This is an amazing open door!

Do you know much about the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC)?   Starvation is real, serious illness is chronic, sexual abuse of women rampant, and persecution of Christians is both common and severe in this Central African Nation.

You can imagine, into this kind of darkness – even a tiny light of hope shines like midday.  Recently we were introduced to a wonderful couple – both DRC survivors – who have been serving in the name of Jesus in their home country.  For their safety, I’m just going to call them Dr. and Mrs. DRC.

Since receiving asylum in the US in 2012, the couple has dreamed of helping those still suffering in the DRC.  Their dream?  A series of 7 medical clinics focusing on obstetrics, pediatrics, surgery, and trauma care.

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Dr. DRC was at the FAME warehouse recently – and I wish you could have walked with us.  As he moved aisle-to-aisle, shelf-to-shelf, bin-to-bin – his smile and relief at knowing we would help was really moving.

Of course, the “we” who can

help ship medical supplies to the DRC is really “you” and “me” and others like us who know the power of medical evangelism.  I can’t tell you how much I appreciate knowing you’re in this with us!  Thank you!

The open door is this – because of COVID-19, the DRC government has lowered the cost of shipping medical supplies into the country to unheard of low costs!  We’ve already been able to ship exam tables and other supplies to help Dr. DRC with 2 Clinics.

But there is only a short time to provide for the other 5 Clinics with this highly discounted custom taxes and fees.  We have many of the supplies on hand – would you like to help cover the cost of getting them to the field?

I’m estimating to acquire, crate, stage and ship will only cost a total of $10,000.  But it would be so much more without the DRC government discount on the cost to receive the medical supplies.  So, we really think this should happen right away before the rates go back up!

Oh, and we’re also helping 2 other ministries in the DRC – they now have quality hospital beds replacing bamboo mats!  Additionally, your gift could help us with sending help and hope to Ethiopia and 18 other African countries where we have active global partners this year!  But like Dr. DRC’s work, they have many other needs for their clinics.  Can you give a gift to “wherever needed” by December 31^st that will help victims of crisis in the Democratic Republic of Congo and around the world?

Last thing,  – Dr. DRC’s work is so much more than just medical care.  Mrs. DRC oversees the “trauma care” and these services follow her Biblical Counseling training – so patients are impacted daily by workers sharing the hope of the Gospel!

Ok, that’s the open door I wanted to share.  If you’d like to help FAME with this opportunity and so many more, click DONATE above! Thanks for thinking and praying on what you might do right away.  Let me know if you have any questions.

Bill

 

Watch this video and get a taste of all that ICOM has to offer this year, and maybe this video would be good to share with others or your church!

Every Fall thousands of people from around the globe descend on a USA city to connect and be encouraged at the International Conference on Missions (ICOM).  This year was to be no different – and Indianapolis was to be the city for 2020!

But, nothing has been normal in 2020- so ICOM is a combination Virtual Event and Live Virtual Exhibit Hall AND an in-person Exhibit Hall in Indy.  Many fewer exhibitors will be in person, and that’s disappointing – but HERE’S THE GOOD NEWS!

No matter where you live, you can ATTEND THIS WEEKEND!  Check it out at www.theicom.org

FAME will have a Virtual booth- You can “walk /scroll” through the exhibit hall – or search for us!  There are 3 Bible Studies with Jeff Vines, the president of ICOM that FAME is sponsoring this year- we had fun shooting videos with Jeff Vines when he was in Indy awhile back – he is a real “fan of FAME!”

FAME, as usual, is sponsoring the Short-Term Trip Workshops which, along with the main sessions will all be virtual-only and online!

Maybe you are a Central Indiana friend of FAME- ICOM has safety measures in place (masks provided by FAME) to make it an enjoyable experience to head downtown Indianapolis to the Convention Center to connect with many of FAME’s Global partners!

Thank you for your friendship and partnership, you are impacting lives every day around the world!

We in the USA are not alone in the roller coaster year of the pandemic impact.  I’d like to give you an update on one of our global partners.

Because of generous partners like you, there are 5 Clinics in a mountainous region of Mexico just south of Saltillo.  In 2016 many of you met Esly and Sandy Fuentes from Mexico and Bolivia respectively, who met in Medical school in Cuba!  You may have met them at the Night of Hope Banquet raising funds for their Hospital which is currently under construction.

In this mountain region, the church in La Biznaga has supported them as they not only have the clinic attached to the church, but they have added clinics and pharmacies in 4 other villages as well.  These villages are the type where everyone knows one another, the deaths impact all, and births cause all to rejoice.  These people are hard-working farmers, and you may even buy the 3-pack of peppers which are grown and packaged by many of them!  At each of these clinics, the church has begun Bible Studies and evangelistic medical outreaches!

Esly reports, “The first wave of COVID did not affect the rural areas very much.  But now the second wave is hitting us hard, because everything opened up and now people are out and began to visit our rural communities and the virus has moved into our villages.”

