OTHERS FIRST

February 25, 2013

Dear CERT friends and family, Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others(Ph. 2:3-4 NIV). A Kenyan church leader used these verses to describe CERTS 2012 team at this years opening meeting. The bar was set Chinese evangelist Watchman Nee said this was the most difficult of all scriptures to obey. I agree, for the natural says ME 1st. However, with the Supernatural Jesus Christ residing within we can obey and consider OTHERS FIRST. For over 40 years CERT has had the privilege of leading selfless team members to meet the needs of OTHERS FIRST. The stories continue each new year as CERT teams go to serve the poor and suffering MANY LIVES ARE CHANGED FOREVER! Because YOU consider OTHERS FIRST with your prayers and financial support, already in this new year we have led medical teams into Mexico and Kenya. And have a team in Perus Amazon right now. The battle rages on and the needs are endless I don't know where to start. Having recently returned from Kenya I will begin with some battles and victories from there. When we departed Nyeri last year, the last words I heard were Don't forget Kenya. Those words pounded in my heart all year and God made a way for our return. As our January departure drew near, procurement of enough medical professions was lacking. But God ... filled many gaps in the last three weeks by providing partners from abroad; a missionary dentist, a pediatric clinician, six advanced nursing students, a new clinic manager and his number one nurse all equipped to help lead the charge. These combined with 10 CERT team members produced the pictured clinic totals.

Last year in Kenya the clinic crowds were almost overwhelming. It was very difficult for the team to watch us turn people away most every day. When the numbers are overwhelming, health care providers feel unable to discuss the greater need, Jesus with the patients the main reason we go. We discussed this in our post trip meeting last year and all through last year God whispered the same message to different team members slow down and BE ME with the patients. We were amazed at His leading and then He introduced us to the HOW at a missions conference in Louisville, KY last fall. The HOW was to be a Spiritual Pharmacy. Before departing this year, I sent out an email prayer requests for this Spiritual Pharmacy. Our leading , provide more than physical care to the masses. THANKS TO YOUR PRAYERS GOD MOVED IN MIGHTY WAYS !

TEAM MEMBER SPOTLIGHT

NYERI, KENYA CLINIC TOTALS - IN 6.5 DAYS

882 - people received free medical care 1384 - total patients seen 248 - people received free dental care 359 - teeth were extracted 12 - dental patients received cleanings 254 - received reading glasses 4556 - prescriptions were filled at no charge 500 - toothbrushes were handed out Many candies, stickers & toys given to children 100s - were prayed with 5 NEW BELIEVERS ASKED JESUS INTO THEIR HEART

CERT team member Kris Kasper pictured praying with a Kenya lady, visibly moved by the love of Jesus. Kris had never prayed like this with strangers, the clinics provided him with a place to be bolder for Jesus and consider the needs of OTHERS FIRST.

We really had no set system except for a yellow hand-out filled with scriptures referencing Love, Hope, Faith, Forgiveness, Peace & Worship. Most every patient received one and at triage all were asked of their greatest prayer need. The Holy Spirit took it from there as team members filled in with prayer and love wherever God pointed. One team member, Kris Kasper (see team member spotlight) expressed how special yet challenging the Spiritual pharmacy was for him. Kris had never prayed like this with strangers, thus providing him with a place to be more for Jesus. Providing him with the opportunity to consider the needs of OTHERS FIRST. I too was humbled to pray with many, and want to share one quick Fingerprint. I just happened to be in the pharmacy when I noticed this prayer need on a patient form: to help my son get off drugs. Having this demon in my past I inquired of the patient, (Irene photo right). As we prayed, I shared my past and how Jesus rescued me from this pit, the eyes of this mother came to life. Irenes hope in Jesus was put on display as she leaned back and smiled you could see the weight lifting as she let go a deep breath and her shoulders eased. THIS IS THE GREATEST TREASURE THE ABUNDANT LIFE JESUS PROMISES IS FOUND WHEN WE POUR OUR LIVES OUT FOR OTHERS FIRST.

IRENE

Saving Lives & Healing Hearts Since 1974

It was awesome to gander about the clinics and see team members praying without ceasing. CERT has always touched and preached but prayerfully this is the Lord guiding us to be more intentional with The Greater Need, Jesus Christ. Please continue to pray with us, that all our teams would live this out.

