Friends of Grace Newsletter - Dec 2004

 

Dr. Wong preached in the Alliance Bible School of the Central and South America

FoG shared at Obario Alliance Church

　

　

　

　

　

　

　

　

　

　

　

　

　

　

　

　

Friends of Grace (FoG) medical mission team of 5 visited Panama City from 11/22-11/28/04. Of the 3 million people in Panama, there are about 130,000 Chinese; the majority immigrated from Fa Yen, Guangdong Province, where the native dialect is Hakka.  Most of them can speak Hakka, Mandarin and Cantonese. Currently, less than 500 of the Chinese Christians regularly attend church. The Chinese work long hours every day, and often work 6 ½-7 days a week.   Most church members are business owners who operate restaurants, dry cleaners, or own retail stores of grocery, hardware or construction materials.  It is estimated that half of the Chinese workers’ wages were spent in the local casinos.  Crime rate is high in Panama.  About 90% of the Chinese have been victims of robbery. 

Evangelistic/Revival Meeting at Ling Fung Tong

　

FoG provided free medical services in four Chinese churches (Par-King Tong, Ling Fung Tong Alliance Church, Obario Alliance Church and Living Spring C&MA Church) and in the Alliance Bible School of the Central and South America in Panama (http://absctrcanada.org/PanamaHistory.htm

). We were delighted to meet and provide medical treatment for Pastor & Mrs. Andrew & Ruth Leung, Pastor & Mrs. Louie Mar, Pastor & Mrs. Philip Ngo, and Pastor & Mrs. Joe Li. Over 300 patients were treated during the 6-day medical mission trip. Many patients who were treated earlier in the week returned for additional treatment.

 

This is our first trip to Panama.  Our medical mission of 5 started work immediately upon arrival.   Dr. Hanson Wong preached in the Alliance Bible School of the Central and South America.  Dr. Wong, Minister Tony Tsang and Stephen Tang also preached in different churches on Sunday. 

　

Sunday Worship at Par-King Tong Alliance Church

Half of the congregation came to the front to dedicate their lives to Christ

Prayer Meeting at Ling Fung Tong Alliance Church

　

 

　

　

　

　

　

　

　

　

　

　

　

　

　

On Friday night, Nov 26, Dr. Wong conducted a Gospel lecture on health and nutrition. Besides being a medical lecture, it is also an evangelistic/revival meeting. About 100 people attended this meeting, five (5) accepted Jesus and one third of the congregation came to the front to dedicate their lives to Christ. In

addition, another 250 rededicated their lives throughout the trip. During the medical clinic, another 10 patients accepted Christ as savior.

In addition, we shared gospel songs and shared our personal testimonies with the congregation.   We also joined them for prayer meeting and Sunday school.  Members of the team also visited several families, and many families accepted Christ according to Minister Tony Tsang.  Thanks to the hospitality of the Pastors, brothers and sisters, we enjoyed delicious local cuisine and fellowship with them over ping pong, Bible study, etc. 

 

We ask for your continued prayers for guidance and strength for the pastors, deacons and leaders in Panama, that they can spread the gospel to the grassroots level of the Chinese population and to help the business owners spread the gospel to their fellow employees. 

 

Medical Treatment for Pastor Andrew Leung	Pastor Louie Mar receives medical Treatment
Share the Gospel and Pray with the Patients	Group Photo with Four Church Leaders in Panama
FoG with Rev. & Mrs. Philip Ngo & their Daughter	Fellowship with Rev. & Mrs. Andrew & Ruth Leung