Esly shared that this week they lost 5 dearly loved elderly folks, and last week they lost 8 due to COVID.  They are sending many to the hospital, but they hope to see a downward trend soon!  Esly continues, “We are the only clinic and pharmacy that meets all the health codes set by our local and state government.  We have been setting an example of how to be a blessing to all those around us.”

Can I say “Amen!” on our behalf?

Isn’t that exactly what you and I hope to hear from those around the world with whom we partner?  “…setting an example of how to be a blessing…”.

I am thankful to be in partnership with Doctors like Esly and Sandy, aren’t you?

I am also thankful to be in partnership with people like you- who make partnership possible!

Bill Warren
Executive Director

Taking local traffic patterns into account, rural Americans have an average travel time of 17 minutes to the nearest hospital, while those in suburban and urban communities have an average travel time of 12 minutes and 10 minutes, respectively.

In Africa, nearly 50% of the population have more than 2 hours to travel to the nearest hospital, with 28% of those being more than 24 hours of travel to reach such a hospital!

 

With that fact – Obstetric crises are common!  One FAME global partner is a CMF (Christian Missionary Fellowship) Clinic which has served expectant mothers for many years.  A focus of this clinic has been HIV+ mothers – with wonderful results of 98% success in no transfer of HIV to the babies!

But this wonderful clinic has had to halt all services except prenatal care.  The Ivory Coast Government is requiring them to have an Ambulance for emergency situations before they are allowed to continue with maternity services that include the delivery of babies!

This Ambulance is one of the 11 sustainable projects for which Bill Warren is running on Saturday, November 7th in the Monumental Half-Marathon.

Are you looking forward to 2021?  Ready to leave 2020 in the rearview mirror? Me too- but there are some generosity opportunities that expire on December 31, 2020, which are worth noting! Here are two resources we’d like you to see, which can help increase your stewardship as we approach the end of this unique year.

One:  A Guide to Year-End Giving

Compiled by our partners CDF Foundation, this Guide can help you reach your personal generosity goals and protect your financial planning

Two:  CARES Act Fact Sheet

Unique generosity opportunities that will expire on December 31, 2020, connected to the CARES Act of 2020.

Download these resources, and if you have any questions please contact Jeff Coon jcoon@fameworld.org or 317-675-7373 and he will answer, or connect you to a partner who can answer your questions.

This week I was on a Zoom call and was asked if we ever worked together with other ministries.  Well, the answer is YES.

That is what we do!

Can I name a few partnerships for you?

First, we only go into the “uttermost parts of the earth” where there are partner ministries who have requested our teamwork and ministry with sustainable partnerships, shipping equipment and supplies, and sending short-term teams.  That is where the evangelism happens because FAME helps open doors for our global partners.

Second, we only are able to do ministry because of individuals and churches like you who partner financially with us- there is no FAME ministry- it is OUR ministry with you!

Third, we work in partnership with other parachurch ministries to support the global partners we share in the world.  Here is a short-list of a partner and an example of partnership

TEAM Expansion– Last week co-sponsored Community Health Evangelism (CHE) Training at the FAME headquarters, preparing Trainers headed to global partner locations

IDES – International Disaster Emergency Services – recently FAME and IDES have partnered on a Hospital in Pakistan, and Ambulances in the Philippines and Honduras

CMF- Christian Missionary Fellowship– Sustainable Project collaboration in Africa and SE Asia, clinics, hospitals, mobile clinics, and medical resources

PBT-Pioneer Bible Translators – For many years FAME has provided the basic medical supplies for PBT team leaders as they head to the field.  Recent conversations have begun for one Translator in Papua New Guinea to help outfit a clinic they are using for medical evangelism.

So, yes; we work with other ministries- that is what we do!

And by the way, the original question…when I’m asked, “who is our greatest partner?”  It is YOU!  And others like you.

FAME – Partners in Medical Evangelism is who we are, and what we do!

Jeff Coon

Director of Development.

The pandemic has reached into the most remote parts of the world – but SO HAVE YOU!

For months, Myanmar appeared to have escaped a major COVID-19 outbreak. Between March and August, cases were limited to 374 with only six deaths. The last fatality was recorded in April, and no local transmissions were reported between July 16 and August 16. But on August 16, everything changed. A second wave of COVID-19 cases erupted and quickly spread to Yangon, with smaller clusters now being found across the country, including the remote area of North Myanmar!

In early September, 17 preachers gathered in remote North Myanmar in the village of Putao.   Putao is tucked into the Himalayan foothills where there are no paved roads!  They met to divide up the critical medical supplies purchased with Funds sent by FAME which you made possible!  The $1500 sent by FAME was exchanged for 1,950,000 kyats!

These great men scattered around the mountain villages and they were able to provide infrared thermometers, sanitizers, masks, and medicines for 45 churches.  Forty-Five Churches with one gift!   Also, now is the rainy season, the season that the people in Myanmar most suffer from various kinds of illnesses and diseases.

