My wife and I took our 2 young grandsons into the “wilderness” at an Indiana State Park.  As they climbed over rocks and played near the campfire…there were many “opportunities for injury” and as I watched these 2 boys I realized we were many miles from any medical care facilities if something were to happen to either of them and they needed medical care.  But I also realized:

• I have a car
• I have a cell phone, and I have service (patchy, but still available)
• 9-1-1 services would send an ambulance if we called
• Lifeline Helicopter services could arrive if it were seriously needed 

But most of those 4 things are NOT true for 646 Million of the World’s Most Vulnerable
whom FAME/YOU serve every single day! 

80% of Kenyans WALK to access to healthcare. 

1 out of 10 people in the world walks more than 3 hours to access healthcare 

Where Kelly and I were camping, we were 18 miles from a Hospital with an Emergency room.  Not a big deal if I hop in my car.  But walking with a sick child?  That is over 6 hours of walking! 

Heather was caring for an infant in a remote village.  The child became ill and had a fever which Heather had nothing to give the baby to reduce!  She began to walk to a village that she knew had a clinic (a FAME partner).  Heather walked for 5 hours to reach the clinic carrying the baby!  Upon arrival, the doctors quickly realized what the baby needed, gave her fluids, medicine, and told Heather, “If you had not come today, your little one would not have lived.  Good job mom, walking to our village even though it was difficult to do so!”  We know Heather’s story because she was so impacted by the love of the Christian staff that she became connected to the church in her village and is now a follower of Jesus! 

With your partnership, FAME is providing new clinics every year that move access to healthcare and the gospel closer within reach to thousands every day! 

Thank you for your partnership!

Bill Warren
Executive Director

 

When evening came, his disciples went down to the lake, where they got into a boat and set off across the lake for Capernaum. By now it was dark, and Jesus had not yet joined them. A strong wind was blowing, and the waters grew rough.  When they had rowed about three or four miles, they saw Jesus approaching the boat, walking on the water; and they were frightened. But he said to them, “It is I; don’t be afraid.” Then they were willing to take him into the boat, and immediately the boat reached the shore where they were heading. (John 6;16-21 NIV)

Max Lucado explains further what Jesus is saying to them when he approaches the boat. “The literal translation of what Jesus said is ‘I AM; don’t be afraid.’ I AM is God’s name. If God had a calling card, it would contain this imprint: I AM. Ever since Moses saw the burning bush that refused to burn up, God has called himself, ‘I AM’ (Exodus 3:14). This is the title of steadiness and power. When we wonder if God is coming, he answers with his name: ‘I AM!’ When we wonder if he is able, he declares, ‘I AM.’ When we see nothing but darkness, feel nothing but doubt, and wonder if God is near or aware, the welcome answer from Jesus is this: ‘I AM!’ “.(© Max Lucado, August 4, 2019)

What a great reminder in these troubling times we live in. Violence, war, hunger, corruption, sickness, disease,…the list goes on. Though we are in the midst of the storm, it is Jesus (the I AM) to whom we can always turn to get us through it. The disciples understood that and welcomed him into the boat. The Bible says then that the boat made it through the storm and reached its destination.

Though many people around the world are in “a storm” because of a lack of healthcare, God is doing great things through the ministry of FAME right now through You, as several new sustainable healthcare projects were just approved, and medical supplies are leaving the warehouse (listed on the calendar this month). As these projects are completed and as these supplies are shipped, pray that the love of Jesus will be shown so that the world’s most vulnerable can be delivered through their “storm” and that they can be healed both physically and spiritually.

Other items of prayer this month include some volunteer groups, to whom we are so thankful, and some visits that Bill and Jeff will be making to some of our partner churches.

If your church or group would like to hear more about what FAME is doing right now and how you can become involved, contact us at FAME@fameworld.org. We’d love to come and tell you about all the ways you can partner with us in medical evangelism.

We are so thankful for you and your partnership in prayer for the ministry of FAME as you approach the great “I AM” on behalf of FAME and FAME’s ministry partners.

Click here for the June Prayer Calendar

“… an opportunity to touch the lives of others.” 

We receive messages and notes like this all the time.  Recently, my co-worker Jeff spoke to someone who had given, what I  would call, a significant financial gift to FAME.  They said, “We just lost our dear father and could think of no better way or organization to honor his legacy than FAME.”   

FAME and YOU together are BRINGING LIFE AND HOPE to others through access to healthcare that brings access to the gospel.  FAME is honored to be considered by so many as a way to take a loss, and grief and turn it into hope! 

