Healing for Body and Soul

In September, Russell helped lead a medical team on a mission trip to Bangladesh and Sri Lanka. The team included members from the U.S. and the Philippines, working together to demonstrate the love of Christ in practical ways and to assist the ministry of local churches.

Bangladesh
The first clinic was held in a remote village where a new church plant has been initiated. With no local doctor in the village, many took advantage of the opportunity for a free medical consultation. In addition to medicine and advice, many received special prayers for their ailments and needs.

Free medical consultations in Bangladesh.

Over the next two days, clinics were held at the Holiness Academy in Dhaka. This beautiful campus serves as a boarding school for Christian students from distant villages, as well as a day school for local students, mostly from Muslim families.

The atmosphere was very warm and welcoming, and the patients felt grateful and at ease. The doctors listened attentively to each individual, and we often joined in prayer for those in need.

Medical team member praying for a patient in the clinic.

Sri Lanka
An overnight flight took us from Dhaka to Colombo, the capital city of Sri Lanka. A four-hour drive across the mountains then carried us to Hatton, the site of many 170-year-old tea gardens planted under British rule. Sadly, generations of tea pickers have been trapped in this back-breaking labor with little opportunity for education and better jobs.

Our first clinic in Hatton was held at House of Praise church, which recently joined IPHC Sri Lanka. Our doctors were busy doing checkups for families and handing out medicines. We also passed out scores of reading glasses, which put a smile on the faces of older folks whose vision is waning.

Testing reading glasses as patients receive clearer vision.

The following day was Sunday, and it was a joy to worship together with the House of Praise congregation. A highlight was the credentialing ceremony, where we awarded ministerial licenses to Pastor Croos and his son, Pastor Justin. We are confident that their labor will bring great blessings and much lasting fruit.

Ministerial licensing being awarded to Pastor Croos and Pastor Justin.

Near Hatton, we were impressed to encounter the world’s tallest bamboo trees, which grow to heights of 60 to 80 feet at the rate of one foot per day! The roots spend seven years underground before bursting forth in this explosive growth. We want to spend our efforts in Sri Lanka making sure the roots of our ministry are planted deep in Biblical truth, drawing on the nourishing life of the Holy Spirit.

Russell standing by the bamboo trees, displaying their height.

Points for Prayer

• Pray for special blessings on the team members from America and the Philippines who sacrificed personal time and finances to bring the love of Christ to Asia.
• Pray for the teachers and students of Holiness Academy in Bangladesh. Pray that students will experience the love of Jesus and build their lives on the truth of His Word.
• Pray for House of Praise church in Hatton, that the light of Christ shining there will draw many villagers to salvation.
• Pray especially for Pastor Michael, the newly appointed Coordinator of IPHC Ministry in Sri Lanka. After much prayer, he has stepped into this role by faith. Pray for financial support for his ministry (WMM Project #72501P).

Thank you for partnering with us to fulfill the Great Commission in Asia!

Russell & Sandra Board

"You can give without loving. But you cannot love without giving." - Amy Carmichael, missionary to India