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Dear M.M.M. family,
With so much being done and so much more needing to be done, we were unable to send out our newsletter last month. Oh, how we miss not sharing with you all the wondrous blessings of God. Although things have been quite busy for us, we have the assurance that our MMM family are ever praying for us. This is a March / April issue, therefore we pray that the Lord will give you a double blessing. They say that one picture is worth a thousand words. If that be true, this issue will speak volumes, because we not only want to tell you of the work God is doing, we want you to see for yourself what keeps Maranatha Medical Ministries so busy. So call the family and friends together, and prayerfully begin your mission experience. Don’t forget your water 
.
Joe & Elsa Willis
THE RETURN OF THE M.I.C.E.
Joe
Our precious young M.I.C.E. have now entered into their third year of school here in the mountains. No, it hasn’t been easy for them, but they have all persevered. I wish you could have seen them on their first day of this school year; trudging up the muddy road, happy and excited to return to classes. Each one of these children live in poverty. Each one, prior to coming to Maranatha Institute of Christian Education, had no hopes of a better life. Like other children who live in poverty, the young boys would grow up to work in the fields growing coffee and corn; some may advance enough to pick up an unskilled trade. The girls would simply remain at home, thinking it is their lot in life to have children that they can’t afford to care for. At M.I.C.E. we offer them hope for a better future, and a chance to end their cycle of ignorance and poverty.
Like all young people who are entering adulthood, many of our M.I.C.E. are experiencing “growing pains”. They are becoming conscious of their looks. A couple of our young men like the idea that they’re muscles are forming. Aside from the physical changes, I had also noticed that many had behavioral changes as well. They didn’t smile or give respectful greetings to adults when in their presence. This bothered me. I remember telling Elsa, “Some of our MICE seem to be turning into rats”. Elsa simply said, “Be patient with them, honey. God is working with them.” One young man in particular really concerned me because he was acting almost mean. Once again, Elsa informed me, with words of wisdom that only she can do, that, “he is simply trying to look serious and tough,…like you.” I thank the Lord for a wise and perceptive wife. After what seemed like months of “attitude”, this young man one day walked up behind me out in the field, and said, (in English) “Good morning. I’ve been working hard today. Tomorrow, I’ll be working even harder in school.” I about passed out in the grass. Was this Javier? The young man with attitude? From then on, his entire behavior has been kind and pleasant; and he’s smiling. I now know that we do need to be patient; Believing that our work,…God’s work will not go unrewarded. I also think that Javier has in some ways, taught me to be more consci-entious of my own behavior. I too need to smile more and be more personable. I thank the Lord for all of our M.I.C.E.. Here is a photo of the M.I.C.E. before starting 2008 classes. (One MICE (mouse) is missing from the photo). Javier, is third from the right,…and still smiling.
(From left to right, back row, is—Cesar, Jorge, Renee, Javier and Samuel. Second row—Dinora, Angelica, Elsa, and Hector. Front row—Angel, Joshua, and Rolando. Missing, is Roger.)
Sometimes, I wonder what possessed Elsa to want to establish a school. But when I see the joy in her face, knowing that these children will one day make a difference, in their homes, their village, and their Country, it’s all worth it.
We have a full and exciting year ahead of us, so we need your ear-nest prayers. Below is an-other photo which includes our teachers.
“Many a lad of today, growing up as did Daniel in his Judean home, studying God’s word and His works, and learning the lessons of faithful service, will yet stand in legislative assemblies, in halls of justice, or in royal courts, as a witness for the King of Kings.” Education, p. 262
Youth Bible Camp – Honduras
by Teresa Jimenez
(Photo: Elsa and Teresa enjoy a moment together before heading off to the classrooms.)
“My sister and I have, for a long time felt a burden for the young people. Being young ourselves, and called to be laborers in the Lord’s vineyard since we were teenagers, it is our desire to see many other young people engaged in this work and living the joy, satisfaction and blessing of a life fully dedicated to God’s service.
By God’s grace, as we worked at the radio station and visited the different churches started by the Bible workers of the ministry, the dream came to our hearts to start a youth ministry, with the purpose of encouraging the young people to use their time and talents in the work of helping others and serving the Lord. We soon started working on the production of a monthly youth magazine. For some time we had been reading the English magazine, “Young Disciple”, and we wished to share this precious spiritual material with our Hispanic youth. The Lord led us all the way, and for the following 26 months, we were able, by His grace, to print a monthly magazine with mostly translated material from the English “Young Disciple.” But while reading the English magazine, we had also read reports on the YD Youth Bible camps. We had not heard before this of a camp that young people at-tended with the purpose of growing in Jesus and improving their talents in order to use them in the service for our Lord. The Lord put in our hearts the desire of doing something like this, also. We told our parents, and the young people in the youth ministry, about this idea, and they all got excited. We would spend four days camping, and those days would be full of devotionals and various classes and activities to help us grow to become more useful in God’s work.
