Dr. Jim, Kathy, and their youngest children Josiah and Lydia.
The Asia-Pacific Team has been requesting focused prayer for Dr. Jim Radcliffe, his wife Kathy, and family. Dr. Jim (the general surgeon at Kudjip Nazarene Hospital in Papua New Guinea) began having heart issues in May. It has now been determined that Jim’s heart troubles were likely the result of having had an untreated heart attack, at some point in the past.
Jim and Kathy are currently in the U.S. and Jim has just been informed that he is a good candidate for the necessary heart repair. The surgery date has been set for August 4th. They are asking for focused prayer as multiple tests need to be completed and preparations made in advance of the surgery.
Dr. Jim performing a C-Section at the hospital in PNG. Praying for his personal healing so that he can return to his healing ministry!
“We are praying for a quick recovery, the ability to complete our home assignment speaking, and to return to PNG in January,” said Dr. Jim. “Please also pray for the Lord to use this time and to guide us in all the changes of schedules and plans we need to make. We are resting in the arms of Jesus and trusting Him for His healing, in His time and Way.”
Jim and Kathy have served in Papua New Guinea since 1985. The Radcliffes have six children between the ages of 33 and 15.
Please continue to pray for Dr. Jim Radcliffe and his family, as Jim’s recent heart troubles were likely the result of having had a heart attack, at some point in the past. His symptoms are improving on medication, and he will be traveling home to the US, with the PNG quiz team, to get further evaluation next week.
(See the previous post in the blog for more information – if you missed it.)
Missionary Surgeon Dr. Jim and Kathy Radcliffe in this dated photo.
UPDATE 11-JUNE-2014
Please continue to pray for Dr. Jim Radcliffe and his family, as Jim’s recent heart troubles were likely the result of having had a heart attack, at some point in the past. His symptoms are improving on medication, and he will be traveling home to the US, with the PNG quiz team, to get further evaluation next week.
Dear Team. It is exactly for this reason that we have this blog going – promotion of PRAYER! We have received an urgent prayer request for Dr. Jim and Kathy Radcliffe and family. Dr. Jim has been our general surgeon at Kudjip Nazarene Hospital for many years. Please pray and ask your churches to pray. The specific request that is being released at this time is as follows:
Please pray for Dr. Jim Radcliffe (missionary surgeon at Kudjip Nazarene Hospital in Papua New Guinea) and his family during this time, as Jim is being evaluated and treated for some recent heart problems.
Thanks so much for your prayers and partnership! Connie and I have arrived safely in Idaho, and have just finished two days of helping and celebrating with our Niece and family for her wedding (yesterday). We are speaking at Nampa First Church this afternoon, partnership meetings tomorrow, then on to preparing for our daughter’s wedding this next week.
Who could have ever imagined the ministry we would find in W. Texas!Connie with a new friend “Mona” whose family comes from Somalia.
We just had to take a moment to share about the West Texas District Tour, to-date. We have been so very blessed. Home assignment this year started out with a bang on the L.A. District, and now here in W. Texas, the blessings have just continued to flow.
God has taken us from small groups in quiet towns like Nocona (very similar to Eagle Point, Oregon – where we grew up) to larger cities like Lubbock. Everywhere we have gone, the hospitality, warm welcoming churches, and great Texas cooking has been tops!
Todd with men from the Somalia Community Center.
But, we just have to share quickly in this update about the Cactus Nazarene Ministry Center located in Cactus, Texas. Last Saturday we thought we had traveled through a time warp as we arrived in this small community in the panhandle of Texas, home to at least 17 different ethnicities (refugees) from areas like Myanmar (Burma), Sudan, Somalia, Guatemala (just to name a few).
Rev. Elda and husband Jose (Wally) Olivarez, our Nazarene Pastors at Cactus
Pator Elda and her husband Jose (Wally) Olivarez along with district missionaries Vito and Jenny Monteblanco, have had a vision for bringing the tangible love of Christ into this community and God is truly blessing their efforts.
Vito gives an orientation to Saturday’s Volunteers.
In just a few minutes, I was realizing that I needed my video equipment and team, as this is a story that just had to be told. Together, the local churches of the West Texas District have been partnering with the Olivarezs and the Monteblancos, in establishing a church, buying land, and building a community center that will be home to a medical ministry, social services, refugee support, and a host of other outreach ministries aimed at empowering these precious people who have sought refuge in the U.S. from political crisis abroad.
