South America

Nine South American countries were represented at ICMDA’s first South American Regional Conference held at Punta del Este, Uruguay, 12-14 October 2001. An extremely well-organised conference attracted almost 250 participants. The theme was on family life and each morning began with Bible readings by Dr Rene Padilla with some hard-hitting words on still-prevalent male attitudes.

The conference was such a success that before it finished the South Americans were already talking about a further conference in Ecuador in 2 years’ time.

During the conference a regional committee was convened - a further important step in ICMDA’s policy of regional devolution.

India

India has two associations for Christian doctors, both of which are members of ICMDA.

The Christian Medical Association of India (CMAI) grew out of the Medical Missionary Association of India in the 1920’s. In November they held a large inter-disciplinary conference in Delhi to celebrate their 75th anniversary.

Two weeks earlier the Evangelical Medical Fellowship of India (EMFI) held their conference also in Delhi. Peter Saunders was among the speakers at this conference. EMFI grew out of UESI student work some 25 years ago. There is some overlap and a good deal of co-operation between the two groups.

Christians in India today are being called to suffer for their faith, doctors and medical students among them. They deserve our prayers.

Taiwan July 2002 - ICMDA’s XII World Congress

Notice of this was circulated with the last CMF News. The Congress web-site may be visited via ICMDA’s recently re-vamped web-site (www.icmda.net) or via CMF’s web-site.

Even if you cannot come, do consider a gift to the bursary fund to enable a colleague or student from an emerging country to participate in a potentially life-changing experience. Average grants to assist fares and fees are around £350. The bursary committee meets to make allocations on 16 February.

ICMDA General Secretary

ICMDA is in the process of appointing a new General Secretary. The interview committee meets on 15 February in Cambridge.

In view of this and the Taiwan Bursary Committee the previous day, ICMDA is inviting friends to set aside some time on Wednesday 13 February to pray for God’s blessing on the Association in all its activities and for wisdom in the decisions.

Key Prayer Topics for ICMDA

• Strength and wisdom for the Taiwan organising committee for ICMDA’s XII World Congress.
• Adequate provision and wise distribution of bursary grants for Taiwan World Congress.
• Clear guidance as to God’s choice for ICMDA’s next General Secretary.
• Wisdom over related decisions regarding the future location of ICMDA’s office.
• Vision and initiative for regional committees in East Africa, Southern Africa and South America.
• Progress in ongoing regional devolution in other parts of the world.

New Members of ICMDA

Five countries in five different continents are in the process of preparing applications for membership of ICMDA. These applications will be considered by ICMDA’s committees when they meet in Taiwan in July 2002.