CHILDREN OF AFRICA
Youve probably heard stories and seen pictures on TV, orphan children in Africa left behind and alone fallout from political wars and AIDS. After seeing the damage firsthand in Kenya, I understand more so why James wrote: Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world. James 1:27 Eight year old Virginia stole our hearts last year. You may recall the story that she had lost her mom to AIDS a couple days before we met her in a CERT clinic. I was so looking forward to seeing Virginia this year, but that was not Gods plan, she died of AIDS last November. Jesus used Virginia last year to show us "sweeeeet love". She was precious. I know we will see Virginia again, but when you are part of a child dying so young, there is greater urgency to how short and fragile this life really is. Thus our message is " ye must be born again" I believe this is a big . part of the reason God had this years CERT team even more intentional about meeting and witnessing to the Greater need, Jesus Christ. Virginia will always be in our hearts. On the LIGHTer side, one of the joys of serving in Nyeri is treating and playing with the children at Tumaini Childrens Home. When I see the masses I sometimes wonder what good are we doing in short term missions and then God answers with a story like this: Last year while conducting a clinic at Tumaini childrens home, a CERT volunteer was prescribing reading glasses until we ran out. Shortly after, Samuel a young man in leadership at Tumaini entered wanting a pair of glasses, to his dismay. Samuels heart was revealed when he proclaimed, Even if you have no glasses for me, it does not matter, on behalf of all Kenya we thank you for all you have done. WOW ! Through Facebook we stayed in touch. I connected him with the clinic manager before this years arrival and Samuel participated in our meetings and served as a dental assistant in our clinics. Samuel loves Jesus and was elated to BE with us. His service was beyond reproach. With the Lords leading we connected Samuel with a couple of slightly younger teenagers, Patrick and Edwin for him to pour into. Thus providing Samuel with an opportunity to consider OTHERS FIRST. He is having meetings with both PRAISE THE LORD!

For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Ephesian 6:12
Earlier I stated, I don't know where to start. The verse above explains why. We live in the front lines no matter where CERT is the battles are raging. Your prayers and financial partnership bring LIGHT to many LOST in the darkness. Below are a few of the countless battles that need your prayers and financial support: ><> CERT Board Member / pediatrician Dr. Lindakay Rees is leading a medical team in Perus Manu Park right now, our most remote Amazon work. There is much warfare but the biggest battle is Lindakays mom is near this lifes end. She knows WHY she had to go at this time, taking LIFE to those without. Ill never forget sitting in the village of Mizal with her eight years ago, a Machiguenga child near death next to us when Lindakay said these Machiguenga children are my babies (photo right). She gets it OTHERS FIRST. ><> Pastor Tomas and wife, Norma, have been leading Boca Manus church for five years. The battles in Boca Manu are numerous but right now Norma is in Cusco with a severe case of pleurisy and fluid on her lungs. We are making arrangements to get Tomas with her and provide the professional medical attention she needs. ><> The Boca Manu church was recently damaged by fire when an adjacent thatch home caught fire. We just learned non-Christians are helping with the repairs. Glory to GOD for Tomas and Norma and the impact they have had on ALL. ><> The US State Dept. recently issued an Emergency Travel warning for Cusco Peru, stating Potential kidnapping threat for US citizens. I AM scheduled to return to Cusco with a team in May, our third trip in partnership with PSU faculty and students. Understandably so, this travel warning has the University reeling. God has done some wonderful things serving with these PSU students please pray against this attack. ><> Inocencio is fighting demons daily in Ancahausi, just north of Cusco. You may recall last year how village leaders in Rahuanki tried to remove some families from their homes, because they were Christians. Ever since, I have been planning our return to Rahuanki in May. Can you SEE the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms?

VIRGINIA

><> FORTY FOUR PEOPLE RECEIVED JESUS IN OUR KENYA AND MEXICO CLINICS THIS YEAR. PLEASE REMEMBER THEM IN YOUR PRAYERS.
I pray you SEE the urgency for prayer and financial needs above, a few of many. The Christian teachers salaries in Ancahausi are a heavy toll. Romanian pastors are without sponsors. 21 year old Lusmillas new prosthetics' will be very expensive.

MANY WILL MEET JESUS SOON BECAUSE YOU CONSIDER OTHERS FIRST AND MAKE A WAY FOR CERT TO GO
Thank you thank you thank you for your loving partnership,

Todays technology and social networks provide unlimited streams of communication trail blazing Good News. If we are going to teach and train younger generations how to make disciples we must be willing to learn and use their preferred methods of communication considering OTHERS FIRST.

Bru

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Bruce Rainwater CERT Staff PS PLEASE GIVE TODAY SO THAT OTHERS MIGHT LIVE ><>

PATRICK

SAMUEL
P.O. Box 763 - Crossville, TN Ph. 931.707.9328 Fax 931.707.9406 E-mail: cert@certinternational.org Web: www.certinternational.org