GMMA July 2021 Monthly Newsletter
“For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.”
Ephesians 6:12
Mentor Greeting
Not Health Crisis but Spiritual Warfare
Hi GMMA family,
I hope you and your family have been doing well despite the pandemic crisis, even amid emerging variants of COVID-19.
Whenever I listen to the news media, I cannot help but think we live in such a difficult time our forefathers never had in their times. It began with the current pandemic; however, the issue goes more profound as it presents an unprecedentedly challenging era before us. Various problems have been poignantly dividing our communities over different generations, political stances, sexual orientations, and even opinions on racism. Besides, many of us are also fearful of the surge of the COVID variants. In a very literal sense, we are genuinely facing “the times of crisis.”
All these happenings may appear simple incidences at the outset. Nevertheless, we should remember that at the root of all these chaotic situations are the corresponding realms and realities of the evil spiritual forces. Paul taught us that this battle is not against flesh and blood but the powers of “evil in the heavenly places.” Our enemy is both real and working tirelessly “behind the scenes.” Evil forces have been canceling and destroying the foundations of God’s creation, i.e., individuals who bear God’s image, as well as families, churches, and nations God instituted.
People quickly became relying on the power of worldly governments rather than the protection of God. Earthly governments have consequentially deprived us of citizens’ privacy and freedoms in the name of public health. They significantly shrunk our God-given liberties of religion and speech. The ultimate goal of these satanic forces is to have total control over God’s image-bearers and their world. Sooner or later, our enemies will have induced rulers and authorities to bring harsher restrictions and persecutions on churches and believers.
Now, to win in this great spiritual battle, we need therefore to be equipped with a mindset of good soldiers: “Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil” (Eph. 6:11). We should not fear the future trials and remember that persecution and difficulties of life in the early churches were more severe than in our times. Instead, indeed in the power of God, we must continue striving to love Christ with all our beings.
As we wholeheartedly do so, we can live and speak for Him in such a way that we glorify God and threaten the already defeated enemy. Thus, we will be intercessors and watchmen for the world in need of desperate help. So let us be all the more vigilant in prayer in our closets while being an unquenchable beacon and a brightly shining light of Christ in this dark world.
In Love,
Yong Sik Kim MD
Professional Development
GMMA professional members are pressing onward serving in many capacities. A few of the highlights for July are:
1. Campus chapter coordinators and mentors preparing for the upcoming New Chapter Officers Regional Retreats. We thank them for hours of laboring to prepare and equip the next officers of campus chapter officers. All the training retreats will take place during August. Let us pray for His glory to shine and transform all hearts for His glory.
2. Mentors and Board members serving as workshop speakers at the first National Postgrad Retreat in Lindale, Texas. All testified to experiencing the strong presence of His spirit during the retreat. Many attendants expressed it was what was needed to revive them. All thanks to God who enabled all things to happen and granting amazing outcomes!
3. Mentors serving at the July 2021 medical mission trip to Honduras.
4. Completion of History of Inception of KAMHC/GMMA video. Thank the Lord that there are too many testimonies to write down for this mission trip. From the training to the execution for this mission trip, our members experienced the transformative power of faith in Jesus Christ.
5. Dr. Chung and his wife, Nadine, traveling to five churches on the east coast to share about GMMA and exploring partnership opportunities with local churches. We thank Dr. Chung for his faithful efforts to share about the GMMA movement with churches and establishing new partnerships for the continuous work of GMMA.
Joining the efforts of praying together, supporting and encouraging together, and laboring together for His glory is all possible through the power of everlasting love of Christ that has transformed and saved each of us! It is the power of His love that will continue to empower us to connect and collaborate together to serve Him through GMMA.
One surprising news is hearing about Dr. Paul Jo, a urologist and east coast regional director, who took the time to help his friend catch alligators in Ocala, Florida. There is a problem of overactivity of alligators during the mating season; even roaming around neighborhoods. A clap of respect to Dr. Jo! 😊
“And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow, not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love. No power in the sky above or in the earth below, indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Rom 8:38-39
2021 GMMA Post Grad Retreat
Mission Report
GMMA Honduras Missions (July 7-12, 2021) Report
The team traveled to San Pedro Sula, Honduras, and served for five days. They were guided and served by the missionary Lee couple. Through their serving, the team was able to stay comfortably at a safe lodging, be nourished by Mrs. Lee’s great meals, and serve some of the people of Honduras through free medical/dental clinics and children’s ministry. All 28 members tested negative as we prayed together and were able to leave Honduras together. Though a few alarming events took place, as the team prayed together, all resolved and elevated the joy and thanksgiving for all members. The team members recall the long rides to serve at villages that gave time for testimonies of each team member. The honest sharing strengthened team bonding and unity. In each testimony, the work of the love of Christ was at the center which rescued, healed, and restored them to faith once again. As with each trip, God provided more blessing for each heart who committed and went than how they served to bless the people of Honduras. The team thanks all who supported through fasting prayer and donations. The team felt the power of prayer throughout the trip. Different from other trips, the team delivered more donations because of the pandemic including masks (600), medications, sanitizers (600), rapid test kits (80), etc. How thankful we can provide some encouragement to the missionaries. We will continue to Go, Go, Go, when God opens the door to go in His name to share His love and healing!