Sometimes it is in a financial gift you can honor a loved one.  Other times it can be through donating the medical supplies and equipment used in the ending days of a loved one’s life.  The opening quote is from such a story.  A family had cared for a loved one for many months in their home.  A hospital bed and all the supplies that accompany that type of Home Healthcare were then filling their home after their loved one passed away.  They had no idea what to do with all of these healthcare items, which were sad reminders of the preceding days.  Then they heard of FAME.  After contacting our team in Indianapolis and learning that every piece of equipment could be used to touch the lives of hundreds or thousands of people in clinics and hospitals around the world, they were thrilled!  That is when they said, “Our greatest moment of loss, FAME turned into an opportunity to touch the lives of others”. The son said, “Wait until my sisters hear that this equipment is going to Africa and helping some of the world’s most vulnerable!  They won’t believe it!  It actually helps ease the loss.” 

Our global partners respond on the other side of the situation.  One partner just posted on social media, “Yet again thanks to FAME we are able to help with new walking equipment for several folks here in Lepaterique!”  Every one of those items was a donation received at the FAME Indianapolis warehouse! 

FAME resource personnel received a box last week in the mail filled with several baggies of various medical supplies left after a lady had passed away. Inside the box was a piece of paper with a photo of her, and a message that said, Donated in loving memory of (name) who was welcomed home into her Savior’s arms on May 3rd, 2022.

What a great memorial, that someone’s life, difficult days, and even their death can remind us of the hope that we have in Jesus.  It was He that said, “I am the resurrection and the life, whoever believes in Me will live even if they die.”  I know that Jesus meant, we can live eternally with Him – but many people’s legacies live on because of the generosity of people like you!

This Memorial Day weekend, we at FAME pray that as you remember those who have impacted your life, touched your life, and given you hope- that you will be most impacted by your memory of how Jesus gave his life to “…go through all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom and healing every disease and sickness.” 

And that you, partnering with FAME continue the same work that Jesus began! 

Bill Warren, 
FAME Executive Director

 

**Honor a loved one this Memorial Day with a memorial gift. Your memorial gift will be a lasting tribute to your loved one and make an eternal impact in the lives of the world’s most vulnerable.

 

Recently, I heard a mom say, “Who are you and what have you done with my son?” 

This humorous response of surprise toward someone’s change in attitude or behavior has never been asked of FAME!  Because for over 50 years FAME has not changed in purpose, activity, or goals!  Who you are and what have you done with….? Is not a question! 

Angelica* was 30 weeks pregnant and everything was going smoothly; the baby was moving as expected and the heartbeat was strong.  Your FAME partner clinic had been keeping on top of her vitamins, diet, and appointments – she was in good hands.  At her week 32 appointment, your faithful FAME doctor was concerned.  So, they loaded her into a hired pick-up truck and she went to a Hospital nearly 2 hours away.  Angelica had the baby early by C-Section and great news, she and the baby are perfectly healthy! 

But because of you, in the next 12-18 months there will not just be clinics in that area; a Hospital is under construction!!  A full birthing center, neo-natal area, and surgery suite, all accessible in their area– no more pick-up truck rides for pregnant moms!

Who are you and what have you done with …? 

FAME and you have been partnering together to:

• Give grants for Sustainable Projects like this Hospital
• Shipping Medical Equipment and Supplies
• Sending Short-Term Teams (like the ones in Colombia and Honduras right now!) 

Who FAME is…is who you help us continue to be!

What FAME has done…is what you’ve made possible! 

Thank you for your partnership with FAME to bring Medical Evangelism to the world! 

How can you share the gospel with 229.1 people in one hour?
Partner with FAME! 

How can they hear unless someone tells them? 
How can they go unless someone sends them? 

When you partner with FAME you are sending and some of you are going!  Each week around 5,500 people are treated in the name of Jesus and hear the gospel through partners of FAME!  That means that 229.1 people hear the gospel every hour a year! (Of course this is an average and some days/weeks have more than others – but the year long impact is accurate and YOU are making it possible!)

THIS WEEK we have teams headed to Honduras and Colombia – the gospel will be shared as they treat each patient in the love of Jesus.  But that is not the only type of impact!  Over the last decade new buildings, new ambulances, equipment, supplies, and teams have been in over 50 countries, and with over 100 global partners!  Over 2 Million people will hear the gospel and be treated in 2022- that means YOU HAVE SHARED THE GOSPEL WITH 229.1 PEOPLE PER HOUR!

