We are truly living in uncertain times. From pandemic to protests, viruses and violence, racial injustices, and social inequalities, we are seeing the breakdown of the very fabric of our society. COVID-19 is the cause of a new physical infection, while racial and social tensions are bringing to surface the spiritual and moral infections in our society. Such is the time for the people of God to humbly pray and seek God’s face in intercession and repentance, asking God to heal (not only physically, but also morally and spiritually) our communities, our nation, and our world.

“If my people who are called by my name will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sins and restore their land.”  (2 Chronicles 7:14).

As we face this COVID-19 pandemic infection, I am reminded of a story in the book of Numbers 21. The Israelites did not trust that God would do what He said He would do and take them to the Promised Land. God sent poisonous snakes among the people. When the people recognized and confessed that they had sinned against God, Moses interceded in prayer, and God provided a way for healing by setting up a bronze serpent on a pole. Anyone who was bitten by the snake but then looked up at the bronze serpent on the pole did not die but was healed. What a story! In the book of John, we see an even greater story. In John 3:14-15, Jesus said, “And as Moses lifted up the bronze snake on a pole in the wilderness, so the Son of Man must be lifted up, so that everyone who believes in him will have eternal life.” Just as the Israelites looked to the bronze serpent on the pole to save them, we must look to Jesus on the Cross to be saved. We must first recognize that we are sinners and accept God’s provision to save us by believing in Jesus.

“For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast” (Ephesians 2:8).

I believe that during these uncertain times, individually and corporately, we need to take this opportunity for self-examination to reassess our motives, determining whether we are truly putting our faith in our Lord Jesus and believing in His Word and His Promises. For me, during the past few months of lockdown and waiting upon God, I have been able to reexamine every aspect of my life. I have had to honestly reevaluate the motivations behind my mission work, my relationships, my career, my family, and my physical and spiritual states. As a physician, I have been taught to think for myself and rely on my own intellect and will to take care of my patients.  In the past, I asked God to help me only when things did not go according to my plans. Even though I was taught that I needed to depend on God, I really had no idea what this meant.  In His mercy, God took me through various journeys, like the Israelites in the desert, to show me that by not depending on God in every aspect of my life I was sinning before God. I came to understand that the true answer lies in the Cross of Jesus where He has already completed the work on my behalf.  I am humbled at the foot of the Cross and confess my need to fully trust God in all areas of my life. Corporately in GMMA, we also need to ask, “Are we really trusting and putting our faith solely in our Lord Jesus and being led by the Holy Spirit in all areas of our ministry? Are we just doing good works or are we growing in a full trusting relationship with our Lord Jesus in all that we do?”

I heard a quote that has challenged me: “Pray for the desire:  to not be esteemed, to not be secure and not to be in control.”  I hope we all grow in the desire to esteem and glorify God in all that we do, that our security be in our identity in Christ, and that we deepen our dependency on the Holy Spirit.

I hope and pray that during these uncertain times, we follow in His footsteps as we resolve to fully trust in Jesus and continue to do what God says is required of us, “to act justly, love mercy and walk humbly with God” (Micah 6:8).

Daeyoung Roh MD

GMMA Acting Chairman of the Board

Professional Development

Postgrads and professionals are serving in different capacities all over the nation. One of the highlights to share is how God is connecting new ministry friends to GMMA and providing new ways to stay engaged to medical missions.  Six of our GMMA dentists made time to join in on a consultative Zoom session with the strategic leader of the Remember Nhu (remembernhu.org) ministry. Remember Nhu serves to prevent and protect high risk children from being trafficked. They are currently working to set up a dental program for the 1600 children they take care of in 16 countries, and our GMMA dentists were able to assist and provide helpful equipment listings and a power point presentation with a list of resources. Dr. Sappington of Remember Nhu expressed his gratitude of the dentists being available and generously sharing information.  

Another development is our young GMMA professionals learning alternatives skills during the lockdown and being helpful to other professionals with it. A dentist and PT postgrad both learned how to cut hair and used it to help fellow GMMA professionals. For the professionals who could not get their normal haircuts were pleasantly surprised and thankful for their impressive service! It was quite touching to hear about one person driving 4 hours to cut his mentor’s hair. Pictures were shared on Instagram for moments of laughter as well. 

