This is an amazing open door!

Do you know much about the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC)?   Starvation is real, serious illness is chronic, sexual abuse of women rampant, and persecution of Christians is both common and severe in this Central African Nation.

You can imagine, into this kind of darkness – even a tiny light of hope shines like midday.  Recently we were introduced to a wonderful couple – both DRC survivors – who have been serving in the name of Jesus in their home country.  For their safety, I’m just going to call them Dr. and Mrs. DRC.

Since receiving asylum in the US in 2012, the couple has dreamed of helping those still suffering in the DRC.  Their dream?  A series of 7 medical clinics focusing on obstetrics, pediatrics, surgery, and trauma care.

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Dr. DRC was at the FAME warehouse recently – and I wish you could have walked with us.  As he moved aisle-to-aisle, shelf-to-shelf, bin-to-bin – his smile and relief at knowing we would help was really moving.

Of course, the “we” who can

help ship medical supplies to the DRC is really “you” and “me” and others like us who know the power of medical evangelism.  I can’t tell you how much I appreciate knowing you’re in this with us!  Thank you!

The open door is this – because of COVID-19, the DRC government has lowered the cost of shipping medical supplies into the country to unheard of low costs!  We’ve already been able to ship exam tables and other supplies to help Dr. DRC with 2 Clinics.

But there is only a short time to provide for the other 5 Clinics with this highly discounted custom taxes and fees.  We have many of the supplies on hand – would you like to help cover the cost of getting them to the field?

I’m estimating to acquire, crate, stage and ship will only cost a total of $10,000.  But it would be so much more without the DRC government discount on the cost to receive the medical supplies.  So, we really think this should happen right away before the rates go back up!

Oh, and we’re also helping 2 other ministries in the DRC – they now have quality hospital beds replacing bamboo mats!  Additionally, your gift could help us with sending help and hope to Ethiopia and 18 other African countries where we have active global partners this year!  But like Dr. DRC’s work, they have many other needs for their clinics.  Can you give a gift to “wherever needed” by December 31^st that will help victims of crisis in the Democratic Republic of Congo and around the world?

Last thing,  – Dr. DRC’s work is so much more than just medical care.  Mrs. DRC oversees the “trauma care” and these services follow her Biblical Counseling training – so patients are impacted daily by workers sharing the hope of the Gospel!

Ok, that’s the open door I wanted to share.  If you’d like to help FAME with this opportunity and so many more, click DONATE above! Thanks for thinking and praying on what you might do right away.  Let me know if you have any questions.

Bill

 

Watch this video and get a taste of all that ICOM has to offer this year, and maybe this video would be good to share with others or your church!

Every Fall thousands of people from around the globe descend on a USA city to connect and be encouraged at the International Conference on Missions (ICOM).  This year was to be no different – and Indianapolis was to be the city for 2020!

But, nothing has been normal in 2020- so ICOM is a combination Virtual Event and Live Virtual Exhibit Hall AND an in-person Exhibit Hall in Indy.  Many fewer exhibitors will be in person, and that’s disappointing – but HERE’S THE GOOD NEWS!

No matter where you live, you can ATTEND THIS WEEKEND!  Check it out at www.theicom.org

FAME will have a Virtual booth- You can “walk /scroll” through the exhibit hall – or search for us!  There are 3 Bible Studies with Jeff Vines, the president of ICOM that FAME is sponsoring this year- we had fun shooting videos with Jeff Vines when he was in Indy awhile back – he is a real “fan of FAME!”

FAME, as usual, is sponsoring the Short-Term Trip Workshops which, along with the main sessions will all be virtual-only and online!

Maybe you are a Central Indiana friend of FAME- ICOM has safety measures in place (masks provided by FAME) to make it an enjoyable experience to head downtown Indianapolis to the Convention Center to connect with many of FAME’s Global partners!

Thank you for your friendship and partnership, you are impacting lives every day around the world!

We in the USA are not alone in the roller coaster year of the pandemic impact.  I’d like to give you an update on one of our global partners.

Because of generous partners like you, there are 5 Clinics in a mountainous region of Mexico just south of Saltillo.  In 2016 many of you met Esly and Sandy Fuentes from Mexico and Bolivia respectively, who met in Medical school in Cuba!  You may have met them at the Night of Hope Banquet raising funds for their Hospital which is currently under construction.

In this mountain region, the church in La Biznaga has supported them as they not only have the clinic attached to the church, but they have added clinics and pharmacies in 4 other villages as well.  These villages are the type where everyone knows one another, the deaths impact all, and births cause all to rejoice.  These people are hard-working farmers, and you may even buy the 3-pack of peppers which are grown and packaged by many of them!  At each of these clinics, the church has begun Bible Studies and evangelistic medical outreaches!

Esly reports, “The first wave of COVID did not affect the rural areas very much.  But now the second wave is hitting us hard, because everything opened up and now people are out and began to visit our rural communities and the virus has moved into our villages.”

Esly shared that this week they lost 5 dearly loved elderly folks, and last week they lost 8 due to COVID.  They are sending many to the hospital, but they hope to see a downward trend soon!  Esly continues, “We are the only clinic and pharmacy that meets all the health codes set by our local and state government.  We have been setting an example of how to be a blessing to all those around us.”

Can I say “Amen!” on our behalf?

Isn’t that exactly what you and I hope to hear from those around the world with whom we partner?  “…setting an example of how to be a blessing…”.

I am thankful to be in partnership with Doctors like Esly and Sandy, aren’t you?

I am also thankful to be in partnership with people like you- who make partnership possible!

Bill Warren
Executive Director