As an Indy-based ministry, we hear a lot about the Indy 500 race in May, where drivers go nearly 229.1 Miles per Hour.  Impressive!  But so is your global impact at 229.1 people per hour!

AFTER: 

An Optical Tech at a FAME partner Eye Clinic in Honduras noticed a man on a  sidewalk was rubbing his eyes repeatedly, so he approached him and invited him to the “His Eyes” Clinic.  The man said he could not afford a doctor, but he was encouraged to come anyway.  He did, and upon examination, it was found that he had a small metal fragment IN his eye!  It was removed, and the man was immediately relieved and on the way to recovery.  Oh yes, he heard the gospel and experienced the love of the staff of your FAME partner clinic in Honduras.

BEFORE: 

Many years ago, an Ophthalmoscope, the handheld device used to examine the interior of the eye, was sent to this partner from the FAME warehouse.  It wasn’t exciting and didn’t seem urgent to send the Ophthalmoscope BEFORE, but AFTER, it gave sight to a man in great need! 

We don’t hear the stories of patients who need care BEFORE they need it, we hear of them AFTER care has been given and the gospel has been shared.  

FAME is receiving a surge in medical equipment and supplies…which ALWAYS precedes a surge in needs/requests from around the world!  There are Shipping crates and container loads being staged for the next couple of months, (Poland/Ukraine, Liberia, Djibouti, Sierra Leone, DR Congo, Ethiopia) and dozens upon dozens of smaller shipments are leaving every day!  But to keep meeting these requests FAME needs to be able to quickly respond to these needs. 

FAME has set a goal to raise $100,000 this Spring to meet a growing global need.  Many of you have already responded! 

If not, can you consider helping with 1% ($1000) of this goal?  A gift of any amount will remove an obstacle for someone to be able to hear and respond to the gospel.  I can’t tell you BEFORE what your gift will do. It may be an exam table, IV pole, therapy equipment, wound care supplies, surgical lights, surgical tools, birthing room supplies, or first-aid kits.  But AFTER, rest assured that we will learn that one of the world’s most vulnerable was treated in the name of Jesus and heard the gospel, and you will hear about many of them here! 

Evacuation of Elderly, Delivery of Medicine, Food Distribution all are occurring because of you and your generosity! 

Shipments of medical equipment and supplies are in route, and assistance is being given from shipments that were made before the escalation of war because of you and your partnership. This crisis in Europe is not new!     

I have a Russian word for “Thank you” to tell you about too – but before I do, can I tell you about how many people want to thank YOU?  

This week FAME is launching support for new sustainable projects in Colombia, Myanmar, Mexico, Ghana, Kenya, Honduras, Pakistan, and South Sudan.  Each of these will touch the lives of thousands!  We’ve learned that over 5,000 people HEAR THE GOSPEL and receive medical care with this message EVERY DAY! That is a lot of people who would love to say thank you! 

I really only know one Russian word- let me tell you about it. 

Many of the Ukrainians being displaced speak Russian as well as Ukrainian.  So many of them would say “Thank you” using the word “spasibo” (спасибо) instead of “dyakuyu” and this word’s literal meaning is “Let God save you”!

Amazing – that is EXACTLY the message of Medical Evangelism’s hope and help – “Let God save you!”  So when I say Thank you to you for your partnership – the message we are sending to thousands every day is Russian for Thank you – “Let God save you!” 

One of your FAME Scholarship recipients, a graduate and New Licensed Medical Doctor in Kenya reports feeling helpless due to a lack of resources, unpleasant working environment, and generally unsafe healthcare provision.  

Currently, I work in my home county, with the local government at the Kajiado county  Referral Hospital, which ideally is meant to be a level 5 hospital, but the service provision situation is wanting.  The situation here gives me a feeling of dissatisfaction and it is not a good setup to effectively show the love of Jesus.

Working at the county hospital, we are helpless due to a lack of resources, an unpleasant working environment, and generally unsafe healthcare provision.  

One week ago we lost a 23-year-old female, married, who hails from Kumpa (I know her husband), she presented at a local private clinic at Ilbissil with bleeding and Lower abdominal pain, and without any proper investigation, a procedure was performed and the uterus was perforated by mistake. This was not noticed and she was discharged home. A few days later her condition deteriorated and she came to the Kajiado referral hospital, where an ultrasound was noted to have an ectopic pregnancy, and also diagnosed with peritonitis (severe infection in the abdominal cavity), she went into septic shock and passed on 2 days after admission, the operation was delayed because the theatre was not clean and casual laborers have not been paid. This is saddening and heartbreaking.