Jenny loves on one of the children at the Cactus Nazarene Ministry Center.
On Saturday, the Valley View Amarillo Church of the Nazarene along with others, donated literally a small warehouse full of supplies and a “free garage sale” was held where community members could come in and pick up necessities at no charge. While we don’t have the official numbers (as we had to leave early for our next speaking engagement) I am sure that there were well over 200 visitors from the community.
Unloading donated supplies from Valley View Church.
We also had the privilege of meeting a man from South Sudan, who has felt a call and is working towards the process of beginning a pastoral course of study!
Wow…were we ever blessed! We had no idea that after traveling home from Asia, we would be given the opportunity to join in ministering to the very people we serve in Asia! Unpacking boxes, sorting clothes, shoes, toys, and household goods, sharing a smile and just “spending time” with these precious people.
Some of the smaller visitors were getting bit tired!
Thank you to all who made this opportunity possible and to the W. Texas District for having the vision to be the tangible hands and feet of Christ right here in their home state.
The community began gathering for the “free garage sale.”
Where has the time gone? We have been flying low and fast across the Los Angeles District, meeting incredible people, having great services, and even scheduling in a little bit of exercise! We have been so very blessed!
Can’t even begin to thank the churches and families for the outpouring of hospitality, kindness, prayers, partnership, and of course…food!
We had no idea that someone would be at the LAX airport to meet us, but God has brought such incredible friends and family into our lives over the years! The Millers, long time partners in ministry (they are family now), showed up at the curb as Connie was waiting for me to pick up the rental car! Great time of reunion and dinner together, then we were off and running. Thanks guys for making the arrival special!
Connie doing Bible Trekking with the kids at Ridgecrest.
We arrived for our first meeting in Ridgecrest and then were back down the east side of the Sierras and over to the coast to meet with the Oxnard Church of the Nazarene and retired Navy Captain Edna Peters, a career Naval nurse, who shared her home with us. Quite to our surprise, Ann Baldwin from Kansas City was in the area visiting her mother for Mother’s Day and arrived at the service with a great goody bag of supplies for the trip! Ann…we munched on that survival pack for the entire trip, as many times we missed meals racing back and forth across the district – Thank You!
The Cardnal Village Resort in Bishop – what a great place for a pause!
Then from Oxnard it was back up to Bishop where we had a great evening dinner and service with the church family and made a new soul mate in retired police officer and pilot Ray Miklaucic, who shared his home with us – thanks Ray!
And then, what a fantastic surprise the Bishop church gave us! A night at the Cardinal Village Resort in Bishop with the Cluff Family. This was truly a godsend as we were able to recoup for about 20 hours. Jet lag was starting to take its toll! Thanks Bishop!
From Bishop it was down to Valley View Church at Lancaster where we had about standing room only in the fellowship hall for the dinner and meeting! That night we stayed with Bong and Lhileth Balaton and Christian, Ethan, and Noah…what a great time of fun and playing with the boys! Thanks Balatons for sharing your home.
Back to the Coast to Camarillo we went where again, the fellowship hall was packed out and we had a fantastic evening service, dinner, and morning breakfast. We left encouraged with full tummys!
We then took a day at the University of Southern California where our niece was commissioned into the air force as a nurse and 2nd Lieutenant! Way to go Elise. What a great time with family that drove down from Idaho for this special day.
Lone Pine, Gateway to Mount Whitney!
Back up the old 395 / 14 highways we went along the Eastern Sierras to Lone Pine for a great Saturday morning breakfast with the church.
Thanks Santa Monica Church Family!
We then loaded up and headed down the 395 / 14 corridor again and out to the coast to Santa Monica to share dinner with Emery and Elaine Pankratz and then a great Sunday morning Service for our second visit with the Santa Monica Church Family.
Hiking Bishop Mountain with the Dove Creek / Atascadero Church Family!
Then with the finish line in site, it was 4 hours up the coast to Atascadero where we had a prime rib and baked potato dinner that was second to none, followed by an exciting final L.A. District mission service. District NMI President Debra Hamrick drove up for the service and we all had a great time.
