“On that day, when evening had come, he said to them, “Let us go across to the other side.” And leaving the crowd, they took him with them in the boat, just as he was. And other boats were with him. And a great windstorm arose, and the waves were breaking into the boat, so that the boat was already filling. But he was in the stern, asleep on the cushion. And they woke him and said to him, “Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?” And he awoke and rebuked the wind and said to the sea, “Peace! Be still!” And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm. He said to them, “Why are you so afraid? Have you still no faith?” And they were filled with great fear and said to one another, “Who then is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?”
Mark 4:35-41
GMMA May 2020 Monthly Newsletter
Hello GMMA family!
What a time we are living in now. It seems like the world that was moving so fast has just stopped dead in its tracks. The tumultuous winds of time filled with deadlines, projects, exam studying, school applications, graduation, work hours, and most of all, anxiety, have abruptly stopped and the world now seems to be floating in the oceans of greater uncertainty and fear. Our personal, fragmented movements toward graduation, work, career, family, all seemingly stunted now in the midst of this pandemic.
I’m reminded of the story of Jesus and his disciples in Mark 4:35-41, when they were on a boat caught in a “furious storm”. Jesus, awoken by the desperate disciples, calms the storm, and says to them “Why are you so afraid? Have you still no faith?” It seems the furious storms of modern daily life have slowed but now we are faced with the question: what does Faith in ‘uncertainty’ look like in my life? What am I living for?
I have been grappling with these questions myself. In the face of real suffering across ALL age groups, Jesus, do I profess you as sovereign and in absolute control of all uncertainty in life? And do I know what I am living for, what I have been working so hard for, before this crisis began?
As the student chapter coordinator, I have been so inspired by how all of you in the GMMA family have been walking in faith and shown me your answers to those questions. Through the Echo prayer app and the online prayer meetings, I have witnessed an outpouring of prayer over others and the reset button pushed on our personal walks with God.
Prayers over: wisdom; patience; satisfaction in God; forgiveness; boldness in evangelism to roommates and family members; joy in the lord; drawing near to God; accountability; time stewardship; peace in God; and much more.
I have seen a GMMA family relying on one another, staying accountable to one another, and spurring one another forward in faith. I see a community of a believers that are viewing the world differently than what the news and media show us. We see a different reality: a gospel opportunity. Our world’s brokenness exposed in the wake of crisis and how we can point toward what our hope lies in, Jesus Christ. No more do we turn to the world for answers, instead, we have been through prayer and accountability, looking inward and realizing the kingdom of God in us. Jesus is in us! I’ve talked to many of you that tell me of a heart to know God more during this time, to walk in faith tangibly and not waste it, and to trust in Him for future. I’m blown away by your hearts to serve others: buying groceries for the elderly, starting fundraisers for mission work and local food banks, organizing PPE efforts for hospitals, evangelizing to unbelieving family members, and so much more. Your faith in action is so amazing to see!
I want to stay encouraged and accountable to all of you as one body in Christ! May we continue to meditate on and fill our minds with the precious word of God daily! May we see the image of God in one another and bless our brothers and sisters around us with a phone call, zoom chat, or text of encouragement during stay-at-home measures! May we share our burdens and concerns vulnerably with one another in love. May we move into this gap of anxiety and despair and share the gospel message of Christ boldly to our families, neighbors, friends, patients, and colleagues. Finally, Let us march on in the hope of Christ Jesus, with faith in things unseen, knowing that in Him and through Him, we are all made. May we move this love and worship into a dark world to shine a light on the gift of grace on the cross!
“This Cornerstone, this solid Ground
Firm through the fiercest drought and storm.
What heights of love, what depths of peace
When fears are stilled, when strivings cease
My comforter, my all in all
Here in the love of Christ I stand”
“O sing Hallelujah!
Our hope springs eternal.
O sing Hallelujah!
Now and ever we confess
Christ our hope in life and death”
Filling our days with worship!
Seek ye first the kingdom of God
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EsBpM9IcBts
Christ Our Hope in Life and Death
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OibIi1rz7mw
In Christ Alone
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3ch6eXkQWU8
Yours in Christ,
Dr. Peter Chung Jr.