“For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.” Ephesians 2:10
Watch the short recap video of the trip made by Dr. Daniel Na. Beginning images are from the Honduras church the team attended where many cried witnessing God’s wonder-working power in people of Honduras. Thank you to Dr. Na!
Regional Health Reports
West Coast
Praise Reports:
All chapters are coming back into an in-person or hybridized academic year for 2021-2022! The students have been serving faithfully despite COVID and online semesters. UOP officers have been bonding together spiritually and in strength, and UW went on the Honduras Mission trip!
Needs:
Please press in prayer for the physical and spiritual health of the students as they continue to serve as the school year starts. Also, pray for the upcoming leadership training retreat coming up in August.
Regional Coordinator Message:
Philippians 4:7 “and the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus”. What I learned from this is that Jesus is victorious against the world; that as followers we have the protection and love of Christ that allows GMMA and myself to be bold in Jesus’ name.
Rachel Kim (UW President) and Elliya Kim (former UW President) in Honduras Mission trip
CENTRAL
Praise Reports:
Our Central Region chapters are starting to plan for their upcoming semester! From initiating spiritual accountability within their officer boards, to meeting virtually to plan their upcoming year, they are brainstorming new events and ideas to invite more students. Our new chapter at Baylor University recently set up email and social media accounts to further promote their chapter! (shameless plug—> follow new Baylor GMMA chapter @baylorgmma on Instagram!)
Needs:
Texas and Midwest have both been blessed with amazing mentors that guided our students in both their career and spiritual life. As we support and encourage our mentors that have transitioned into their next seasons of life, we pray for God to provide our chapters with more local mentors. May God empower our students with courage to reach out to prospective mentors as they share about the Gospel and GMMA in their workplaces and school environments.
Regional Coordinator Message:
God’s hand is so evident as he moves powerfully in the hearts of our members. The way to fruitfulness and joy–real fruit–comes only from one place: abiding in Jesus. When we feel, saturate, reflect, and stand in awe of His love, we can intimately encounter Christ. His love is the soil in which all the fruits of the Spirit grow from. My hope for Central Region is for our roots to abide in His soil so that joy, patience, kindness, peace, self-control, and gentleness can naturally grow in our hearts. I recently joined as a new regional coordinator in Texas, and I’ve been so blessed to serve alongside the other central regional coordinators, the regional directors, as well as the officers of each chapter. I’m reminded of the heart of serving God to get nothing else–but more of God.
Laurencia (left), an officer from The University of Texas at Dallas, recently came back from her first GMMA mission trip in Honduras! Praise the Lord!
Officer board for the new Baylor Chapter as they plan exciting things for the upcoming semester!
EAST COAST
Praise Reports:
Summer is coming to an end. Our regional leadership retreats are coming up soon and the regional coordinators and GMMA administrators are working hard to execute it! We cannot wait to meet everyone back in person! The East Coast has a potential new chapter sprouting soon, so please pray for our potential new chapter.
Needs:
As the East Coast regional officer training retreat is approaching on September 4th to 6th, please pray for the officers and mentors that will be attending. Please pray that the retreat will set a fire to the officers’ hearts to be passionate in serving God’s kingdom this upcoming year. In addition, please pray for the East Coast region as we are currently trying to finalize a location for the retreat.
Regional Coordinator Message:
We recently started a new year with new Regional Coordinators. Sarah Park will be overseeing the Florida chapters for the upcoming year. Erika Sheng will be working with Sarah until she enters PA school in January 2022. Jasmine Rhee will be managing the Georgia Chapters and Sarah Son will be managing the Northeast Chapters. Please pray for them this upcoming year as they serve God’s kingdom through GMMA.
Our new East Coast coordinators
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
We had our first medical missions since the beginning of this pandemic. Our Honduras mission team (7/7-7/12) needs prayer and support by the family of GMMA, nationwide. Pray for the protection of the team members 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