As a final farewell, we put on our hiking boots, packed up our granola bars, and hiked Bishop Mountain with several of our new friends from Dove Creek / Atascadero. Thanks Pastor Wes and team for making this outdoor adventure a possibility. Just what the doctor ordered.
Oh…and what about the t-shirts? Well they have been literally flying out of our suitcases and then at Dove Creek, Debra and Wes offered to help us out by taking around 100 to the L.A. District Assembly to help promote missions on the Asia-Pacific Region! Thanks so much guys!
We became very familiar with the beautiful Sierras of California!
We are praising God for the great services and 2,203 miles safely traveled across the L.A. District! Thanks to everyone who made this such a great tour!
And today…we are writing from the quiet town of Nocona, Texas. Our flight from L.A. to Dallas / Fort Worth went very smoothly, we were picked up at the airport by Ron and Jackie Miner, they graciously loaned us a car, and now we are off and running again for the next couple of weeks here in West Texas. Better buy some boots!
A preacher once said, “If you wake up in the morning and don’t run into the enemy head-on, then maybe you’re going in the wrong direction. The Bible doesn’t say to ignore the devil and he will flee from you.” We must stand firm and resist the enemy. (The Organic Church)
In our office at World Mission Communications, Asia-Pacific (WMC-AP) we have likened this to a battle, when the bombing aircraft are approaching the target, that is when they start picking up anti-aircraft fire (flak) from the enemy troops. If they are flying along with no threat…they ARE NOT OVER THE TARGET!
Before we left Manila on Thursday evening, we gathered the team (Sean and Tom we missed you guys) and prayed, that this would be a very impactful trip – we were headed out over the target!
Starting from the trip to the airport and continuing on the airplane, we began picking up heavy flak. From pre-arranged flight details being “un pre-arranged,” despite our printed receipts to the contrary, to loss of seats and additional charges…things were just getting rolling! Then our bank, who we have called multiple times to make sure they understand that we live and travel abroad, and who have honored our transactions innumerable times here in the Philippines, decided that of all days, flight day would be the day to launch a “new and improved” fraud dection system, placing our credit cards on hold. Imagine our pleasant surprise when we tried to resolve the charges situation at the airline counter, only to find that our cards wouldn’t work. Understanding that this is always a possibility, we make it a habit to travel with multiple options, so break out the hard currency, and then find that there is no change available, but “you could leave the change as a tip (a very healthy one I might add) so that you don’t miss your boarding!”
Then head for the security zone and have the pre-security folks decide that you are a good option for increased scrutiny. As everyone walked past us, we had the opportunity to share the contents of our carry-ons with passersby as we were informed that personal clothes in our carry-ons were not allowed.
At this point – I just had to pause and realize where this attack was coming from. This was such a ludicrous statement that (no clothes in the carry-on) I realized only heavy FLAK could be behind it. I am sure that Connie can attest that at this point, my normally calm demeanor was anything but. I now had a migraine headache, had been dealing with issues for nearly 2.5 hours, and just wanted to get clear of this terminal…now. Regardless, whatever the rules are for the day…those are the rules for the day…get use to it!
I started writing this at 41,000 feet, somewhere over the middle east, on a 16 hour 20 minute flight to LAX (these were the 400.00 cheaper tickets) looking forward to being with our churches and family. We are praying that we will be able to see the battle for what it is, despite what lies ahead.
Despite all of this, we have had the opportunity to establish a couple of very “ordained” relationships so far on the trip, and I am sure that the enemy is not pleased with these developments. Great! He better start running!
On the bright side, I was able to do compassionate ministries right at the airport by distributing my clothes to the service personnel (must keep right perspective here). “A Connie…did we get the extra insurance on the rental car…we might be needing it.”
— The first 40 hours of Home Assignment 2014….more to come!
Wow…where has the time gone? The countdown timer on my computer screen says 1 day, 7 hours, 21 minutes, left before we need to have final details completed, banners printed, prayer cards finished, suitcases packed, and be stepping on the plane for our stateside speaking schedule and niece’s and daughter’s weddings!
Jeepney (Public Transportation) here in the Philippines
Sometimes my head spins with the sense of urgency…but I often reflect…do I have the same sense of urgency for the things of God? We have been talking a lot about this lately as a team. Keep the “main thing” the “main thing.” That of touching lives, seeing the people around us, and being the tangible love of Christ to those we meet. Whether that be at the gas station, in the office, on the street, in the jeepney (public transport) or wherever. We need to always be looking for opportunities to be Missional!
