“I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you. I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. And I will put my Spirit in you and move you to follow my decrees and be careful to keep my laws. “Ezekiel 36:26-27

While in Nairobi, we use a Christian pharmaceutical warehouse to purchase our medicines. This trip, Dr Oubre and I stopped there to set up a new account for Cutting Edge Foundation. We met a wonderful lady named Beatrice we had been dealing with for years but had never met in person. She is a delightful caring Christian woman. Beatrice is a typical Kenyan -well educated, articulate, polite and gentle. As we talked, she shared her heart with us about the recent events in Kenya-the political and tribal unrest, the maiming of so many Kenyans, and all the killings that had recently happened. She took time to show us pictures she had on her computer. Our hearts were broken by the photos of dead Kenyans, many of whom were children; the destroyed churches and other buildings, and images of thousands of displaced people. We could see that her heart was broken by what was happening to her country. She asked us to please continue to pray for her country and thanked us for the work we were doing in Sudan. It will take a long time for times to get back to normal in Kenya and for healing to take place between the tribes that have been fighting with each other. I do not think the world is more evil now than it has been in the past. What is different now is that we have the technology to destroy and kill on a massive scale and have the media to instantly show it to the entire world on television. Evil is always in the human heart until Christ performs true heart replacement surgery on us. He takes our heart of stone and replaces it with a new heart. We become new creatures created in His image. Pray for Christ to bring healing to Kenya and in the entire world. He is our only hope.

Michael McMahon

“If it were not for hopes, the heart would break. ” -Thomas Fuller

“The message of dawn is hope. ” -Winston Churchill

Prayer Power
Pray for our Kenyan brothers and sisters. Pray for peace all over the world. Pray for the only lasting true peace of Jesus Christ to fill our hearts.

“They were stoned, they were sawed in two, they were put to death by the sword. They went about in sheep skins and goat skins, destitute, persecuted and mistreated-the world was not worthy of them. They wandered in deserts and mountains, and in caves and holes in the ground.” Hebrews 11:37-38

I have heard this story several times on my trips into Sudan from very reliable people; including Bishop Nathaniel Garang and I believe it is true. In the early 1990’s there was an illiterate Dinka named Paul Kon. As did most of the Dinka at that time, he raised cattle. He was a non Christian who worshiped idols. One day he was touched by the hand of God and was able to recite the entire Bible-verse and chapter from memory. He accepted the Lord and started preaching, starting a revival in the Werkok area. The people came together and burned all their idols and turned to God. He had a large church, the Zion Church, built in the shape of a cross. The church is still standing and is in use today. Paul Kon was a prophet. He predicted not only his own death but also that he would be buried in two graves. Later, when he was killed the people who killed him were afraid he might come back to life and sawed off one of his legs and had it buried. The people of his church came and got him and buried him (without his leg) outside Zion Church. The war years were incredibly horrible in Sudan and I am sure the Lord used him to bring His message to the Sudanese people when times were bad and they needed to hear the word of God. An incredible story!!

There are still many martyrs. Go to the Voice of the Martyrs web site for more information on modern day martyrs and check out the book Jesus Freaks.

Michael McMahon

“Faith is not a once done act, but a continuous gaze at the heart of the Triune God.” -A.W. Tozer

Prayer Power
Pray for all the martyrs. Pray that the faith in our Lord Jesus Christ will grow and spread and all will one day know that our Christian brothers and sisters did not die in vain.

Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.” When he had placed his hands on them, he went on from there. Matthew 19:14-15

I always have a passion for the little children. My heart is always broken by orphans. On this trip, I spent more time talking to the mothers. I asked how many children they had living and how many had died. I was broken hearted to hear that most of the women had lost multiple children-either during childbirth or to disease early in their life. These women love their children as much as we love our children. They hurt just as much as we do with the loss of a child. I cannot help but feel some guilt when I think of all we have back home and how much of this could be prevented by simple childhood immunizations and basic health care. I once heard an African pastor read 1 Corinthians 12:12-31, but each time he got to a body part he substituted a country-USA, Sudan, Kenya, England, and Cameroon etc. You get the point. Are we really functioning like the body of Christ? How can we have so much and not share with those who have so little?

Why does Christ say that the kingdom belongs to little children? Their innocence, their unquestioning faith, their absolute trust in Him, their simplicity? The children were not afraid of Jesus. Are we afraid to really let our guard down and just be our true self with Him? He was never too busy to stop for the least of His world. I can see Jesus playing and laughing with the children. Jesus reached out and touched them. Should we do less?

