Mission News - August 1999
| The Lord is good and worthy of Praise! We had a wonderful trip to Nigeria. Dr. Noreen Johnson was able to
come for about 8 days as we put her OB/GYN skills to work in the mission hospital (ICH). We did about 12
surgery cases during her week stay: doing some infertility cases lasting as long as 6 hours. I did another 22
surgery cases during the next month and saw as many as 80) patients a day in consultation. During that 1st
week we were also blessed to have the gifted lecturer l preacher - Dr. Rick Rigsby. During that week we held a
leadership seminar that began with praise & worship, continued with preaching and ministry by Dr. Rigsby and
concluded with a medical teaching (from a Christian perspective) by Dr. Johnson Dr. Udo-Tnyang (chief
doctor at ICH) and myself. It was very well received and was the first of it's kind in Owerri. Dr. Rigsby also
preached numerous hour-long programs for television that were viewed by over 50 million people. Dr. Johnson
and I were also aired on a local television program, where we discussed medicine and ministry. As a result,
during our visit to Nigeria a large number of patients showed up at ICH for medical care. I was also on 3 other
television programs while there. Each time having the opportunity to witness for Jesus through the ministry of
medicine. 1 never expected. when we began this ministry in 1988. that we would use the avenue of television
(for free) to get out our message, but God has pleasant surprises for those who rely on Him. One such surprise
came while we were making rounds at the hospital. We had a seven month old baby having constant muscle
spasms, which he'd had since birth, and only very strong sedatives kept this in check. I felt we should pray for
the child. As we were praying the Lord impressed on me that something cultic was involved. After taking a
history we found that the father had dedicated this child to an Obange (cultic) spirit. We explained to the father
what had happened and how he needed to renounce this action and give his life to Christ, before we could pray
for the child. He responded immediately and we prayed with him, his wife, and his child. After prayer, the child
did well. We stopped the medicine and discharged the child. Two weeks later the mother told me the child was
fine and had not had even one spasm since we prayed. This is just one of several outstanding testimonies.
Praise to the Lord Jesus Christ! This is what it is all about. I want to thank all of you who have prayed for
us. I know this is the reason we had such a successful trip. We brought in bags full of medicine and not one
customs or security agent opened a bag. God answers prayer! John & Paula Van Domelen 1st year graduates
from our church's mission school -Aldersgate School of World Missions -- were such a vital instrument of God
to the bible college, the mission hospital, and the village churches. They worked in the library, the pharmacy
and the medical storage and preached in the village churches. They were a blessing not only to the many
children they lavished with all sorts of goodies, but they were a blessing to us all.
Nigeria is at a major crossroad. for the better, as President Abasing (a Christian) is the first democratically elected official in over 15 years. Most prior Presidents were Muslim military leaders. Evangelist Reinhardt Bonnie, who was banned from the country 5 years ago for his Christian influence on the Muslims, was invited to the inaugural celebration where he blessed the new President and Nigeria. Watch out Islam, here comes Reinhardt! This evangelist usually has crowds of more than 100.000 people at his meetings with thousands of people saved filled with the spirit and healed of sickness & diseases. Nigeria is about 35% Muslim Pray for this country and its President. The hospital and bible college are growing so fast that we are now looking to purchase the land next lo us for $20,t)00 and build a new hospital for about $300,000. Pray that God will supply the necessary funds to do His work. We have another 40-foot container of medical supplies ready to ship this month. Please pray that God will give us favor at the port in clearing. For those who have interest in accompanying us on a future trip, we are planning our next trip to Mateula Mexico has planned for November 26th - December 4th and we are planning a trip to Nigeria this coming March. If you have interest in accompanying us on either of these trips and would like more information or the cost of the trips, please contact us as soon as possible. |
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NIGERIA - JUNE1999 |