“Again, truly I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything they ask for, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven. For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them.” MATTHEW 18:19-20

PRAYER GUIDEApril 2015

GLORYby Dr. Mary Bernard

April 2015Page 1

We recently had a patient at CURE Ethiopia named Girma. I asked various friends what the name means. One answered, “I see Big,” and he waved his hands in the sky and his eyes got big and round with wonder. Another said, “It is like respect.” Finally, I asked a friend who had more familiarity with religious words in English. She said, “It means glory!”

Girma’s life personifies the concept of glory. He came to us very ill – some thought just days away from death, if left to follow the path he was on. Months before, he had developed some pain in his leg. He began to limp. Eventually, his family brought him to a large hospital. The professionals there said nothing was wrong. Girma was sent back home.

Meanwhile, Girma’s body was wasting away. The family lived in an area of Ethiopia previously held in the grip of witchcraft. But now, this has all changed. A few years back, a girl came to CURE with a chronic infection in her leg. Her family came to know Jesus through their extended time at CURE because of the complexity of the treatment she required. This girl was from the same area as Girma.

Her family, especially her father, brought the message of the freedom found in Christ back to this area held in bondage for so long. Many responded to this message of freedom – so many that the power of the witchdoctor was finally broken. Just a few months ago, 52 people were baptized from this one area. Now, several churches have been established and the message of spiritual freedom is growing.

Girma’s infection started just about the time of the baptisms. His family had not been one of the ones to believe in Jesus. Finally, though, with no other options, they brought Girma to one of these new churches. Would power be found there as it was found with the witchdoctor previously? Was this new movement in the area for real? Was there real power behind it?

God would show His glory through this young boy who was so near to death. He would confirm, through love and power, that His church represented something real; that power, saving and free, could be found there.

Girma has been healed at CURE Ethiopia. Even bone that appeared to have died in the midst of this severe infection is rebuilding itself. Girma is well on his way to recovery, all because of an intricate plan that God has woven through the working of His people, His church, to work in an area that could be rescued only by Him, in a way that only He could accomplish. He is at work in this world and we are privileged to be His hands and feet. In so doing, our lives can also reflect a little of His glory.

AFRICAETHIOPIAWe praise God for the recent pastors’ training in Ethiopia. The twenty pastors who attended the training conference will now be able to share the gospel in previously unreached areas and also identify potential new patients. In the midst of some disruptions due to new construction at the hospital, please be in prayer that a sense of peace and calm can be maintained and that the staff can continue to bear witness of Jesus’ love to the construction team as they work alongside each other.

KENYAWe mourn with our brothers and sisters in Kenya as they process the attack on Garissa University, in which nearly 150 people were killed. CURE Kenya’s Spiritual Director, Christine Kithome, says, “Christians are praying day and night, asking God to intervene in this situation, and we also ask for your prayers for the parents and students who were involved in the shooting.”

MALAWIThe severe flooding that took place months ago continues to take its toll on Malawi. There is a looming food shortage as crops have been washed away and water-borne diseases are setting in. The hospital depends on electricity generated by hydroelectricity plants and there are many interruptions in service. There is also a critical shortage of clean water. Please keep the people of Malawi in your prayers as they continue to recover and move forward.

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Kids from CURE Kenya, CURE Malawi, and CURE Ethiopia

AFRICA (cont.)

NIGEROur Spiritual Director, Hassane Dan Karami, reported that Niger is more peaceful following the election of a new president in Nigeria. In the city of Niamey where our hospital is located, local churches were able to celebrate Easter without any disturbances. Despite some ongoing security issues and threats of violence, our staff has been able to conduct mobile clinics each month. Please continue to pray for the security situation to remain stable. Please also pray for more local partners to join us in funding the activities of CURE Niger.

UGANDADerek Johnson, our current Executive Director, and his family have decided to return stateside. Derek has faithfully served with CURE since 2005, and his wife Julie joined the team in 2012 shortly after they were married. We are immensely grateful for Derek and Julie’s extended contributions of time, expertise, and sacrifice to the organization over the years, and are happy to report that Derek will be staying with CURE as Director of Development and Sustainability!

