Out of Africa

At the Southern Africa ICMDA Regional Con– ference at Lake Malawi in April/May 2004, God's Spirit urged all who were there to 'Change our lives and change our lands'.

Two events of mission outreach during December 2004 tell of the way this continues to happen. Groups from CMF branches moved out into their communities both to share the good news of Jesus' love and to serve him in serving others.

In Malawi a group from Lilongwe and Blantyre visited a rural village where life is hard work for the community, most being subsistence farmers. Health talks were given and clinics held, 150 people attending daily. Meetings and times of prayer were shared in the evening and Christ touched many. Of special joy was the fellowship with the north Malawi CMDF group, which really got going following the Regional Conference in May 2004. Although a small committed group, they meet regularly and being together with them was a huge blessing and encouragement. One of the Church elders was deeply moved by the group's demonstration of togetherness in and witness for the Lord.

In Mozambique, students and doctors from Durban with others from a number of countries, joined a 'Doctors for Life' mission to Zavora. Again the main activities were to give health education and basic emergency skills as well as see patients and share the gospel. The clinic, in a tent, saw 60-80 patients daily.

One of these was young Felismina. She had severe one-year wounds on both legs and the care she received probably prevented an amputation. Lydia, a member of the local church volunteered to learn to dress these wounds and to continue care. Cyril Nkabinde, a student from Durban wrote: 'I learnt that God meant business when it comes to the mission field. For me 2004 was a confirming year that God is calling me into mission. This trip brought the question, 'Am I really ready for it?'.' Gugu Mhlanga said, 'This trip made me realise that Africa is in desperate need of care and God has placed us in it for a purpose.'

Both in Malawi and Mozambique the same question kept coming through, 'What does God want for our lives?' Is God speaking to you about your life and his call to share his love and the message of the Saviour with the World? We give thanks to God for the blessing of reaching out for Christ.

Daryl Hackland
ICMDA General Secretary
Email: webstormsa.co.za

ICMDA Eurasia

With exciting developments in Central and Eastern Europe it is easy to lose sight of the steady progress in the West.

ACM Germany (The German CMF) has recently appointed a first part-time student staff worker. Kirstin Hartwig is a young doctor who will bring a real stimulus to the German student work.

ICMDA has seven Area Student Representatives covering the different parts of Eurasia. We are planning a prayer and planning meeting for them in UK at the end of May. All are young doctors and they hold the keys for the future of ICMDA in the region.

In April the small CMF in Greece will hold their national conference. At the end of May the Netherlands CMF celebrate their 50th anniversary. Student work in the Netherlands has grown considerably over the last few years.

Italy is a country that we are praying for. If anyone has links with Christian doctors or students in Italy, I would be delighted to hear from them.

Further afield, a leaders' conference is planned for Russia in the third week of July, followed by a similar week in Central Asia. A number will be going to support this from UK.

Peter Pattisson
ICMDA Eurasia Regional Secretary
Tel: 01892 824872
Email: icmda@ukonline.co.uk