GMMA August 2021 Monthly Newsletter
“For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others and to give his life as a ransom for many.” (Mark 10:45)
“And the King will say, ‘I tell you the truth, when you did it to one of the least of these my brothers and sisters, you were doing it to me!” (Matthew 25:40)
Mentor Greeting
Dear GMMA family,
In the midst of this pandemic, connections seem to be broken and disrupted. We wonder: is any mission work really effective or of use?
Looking back on my life journey, missions has been a grace and blessing to me. When I was in high school, my dream was to study electric engineering or computer science in university in Korea. But that plan changed through a life changing experience. During one winter when I was a high school student, I got a lung infection and was very sick. Due to limited medical resources and financial difficulties, I only had access to over the counter medicine and continued to be ill with fever, severe cough and weight loss. After significant struggle, I was taken to the hospital by a church member. I met a lady doctor, Dr. Lee, who appeared to be very affectionate and caring. Over several visits, my lung infection dramatically improved. During those visits to Dr. Lee, I was moved and impressed by her care and became determined to be a medical doctor. Dr. Lee even exempted me from my medical bill. It was this experience that drove me to change course. I took the competitive entry examination and was accepted to the Korea Medical College. I only later found out that the Korea Medical College had its roots as a school established by Canadian Christian missionaries. In 1891, Dr. Rosetta Sherwood and Dr. William James Hall went to Korea as missionaries and established a medical school for women which later became the Korea Medical College. Their son, Sherwood Hall was born in 1893 in Korea and later served as a M.D. in Korea to fight against tuberculosis, which was a serious national problem at the time. The impact of Christianity has been enormous and many churches were planted in Korea. Because of the sacrifice of one family, a whole country was changed. Dr. Lee, who took care of me, graduated from the school which was built by Dr. Rosetta Sherwood and my grandmother and parents came to know the Jesus through the church planted by those missionaries.
For me, becoming a doctor and coming to know the saving grace of Jesus Christ is a fruit of missions. A great debt is owed to those who followed Jesus’s great commission. After my wife and I were introduced to the Myungsung Medical College and Hospital in Ethiopia thru the GMMA biennial conference several years ago, we have gone to Myungsung Medical College to give block lectures to 3rd year medical students for 2 weeks a year. The college was established by Korean Christians to show gratitude to the Ethiopians for sending their troops to protect the freedom of Korea from communists during Korean war. After a trip to Myungsung Medical College, we received the following letter from the dean. “The entire faculty are honored for having you. Your engagement with students was something many of us rarely see occurring when we lecture to our students, so we thank our Lord Jesus Christ when someone travels from abroad and transforms the classroom from a unidirectional flow of information to a place of engagement and even fun. Thoughtful encouragements, kind words, patience with both our students and me, personally, are viewed as priceless treasure and blessings.”
I had another great experience with short term mission in Indonesia. Some time ago, I went to Borneo, Indonesia with a group of church members as part of a short term mission. I was skeptical of the effectiveness of this short term mission in my mind. Because we were visiting remote areas of Borneo in which Islam is prevalent, we felt uneasy for spreading gospel, worshiping in homes and providing medical care. But when the indigenous people saw our humble attitude and genuine service, they felt the love of Jesus and welcomed our team and accompanying missionaries. The Muslims in the village shared that they came to know that the Christians are not invaders, but very nice people. They changed their preconceived idea about the bad Christian image. The village leaders, who were Muslim, approved the permit of church construction immediately which was a very rare incident.
I observed the fruits of mission trips. God uses our service whether it is trivia or big. Our service has influence to non- believers in the long term. I am convinced that God will be glorified through our actions. We ought to live a missional life everyday wherever we are.
Professional Development
A very busy month of many events for our professionals. We are so thankful for our mentors and board members who serve as speakers and encouragers for GMMA events. For the campus chapter leadership training, Dr. Mary Roh shared about what it means to live a missional life. Many fellow mentors and student leaders expressed their appreciation for the God-inspired teaching on living a missional life. Her sister, Dr. Susanna Choi, blessed the attendants of the Long Term Missionary gathering in Denver, Colorado with a dynamic workshop on time management. Mary’s husband, Dr. David Roh delivered clarity on spiritual warfare to students with practical guidance. This is an example of the beauty of serving together as a family. Their daughter, Dr. Jen Roh serves in a leadership role as well. Generations contributing to serve together in their expression of thanksgiving unto the Lord who graced and gifted all the good gifts and talents. We see this as one of the precious assets and uniqueness of the GMMA family. May we continue serving generation to generation building up the body of Christ-centered healthcare community that does life together.