The first camp was held in January, 2006. The Lord blest so much and the youth went back to their churches with a desire to serve and carry on God’s work.
A year later, we had a second camp, and after seeing the Lord’s mighty blessings in these events, we are making plans for another camp to be held on June 11-15, 2008.
As we approach the final events of this world’s history, we see around us, even in our churches, a state of numbness to this solemn reality. More and more Christians get comfortable and make long-term plans in this world. Where are the fervent preachers of the second coming from past years? It seems like eternity is out of our plans, just when our heads should be lifted up for our redemption draws near! Where are the fervent young workers who are to finish the work of carrying the gospel to all the world? It is our purpose, through these Bible camps, to wake up our young people to the reality of the time we are living in, and to the solemnity and urgency of the work that lies before us; A work that has been entrusted to each one of us by the Captain of our salvation.
Our final goal is to inspire the hearts of the youth with the truth that there is no higher position, no higher calling, than that of being a servant of God, and thus cooperate with our Saviour in the work of preparing an army of youth that may carry the last message of warning to the world, so that He may come for His people.”
Teresa and all involved with the planning of the Youth bible Camp 2008, are doing all they possibly can do to organ-ize; But, providing food, electricity, training materials, and transportation, takes funding. That’s where MMM has vol-unteered to help, by letting our readers know of the work she and her dedicated staff are doing. If you would like to help sponsor the Youth Bible Camp 2008, please set aside a portion of your contributions for help with this project. You can memo your check and the amount you want to go towards the Y.B.C.
Helping Those In Need
by Joe
Going out to different villages, tending to the needs of the poor, is something we do routinely. Our latest visit was to the small mountain village of Moutnainita. Every Sabbath, we go there to conduct Bible studies and have story hour with the children. This time, we went to provide an additional help to them. The families there are much poorer than those in our village of La Zona, and they can barely provide food for their children. They live in wood and adobe shacks , which also doubles as shelter for their dogs, chickens, and other yard creatures. Can you imagine a family of ten living in a wooden shack? We can give thanks to God, every day of our lives, for blessing us with what little we think we have. Most of the kids are of school age, but can’t afford basic school supplies. So, we decided to help the children out with notebooks, pencils, erasers, toothpaste and brushes, and nice hair thingies for the girls. Did we put a smile of these kids faces? See for yourself what is it worth, to make a small child happy.
Our own children would probably think we’d gone off the deep end if we bought them anything less than a laptop or PC for their school work; Not these kids. This was like the birthday they’d always dreamed about, but never had. Some of them still found it hard to believe that we were giving them something. You see, no one simply gives away anything, without ex-pecting something in return. They’re not used to hugs, kisses, and hearing the word “love”. We always have lots of hugs for them, and we always tell them about Jesus, who loves them more than anyone could ever love them.
These two kids, Oswald (L) and Ruby (R), received an extra special gift for memorizing their weekly Bible memory verse. Planting seeds of God’s word into their minds is the greatest gift of all; One that will some day blossom into characters fit for His kingdom.
After leaving this village, we headed off to the village of El Torro; Where we treated some of the kids there with the same type of school supplies. We never really know what true happiness is until we give of ourselves,…our time, our energies, our means, to help those less fortunate than ourselves.
God tell us that. “By all that has been given us advantage over another—be it education and refinement, nobility of character, Christian training, religious experience—we are in debt to those less favored; and, so far as lies in our power, we are to minister unto them.” The lost are all around us, perishing and sadly ne-glected. But they are of great value to God; They are the purchase of the blood of Christ.” We Thank The New Carlisle SDA Church for the contribution of school supplies which enabled us to help these children.
Medical Updates
In our last newsletter, I told you about my brother Steve, who had a setback in his health, and was in critical condition. I am please, and thankful to God, to announce that he is recovering nicely at a nursing home in Maryland. I recently had the privilege of being able to stay in the U.S. and help with his care. On one occasion, I took him on an outing away from the nursing home to visit with some friends from his old apartment complex. He never misses an opportu-nity to tell everyone he can, that Jesus loves them, with an everlasting and unconditional love. He has also begun to resume sending out his Daily Online Devotionals. While he is still undergoing therapy in the nursing home, we pray that he will soon be healthy and strong enough to transfer to an assisted living facility. Steve sincerely thanks all of you, our MMM family, for your fervent prayers for his recovery, and asks that you continue to remember him in prayer.
There is no doubt in my mind that God is hearing and answering our prayers.
You may also remember L. Ruberman. A young man from our Village, who has a large cancerous growth on his upper left torso.
