“Why do some suffer, and others don’t?”
The soul-deep question came from a Muslim man living in impoverished Liberia.
In that moment, everything that had been lined up for this man to hear the Gospel stood at the ready. It was thanks to medical missionaries that this door stood open.
“If God loves us all the same, why does this happen?” the man asked Wendy Vix, the team leader of First Baptist Church Jonesboro’s medical mission trip.
Graciously, Wendy explained how the Bible says we live in a sinful world, and that life on this earth is short, but eternity is forever. We are not promised all good things here on earth, but we are promised eternity in heaven when we trust Christ.
Not only did the man want to know this hope, but after he prayed to receive Christ, he called his friend, who also accepted Christ.
“Praise God!” Wendy told us. “This is why we go.”
Stories like First Baptist Church Jonesboro’s are one of many we hear from people taking medications all over the world. Here at the end of 2023, it’s a joy to look back on some of the ways medicines were used all around the world to change destinies, save lives, and bring hope this year.
International Missions
Wendy Vix, the team leader who witnessed to the Muslim man, also told us how her team of eight provided medical care to 1,965 people in Liberia. A local pastor, who accompanied the team, “expressed to me that in all the trips we have done in that area, never has there been such a powerful movement of Christ in people accepting the Gospel and the Lord as their Savior.”
“There will never be enough Thank Yous to express my overwhelming gratitude for the love, support, prayers, and donations that were so abundantly provided for this mission,” Wendy said.
Turkey Earthquake
On February 6, a 7.8 magnitude earthquake struck southern Turkey, leveling structures in both Turkey and Syria. There were an estimated 59,259 deaths and over 120,000 injuries in Turkey alone.
While a handful of our partners created orders to be exported directly to Turkey, others took medicines in person to the devastated country. Dr. Dennis M. of Stilwell, Oklahoma, made the long journey to serve, despite having a hip replacement months earlier.
“I didn’t have to think about [going],” Dr. Dennis said. “Something tells you, ‘You need to go.’”
When he returned, he told us of the devastation but also the resilience of the Turkish people. “Even with multiple deaths in every family, they were adjusting well,” Dr. Dennis said. “They were…very pleasant and appreciative.”
US Clinics and Pregnancy Resource Centers
In one year’s time, Blessings International has seen a 32% increase in orders for US-based efforts, from pregnancy resource centers to charitable clinics and pharmacies across the United States.
Thanks to a special grant, in the last nine months, Blessings has been able to provide free medications, vitamins, and medical supplies to an estimated 29,082 women being served by Texas pregnancy clinics.
Kristi H., the director of one of the Texas clinics that benefited from the grant, told us, “The supplies we have ordered from [Blessings International] have helped to stock our clinic in order to…deliver high-quality care to our clients that may otherwise not have the resources to confirm their pregnancies, receive vitamins and medical information, and referrals to other agencies that may be needed. …Thank you for your generosity in helping us provide necessary services to our clients.”
Marrakesh-Safi (Morocco) Earthquake
Following the violent earthquake in Morocco in September, an organization called 1040 Initiative responded by taking first aid kits, bandages, and other relief items. They’d already had a dental-related trip planned and quickly pivoted to a disaster relief trip as soon as they learned of the earthquake. Thanks to the relationships they had in Morocco, they were able to make an impact with crucial supplies as well as practical non-medical items, like sleeping bags.
“There's tens of thousands of people who need help,” 1040 Initiative founder, Michel Cousineau, said before going to Morocco, “and we can't help enough. But the people that we can help, God's going to direct us to those specific people to make a difference.”
Despite many difficult circumstances around the world, we are grateful to have taken part in bringing hope and healing all over the world through the work of our partners and donors.
Will you consider giving to our Medicines for Nations fund to help us continue the progress in 2024? This general fund helps multiple areas. Not only does it provide medicines internationally, as its name implies, but disaster relief, USA efforts, orphanages in Haiti, permanent clinics, and malaria relief all benefit from this essential fund which is 100% donor-supported. This is because Medicines for Nation’s secondary purpose is to refuel depleted donor-based funds.
Please help us bless the nations this coming year!