April 2016

PRAYER GUIDE

“It was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, to prepare God’s people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.” EPHESIANS 4:11-13

CAST YOUR NETS By Josh Korn, Executive Director, CURE Niger

Spiritual Director Hannatou prays with a patient at CURE Niger Recently, our Spiritual Director Hannatou shared about the miracles of Jesus in our morning devotions. She spoke about the encounter between Jesus and Simon (Peter) in Luke 5, focusing especially on faith and obedience, and it was really encouraging. Simon had been out all night fishing, as he probably did most nights, since he was a fisherman. He came back to shore in the morning, physically exhausted, but also discouraged, because even though he had been out all night, he hadn’t caught anything. Then Jesus came to him, and told him to go out and try again. “Cast your nets into the deep.” You can almost picture Simon rolling his eyes—who was this stranger, telling him how to do his job? He was a fisherman, he knew how to catch fish, and he knew that what Jesus wanted him to do wouldn’t work. He had just spent all night trying to catch fish, and there were none to be caught, and anyway, who in their right mind would go out fishing in the hot sun? This is a story that we can all relate to. Sometimes in our work, in our relationships with others, or just in life, we feel like we are coming up empty. We are putting in the effort, but not seeing any results. When we are in that type of situation, if God calls us to cast our nets, we might be tempted to say no. We are too tired and worn out and unappreciated and we just can’t and we don’t feel like it and we shouldn’t have to put up with this and why should we try anyway when we know it isn’t going to work. We know it isn’t going to work. We are 100% sure… Cast your nets. God will surprise you.

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April 2016

AFRICA ETHIOPIA

We were so grateful to hear this story about Salegeta from our spiritual ministry team in Ethiopia: “Salegeta is a 14-year-old student who came to CURE with his uncle, Genanaw. He came to seek medical attention for his cleft lip. Genanaw told us that Salegeta had a tough childhood because his parents fought a lot, blaming each other for their son’s cleft lip. Genanaw told us that Salegeta was a happy, playful child when he was small, but as he grew up and children started calling him names, he isolated himself and even detested going to school. Salegeta’s uncle told us that he learned a lot from CURE that it made him stretch his hands out to other disabled children and point them to CURE. We explained to him that everything good about CURE was from God. Using this as an opening, we shared the gospel and the love of God with him.” We praise God for the healing that is already happening for Salegeta and his family and pray for God to continue working in their lives!

KENYA

Our spiritual ministry team in Kenya recently shared the following story: “Pramoline was accidentally burned by hot water twelve years ago. She arrived at the hospital discouraged because of the way she had been tossed back and forth in search of treatment. She was hesitant to socialize with anybody upon arrival, but after engaging her with doll games, which she likes most, she opened up and shared her feelings. She felt she is a burden given to her family by God, especially to her mother, who is a widow depending on picking tea to earn livelihood. After sharing the gospel with her, she accepted Christ as her Savior. She was also grateful for the successful results after surgery, believing that she will be well.” We praise God for the physical and spiritual healing that has taken place in Pramoline’s life! Please pray for her as she continues to heal.

NIGER

As Josh noted in our featured story, it can be challenging to trust God when He asks us to cast our nets in unexpected places. We pray that we would have the faith to follow through in obedience, knowing that “the one who calls you is faithful, and He will do it” (1 Thessalonians 5:24). Page 2

April 2016

AFRICA (cont.) MALAWI

We met Fatima at a mobile clinic and scheduled her for surgery for clubfoot at CURE Malawi. After losing both of her parents four years ago, Fatima has been living with her grandparents and focusing her energy on her studies. After school, she wants to work as a banker. CUREkids Coordinator Avanell says, “Fatima’s in the hospital but that’s not going to stop her from studying hard for her exams! We’re so proud of her for trying to keep up with her schoolwork! She’ll be having high school Grade 10 exams at the end of May. Please be praying she will stay dedicated and be able to move on to the next grade!”