We considered the possibility of doing natural treatments on him, but the stage of the cancer, and its progressive growth does not allow us to safely do this; Therefore, We have assisted the family is locating a surgeon who states he can perform surgery to remove the cancer, with little or no complications. This surgery needs to be done as soon as possible, while this window of opportunity is available. The surgery will cost between $3,000. & $4,000.. The family is reaching out to all of their family and friends to assist with this expense, however, what little they are able to raise will leave much of an unpaid balance. Maranatha Medical Ministries wants to help Mr. Ruberman get the treat-ment needed to save his life. We have decided to meet whatever unpaid balance there is in order to speed up the date for surgery. Unfortunately, in this country, expensive medical procedures must be paid in full, in advance. Quite hon-estly, the cost of this type of surgery is very inexpensive compared to what it might cost in the U.S.. We need your prayers, and, of course, your support as we move forward in assisting Ruberman with his medical treatments. He is aware that MMM is willing to help him, and he sends his sincere thanks to all of our MMM family.
MINISTRY MATTERS
PRAYER CORNER - “Lord, take my heart; for I cannot give it. It is thy property. Keep it pure, for I cannot keep it for thee. Save me in spite of myself, my weak, unchristlike self. Mold me, fash-ion me, raise me into a pure and holy atmosphere, where the rich current of Thy love can flow through my soul.” COL, 159. May this be the prayer we pray every morning as we begin a new day.
Please remember these dear ones in your prayers -
Pete Raimondo—Healing after eye surgery
Sally W.—Health & healing
Steve W.—Health & healing
Pauline H.—God’s richest blessings upon her selfless ministry
The Butler & Humes Family—Strength & trust in God through all difficulties.
Our M.I.C.E.—God’s help in their studies
M.M.M. Staff & Volunteers—Continued consecration to God.
Remember, God loves you with an everlasting and unconditional love.
He will never leave you or forsake you.
Pray Without Ceasing
**Summer Scheduling – Friends, time is rushing by, and soon we will be returning to the U.S.A. to conduct our sum-mer presentations. If you would like to have us come to your church or meeting place, and share with your group mis-sion reports, slide presentations, worship talks, and our exciting “Healing Edibles” spotlight, let us know before May 15th. We are presently booked through the middle of July, so our open dates are July 15th thru August 30th. You may contact us at our ministry e-mail address. We have some exciting things to share this summer, so we hope to hear from you soon.
** M.M.M. Website: – For years, Maranatha Medical Ministries has been wanting to set up its own website. We now have found the time, and the right person, to get our website up and running. A dear MMM family member, Emily Mazzone-Clementi, of Eurika, Ca., has volunteered to do our websites, (Maranatha Medical Ministries and Missionary Travelers Int’l). Emily is a professional web designer, and is as excited as we are about creating MMM’s website. We are assured that God is leading in this project, and we hope to have everything completed by mid-summer. For your information, here are the website addresses, (remember, the sites are still under construction, so it will not be open and available for a few more months). Maranatha Medical Ministries web address = www.maranathamedical.org. Missionary Travelers International web address = www.missionarytravelers.org. We will keep you informed of its progress, and will let you know when the sites are completed.
** Special Thanks – There are so many of you who deserve our heartfelt thanks, and, though we may not mention you personally, we are not unmindful of your support for M.M.M.. This month, we want to send a very special thanks to Marilyn Staudt and the members of the New Carlisle S.D.A. Church, for their continued support of the ministry. We also send a special thanks to Stephen and Inez Thomas, who opened up their home for me to stay while caring for my brother. And, a big thank you to our M.M.M. family, for your love, support, and prayers.
“BLESSED IS HE THAT CONSIDERETH THE POOR”….
God loves you with an everlasting and unconditional love.
Draw nigh to Him, and He will draw nigh to you. Maranatha
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“Today, as in the past, all heaven is watching to see the church develop in the true science of salvation. The lord Jesus is among men. His angels walk among us unrecognized and unacknowledged. We are saved from many snares and unseen dangers that through the machinations and hostility of our foe are placed in our path to destroy us. O that our eyes might be open to discern the watchful solicitude and tender care of the messengers of light! If those who politely acknowledge the favors which they receive from earthly friends would realize how much they owe to God, their hearts would respond in grateful thanks for precious favors that are now unnoticed.
We do not recount God’s mercies often enough….By our failure to express gratitude we are dishonoring our Maker. His angels, thousands upon thousands and ten thousand times ten thousand, are commissioned to minister to those who shall be heirs of salvation. They guard us against temporal evil and press back the powers of darkness, else we should be de-stroyed. Why do we not value God’s watchcare? If Satan had his way and carried out his designs, destruction would be seen on every hand. Why do we not remember that we are mercifully shielded from peril? Have we not reason to be thankful every moment, thankful even when there are apparent difficulties in our pathway? Cannot we trust our heavenly Father?” In Heavenly Places, pg.101
Dear Friends, let us learn to appreciate the love and mercies of our dear heavenly Father. Let us express to Him how much we appreciate all that He, and all the hosts of heaven, do for us continually. Let us constantly give thanks to God.
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