Ashley Wilkins - Hand of Hope Medical Missions Coordinator
It is great to be back in Papua New Guinea with our medical/dental team for a one week outreach! Last year we spent a few days in a settlement called 6 Mile, which we returned to this year with the medical/dental team. The people of 6 Mile call themselves “The forgotten people of Papua New Guinea” because at one time it was a very dangerous place to visit and no one ever came to see them, especially foreign medical teams. They have a tremendous need for medical treatment and we have been very busy cleaning wounds, pulling teeth, treating tuberculosis, malaria, HIV and many other ailments.
One of the pastors here thanked me over and over again for returning, not only because we delivered medical care, but also to shine the light of Jesus Christ. As we left 6 Mile today, it was visibly obvious that the people have a joy and hope that they did not have before. The people know that they are not forgotten and that it is God who has not forgotten them.
Thus far we have treated 1,620 patients and more than 160 have given their hearts to the Lord this week! We are looking forward to God doing more incredible things through this medical outreach during the rest of our time here.
Hand of Hope is the missions arm of Joyce Meyer Ministries. Our goal is simply to help as many hurting people as we possibly can, to alleviate human suffering and to help Christians grow in their faith.
