Wednesday, July 29, 2015

Saving Twin Babies

When we think of missionaries working overseas, we often think about the good news of eternal salvation. But meeting the physical needs of indigenous people, can often result in saving their physical lives. Such was the case of twin babies born in Guinea Africa.

Many animistic cultures have despicable superstitions about the birth of twins. Often they will kill one or both of the babies because of cultural beliefs regarding evil spirits. But Fatou insisted that she was supposed to keep both of her twins alive. She felt that God told her she needed to come and ask the missionary lady for help to save them. So Fatou brought her tiny twins to Casey’s house.

Casey wrote, “Both were skeletal. I assumed that they were newborns. When Fatou told me that they were 2 months old, I honestly couldn’t believe it.”

Casey wasn’t sure the fragile babies would survive. And to make matters worse, their mommy, Fatou, was malnourished, ill and sleep-deprived.

“It was decided that all three would move to the village where we live so that I could keep a close eye on them,” Casey shares. “We started Fatou on a high-calorie diet to get her strength back and so see if she would be able to provide any milk for the babies. I taught several village ladies how to clean bottles, prepare formula and feed the babies from a bottle and burp them.”

These were all brand-new concepts to the village ladies. But Casey’s prayers were answered and her plan worked beautifully. Amazingly, the tiny, weak babies began to grow strong and healthy.  “Every time I was there,” Casey says, “I praised God that He was restoring health to both babies and their mom. I am so blessed to have had a small part in their lives. They are almost a year old now. And so cute! And so healthy! We’re blessed that God has brought these sweet babies into our lives. I love that I get to hold them and get called ‘Mama’ by them since we saved their lives.  How precious is that?  Thank You, God, for allowing us to be used in this way.”

Classes such as Field Health are taught here at the Missionary Training Center with the ultimate goal in mind of bringing the message of salvation to those who need of the gospel. And in the process, countless lives have been touched by the compassion of those ministering also to their physical needs.

Our new semester begins August 17th. I would sure appreciate your prayers as we begin to gear up for classes. I am currently reviewing my notes on the Dobu culture so that I can play the part of a native from Papua New Guinea. I am also in the process of moving to a different apartment on campus. I would certainly appreciate your prayers as my back and foot have been giving me problems lately.

Bob

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The Quality of Faith Versus the Object of Faith

By George Cutting

How may I be sure that I have the right kind of faith?

Well, there can be but one answer to that question, namely, Have you confidence in the right Person?—that is, in the blessed Son of God?

It is not a question of the amount of your faith, but of the trustworthiness of the person you repose your confidence in. One man takes hold of Christ, as it were, with a drowning man’s grip; another but touches the hem of His garment; but the sinner who does the former is not a bit safer than the one who does the latter. They have both made the same discovery, namely: that while all of self is totally untrustworthy, they may safely confide in Christ, calmly rely on His word and confidently rest in the eternal efficacy of His finished work. That is what is meant by believing in HIM. "Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me has everlasting life" (John 6:47).