These preachers become the frontline workers where there is no doctor.  Many of them have minimal training from FAME teams teaching Health Education and CHE (Community Health Evangelism); but without proper resources, training is only minimally helpful. Now, because of you, and other partners like you- even Himalayan foothill villages are more prepared for what’s ahead.

 

That’s multiplying your impact!  Thank you for your partnership in the remotest parts of the earth!

Bill Warren
Executive Director

Thank you for your continued support of the ministry of FAME through prayer. Our partners, scholarship recipients, volunteers, board members and staff are blessed by your devotion to prayer for our ministry. Your prayers are making an impact in lives all around the world!

This month we ask you to partner with us in praying for our FAME Board of Directors as they prepare for the Semi-Annual FAME Board of Directors meeting on October 17. Please pray for each of the wonderful FAME Board members that God has put in place and that they continue to be guided by the Spirit in making decisions regarding the ministry.

Please also pray for many of the FAME volunteers who come in on a weekly or monthly basis. We are so grateful for these volunteers who give of their time and talents to help further the mission of FAME in seeing people come to Christ through medical evangelism. If you would like to volunteer at FAME, either individually or as a group, please contact Barry Reed, FAME’s Director of Mission Resources at BarryR@fameworld.org.

Other items to pray for include:

• FAME Executive Director, Bill Warren, as he raises funds for the Reeves Project Fund through his participation in Indy-thon and the Run for Global Health. If you would like to learn more about this run, visit our website at www.fameworld.org/want-to-go-for-a-run
  
• Community Health Evangelism (CHE) TOT 1 Training October 5-8 being held at FAME in Indianapolis. www.fameworld.org/sustainable-projects/che.

Thank you for your partnership in medical evangelism through prayer!

Blessings in the coming month.

Click here for the October Prayer Calendar

Babeni* was suffering and weak, but no one knew why.  Day after day his family thought he was just aging and under a curse.  He and his family gave up hope and thought all was lost because even the inadequately supplied clinic they had visited didn’t have the supplies needed to diagnose what was wrong.

Then Babeni’s daughter heard the new clinic received supplies and was ready to see patients.  The shipment of supplies had been sent by FAME and made possible by you and partners like you!

Babeni was able to visit the clinic, and the newly arrived blood pressure cuff was used to identify the cause of his weakness and decline.  Hypertension, or high blood pressure.  Even here in the USA hypertension is often called a “silent disease” because you usually don’t know that you have it.  But here in America our doctors have an abundance of supplies like Blood pressure cuffs!  CVS, Walgreens, Walmart, and many other stores have BP stations where you can check your own blood pressure!

Access to healthcare and even health information is limited and even non-existent to 400 million of the people of the world.  Men and women like Babeni are at risk of dying before they have a chance to even hear the gospel.

Babeni’s story ends well – a few lifestyle changes and a diuretic was able to be prescribed and his life is extended.  Your FAME partner can now tell him and his family all about Jesus- and he has time to respond to the good news!

Thank you for your partnership!  You make it possible for FAME to send help and hope every day to global partners who are saving lives for eternity!

Thank you!

Bill Warren
Executive Director

*Babeni’s name is changed, but his story is real and repeated time and time again!

I’m running for something and I’d love to have you with me!  Here’s the story…

On Saturday, March 14th I returned from an extended trip to Asia visiting your FAME ministry partners.  While the places I visited had very low case numbers of the coronavirus, fear was growing.  By the time I arrived home, I had decided on a voluntary 14-day self-quarantine.  On Monday, March 16, the shutdown began and my 14 days at home became three months.

With my calendar clear and some extra time available, I decided to exercise.  I began walking three miles each day.  Eventually, I increased the distance and began some running.  As I write this, I have logged over 800 miles since March.

During the hours on my walks / runs, I wondered: “How can I help our FAME partners who are working in under-resourced parts of the world?”  The answer became INDY-THON.  Indy-thon is the combination of the Half Marathon at Fort Benjamin Harrison on October 3 and the Monumental Half Marathon on November 7.  My goal is to raise $1,000 per mile (that’s 26.2 miles) for the FAME Reeves Memorial Project Fund.

The Reeves fund will complete 11 Sustainable Healthcare Projects through FAME partners in India, Haiti, Mexico, Ghana, Spain, Ivory Coast and the Philippines.  It will purchase surgical equipment, a hospital generator, two ambulances and construction materials for a cardiac hospital and 6 primary care clinics.  For example, $26,200 could complete a primary care clinic in Mahabalipuram, India.

Every project of every partner will result in medical evangelism.  The gospel will be proclaimed as individuals are given otherwise unavailable healthcare in the name of Jesus!

Will you join me?  I am asking you to pledge a dollar amount for every mile I complete.  A $10.00 / mile pledge would be $262.00.  Or, you could sponsor a mile for $1,000 or a half mile for $500.  Really your gift of any amount will help.  Click HERE to join me!

Whatever you decide, thanks for joining me – and know that your gift will help meet desperate medical needs – but more importantly, meet them in Jesus’ name!  You will be changing lives now and into eternity.

Thanks & God Bless!

Bill Warren
Executive Director