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April 2015
PRAYER GUIDE
“Again, truly I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything they ask for, it will be done
for them by my Father in heaven. For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them.”
MATTHEW 18:19-20
GLORY
by Dr. Mary Bernard
We recently had a patient at CURE Ethiopia named Girma. I
asked various friends what the name means. One answered,
“I see Big,” and he waved his hands in the sky and his eyes
got big and round with wonder. Another said, “It is like
respect.” Finally, I asked a friend who had more familiarity
with religious words in English. She said, “It means glory!”
Girma’s life personifies the concept of glory. He came to
us very ill – some thought just days away from death,
if left to follow the path he was on. Months before, he
had developed some pain in his leg. He began to limp.
Eventually, his family brought him to a large hospital. The
professionals there said nothing was wrong. Girma was sent
back home.
Meanwhile, Girma’s body was wasting away. The family lived in an area of Ethiopia previously
held in the grip of witchcraft. But now, this has all changed. A few years back, a girl came to
CURE with a chronic infection in her leg. Her family came to know Jesus through their extended
time at CURE because of the complexity of the treatment she required. This girl was from the
same area as Girma.
Her family, especially her father, brought the message of the freedom found in Christ back to
this area held in bondage for so long. Many responded to this message of freedom – so many
that the power of the witchdoctor was finally broken. Just a few months ago, 52 people were
baptized from this one area. Now, several churches have been established and the message of
spiritual freedom is growing.
Girma’s infection started just about the time of the baptisms. His family had not been one of
the ones to believe in Jesus. Finally, though, with no other options, they brought Girma to one
of these new churches. Would power be found there as it was found with the witchdoctor
previously? Was this new movement in the area for real? Was there real power behind it?
God would show His glory through this young boy who was so near to death. He would
confirm, through love and power, that His church represented something real; that power,
saving and free, could be found there.
Girma has been healed at CURE Ethiopia. Even bone that appeared to have died in the midst of
this severe infection is rebuilding itself. Girma is well on his way to recovery, all because of an
intricate plan that God has woven through the working of His people, His church, to work in an
area that could be rescued only by Him, in a way that only He could accomplish. He is at work in
this world and we are privileged to be His hands and feet. In so doing, our lives can also reflect
a little of His glory.
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April 2015
AFRICA
ETHIOPIA
We praise God for the recent pastors’ training in Ethiopia. The twenty pastors who attended the
training conference will now be able to share the gospel in previously unreached areas and also
identify potential new patients. In the midst of some disruptions due to new construction at the
hospital, please be in prayer that a sense of peace and calm can be maintained and that the staff
can continue to bear witness of Jesus’ love to the construction team as they work alongside each
other.
KENYA
We mourn with our brothers and sisters in Kenya as they process the attack on Garissa University,
in which nearly 150 people were killed. CURE Kenya’s Spiritual Director, Christine Kithome, says,
“Christians are praying day and night, asking God to intervene in this situation, and we also ask
for your prayers for the parents and students who were involved in the shooting.”
MALAWI
The severe flooding that took place months ago continues to take its toll on Malawi. There is a
looming food shortage as crops have been washed away and water-borne diseases are setting
in. The hospital depends on electricity generated by hydroelectricity plants and there are many
interruptions in service. There is also a critical shortage of clean water. Please keep the people of
Malawi in your prayers as they continue to recover and move forward.
Kids from CURE Kenya, CURE Malawi, and CURE Ethiopia
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April 2015
AFRICA (cont.)
NIGER
Our Spiritual Director, Hassane Dan Karami, reported that Niger is more peaceful following the
election of a new president in Nigeria. In the city of Niamey where our hospital is located, local
churches were able to celebrate Easter without any disturbances. Despite some ongoing security
issues and threats of violence, our staff has been able to conduct mobile clinics each month.
Please continue to pray for the security situation to remain stable. Please also pray for more local
partners to join us in funding the activities of CURE Niger.
UGANDA
Derek Johnson, our current Executive Director, and his family have decided to return stateside.
Derek has faithfully served with CURE since 2005, and his wife Julie joined the team in 2012 shortly
after they were married. We are immensely grateful for Derek and Julie’s extended contributions
of time, expertise, and sacrifice to the organization over the years, and are happy to report that
Derek will be staying with CURE as Director of Development and Sustainability!
