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Greetings from UMO!
Does it seem to you as though time is just flying by? Losing track of the days, weeks, months, and even years? Not that time is getting away from us, but there is so much happening in each day! Full days. Full weeks. Full months. Even full years.
And at the end of a day we often ask ourselves what have we accomplished and why did we do what we did. Overwhelmed at times by what God has placed upon our hearts, we need to remember the Apostle Paul’s command in his letter to the Ephesians, “Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil” (Eph 5:15-16). The opportunities that God is placing before us seem to multiply. Therefore, we humbly request your prayers for this ministry and how we can most effectively use our time for His glory.
God has placed us in Ukraine to bring the Gospel to every level of their medical system. His ministry through us is having an impact not only in Ukraine but in other countries around the world, particularly Africa, the Middle East and India. As many as 10,000 students representing 77 countries come to Ukraine to study medicine. Those numbers are in addition to the 100,000 Ukrainian medical students.
Some of Jim's favorite moments take place through weekly skype calls with Christian medical students from all parts of Ukraine. Jim encourages and disciples these young men and women by following Paul’s example with Timothy: “You then, my child, be strengthened by the grace that is in Christ Jesus, and what you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses entrust to faithful men who will be able to teach others also.” (2 Timothy 2:1-2). Our goal is definitely to disciple and then empower disciplers.
We have many students who graduated last month and are returning to their homelands. They arrived 6 years ago not knowing the language, having to adapt to a much colder climate as well as a much different culture. Now they are returning and have to deal with reverse culture shock and how to navigate through a different medical system.
One such student is Bassey who came from Nigeria. We met at one of the conferences during a master class Jim was teaching. He has attended the Saline Process training and meets every two weeks by skype for mentoring and discipleship. Our discussions are rich and deep. Bassey wants to become a cardiovascular surgeon, but first must fulfill a 2-year
 national service requirement in his native Nigeria. And even before that he must take a 3-month compulsory remedial course in order to simply take the examination to allow him to do his internship...all done without pay.
Then there are Linc and Tarisai from Zimbabwe. This outstanding young Christian couple has a deep desire to serve the LORD and the people of their country. Over dinner at a conference, they shared with Marianna that they did not know any Christian doctors in their home country. Jim, through personal connections with leaders in Africa of the Saline Process, Healthcare Christian Fellowship International and International Christian Medical Dental Association, has been able to connect them
with Christian healthcare professionals in Zimbabwe. We are grateful to God for placing UMO in a strategic position to assist Christian medical groups in developing relationships with these graduates so that God’s kingdom may grow.
Please pray for Bassey, Linc, Tarisai and other graduates as they return home to begin the next phase of their medical training. May they adapt to the medical culture of their countries and not grow weary of well-doing. May they become connected to Christian medical fellowships to be encouraged to offer the true hope of the Gospel to the sick and the dying.
Please pray for us as we meet with churches to share the ministry God has given us both in Ukraine and the USA.
Pray for preparations for our return to Ukraine on September 5th. It is easy for us to move forward under our own strength, but that is not our heart's desire. We need God's strength and wisdom to accomplish much in His name. Please pray to that end.
While in Ukraine Jim will certainly have a full plate. In addition to the more routine events, he will also be teaching parents about autism at a conference on September 9th, traveling to Belarus to teach the Saline Process, organizing a leaders' retreat for
Ukrainian Christian physicians, arranging meetings with academic officials in Vinnitsa, and joining a team from Medical Education International to share how to improve the care of children with disabilities...from a Christian worldview.
Finally, we will be preparing for the 8th International Christian
Conference for Young Medical Professionals in October. Pray specifically for the faculty to be finalized. Six more speakers are needed to fill the roster. Visas are needed for speakers from the Middle East, Sierra Leone, and Nigeria. LORD, grant us favor with officials in every phase of the visa process.
This year because of the rise in expenses we anticipate an extra $3,000 will be needed for the conference. Please pray for all the financial needs to be met!
Pray for God to prepare the hearts of those we meet to be transformed by the word of God and then grow relationships in order that medical systems around the world may become more competent, compassionate, and Christ-like.
We thank you so very much for your continued prayers and financial support. This ministry is His and you are all an integral part of it.
By His grace and for His glory,
Jim and Marianna
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