Michael McMahon

“Life is a flame that is always burning itself out, but it catches fire again, every time a child is born.” -George Bernard Shaw

Prayer Power
Pray for the children and those called by God to bring health care to them. Pray for all the families who have lost so many children.

But the Lord said to Samuel, ” Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The Lord does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.” 1 Samuel 16:7

A cheerful look brings joy to the heart, and good news gives health to the bones. Proverbs 15:30

The Lord occasionally gives us the opportunity to help change a life. We had been in Werkok, Sudan for more than a week when Joy (Joy and Dave Mueller, long term missionaries with PCC) told us about a little girl with a cleft lip. She lived in Padak, a village 10 miles to the north. We had been trying to contact her family without success to let them know that a surgical team was coming in and could repair her cleft lip. Children with cleft lips are ostracized by society now as they were in Biblical times. A team from CMA (another partner Christian organization with an outpost in Padak) just “happened” to drive by our compound. We asked them if they knew of the little girl and they knew where she was and told us they would contact her. Several days later her father brought her to us for evaluation. She was a beautiful little 4-5 year old girl who would not smile because of her deformity. When Drs Bert Oubre (Cutting Edge Foundation) and Jim Munis arrived they talked with the father and girl about surgery and repairing her cleft lip. The family quickly accepted and surgery was planned. The little girl was a trooper-she did not even cry when her IV was started. The team had prayer with her and her father and then proceeded with surgery. The wounds healed well and without infection. Two days later she was a new person. She and her father had smiles from ear to ear. Her life will now be different. The little girl’s name had been Nyanachek-which in Dinka means one with a deformity. After the surgery, the father had a renaming ceremony and changed her name to Deborah-in honor of Dr Oubre’s wife. She will now be able to be accepted by her people, find a husband and hopefully lead a normal life. I wonder what the Lord is going to do in her life.

Michael McMahon

PS- Before and after pictures will be posted on our web site at Cutting Edge
“I treated him, God cured him. ” -Ambroise Pare’

Prayer Power
Pray for the true healing which comes from our Lord Jesus Christ. Pray for the medical personal on the mission field.

When I am afraid, I will trust in you. In God, whose word I praise, in God I trust; I will not be afraid.
What can mortal man do to me? Psalm 56:3-4

We left the US for Sudan in early January of 2008. We had all been following the news of the political and social turmoil in Nairobi, Kenya. We had to fly in and out of Nairobi to get to our destination in Sudan. We watched the riots and read of the numbers killed and displaced by the violence. We had conference calls together and prayed a lot. What should we do? The only correct human answer was to not go. To fly into such uncertain conditions was not wise. I had many Christian friends questioning the wisdom of continuing on with the trip. The State Department had a travel advisory to avoid travel to Kenya unless absolutely necessary. There was much that needed to be done in Sudan and if we did not go it most likely would not get done. In addition to setting up the clinic and providing much needed medical care we needed to take in medial and building supplies for the hospital project in Sudan, set up the compound for the surgical and building teams coming in after us and keep our word to the people of Werkok that we would return. We went. It was a strange feeling sitting in a 777 that can carry 300 people with only 50 passengers on board. Most all of us were missionaries or aid workers. We talked and prayed on the flight from London to Nairobi. The trip from the Kenyatta Airport to the Mayfield Guest House was very quiet. In a city of about 4 million people, the only ones out were the police and military. Two days later, we left Nairobi via Wilson Airport and flew up to Loke and then onto Werkok. All of our flights went well and were uneventful. A month later we retraced our path back to Nairobi and then home. Nairobi was much different then. People were out and about, businesses were open and traffic was back to normal. Now we are all back home safe and sound.

I struggled with going on this trip. After I got to Sudan, I felt a deep peace and felt at that time I had made the right decision, but I did not feel that way until then. I know and accept the risks involved in missionary work, and I think the Lord has called us to be wise in what we do. I search and pray for divine guidance and always pray that I am doing this for the Lord and not for me. Struggle is part of the Christian life. It was a good and blessed trip. Stories will follow.

Michael McMahon

“If you live for the next world, you get this one in the deal: but if you live only for this world, you lose them both.” -C. S. Lewis

Prayer Power
Pray for wisdom from above in all we do. Do not pray for your life to be easy but for the strength thorough Jesus Christ to live your life as He wants.