We are pleased to announce that Tim Erickson will be taking Derek’s place as Executive Director
of CURE Uganda, effective June 2015. Tim has faithfully served with CURE since 2006, when he
joined CURE as a Regional Director of Development. He also served as the Operations Director of
CURE Hydrocephalus from 2011-2013. Most recently, Tim has been serving as VP of Development
and Sustainability. He will be joined in Uganda by his wife Kiera and their three children. Please
be in prayer for both families, as well as the hospital staff, as they make this transition.
ZAMBIA
When patients arrive at CURE Zambia for surgery, some are suffering from non-surgical medical
conditions, such as malaria, that require treatment at the University Teaching Hospital (UTH),
which is the largest referral hospital in Zambia. These patients are not left unattended while they
are being treated elsewhere; members of our spiritual team follow up with them on a weekly
basis. We do this because most of our patients come from distant areas and do not have any
relatives that can stay with them during treatment. CURE becomes their “relative,” which is why
we place such importance on staying connected with them until they are able return to our
hospital for surgery. We praise God for the opportunity to minister to our patients wherever they
might be.
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April 2015
ASIA & SPECIALTY PROGRAMS
AFGHANISTAN
Safety for expats continues to be a concern in Afghanistan. This ongoing threat has affected
the availability of international schools in the area as some may close for safety reasons. In the
midst of this, we are praying that God will still identify people with a desire to join our ministry
in Kabul. Please pray for wisdom in decision-making and for the safety of our patients, staff, and
their families in Kabul.
PHILIPPINES
April is proving to be quite a busy month at the Tebow CURE Hospital! With over 50 surgeries
performed since the soft opening in November and many more to follow in the coming weeks,
the hospital is already making a huge impact on Davao City and surrounding areas. Please pray
for the upcoming Grand Opening celebration on May 1st to be a time of joyful thanksgiving and
for the Lord’s presence to be felt throughout.
UAE
We praise God for the opportunity to minister to patients and families in the UAE through Oasis
Hospital. The hospital has a long history of serving patients with excellence, and we are blessed
to be part of continuing this tradition. Please pray for those who God may be calling to join us in
ministry in the UAE.
CURE Clubfoot
India’s second National Clubfoot Conference, led by our own Santhosh George, will be taking
place in New Delhi this month. The “Delhi Declaration” on the eradication of disability from
clubfoot globally will be signed by over 15 national and international partners at the conference.
We praise God for the progress that has been made in the fight to eliminate clubfoot and pray
for the conference in India to be a fruitful time of planning and education.
CURE Hydrocephalus
We praise God for the successful evaluation and planning that came out of the strategic planning
session in late March. Please pray for an upcoming visit to Uganda by our Malawi fellow, Dr.
Patrick Kamalo, and for our next CURE Hydrocephalus Fellow, Dr. Catherine, who will be coming
from Tanzania in mid-May.
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April 2015
NORTH AND CENTRAL AMERICA
DOMINICAN REPUBLIC
We are saddened to announce that Glen Rowe, Medical Director of CURE Dominican Republic,
will be returning to the States this coming summer. Dr. Rowe has been with us for a little over two
years and has done an exceptional job of providing leadership to the clinical team at the hospital.
Please be in prayer for Dr. Rowe and his wife Lori as they transition back into life in the US, and
please pray that God will connect us with strong candidates as we look for his replacement.
BOARD AND STAFF
Two of our board members, Ed Stillman and Judy Bellig, will be traveling to the Philippines at the
end of April for the Grand Opening celebration of the Tebow CURE Hospital, along with several
other CURE staff members. Please pray for safe travels as they make the long journey to Davao
City.
April marks the end of the spring Love Ran Red tour with CURE board member Chris Tomlin. It has
been such a blessing to introduce CURE and the kids we serve to so many new people! Please pray
for perseverance and continued success over the course of these last few weeks.
HOME OFFICE
Multiple large events and frequent travel have made for a busy start to 2015 for many at CURE’s
home office. Please pray for rest and rejuvenation to arrive alongside the arrival of the sunny days
of spring as we continue to serve the Lord through our work here at CURE HQ.
Kids from CURE Philippines, CURE Niger, and CURE Uganda
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April 2015