Connie and I are working hard, even in the midst of the hustle and bustle, to take time to remember:
“Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.” Psalm 46:10
Back to packing the bags…we are headed your way and looking forward to sharing the great things that God is doing here in Asia!
Ok…it may not be quite that dramatic…but we are definitely in the countdown to sharing the incredible stories of what God is doing on the Asia-Pacific Region through missions. Here is our latest teaser video. Share it with your churches, share it with your friends, then find the closest service and time to you…mark your calendar…come and be blessed! We are looking forward to being with you in just a few short weeks!
Connie and I just completed (with the help of our great team) a quick greetings to the West Texas NMI Convention. For those checking into our blog from West Texas, here is the link! If you would just like to see some great scenes from Thialand and the Philippines…you’re welcome to watch it also!
Over the years throughout our various ministry assignments, we have faced situations that have definitely “pushed the envelope” on our comfort zones. Most people have!
Whether that was flying through the feeder bands of a typhoon with a medical evacuation patient while Connie was in a small village clinic giving birth to our daughter, or whether it was coordinating the evacuation of 25 missionaries out of a city under rebel siege, five at a time with our small mission plane; we have more than once been granted the opportunity to place our trust entirely in God.
Perhaps I had become a bit comfortable…or perhaps God was needing to prepare me for what is yet to come.
Flying over the interior of Papua New Guinea
I’m not sure, but during my recent trip to Papua New Guinea, one of those “situations” presented itself yet again.
Just getting oneself to Kudjip Nazarene Hospital in Papua New Guinea is no small feat. It requires juggling several flights, covering some of the most expensive air miles found anywhere in the world, landing at Port Moresby, taking a smaller plane to Mount Hagen, and then riding in a Toyota Land Cruiser for another hour over roads that some would consider less than smooth (editorial understatement here).
Some of the greatest guys you will meet!
When you finally get there, you find some of the most gracious, committed, compassionate souls on earth. Both expat mission personnel and nationals await with smiles, open arms, and generosity beyond measure. They are a tight knit team…and given the situations they face on a regular basis…they need to be.
One night while eating dinner with Tim and Karla Deule, Global Serve Missionaries with the Church of the Nazarene, one of the other mission team members came knocking at the door. “Todd, Connie has been trying to reach you, she just sent me a message, you need to get in touch with her as soon as possible.” Those kinds of messages are seldom good news. “Can you tell me anything else,” I asked. Hesitantly and carefully, the team member said, “Your daughter is in the emergency room in Idaho and possibly has a blood clot in her lungs.”
My medical training kicked into overdrive. Pulmonary embolisms (blood clot in the lung) are never something one hopes to experience. My mind raced to the knowledge of a dear friend’s son who in his late 20s passed away of just such an issue, just a few years ago. Then the pilot side of my brain kicked in plan A, Plan B, …what flights were there out of here…how would I get to Mt. Hagen, Port Moresby, Manila……
As I left Tim and Karla’s house to go find a way to connect with Connie for the whole story, the reality of the situation set in. Me…whose top strengths include “arranger” could arrange nothing. There could be very few more remote areas in the world from which to try and respond. Limited phone, internet, travel…I was beyond my ability to fix it…and then the reality came that it wasn’t my job to fix it…it was my job to trust.
Peaceful Early Morning Sunrise, Dusin Mission Station, PNG
“Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again; Rejoice! Let our gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:4-7
God provided in so many ways. I am so thankful that He allowed me to be with some of the greatest brothers and sisters in Christ. Thank you so much Kudjip family for gathering together and praying, encouraging, and believing.
Whatever your “situation” God is truly all you need…because He will provide what you need…when you need it (thanks honey…I have heard you say that many times). He provided for Jess…as she is doing much better now…for Connie with peace in Manila…and for me…with peace and a team that took our daughter to the arms of our heavenly father in prayer when this earthly father was not able to “fix it.”
Thank you all for your continued prayers, encouragement, and commitment to being part of our team!
Formerly serving with MAF International in Papua New Guinea – Returned to USA in November to focus our ministry service on family!
Todd & Connie Lou - back in the USA! 