this ministry. It was a moving experience to see a man of God who ministered the gospel over 50 years go to meet the Lord. His 7 children, and many extended family and friends, were able to say their good-bye's and receive his blessing the day of his departure. We had hours of worship during this time. The funeral was truly a sweet celebration! Now he is in the grandstands of heaven, cheering us on to run the race God has set before us. Since our last letter to you Dr. Quartemont has made mission trips to Trinidad/Tobago, Mexico, and Nigeria. We thank God for all He is doing.

Trinidad/Tobago: In January 2002 Dr. Quartemont traveled with two of our board members, Drs. Noreen Johnson and Haywood Robinson to the island of Tobago. This island has been somewhat neglected in the health care area, primarily due to lack of funding. God opened doors for M.M.I. to get involved when a believer was elected to govern the islands. This has been the desire of Dr. Johnson for sometime. In April, Dr. Q and Dr. Johnson connected with her brother, Dr. Glen Johnson, who was instrumental in connecting us with health officials on the island outreaches, which were planned for June & July 2002. Dr. Johnson was able to send an ultrasound machine to the hospital in Scarborough. She then took a team of doctors, ancillary help, and ministers from our church to do several outreach clinics for a week in June. They were able to screen many women for cervical cancer and HIV exposure. The clinics went well and many came to know Christ. In July 2002, Drs. Johnson, Robinson, and Moreno led a surgical team of gynecologists to do follow-up care for those women who needed further treatment. God was gracious and many were touched physically, emotionally, & spiritually. The vision of M.M.I. continues to be fulfilled. More teams are planned over the coming year. Please let us know if you have interest in joining us on a subsequent trip. The cost for 1 week runs about $1000.00, all inclusive.

Matehuala, Mexico: In June of 2002, Dr. Quartemont led a team of 12 people, to assist Pastor Simon Reyes in reaching out to 5 churches in the surrounding area with medical clinics and ministry in churches. We had a number of people come to Christ. Many also received prayer and medicine for their ailments. Marcia Lightsey, a professional clown added a unique twist to the outreaches by clowning, face painting, and crafting balloons to the gospel story. Please pray that God would give Pastor Reyes wisdom and the financial resources to complete the great work he has begun.

Nigeria, W. Africa: Mid-July through Mid-August, Dr. Quartemont took Pierre Moranza and Catherine Garrison to Nigeria. Pierre has traveled to Nigeria with us in the past and is planning to stay for 4 months. He is an established minister & graduate of O.R.U. Catherine is a fourth-year medical student of Houston. Our group met up with 4 others from Houston and two missionaries from Ghana, to all network with Dr. A. Sunny Okorie (President, Relief Network Ministries, Inc.) on village outreaches. We helped with their first medical outreach in the village of Ogberuru. Catherine and Dr. Q consulted, as Pierre manned the pharmacy. The others took blood pressures, temperatures, and checked for diabetes. Sunny also took a team to drill a well for fresh water. They continued working with some local doctors and the drilling team, while our group went back to the mission hospital in Owerri. At the mission hospital, we were able to do 25 surgeries in 15 days. The hospital/clinic saw from 60-100 patients a day with Dr. Q consulting on about 10-15 of those who needed surgery or counseling. We also made rounds on inpatients whenever possible. We did one other village outreach at Umuedo, where we saw about 150 patients in less than four hours. We traveled to Aba & Port Harcourt to minister in several churches, as well as the local church plant in Owerri.

The church plant in Apani is doing well with the building and land finally settled. The Egbuetche church plant is struggling because relatives of the man who donated land for the church and clinic have frustrated our attempts to build. Please pray for God's favor in this situation.

After 2 years, we were finally able to ship the 40-foot container of medical supplies to Nigeria! Many thanks to those of you who helped in any capacity with this container. It took the time and effort of many, to bring this about. We truly appreciate your effort and pray that God will bless you abundantly. Due to your prayers, we were able to utilize the grant from Blessings International for most of the shipping cost. There is currently a problem clearing the container from the port, making the clearing cost escalate daily. Please keep this in prayer.

We rejoice with our founding partner of the mission hospital, Casmir Ihegworo and his wife Ifeorma who had their first born baby (a boy) on August 27th!

May God bless you all in your endeavors for the kingdom. Thank you so much for your continued prayer and financial support of this ministry.

Your brother and sister in Christ,

Dr. Stuart & Velvet Quartemont

 

Catherine & Dr. Victor making rounds	Loading the container
Seeing Patients in Mexico	The Tobago Team
The Mexico Team	Nigeria Outreach Clinic