“To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, ” If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” John 8:31-32

“Jesus said, ” I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” John 14: 6

“Sanctify them by the truth, your word is truth.” John 17:17

What is the truth? Many today do not believe in absolute truth–everything is relative. The Bible is not just a book, but a doorway into the spiritual reality of God himself. Jesus is the absolute truth. God’s word is the absolute truth. God exists, loves us, wants a personal relationship with us and wants to set us free. Free from what ? Free from the penalty of our sins–free from our past, we are new In Christ–free from guilt–free from the fear of death: we have eternal life–free to know that there is much more than this world; this world is only a dim shadow of the spiritual reality all around us–free to trust in Jesus who will always be with us through all of life’s trials–free to let go of all our false assumptions, like we are in control of this life–free from the fear of illness; we know Jesus will ultimately heal us–free to know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him–free to know that when this life ends we will open our eyes and be in the arms of Jesus for eternity. The list goes on and on. Accept a life changing relationship with the creator of all. Meditate on the freedoms you have in Christ and give Him all the glory, honor and praise.

I will be in Sudan for the next several weeks with teams from CEF, PCC and CMA. We would appreciate your prayers. I will resume writing when I return–as God wills.

Mike McMahon

“Beauty is truth, truth beauty ; that is all ye know on earth, and all ye need to know.” -John Keats

Prayer Power
Meditate on God’s eternal truths every day. Thank Jesus for showing us the truth. Pray for peace in Kenya, Sudan and in all the earth and that all may come to know Jesus as Lord and Savior. Amen.

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.” Matt 11:28

3-Self-We want a perfect body in perfect health and shape. Pride always tries to creep into the driver’s seat of our lives.

4-Work-Too much time and stress at work.

5-Debt-Our debt load as a society if at incredible levels. How many are living paycheck to paycheck and are on the brink of major financial trouble. Because of the debt load we have to work longer hours to keep afloat.

6-Relationship troubles- First and foremost we need a close, real, personal relationship with Jesus and need to keep that a vital, passionate part of our life. If that relationship is not close we will feel unrest. Next is our relationship with other important people in our lives-wife, children, friends. Likewise, if those are not close and nurturing we will feel the results.

My list is certainly not exhaustive and I do not want it to be. I only wanted to point out some of the obvious problems that I see-in myself and others.

What is the solution ?

1-Pour out your soul to Jesus. Spend time in honest, soul searching prayer. Remember the example of Hannah, mother of Samuel, in the first chapter of 1 Samuel. She was praying so hard emotionally that Eli thought she was drunk, but she was pouring out her heart to the Lord. We need to pray like that.

2-Keep your focus on Jesus. Remember the story of Peter in Matthew chapter 14 when he went to walk on the water. He actually was walking on the water until he “saw the wind and was afraid”. What did he do? He took his eyes off Jesus and began to sink. We need to continually refocus on Jesus. We need to “fix our eyes on Jesus” ( Heb 12:2).

3-Give your time to Jesus. One hour is only 4% of the day. Our pastor likes to tell us that love is spelled T-I-M-E and is an action verb. If you love Jesus spend time with Him.

4-Quiet time alone with Jesus. Jesus often went off to be alone with His Father and we need to follow His example. Elijah found God’s voice as a “gentle whisper”, not in the wind, earth quake or fire (1 Kings 19). “Be still and know that I am God” (Psalm 46:10).

I hope these musings on rest and sharing my thoughts will help keep you close to Jesus this season.

Mike McMahon

“Our heart is restless until it rests in you.” -St. Augustine

Prayer Power
Lord her us to rest in your arms. We pray for peace in Sudan and other countries where there is conflict. Thank you for the gift of your son, Jesus. Amen.

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.” Matt 11:28

The Christmas season has always been difficult for me. I obviously know that we as Christians celebrate the birth of Christ at this time of year, but I tend to get overwhelmed by the busyness and materialism of the world around me. Memories from the past bubble up to the surface of my awareness and I reflect on the death of my parents and others who have been close to me. It becomes a time of introspection for me as I review my past and present and consider how things could have been different. For me, the time leading up to Christmas is a time of unrest.

What are some of the causes of unrest?

1-Busyness-We all tend to be too busy with overflowing schedules. Activities at this time of year often add to the busyness. Most of the extra things are “good” things, but are added to a calender that is already bursting at the seams. Stephen Covey said , “The enemy of the best is the good.” Wormwood , the devil’s helper, in CS Lewis’s The Screwtape Letters wrote , “If you cannot make a man turn to evil make him busy.”

2-Expectations/Discontent-We are constantly bombarded by advertising telling us that we need new things to be happy or to keep up with our peers. We tend to compare ourselves to others and the seeds of unrest creep in and sprout inside of us. We have high expectations of life and feel disappointed when we fall short. (…..to be continued next week.)

News briefs:

1-Pray for Dr Bert Oubre as he is traveling to Chad this month.

