April 2007 - Posts
Whatever you did for the least of these brothers of mine, you
did for me.Matthew 20:40
In November and December of 2006, I had been working in Werkok, Sudan,
running medical clinics. Everyday 40 to 80 people would come for treatment.
There were many cases of malaria, dysentery, tuberculosis, parasitic infections,
and other tropical diseases. We started the clinic at 8:30 in the morning and
would work until everyone was seen. Usually the clinic would finish before two
o'clock in the afternoon. The afternoons became so intensely hot (over 100
degrees) it became very difficult to continue working. Late one day, as I was
finishing seeing the last few patients in the clinic, a young Sudanese woman
came in with her two healthy robust sons. My thoughts were less than pure as I
saw her approaching - "What is she doing here with these two healthy robust
looking children? Didn't she know that I was hot and tired and would like to
take a break and have something to drink and sit in the shade for a while?" She
sat down and through my interpreter told me of how in January, on my previous
trip there, her children had been very ill and she had been afraid that they
would die. She had brought her children to see me at the clinic. I treated them
and they had gotten well. She walked a long distance carrying her sons so I
could see how well her beautiful two sons were doing and to say thank you. I was
truly humbled and bowed my head and asked God for forgiveness for my earlier
thoughts. Lord, thank you for this precious gift in reminding me why I am here.
I am here to serve others, to love you and to love them with all of my heart,
soul, mind and strength.
Mike McMahon
"One of the world's worst tragedies is that we allow our hearts
to shrink until there is no room in them for little besides ourselves." - A. W.
Tozer
Prayer Power
Dear Heavenly Father, give me dreams and visions of what you want me to do
for your kingdom. Give me the strength to work to make those dreams come true
for the growth of your kingdom. In Jesus' name, amen.
CEF is sending weekly devotionals to keep you informed of our mission
activities and share our stories with you. We hope you will be blessed,
challenged, and drawn closer to God.
I will pour out my Spirit on all peoples, your sons and
daughters will prophesy, old men will dream dreams, your young men will see
visions.Joel 2:28
In 2002, the Cutting Edge Foundation was born as a dream or vision by a group
of Godly men and women. We felt a call to try and make a difference in the
provision of medical care to some of the most remote parts of Africa, especially
in areas in the 10/40 window, where there is a large Islamic population. By
provision of medical care, we wanted to show them the love of Christ in action
and by doing that, have an opportunity to share with them the Gospel story of
Jesus Christ. What started out as a dream, through the provision of God, is now
becoming a reality. We now have construction underway on a parcel of land just
outside N'Djamena, the capitol of Chad. We are also working together with our
partner organizations, Partners in Compassion and Care and Christian Medical
Aid, to staff a medical facility in Werkok, southern Sudan. Please join with us
as we labor to finish this task and share Christ with a lost and fallen world.
This vision is being fulfilled by individual Christians (not governmental
support) who feel called to support God's outreach into some of the world's most
difficult areas.
Mike McMahon
"Do all the good you can by all the means you can, in all the
ways you can, to all the people you can, as long as you can." - John Wesley
Prayer Power
Dear Heavenly Father, give me dreams and visions of what you want me to do
for your kingdom. Give me the strength to work to make those dreams come true
for the growth of your kingdom. In Christ's name, amen.
We are now going to send weekly devotionals to keep you informed of what is
going on with our mission and share our stories with you. We hope you will enjoy
them and that they will challenge you and draw you closer to God.
If anyone has material possessions and sees his brother in
need but has no pity on him, how can the love of God be in him. Dear children,
let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth. 1 John 3:17-18
The infant mortality rate in the United States is 6.4 deaths per 1,000 live
births. In Sudan, it is 61 deaths per 1,000 live births. In Chad, it is 91.4
deaths per 1,000 live births. Current life expectancy in the United States is
77.8 years, in Sudan 59 years and in Chad 47 years. As you let the cold reality
of these statistics enter into your heart, realize that the statistics for Sudan
are basically for northern Sudan. The statistics in southern Sudan would likely
be almost identical to the ones in Chad. The need for even basic medical care is
immense in Chad and Sudan. Many are dying before they even have a chance to make
a start in life. Infant under five mortality rates are incredibly high. Everyday
approximately 10,000 children, mostly in sub- Saharan Africa, die of preventable
diseases. The provision of clean water, proper sanitation and immunizations
would make a huge impact in these countries. We, at CEF, feel a burden to reach
out and help these people who are truly “the least of these.” Please join us in
this venture as we strive to bring basic medical care and the Gospel of Jesus
Christ to the furthermost corners of the world.
Mike McMahon
“Let my heart be broken by those things that break the heart of
God.” - Bob Pierce.
Prayer Power
Lord, open my heart to the needs of the world around me. Let my heart be
broken by those things which do indeed break your heart. Show me what part you
want me to play in this, and through the strength of your Holy Spirit, help me
be obedient to your commands. In Jesus' name, amen.