Young professionals shared good news this month through engagements and weddings. GMMA mentors Dr. Minjae Kim got engaged, Dr. MinYoung got married to Andrew, and Sally got married to Lawrence. We look forward to the couples serving together.
Young professional, Chammi in Alaska shares a photo of trying to help others to join the GMMA community. A big thank you goes out to her and her team! Lastly, the month of August entailed lots of learning for all groups of GMMA whether it’s the campus chapter, postgrads, or professionals. Some of us invested 4 days to get the CHE (Community Health Evangelism) training and learned about approaching mission with an attitude of a learner and serve to empower the community. We hope it will help our goal of short-term trips with long-term impact efforts. The LTM group (Long Term Missionary) made time to gather from different states in Colorado to pray and learn from one another on what entails in the journey of preparing to be a long-term missionary.
All glory and honor to our Father, who is blessing this community to serve together.
“Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!” Psalm 133:1
Mission Report
Missionaries, Paul and Joyce Shin, have served Africa for more than 20 years as long-term missionaries. Their journey and the fruits of their labor reveal God’s amazing work. They currently help the leprosy community in Burundi, Africa. They help and encourage in any way they can through delivering crutches, wheelchairs, teaching the bible, supplying medications, etc. When mission teams come, many cannot enter into the leprosy community due to the strong scent of rotting flesh. When asked to the missionaries how they are able to visit and spend time with them, missionary Paul informs he cannot spell it. He asked God to grant him to not smell if helping the leprosy was his assignment from God. God answered his prayer. However, Joyce does smell. When asked the same question she said, “because I love them.” In the power of God’s love, they have discipled the people of Burundi and together have built three churches and recently finished a prayer chapel that can fit 3000 people. Impossible in human view but God made it all possible through many connections and contributions from different countries. They inform sometimes they have to lock the church doors due to overflow of people to secure safety. Weekly Sunday school has over 1000 children praising and learning about the stories of the Bible. There are many challenges of lack of food and annual battle with malaria, but they faithfully serve there. Their daily early morning prayer is powerful to witness as hundreds gather and pray not only for Burundi but for the rest of Africa and for other nations. They praise 10000 Reasons Bless the Lord song every day and worship the Lord. GMMA is honored to have connected with them and we thank them for praying for GMMA. They are precious GMMA mission partners and look forward to GMMA teams visiting Burundi sometime soon.
If you would like to contact them, their email is joyce1004@gmail.com. Their ministry name is World Join Us.
Regional Health Reports
West Coast
Praise Reports:
Praise God for a month of preparation and transition for student chapters! West Coast will have completed their Leadership Training for all student chapters on August 13th and 14th. We thank Him for what He will do in the students’ lives throughout this school year!
Needs:
Please pray that God continues to give insight on how to navigate the school year as a chapter, especially as COVID trends may be unpredictable. Please also pray that God continues to strengthen the chapters that may be struggling or going through a difficult time. Pray that God provides for them in all ways.
Regional Coordinator Message:
I just came back from a couple of GMMA gatherings and I’m so blessed by the GMMA community. I thank God that I can run the race with people who are in love with Jesus and will dedicate their whole lives to Him. I pray that God continues to use GMMA members to glorify Himself and expand His Kingdom.
UC Berkeley Chapter Highlight:
“This summer has been a busy time for all the officers, but last month we began weekly devotional sharing and praying for each other and the upcoming semester. Recently we’ve started planning for the fall, and there are a lot of new things to consider for an in-person semester. But we are very excited and continually relying on the wisdom and providence of God to serve our general members and in Berkeley effectively.
Our prayer requests are: (1) that we would walk in greater intimacy with the Lord and for the unity of the Spirit among officers, members, and our mentor. And (2) Lord willing, that He would bring more students who have a heart for missions and the Gospel to Berkeley GMMA.” – Serena Yoo
Rachel Kim (UW President) and Elliya Kim (former UW President) in Honduras Mission trip
CENTRAL
Praise Reports:
As we are starting to prepare for the upcoming 2021-2022 school year, many of the chapters have been preparing to table once again and recruit new members. Due to COVID, chapters were not able to table in person last year. For many chapters, the only officers that had previous experience in tabling, recruiting and going on mission trips are now seniors. Therefore recruitment has been a prayer topic for many chapters during this time. We are praying that God would reclaim lost souls through our chapters efforts this year!
