About the Father’s Business…
...in Trinidad
Prayer-Newsletter of
Betsy Christiansen
Medical Missionary
to Latin America
Volume 5 Issue 1
May 2007
Your prayers and financial gifts allowed me to serve
in Trinidad in April, on the southernmost island in the
Caribbean where the Spirit drew >500 to our clinics. My
colleagues shared God-given gifts with patients, and He
blessed me as Team Leader with sacrificial, servant-hearted
and cheerfully-flexible teammates.
Meet God’s mosaic: MDs John Buckingham, Sharon
Kuhn, Jeff Lee;, Mourad Nessim; NP Karen McClure; RNs
Linda Arial, Courtney Cole, Clayton Jackson, Karen
LeBlanc; versatile administrator Cheryl Erb, dietitian Dina
Sunderland; ‘Eye-Guys’ John Fender,Bryan McReynolds;and Laura Singleton,
evangelist.
We came alongside resident missionaries Pastor Steve McGee, his wife Adanna and children Hannah, Joshua, Geneva; Trinidad pastors Thom,
Hosein, and Gosyne; and, Dr. Beharry.
Our first reminder to depend on God alone came
when Customs officials held 90% of our meds. Preapproval
documents had not been delivered despite Steve
and Dr. Beharry following Ministry of Health protocol.
Why? Let’s just call it “the fallen state of man.”
But this did not stop the Lord’s ministry! In
addition to providing 390 eye exams and Rx or reading
glasses, praying with the hurting, and sharing the gospel in
predominantly Muslim and Hindu communities, God did
a loaves and fishes miracle: 4 bottles of Ibuprofen lasted 4
days for 400 patients, most of whom presented with
musculoskeletal pain! We also had respiratory and cardiac
meds, and Dr. Lee shared, “Whenever I went to the
pharmacy table, I found just what I needed!”
By God’s providence, patients also were generally not too sick.
Trinidad is a land of spiritual darkness. Our team
encountered it daily in little or big ways, including severe
knife-like pain in Dr.Beharry’s ankle early on clinic day 3.
It abated when a Bible study brother came to pray for him.
and he was soon able to get up for more ministry with us.
Dr. Kuhn shared at the close of one clinic day, “I sense a
real tug-of-war going on for souls, as patients tell me, ‘one
week I go to church; the next week to [Hindu] temple.’”
I wondered why 25 year old Leera sat non-verbal
and at a distance from her mom, her toddler daughter and
4 year old son. Leera’s face reflected deep sadness. I introduced
myself, thanked her for coming and, silently praying,
sat awhile with her. When Leera blurted, “I’m pregnant and
don’t want to be,” the grandmother had already consulted
with Dr. Buckingham about the 16 month old’s 5-day fever.
So I asked Leera if our female doctor could give her a
check-up. I got crackers for her nausea and set up a private
exam area. Leera’s face was slightly brighter after her time
with Dr. Kuhn, and she agreed to come back for labs the
next day. That evening the team prayed for Leera and her
10-week pre-born baby. She didn’t return to clinic.
In Charlieville the McGee’s best friends and Muslim
neighbors Zaid and Sherry Ann demonstrated generous
hospitality in opening their home as a clinic site. Steve
gained credibility as a loving Christian who brought free
and compassionate care to their community. Lord willing,
we also reflected Christ’s redemptive love and demonstrated
His free grace.
In this mixed Hindu and Muslim community a
Christian drove his 92 year old blind, lame Uncle Charlie to
see us. I took vital signs while seated on the running board,
then Dr. Buckingham knelt to examine and pray with him,
and treat his arthritis. His nephew told us, “Charlie is
disturbed by demons and night terrors despite my telling
him about Jesus.” Adanna and Clayton again
shared the hope of Christ,but Charlie kept saying, “I
can’t believe in a God who could be killed!” He couldn’t
grasp that God sent His Son to die and rise again so to
break the power of sin and darkness. Charlie went away still bound,
but with a nephew determined to continue sharing the gospel with him.
go. connect. engage.
PRAISES...
• • God’s grace in equipping us for ministry with the McGees and Trinidadian believers
If anyone speaks, he should do it as one speaking the very words of God.
If anyone serves he should do it with the strength God provides,
so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ.
To Him be the glory and the power forever …Amen. 1 Peter 4:11
PRAYER REQUESTS…
• God’s favor and provision for the McGees, reformed pastors and Grace Bible College
• Salvation for Charlie, Leera and her 3 children, and all those who heard the gospel for the first time gospel with scores of children in Carlson
Fields. Many were effectually ’street kids.’ Steve Jadoo, his wife Nanda
and their children gave their home and yard totally over to
us so we might serve their neighbors. Steve was also our excellent
van driver all week, and, with further hospitality,
Nanda prepared us a delicious Trinidadian lunch that day!
We get to serve (and enjoy!) the family of faith, too.
Patient Ann Marie and I (page 1) called ourselves “Salt and
Pepper” after getting to know each other. And I made 2 more
friends with just a bag of reading glasses, hugs and prayers.
Nicholine and Alice visited us in D’Abadie.Nicholine’s daughter
Christiann had an equally beautiful smile and faith after 17 cleft
lip/palate surgeries in 17 years! (Please pray for
Christiann’s last surgery scheduled this July.)
Thank you and bless you for joining this ministry of Word and deed with our church planters!
How may I pray for you?
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