On a serious note, many students and individuals are going through challenging times. Mentors are hearing heart aching circumstances and serving their best through counsel and praying together. We are calling out to the Lord together daily at 9 PM and also through Echo prayer app to pray for each other.  We are seeking for more of His power to empower and strengthen our faith to overcome the difficulties of the present and continue to serve as His encouragers. We hold onto the promises of Psalm 46. 

Mission Report

Until the borders open again for mission trips, we are featuring medical mission sites and missionaries selected to receive special support during the COVID-19 pandemic.

If you have any questions on any of the sites or would like to send personal encouragements, please email us at missions@gmma7.org.

Let us pray consistently for the on-site medical missionaries as they are faced with many challenges.

Regional Health Reports

WEST

Praise report
West Region 2 (Chapman University, UCLA, UCSB, & USC) had our first regional prayer meeting, led by our new presidents and officers. It was a great time of fellowship and remembering what it means to really trust in God.

Needs
Planning for the upcoming school year has been pretty tough with so much uncertainty surrounding COVID-19. Please pray for our chapters as they transition into the new year with the added challenges of having a remote semester.

Regional Coordinator Message:
It’s been about a month since the transition with the new regional coordinators. We’ve definitely had our challenges, especially since all three of us are new, but we are very excited for this year! We’ve been planning for our leadership retreat, on August 1, and it’ll be the first time everything is online! Please keep us in your prayers for smooth sailing and for our officers to be able to reset their hearts to serve GMMA faithfully this school year!

Student Chapter Message:
“For the past few months, USC has been holding joint prayer meetings with Chapman. With many faces tuning in and blessing the virtual space, we have been continuously praying for our broken world as we see the number of COVID cases still rising and heartbreaking news of social injustice, both met with indifferent hearts. We ask that you continue to join us in prayer for those who are suffering and fighting and that we may be the ears who listen to the voices that want to be heard. We also ask for prayers for USC that although we may be physically apart this upcoming fall due to classes being moved online, we may not be discouraged in providing an open space and being a welcoming community for our GMMA members!” (Esther Chu, USC GMMA President, 2020-2021)

CENTRAL

Praise report
It is summer vacation for all the chapters, so many students are abroad and away from campus. Despite distance separating the GMMA family, all the chapters have been participating in local and/or regional Zoom prayer and fellowship gatherings! The UT Austin chapter was also able to participate in a fundraiser for Covid-19 relief alongside other local ministries and were able to raise over $5000!

Needs
The upcoming fall semester is one that is still uncertain for many chapters. Many universities are not sure how to proceed and whether to have all classes online or have a hybrid system of in-person and online classes. All the chapters are asking for prayers for wisdom and guidance on how to proceed this upcoming semester for GMMA at each campus!

Regional Coordinator Message:
This upcoming fall semester is Ohio State University’s first semester starting! In regard to the difficult and uncertain situation due to COVID-19, please pray for a strong foundation and start the GMMA chapter at Ohio State University and for God to really have his will be done on and through that campus! The Lord has been tugging on my heart to seek after Him as the greatest gift. My heart has been fixated on many of his gifts, but I’ve forgotten about the GIVER. I pray that all of GMMA may have this desire to simply KNOW HIM deeper as our greatest treasure.

EAST COAST

Australia 

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!

Prayer Requests 

We feel like that it is a pandemic of fear, confusion or anger rather than a pandemic of COVID-19 in this unprecedented and uncertain time.

Are you disappointed with yourselves, people, medical system, financial situation, education, science, government or church which you used to rely on?
All our idols or false gods are exposed to us through this hardship.

Do you want to humble yourselves before the almighty and living God and be a different person than you used to be before this pandemic? Then, let’s get closer to God in prayer and wrestle with God like Jacob. God will give you a new identity in Christ, a new perspective of your life or a new priority for your life according to His truth.

Please click the below button for the July 2020 GMMA Prayer Requests from Admin Staff.

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!

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