2-Pray for upcoming trips to Sudan in Jan-March. Pray for peace in Sudan. Politically Sudan is very unstable at this time.

Mike McMahon

“Our heart is restless until it rests in you.” -St. Augustine

Prayer Power
Lord her us to rest in your arms. We pray for peace in Sudan and other countries where there is conflict. Thank you for the gift of your son, Jesus. Amen.

“Yet those who wait for the Lord will gain new strength; They will mount up with wings like eagles, They will run and not get tired, They will walk and not become weary.” Isaiah 40:31 NASB

God is interested in our availability to serve Him, not our abilities. If we wait ( are available and willing), He will use us and give us strength to accomplish those things He wants us to do. The Bible is filled with stories of people with limited abilities, but were used in a mighty way. As we ponder what God wants us to do with our lives, wait on the Lord and He will provide the strength and endurance to accomplish His purposes. Our project at CEF cannot be done on the strength and abilities of our members–we must humble ourselves before the Lord and work with His strength. We will fail if we attempt to do this with only our human skills and talents.

News briefs:

1-Great Global Health Missions Conference ! Good speakers, learning, fellowship and interconnecting with fellow medical missionaries. Plan on going in Nov 2008.

2-The construction is going well in Chad and Sudan. We should be able to start seeing patients in both facilities in 2008.

3-Sudan is becoming more politically unstable. Go to BBC web site-select Africa-then Sudan and read. Please pray for peace.

4-More doors are opening for working with other NGOs to finish our projects. Details later.

Mike McMahon

” Unless God has raised you up for this very thing, you will be worn out by the opposition of men and devils. But if God be for you, who can be against you?” -John Wesley in letter to William Wilberforce

Prayer Power
Lord help us to wait on you. Give us strength and endurance to accomplish those things that you want us to do. We pray for peace around the world, but especially in Sudan where there have been so many years of trouble. Amen.

?10? Now there was a certain disciple at Damascus ?named Ananias; and to him the Lord said in a vision, “?Ananias.?” And he said, “?Here I am, Lord.?”

?11? So the Lord said to him, “?Arise and go to the street called Straight, and inquire at the house of Judas for one called Saul ?of Tarsus, for behold, he is praying. ?12?And in a vision he has seen a man named Ananias coming in and putting his hand on him, so that he might receive his sight.?”

?13? Then Ananias answered, “?Lord, I have heard from many about this man, ??how much ??harm he has done to Your saints in Jerusalem. ?14? And here he has authority from the chief priests to bind all ??who call on Your name.?”

?15? But the Lord said to him, “?Go, for ??he is a chosen vessel of Mine to bear My name before ??Gentiles, ??kings, and the ??children ?3?of Israel. ?16?For ??I will show him how many things he must suffer for My ??name’s sake.?”

?17? ??And Ananias went his way and entered the house; and ??laying his hands on him he said, “?Brother Saul, the Lord ?Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you came, has sent me that you may receive your sight and ??be filled with the Holy Spirit.?” ?18? Immediately there fell from his eyes something like scales, and he received his sight at once; and he arose and was baptized. (Acts :9)

Hebrews 11 is called the heroes of faith chapter and many are mentioned starting with Abraham onward. I think Ananias belongs in the heroes of our faith. Look at what he was asked to do. He was asked to restore the sight to a man who had been persecuting those of the Christian faith. Saul held coats while Stephen was being stoned ! We can understand when Ananias questioned God’s command to restore his sight. Imagine that during WWII Hitler was struck down and lost his eye sight and a Jew was asked to go in and restore his sight. I think that is a good analogy to what Ananias had to do. He was a man of faith and followed God’s orders.

There are many heroes of faith. Martin Luther, John Calvin, John Wesley and the list goes on and on. During the years of civil war in Sudan, I am sure there were many heroes of faith. While in Werkok, I meet one of those heroes–Bishop Nathaniel Garang. He stayed in southern Sudan during the long years of war and helped keep the light of Jesus burning during a very dark period of time. I loved sitting around the campfire listening to his stories. I was impressed by the respect shown to him by his fellow Sudanese.

Let us always pause and give thanks for those who have labored to uphold the faith during difficult times. One day we may be called to stand up for our faith during a difficult time and we can draw courage and strength from those who have gone before.

Mike McMahon

“Cowards die many times before their death; the valiant never taste of death but once.” -William Shakespeare

Prayer Power
Lord, thank you for the stories of heroes in the Bible that we may learn from and use as examples to follow. Thank you for all the many heroes of faith that shine brightly to inspire us onward to the goal–to know You and share your story with a lost and fallen world. Amen.