Professional Development
We recognize all professionals serving in diverse positions and places. Some are more challenged than others, but they all are striving to do their best daily in God’s amazing grace. We lift up prayers for professionals with private practices impacted by the pandemic. We pray extra for the ER healthcare workers and residents facing the challenges of treating COVID patients.
Internal medicine doctors inform the challenge of working with PPE. In a short few minutes of wearing the gear, their body gets drenched with sweat and breathing becomes heavier and more difficult. We pray for wisdom on health maintenance for the clinicians and continued safety. Some members had to get creative until adequate supplies were available to see emergency patients like using surgical masks to cover the top and bottom of the face. We are also thankful for the professionals serving as campus chapter mentors. Their outreach and encouragements to the students make a significant difference during this time of questions and uncertainty.
GMMA welcomed new mentors referred by the Northwestern mentor, Dr. Chae.
Three of his oncology colleagues kindly agreed to serve as mentors for Yale, Vanderbilt, and UCLA chapters. Thank you, Lord!
Also, a great congratulations go out to our young professionals graduating from professional schools! We are so proud of them.
We look forward to serving together side by side as official healthcare professionals. Unfortunately, the graduations had to be attended by watching the virtual graduation ceremony. Let us continue to pray together for all the professionals, especially for those treating COVID-19 patients.
PPE of our healthcare professionals
Regional Health Reports
CENTRAL
Praise report
Each chapter finished strong in the midst of the pandemic. They all elected their new officers, but what is most encouraging is how this virus is leading our chapters to our knees in prayer. We are more united than ever as a region, and we are truly living out the motto “GMMA is a prayer movement.”
Needs
As always, there is nothing more we need than prayer. Please pray for these new leaders who are on FIRE for God. Please ask God to give these leaders direction on how He wants them to use this time to glorify His name.
Regional Coordinator Message:
I just wanted to thank all of you guys who actually end up reading to this portion of the newsletter. Sadly, this is my last time writing the newsletter for the Central Region. But! Happily, two amazing leaders, Jonathan and Alex, stepped up to be the new regional representative. Please keep them in your prayers. But I just wanted to share something I learned as I served in GMMA. I did nothing, and God did everything. I started leading as a naïve freshman, and I made so many mistakes along the way. Now almost five years later, I look back at how much our region grew. I look at what I did, and I really did nothing. God, for his name’s sake, blessed our region. So, as I leave for medical school, I go with much peace and joy for I know God will continue to do his thing through unworthy servants like me. Thank you for reading, and may God be your hope and king! See you in heaven!
EAST COAST
Praise Report:
Students are graduating with cancelled plans and chapters are preparing to transition their future officers so please pray for peace and wisdom. May we remember that God is still in control and has a plan for us. Also we are raising money for Pastor Lee and his ministry through this gofundme:
If you know any healthcare professionals who would gladly serve as mentors for these chapters, please email us at admin@gmma7.org.
Missions
GMMA is striving to be an encouragement to the many challenged sites around the world.
Please join in to support them through prayer and donations.
If your heart is moved to support Haiti Jesus Medical Clinic. You can make a donation on our GMMA website at gmma7.org under the donation tab and indicate that your donation is for Haiti. We will make sure it’s delivered to them!
Haiti Jesus Medical Clinic
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
It seems like that this pandemic is God’s call for Christians to wake up!
Jesus was able to focus on His mission on earth while Israelites expected Him to “save us now from Roman empire” shouting “Hosanna! Hosanna!” on the Palm Sunday.
He never lost the vision of God even when He was beaten, mocked and crucified on the cross on the Good Friday because He always looked to God, His Father, to finish His mission on earth to save sinners of the world.
Do you want to refocus on God given mission for your life in light of your vision of God? Do you want to realign your priorities according to the urgency of living out a missional life, the Gospel centered life?
Let’s run to God in prayer for His help in times like this.
Please click the below button for the May 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
Upcoming Events & Announcements
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