International Christian Medical and Dental Association
ICMDA's XII World Congress held in Taipei, Taiwan, July 2002, saw 660 delegates gathering from more than 60 different countries. Among these were 250 lively students from 45 countries. ICMDA's scholarship fund reached £92,000 and was used to assist 123 graduate physicians and dentists and 85 students. Of this £33,000 was contributed through CMF (UK) and its membership. The emphasis on students, the younger generation of graduates and those from emerging countries was encouraging. Thank you, CMF, for your investment in the lives of these young colleagues from around the world (see report in the October 2002 Triple Helix)
The Sunday offering for ICMDA development topped £20,000 (including pledges) meeting the need for 2002. The projected need for 2003 is twice that figure.
ICMDA's XIII World Congress is scheduled for Sydney, Australia, July 2006 - a date for your diary.
ICMDA Development
The Taipei Congress gave stimulus to work in East Asia. With delegates from Mongolia, China, Cambodia, Vietnam, Malaysia, Philippines and Papua New Guinea, as well as from ICMDA's member countries in the region, there is great potential for growth
- Please pray for the appointment of God's man or woman to spearhead this work.
The Nigerian CMDA (1,000 graduate members and 2,000-3,000 involved students) is keen to develop work in West African neighbouring countries
- Please pray for wisdom and resources to make this a reality.
Southern Africa: Chris and Vicky Lavy in Blantyre, Malawi have encouraged a lively group of young graduates and students. Five of these were in Taipei. There is great need for pastoral work among doctors, dentists and students across the region.
- Please pray for Jeremy and Jane Bates as they settle into work in Malawi. Jane is a former ICMDA student secretary
In Europe the needs are immense and varied. CMF personnel continue to make an enormous contribution across the continent - the mission field on our doorstep. In Taipei Dr Demosthenes Katsarkas (Greece) was appointed to chair an ICMDA European Committee. With Dr Peter Pattisson as Secretary they will be partnering with CMF and other leading European movements as they seek to develop the work across Europe, leading up to ICMDA's European Conference in Germany (near Frankfurt) 8-12 September 2004 (students 6-12 September). A date for your diary. CMF members and students have traditionally been a bit coy of participation in European conferences - but Europe needs you and maybe you need Europe too!
Doctor's Life Support 2, the entirely new edition of ICMDA's book of devotional readings, is proving extremely popular. It makes an excellent Christmas gift to a colleague or student. Unit price £7.50 + p&p, available from CMF or ICMDA European office. The offer of three for the price of two has been extended to the end of the year (2002)
- Get one for yourself and give two away.
ICMDA International Office has moved to Canada:
Dr Ralph Sinn
General Secretary
ICMDA Canada
#202, 8170 -50 St NW
Edmonton, AB
Canada T6B 1E6
Email: icmda@telus.net
Website: www.icmda.net
ICMDA Europe Office
Dr Peter Pattisson
Russets, Woodlands
Pembury,
Kent
TN2 4AZ, UK
Tel: +44 (0) 1892 824872
Email: prmp@ukonline.co.uk, or icmda@compuserve.com
ICMDA (UK) Trust will continue and donations (bursaries for European conference and development) can be received at that address and will be handled through gift aid arrangements as before. Cheques should be made out to ICMDA (UK) Trust. Credit Card transactions can no longer be handled in UK.
