Hospital Evangelism

Japan

For the Japanese who do not know Christ, facing death is often very lonely and hopeless. It is not customary for a Buddhist priest to visit the sick. The priest’s role becomes important at funerals and dealing with matters pertaining to the after-life. If patients happen to see a Buddhist priest while in hospital, their reaction is often, “What are you doing here? You are too early!”

Sue Verwey witnessed to a medical doctor who studied Buddhism for eight years and did an internship in a Buddhist temple for three years. “I realized that after all that time, I had no words of hope to offer the dying,” he confessed. “I sometimes ask my Catholic friend to offer words of hope and encouragement to my terminal patients.” He eagerly received the Christian literature Sue gave him.

Buddhist people have no words of hope to offer the sick and dying. This is not so with our staff members! The Lord continues to give us wonderful opportunities to comfort the sick and dying. Please pray for this ministry!

Rev. & Mrs. Caballes – Philippines

Mr. Caballes has been sponsored by the Japan Mission to do hospital evangelism for about 15 years:

“We find that hospital evangelism is a very fruitful work. There are two government hospitals and three private hospitals in our area. We visit many patients and share the Gospel with them. When they are saved and leave the hospital, we introduce them to a nearby church. We appreciate your prayers as we carry on a difficult work.”

Please pray for Mr. Caballes, who is a Hospital Evangelist in the southern part of the Philippines. In this part of the country, the Muslim people out-number the Christians. Please pray for protection for Mr. Caballes, as persecution and kidnappings of Christians is common.

The area where he ministers has recently been hit by severe flooding. The town near his house was entirely submerged for a number of days. He says that there is much hardship as people try to rebuild their community. Please pray for Mr. Caballes as he strives to share the Gospel in the midst of these circumstances.