“Is it not to share your food with the hungry and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter – when you see the naked, to clothe him, and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood?” – Isaiah 58:7

Ours was a medical mission. The greater part of our practical work involved giving free medical aid and health screens to locals. Using empty classrooms and vast, open dirt fields, we set up a rather impressive, makeshift medical camp, complete with outdoor waiting area, reception, two consulting rooms, a dental clinic and pharmacy.
We had several enormous boxes of medical equipment, kindly donated by a FGAM member. All medications were bought in India and each day we were sent out to local pharmacies, for tablets, vitamins, creams and syrups to replenish our stock. From the first morning throngs of sick and anxious people – many who had walked great distance on foot – flowed into the camp for free health care. We had anticipated large crowds given the poverty and poor health-seeking behaviours of many villagers and the fact that each rural district has only one health worker. There are no medical clinics or local hospitals in these areas.
Over four days we saw 400 patients including the children and bible college students on campus. Most presented with chronic conditions befitting their age: back pain, joint aches and deteriorating vision in the elderly; headache, chest and abdominal pain in the middle-aged; and throat infections and swollen lymph nodes in children. Diseases endemic to India included fungal skin infections, scabies and hookworm. Malnutrition, anaemia and vitamin deficiencies were also classic presentations.
Though most had conditions deemed ‘common’ or ‘benign’ in the West, the care we offered was of first-world standard. Many problems would most likely have gone undiagnosed had we not elicited a medical history and examined them. Scores of patients had suffered their problem for years, too timid or poor to seek care at a government hospital. We encouraged positive lifestyle changes and improved health-seeking behaviours. Basic advice on diet, hygiene, and reducing health-risks such as smoking and alcohol will go a long way in alleviating the disease burden in these local villages. Running the medical camp was a priceless and exhilarating experience. Spearheaded by the Eks, our medical team was indeed many different parts unified for one cause. Uncle Raymond and William asserted muscle-power and managerial skills as crowd-controllers, while Kathleen and Audrey registered “the patient.” Auntie Julie, with the loving kindness of a mother, gave deworming medication and Vit. A to every child. A team comprising the two doctors, three medical students – Rebecca, Andrew, and David – and several interpreters saw to the patients in two consulting rooms: one for women and children, the other for men. Ling-Earn, our graduate dentist, pried teeth out of young ones with little force and much patience, while Rodney, an engineer, ran the pharmacy, dispensing with such diligence and expertise it seemed he’d been doing it all his life.

In 1 Corinthians 12:18, Paul describes how “God arranged the parts of the body, every one of them, just as he wanted them to be.” It was inspiring to see twelve different individuals form a cohesive unit that worked so fruitfully for God’s glory. The orphanage children were an absolute delight. Everyday they greeted our bus with frenzied waves and squeals. With broad grins and eyes sparkling they would circle each team member, tugging at our clothes and begging for attention. And sooner or later, they’d erupt into elation when a camera was produced. “Unc-le, unc-le! Photo, photo! Please, please!” they’d plead, squirming with anticipation. The team spent many precious and rewarding hours with the orphans. Audrey coordinated their Sunday school programs, and introduced exciting songs and games. We did health checks on every child. We washed their feet, following the example Jesus set before his disciples. We cleaned and combed their hair, forcing out hideous black clumps of lice. In performing these humble acts of service, we demonstrated a love that was raw and selfless, a love that was unconditional. We showed these children the love of Christ. And herein lies the heartbreak. These beautiful orphans all emerged from deep poverty and strife. Many have lost one or both parents. A significant number were abandoned due to divorce, family turmoil, or overwhelming poverty. How could anyone desert such precious beings? Why? Despite being under the shelter and guidance of the orphanage and its carers, these children miss love. So they squeal and squirm for attention, for photos to be taken, for hugs and handshakes. They clamour for empty plastic bottles to refill and take to school as their own water bottles. Empty plastic bottles! It is little solace that these are perhaps the fortunate ones. India has millions more, who do not have the same care and learning opportunities. Only by God’s grace and the compassion of visionaries like the Mophets, are these children lifted above their demoralising circumstances to a place where they are spiritually fed and given godly values and discipline. Most have accepted Christ. Every team member was deeply moved by the children’s affection, unpretentiousness and sweet smiles. For years to come we’ll marvel at how these young ones had so little, yet loved so much... The India team had an incredible and spiritually uplifting time. For many, the experience was life-changing and will be forever ingrained in their hearts and minds. Every team member has vowed to return to India for missions work in the future. We thank God for His amazing love that carried us through those eleven days. It was the same love shown us by the wonderful locals we befriended, the same love that we, as a young and hopeful medical mission team, took to that distant and great nation.
“And now these three remain:
faith, hope and love.
But the greatest of these is love”
– 1 Corinthians 13:13

Our most heartfelt thanks to:
Uncle Raymond & Auntie Julie, for their steadfast direction and inspiration. FGAM, for sponsoring team members and giving us the opportunity of a lifetime.
The individual sponsors and donors of our medical equipment, medications, and funding towards Harvest Ministries Intl.
All the FGAM members who attended our medical booths last year and donated toward gifts and materials we bought for the orphans.

The Team Members comment….
Eugene:
“As we all return to our daily routines of work and studying... Let’s not forget all our experiences together and pray that we will continue to have a heart for missions, both local and abroad.”

David:
It was a great learning experience from a medical point of view. Also, the innocence of the kids, accepting us with ease, greeting us with laughter every time they saw us… this has truly made a lasting impact on me.”

