MEDICINE.

“Testimonies are medicine.” This is a statement uttered by our translator as we preached and taught in an unreached area of the Himalayan Mountains of Nepal. You see, quite frequently we have a full medical team as we trek in these regions. There is a specific reason for this. Many indigenous Nepalis who live and work on the trekking and trail systems are not poor in their own context. There are enough tourists to sustain a relatively good living (although it would be considered far below the poverty line in the USA). Since the large majority of the population in the mountain areas are Buddhist, they are quite anti-Christian and anti-conversion. One strategy initiated by our indigenous church-planting Pastor there was to facilitate medical mission teams. They people may not come out for free food and clothing, and definitely not for preaching, but in many areas, the government “health-posts” are unmanned and they are in desperate need of medical care. Showing up with a legitimate medical team hosting remote clinics is a tremendous draw. As the people come, they are ministered to, prayed over, and it allows our contacts and Pastors to increase their influence and network

This past trip, however, there was no medical team. Yet, in the middle of gathering a small group of believers—the only known Christians for miles upon trekking miles, our translator stopped mid-stream after one of our team members had shared her powerful, faith-filled story about finding Jesus, and said to us in English: “Testimonies are medicine.” The stories of God’s goodness in our lives will now be stories they relay to others—encouraging each other, and becoming more bold to share their faith. Many years ago, during our first trip to this village, there were only 3 or 4 Christians. Now there are more than 20. It may seem small, but there is growth, and they are full of the right medicine.

Jonathan Haward, President & Founder
Global Infusion