Needs:
As I mentioned earlier, many chapters would really appreciate prayer that their efforts in recruiting new students would be fruitful. Many chapters are also voicing concern of the recent surge in COVID cases in their cities and of the new Delta variant. As summer winds down, let’s also pray that the students of our chapters would be reenergized and enter the school year with a huge passion for carry out the Lord’s work in their personal lives, in their church, and in GMMA.
Regional Coordinator Message:
“He asked him the third time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” Peter was grieved that he asked him the third time, “Do you love me?” He said, “Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you.” “Feed my sheep,” Jesus said.” John 21:17
Of all the things Jesus did on this earth, this is one the stories that touches me the most. It’s evident that Peter still experience regret, shame and embarrassed as he grieved in his sin. Nevertheless, Jesus extends his love onto Peter and commissions him. I think about a season of my life where I knew who Jesus was, but I wasn’t living out my life in a way that honored him. It’s an honor to still be able to serve him despite all the sins I’ve made. As we head into the school year, I encourage everyone to reflect on where we were before Christ, and reaffirm our own love for Him. Do we love him? Then let’s feed his sheep.
Featured Student Chapter:
Here is Baylor University, Central’s newest GMMA chapter in a board meeting. This meeting is more light-heartened and to promote fellowship, as they all have nicknames over Zoom for each other. Starting at the top left and going clockwise is Andrew, Jeannie, Allan, Amy, Esther, and Joshua.
EAST COAST
Praise Reports:
The East Coast Region chapters are slowly starting to plan for the upcoming Fall semester as they transition to in-person. As the region has been looking at the foundations of each chapter and building each chapter with their needs. Encouraging each chapter to have strong spiritual accountability with each other so they will grow side by side.
Needs:
As the transition of in-person is coming this Fall semester we pray that God will provide local mentors for the chapters. There are many who don’t have any that are proximal to their campus. As the East Coast leadership retreat comes up on September 4th please pray over the hearts of the students. May they be equipped to lead their chapters on their campuses.
Regional Coordinator Message:
The heart of the officers are so willing to serve in His kingdom. As each chapter officer’s board grows together I pray that Christ will be at the center of everything that they do. When leading I pray over the fruit of joy, peace, and patients. In His love, we are able to love because He loves us first! Serving in GMMA has brought so much joy and I pray that God will use the officers who are serving to really grow each and every one of them. Prayer over the Northeast East Coast region as there are many chapters that are starting to be formed.
First monthly president’s meeting with the Northeast East Coast presidents with the regional coordinator
You can explore all of the GMMA chapters, including information about the leadership, meeting times, contact, Instagram handles and more, on our website here.
If you know any healthcare professionals who would gladly serve as mentors for these chapters, please email us at admin@gmma7.org.
Please make sure to use Amazon Smile so that a percentage of your purchase comes back to GMMA/Kamhc incorporated in the form of a donation.
Simply click on this link: smile.amazon.com/ch/26-0268289 and start shopping through smile.amazon.com!
There are many incredible ministries and organizations you can choose to support through Amazon Smile, so we thank you in advance for choosing to support GMMA and partnering with us to help others smile through His kingdom work!
GMMA CONNECTS!
Our healthcare community serving together for His glory.
As many are facing new challenges due to changes in education, professional training, and
workplace due to the pandemic, we’ve created “GMMA Connects” as a space for
networking.
Please share and connect to the inquiries if you can assist in
any way. You can send inquiries to newsletter@gmma7.org by the 15th of the
month to be listed in this section.
Prayer Requests
The West (8/13-8/15), Central (8/20-22) and East (9/4-9/6) region student chapter officers’ retreats need prayer support by the family of GMMA. The logistics for student chapter ministries will be communicated ahead of time before the retreat through the prepared videos and emails. The retreat will be focused on the revival of officer’s heart toward God so that they would serve their chapters with the willing heart, out of their love for the LORD. Especially pray for the protection of the retreat attendees from Covid-19 infection.
Please click the link above or the February 2021 GMMA Prayer Requests from Admin Staff so that you can come before God to listen to His true and faithful words and pray.
GMMA adapted ECHO prayer app so every GMMA member can pray together at 9 PM every day.
Here is the link for GMMA-Echo Instruction for your information. https://youtu.be/zchhVrmtPSM
CONTACT US!
- 18549 Hawthorne St
Fountain Valley, CA 92708
Are you interested in serving with GMMA? Utilize the talents and gifts that God has provided you and serve with us! Please contact your area of interest above!
Until next time,
Please share about GMMA and let us all remember to Arise and Shine for His glory.
Global Medical Missions Alliance | 714.444.3032 | admin@gmma7.org | GMMA7.org