UGANDA

We recently had the opportunity to treat a child named Eunice at CURE Uganda. Her mother, Vicky, told us, “People in my village said that I had given birth to a monster, a devil, and they all wanted me to throw my baby away, but I love her so much. I love everything about her. So I decided to look for help instead and I found a lady who told me about CURE and encouraged me to bring Eunice to this hospital.” We praise God for leading Vicky and Eunice to CURE. Please pray for Eunice to grow stronger and healthier as she recovers from surgery for hydrocephalus.

ZAMBIA

Loveness, who had surgery for a limb deformity in November, is back at CURE Zambia for another round of surgery. CUREkids Coordinator Stu reports, “Loveness walked back into our lives with low confidence again. So we spent the day encouraging her and telling her that she is worth it and that she is beautiful. This was so easy because we simply opened her profile and showed her all of your messages. People all around the world wrote her get well wishes. Each and every message had people telling her just how beautiful she is.” Thank you for loving our CUREkids so well! We praise God for you and your support.

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April 2016

ASIA & SPECIALTY PROGRAMS AFGHANISTAN

We are looking to fill several key leadership positions at our hospital in Kabul. Please pray for wisdom as we seek to fill these roles well. Please also pray for the safety of our patients, families, and staff at CURE Afghanistan. As we lift up our patients in prayer, please keep in mind those who suffer from domestic violence, which we are seeing with greater frequency, and please pray that this oppression against women will end.

PHILIPPINES

Look who’s back! Jyzyl, one of our first CUREkids from the Philippines, had surgeries last year to straighten his legs, and now the time has come to straighten his hands. In a few weeks he’ll trade his bandages for casts and will be able to start learning how to use his new hands! While this surgery was less painful than last year’s surgeries, there’s still a fair amount of discomfort involved. Please pray for Jyzyl as he recovers and continues on his long journey to healing!

UAE

We praise God for the incredible work being done on a daily basis at Oasis Hospital! We are so thankful for the opportunity to minister to so many mothers and newborn babies. Please pray for these families to experience the love of Jesus through the care they receive at Oasis.

CURE CLUBFOOT

We recently had a time of strategic planning for our clubfoot program in India. Please pray for our team there, and for CURE Clubfoot as a whole, as they work through the goals that were set. We also praise God for the opportunity to minister to children and their families and provide hope for a life free from disability and free in Christ.

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April 2016

NORTH AND CENTRAL AMERICA AND SPECIALITY PROGRAMS (cont.) CURE HYDROCEPHALUS

Our new care coordinator for Vietnam will be coming to Uganda for training this month. Please pray for safe travel as well as a valuable time of training and planning for the program in Vietnam. Please also pray for several important meetings in Ethiopia with key partners in providing coordinated care for children with hydrocephalus and spina bifida. Pray also for preparations that need to be made for the Fellows coming for training over the next few months.

DOMINICAN REPUBLIC

We loved hearing this story about Carmen and her son Stiven, who came to CURE Dominican Republic for surgery to straighten his leg: “Before coming to CURE, Carmen could see nothing but trials and listen to bad news, but after she started bringing Stiven to CURE, they noticed how there was a plan, a perfect one, designed by God for their lives. Here, Stiven got to know Jesus in a different way and has come closer to Him. They are grateful to God and the CURE staff because of the treatment received and because now they know that ‘everything works out for good, to those who trust in God.’” We praise God for bringing Stiven and Carmen to us and pray for their continued healing!

BOARD, STAFF, AND HOME OFFICE

We are pleased to announce the promotion of Abed Milelu from Financial Controller to Executive Director of CURE Kenya. Abed has been faithfully serving at CURE Kenya since 2012 and is uniquely positioned to take on this new role. Abed holds a Global Executive Masters in Business Administration from United States International University and a Diploma in Project Management from the Kenya Institute of Management. He is also a Certified Public Accountant (CPA). Please join us in congratulating Abed on his well-deserved promotion! We would also like to congratulate Maarten and Esther Caspari on the birth of their son, Samuel Christiaan Caspari. Maarten serves as Executive Director of CURE Zambia. We thank God that Samuel and Esther are both healthy and doing well!

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April 2016