Urgent Prayer Requested for Hospitalized Ministry Leader

ASSIST News Service (ANS) –
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Thursday, December 4, 2008

Urgent Prayer Requested for Hospitalized Ministry Leader



By Michael Ireland
Chief Correspondent, ASSIST News Service

COLUMBUS, GEORGIA (ANS) – Ministry staff at Hopegivers International www.hopegivers.org are requesting urgent prayer for Dr. M.A. Thomas, founder of Hopegivers International.

Dr.M.A.Thomas of Hopegivers International

Dr. Thomas recently arrived in the U.S. for a monthlong trip and shortly thereafter came down with flu-like symptoms. His condition took a turn for the worse last week and he has since been hospitalized with pneumonia for the last 7 days.

Hopegivers International is a Christian humanitarian organization which provides ‘Help for Today and Hope for Eternity’ through initiatives by its Ministry Partners “to rescue orphaned and abandoned children, assist the needy and oppressed, empower the work of the Gospel, and work toward fulfilling the Great Commission.”

In an e-mail to ministry supporters, Hopegivers says: “Dr. Thomas is receiving good care, but he has had some very difficult and tiring days and was even admitted to the CCU at one critical point. As his condition is still very tenuous, we are asking that you lift him up in prayer especially during the next few days until he is out of the hospital; and then continue to pray for his quick recovery back to health.

“Dr. Thomas wants everyone to know that he appreciates your prayers and hopes to be out of the hospital and back on his feet as soon as possible.”

In the e-mail, Dr. Thomas says specifically: “I have perfect peace. I am not restless and the word that came to me today is this: I am not dying and I will stand and declare the work of the Lord! I want you to pray for me, but above that, I want you to pray for the orphans and the One Million Arrows vision. If I leave you, I will be in the perfect place, but my desire is that one million orphans will come to know Christ and each one of them will raise up many more orphans themselves. I want the work of the Lord in India, Haiti, and Africa to be remembered in your prayers daily. You are most beloved!”

Hopegivers staff says that, in typical fashion, Dr. M.A. has used his hospital stay to witness to hospital staff and to promote the work of Hopegivers and the needs of his orphans.

They add: “How amazing that even as he has struggled at times during this last week to hold onto life, we was still taking the time to pray with and for the doctors and nurses who were attending to him.”

The staff at Hopegivers says that Dr. Thomas also encourages everyone to not forget the orphans, but to continue to support them so that the goal of raising up one million orphans will come true.

“Thanks again for your continued faithful support and prayers for both M.A. and Samuel Thomas as well as all those involved in the Hopegivers ministry worldwide.”

As Dr. Thomas remains in the hospital and continues to recover, Hopegivers will send updates about any changes to his condition.

They have created a special page on their website www.hopegivers.org/Coffee-Shop/Hopegivers-Blogs.htm?blog_id=143  where you can get the latest news about his condition and also post a note of encouragement to him.

Also, please feel free to forward this email to anyone who knows Dr. Thomas and would join in prayer or leave a note of encouragement for his recovery.

** Michael Ireland, Chief Correspondent of ANS, is an international British freelance journalist who was formerly a reporter with a London (United Kingdom) newspaper and has been a frequent contributor to UCB Europe, a British Christian radio station. Michael has traveled to Albania and the former Yugoslavia, Holland, Germany and the former Czechoslovakia, Israel,and Canada. He has reported for ANS from Jordan, China, Russia, Jamaica, Mexico, and Nicaragua. Michael’s involvement with ASSIST News Service is a sponsored ministry department — Michael Ireland Media Missionary (MIMM) — of A.C.T. International at: Artists in Christian Testimony (A.C.T.) International.

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Chief Correspondent, ASSIST News Service–>


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