Audrey:
“I thank God for all the problems we’ve shared, the laughter we had, all the times we spent together praising and worshiping Him, all the while praying for one another, and then the sadness we all had when we left that beautiful place, India. I would rather my sadness for leaving India be 10 times worse than to have never been there at all.”

William:
“Most people have heard of poverty in India, but by God’s grace I experienced it through FGAM medical mission. I may have gone through a tough childhood, but compared to the children at the orphanage, I’m blessed beyond words. All of us who have a roof over our heads or a place we can call home, clothes to keep us warm and food to keep us full are very blessed. Yet I see the beautiful smiles on these kid’s faces. Why? Because they have Christ, and have all their hope in Him. Matt 11:28 is a message from God to the children at Harvest, myself, and you.”

Kathleen:
“What’s wrong with you man?!” (The most hilarious and memorable quote from the trip!)

Where the harvest is plentiful
January 6, 2007, twelve young men and women from FGAM embarked on an eleven-day medical mission trip to Trivandrum, capital of Kerala “This bus has a history,” local Indian pastor, Robert Mophet, declared with a triumphant grin. “It’s come all the way from Adelaide, Australia. Donated by a church there. Thirty years old… and not a single problem yet!” It was a reassuring fact for the weary team members gripping our seats, feeling shockwaves from every bump in the road amplified against our backsides as we hurtled through dark, windy roads to our hotel. This was our introduction to Trivandrum. That late-night bus ride was surreal: with cool evening air blasting against our faces, we watched the city flash by. We saw hundreds of cramped street-side stalls. Brightly lit billboards oozing Western culture. Row upon row of coconut trees. Rickshaws. Oddly-shaped white taxis. Our curiosity was piqued. “I have but one candle of life to burn, and I would rather burn it out in a land filled with darkness than in a land flooded with light.” – John Keith Falconer The team converged in the dim hotel lobby late that first night. All were exhausted after a day’s travel, yet the sight of a team united sparked animated chatter. We arrived in India in three separate groups: most flying from Singapore. A second party came from Malaysia, while a few commuted from North India, after a few days sightseeing. Leading the team was Raymond Seow, a truly anointed man of God with a penchant for lame jokes. By his side was wife and gentle prayer warrior Julie Seow. The rest were ten enthusiastic young adults: nine from FGAM, and one from Clayton Church of Christ. Most had ventured on mission trips before, but a ‘medical mission’ was something new and exhilarating. For six months we attended fortnightly training sessions where we shared our hearts, received briefings on what to expect on the field, discussed logistics and finances, and planned our medical camp. Each made a valuable contribution to the team’s rich tapestry of talent and giftings. Drs. Eugene and Olivia Ek spearheaded the medical program, whilst three eager med students and a graduate dentist offered their services. The others were students, engineers or accountants. Nevertheless they took up God’s call to join the India medical mission team. They would step out in amazing faith and take completely different mantles to those of their everyday lives. They would be nurses and receptionists, pharmacists, counselors, preachers, Sunday-school teachers and even hairdressers. Our first day, a Sunday, we attended a very loud, animated service at Harvest Mission Centre. Upon arrival we were presented with coconut drinks by a procession of adorable little girls in sparkling dresses. It was a fitting welcome since “Kerala” means “land of coconut”. Indians are very passionate people. During worship over a hundred members clapped and danced fervently, whilst a lone pair of traditional drums gave beat. There was not a hint of modern technology, save a single microphone plugged into a small, battered amplifier. The congregation sat in neat rows, on rugs on the hard, grimy floor, males on the left, females on the right. There were no walls or windows. The young men and women were there to seek God, and they did it with all the passion, will and vigor they could. “Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” – 1 Thessalonians 5:16 “WELCOME TO MEDICAL TEAM FROM AUSTRALIA” read the brightly-coloured message on the chalkboard at the front. After worship Pastor Mophet welcomed the team. Uncle Raymond introduced each one, advising that most were either “single” or “unattached”. Eugene and Olivia explained the team’s passion and purpose in India, through a Malayalam interpreter. All the churches visited over the next ten days throbbed with the same warmth and zeal of that first service. Many team members shared at these services. During a revival meeting one sweltering evening, Raymond delivered a stirring sermon on “Crossing Borders” and William shared a powerful personal testimony. The team laid hands on the throng that poured forward and, in doing so, were deeply blessed and encouraged. On the second Sunday, Rodney preached a simple, heartening message on “Who We Are in Christ” as congregation members diligently jotted key points in their notebooks. Other team members, including Ling- Earn, David, and Rebecca, also had opportunity to testify in public. The Harvest Mission Centre is a large hilltop complex, in a remote area called Kudappanakunnu, 30 kms from Trivandrum. It is headquarters for Harvest Ministries Intl, a non-profit organization aiding India’s poor and persecuted. The Rose of Sharon Children’s home houses, feeds and educates around 60 children who have come from devastating poverty or domestic turmoil. The Harvest Mission Bible College trains over 40 young men from all across India. Both the Children’s Home and Bible College are funded from churches and sponsors, along with profits of local rice and rubber plantations. Pastor Mophet is a visionary. He and his wife Mini founded Harvest Ministries Intl in 1996, after God gave them a compelling “burden to serve our brothers and sisters who… came under persecution.” The Lord gave them a vision requiring great love and sacrifice over the years - to be “parents” to thousands of children. Hence Rose of Sharon Children’s Home was birthed, named after their daughter, Sharon. The couple vowed to care for orphans with the same fondness and devotion they had for their own daughter. The Mophets are deeply thankful for God’s mighty work, “We are continually praising God for the doors that are being opened to us in India for the opportunities to present the Gospel…the harvest is plentiful, but workers are few...”