This does not need to happen!  That is why YOU through FAME are partnering with this Doctor (who grew up in a cow dung hut in Kajiado) to develop a Self-Sustaining Healthcare System in this desperate Kenyan County.  Phase One is underway and so far FAME has committed $50,000 of the $150,000 Phase-One cost for the property to be purchased, fenced and a well drilled, preparing for the first Clinic of many in this region. Here is what this scholarship recipient said,

“It is always my dream that one day I’ll be able to offer safe quality healthcare to this desperate population, for the glory of God, as a way of thanksgiving to all of you who invested and trusted me. 

I have a dream to develop a privatized self-sustainable healthcare system in Kajiado offering both primary and secondary healthcare services to maximize revenue generation, and that in the future the system will be able to operate with minimal or no support from donors.” 

FAME is committed to a multi-year plan to impact millions of the Maasi people in this underserved region!  When you partner with FAME – you bring help and hope to the people of Kenya and nearly 60 other Nations around the world!  Thank you for your partnership! 

It was nearing 9:00 p.m. after a very long day the first weekend of April…

…and your FAME partner doctors were caring for the last of hundreds of patients seen that day. The importance of your partnership became very clear, once again.

Earlier this month one of your FAME short-term teams was serving alongside your FAME partner doctors in a remote, mountainous region of Mexico. They were hosting a Campana de Salud Familiar Gratuita (Free Family Health Campaign) in a series of villages that has no church, actually, no known Christians live there. These events treat people with the care of Jesus, but intentionally every participant hears a presentation of the gospel!

People are treated on a first-come-first-served basis (last-come, last served) and the day had been full and it was nearing 9:00 p.m. while the Doctors were patiently treating the last family of the day. It was a mom and dad with 2 young children. Your wonderful FAME team was getting tired and was ready to start their hour and a half drive back down out of the mountains to their late dinner and their soft beds.

The team was forever impacted though when they realized the family that was leaving the doctors were walking home. Your FAME team members asked the translators and partner Doctors about the family. They were the last to arrive and the last to leave because the family had walked 3 hours to come. That meant they were walking 3 hours yet that night with their 2 little children back to their home. They were taking Medicines and The Message back with them. You have heard us say, Access to Healthcare, Brings Access to the Gospel many times if you’ve been connected with FAME very long- it is SO REAL a need and your FAME team in Mexico just witnessed it a couple of weeks ago. They wanted to give them a ride, help them get to their homes and so much more- but our FAME partner doctors assured the team the family was safe and going to be okay- this is their way of life.

But your FAME doctors will follow up with them AND follow up with the community. The plan is that once 5 people become Christians in the village that a church will send a van to pick up those 5 people. Once that core group grows, the day will come that a church will be planted!

For 50 years FAME has been doing what Jesus said 2000 years ago, “He sent them to proclaim the Kingdom of God and to heal the sick.” Luke 9:2

This Good Friday, remember Jesus opens doors so people see Jesus is Alive!
If you want to send the hope of the gospel – partner with FAME!
If you want to plant seeds to start churches – partner with FAME!
If you want to help treat people with the love of Jesus – partner with FAME!

I’m part of FAME, our staff is committed to FAME, hundreds of people like you, and churches like yours partner with FAME because the Message of the Gospel is shared the Medical Care!

Happy Easter!

Bill Warren
Executive Director

 

 

Do You Remember This Crisis and Solution From 2020?

 

 

 

 

 

 

A FAME partner in Ivory Coast had to shut down their mid-wife-based clinic, other than prenatal care because the Ambulance in their region was broken down and the government wouldn’t replace it.

Many of you partnered with FAME for this Ivory Coast Proper, Timely, Transportation emphasis for my “Run for Global Health”.

This week I received an email that the Ambulance HAS ARRIVED!    Here is their report:

I wanted to let you know that the ambulance has arrived at the PIM clinic in Abengourou and we are ready to begin delivering babies in our maternity. We will be the second place in town that does deliveries. In a city of over 150,000 people, you can imagine what a need that will meet!  We are excited to minister to families in our community even more as we meet their need to have a safe place to bring their children into this world. 

We can’t thank you enough for this generous gift that will allow us to serve our community in even greater ways, in the name of Jesus. 

That Thank you note is TO YOU!  You are FAME!  You make life-changing provisions possible for families around the World!

This team, we have bragged about them before, has a high success rate in bringing HIV-free babies into the world, and even greater than that, a high success rate in bringing the mothers to Jesus!

Thank you for your partnership that brings access to healthcare, bringing access to the gospel!