We are pleased to announce that Tim Erickson will be taking Derek’s place as Executive Director of CURE Uganda, effective June 2015. Tim has faithfully served with CURE since 2006, when he joined CURE as a Regional Director of Development. He also served as the Operations Director of CURE Hydrocephalus from 2011-2013. Most recently, Tim has been serving as VP of Development and Sustainability. He will be joined in Uganda by his wife Kiera and their three children. Please be in prayer for both families, as well as the hospital staff, as they make this transition.

ZAMBIAWhen patients arrive at CURE Zambia for surgery, some are suffering from non-surgical medical conditions, such as malaria, that require treatment at the University Teaching Hospital (UTH), which is the largest referral hospital in Zambia. These patients are not left unattended while they are being treated elsewhere; members of our spiritual team follow up with them on a weekly basis. We do this because most of our patients come from distant areas and do not have any relatives that can stay with them during treatment. CURE becomes their “relative,” which is why we place such importance on staying connected with them until they are able return to our hospital for surgery. We praise God for the opportunity to minister to our patients wherever they might be.

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AFGHANISTANSafety for expats continues to be a concern in Afghanistan. This ongoing threat has affected the availability of international schools in the area as some may close for safety reasons. In the midst of this, we are praying that God will still identify people with a desire to join our ministry in Kabul. Please pray for wisdom in decision-making and for the safety of our patients, staff, and their families in Kabul.

PHILIPPINESApril is proving to be quite a busy month at the Tebow CURE Hospital! With over 50 surgeries performed since the soft opening in November and many more to follow in the coming weeks, the hospital is already making a huge impact on Davao City and surrounding areas. Please pray for the upcoming Grand Opening celebration on May 1st to be a time of joyful thanksgiving and for the Lord’s presence to be felt throughout.

UAEWe praise God for the opportunity to minister to patients and families in the UAE through Oasis Hospital. The hospital has a long history of serving patients with excellence, and we are blessed to be part of continuing this tradition. Please pray for those who God may be calling to join us in ministry in the UAE.

CURE ClubfootIndia’s second National Clubfoot Conference, led by our own Santhosh George, will be taking place in New Delhi this month. The “Delhi Declaration” on the eradication of disability from clubfoot globally will be signed by over 15 national and international partners at the conference. We praise God for the progress that has been made in the fight to eliminate clubfoot and pray for the conference in India to be a fruitful time of planning and education.

CURE HydrocephalusWe praise God for the successful evaluation and planning that came out of the strategic planning session in late March. Please pray for an upcoming visit to Uganda by our Malawi fellow, Dr. Patrick Kamalo, and for our next CURE Hydrocephalus Fellow, Dr. Catherine, who will be coming from Tanzania in mid-May.

ASIA & SPECIALTY PROGRAMS

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NORTH AND CENTRAL AMERICA

DOMINICAN REPUBLICWe are saddened to announce that Glen Rowe, Medical Director of CURE Dominican Republic, will be returning to the States this coming summer. Dr. Rowe has been with us for a little over two years and has done an exceptional job of providing leadership to the clinical team at the hospital. Please be in prayer for Dr. Rowe and his wife Lori as they transition back into life in the US, and please pray that God will connect us with strong candidates as we look for his replacement.

BOARD AND STAFFTwo of our board members, Ed Stillman and Judy Bellig, will be traveling to the Philippines at the end of April for the Grand Opening celebration of the Tebow CURE Hospital, along with several other CURE staff members. Please pray for safe travels as they make the long journey to Davao City.

April marks the end of the spring Love Ran Red tour with CURE board member Chris Tomlin. It has been such a blessing to introduce CURE and the kids we serve to so many new people! Please pray for perseverance and continued success over the course of these last few weeks.

HOME OFFICEMultiple large events and frequent travel have made for a busy start to 2015 for many at CURE’s home office. Please pray for rest and rejuvenation to arrive alongside the arrival of the sunny days of spring as we continue to serve the Lord through our work here at CURE HQ.

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Kids from CURE Philippines, CURE Niger, and CURE Uganda