“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything… And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him, he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition…so that you will not grow weary and lose heart. – Hebrews 12: 1-3

 

For some people, running is life. They look forward to their daily or weekly run and getting their miles. It’s freeing and fulfilling. For others, running seems like the opposite of anything good. They wonder how someone could enjoy such torture.

 

For many, running seems impossible, due to health obstacles, pain and other challenges. I imagine wanting to run, but seemingly impossible hurdles have been put in my way. No matter how hard you try to dig deep and go that extra mile, or even that extra step, circumstances prohibit you from moving forward.

 

Many of our patients at Good News Clinics are, despite the exhaustion of poverty, trying their best to put one foot in front of the other. They are dealing with challenges (inherited and circumstantial) which make the race before them seem long and insurmountable.

 

But then, hope arrives in the form of access to healthcare; a needed victory! Patients receive the medication they need to help alleviate the effects of chronic health conditions. They enter counseling to improve mental health and process trauma. They become educated about how to live healthier. Patients have painful dental problems addressed and eye disease and poor vision managed – they get their lives back! Some of these stories you’ve seen in our Annual Report. These stories of patients like Felipe and Lee, Susan and Sachi, and countless others whose names are precious to God and to us, have inspired us in ways we couldn’t have imagined. Patients arrive thirsting for help in the race they are desperately trying to run. The Clinics are able to hand them water, provide some rest, and give them encouragement to keep going.

 

This past year at Good News Clinics has been filled with expectation as we grow. We launched the Greater Things Expansion Project in 2022 with a goal of $8 million. Today, we are within sight of the finish line for that goal. We are on the last leg of the marathon, with $600,000 remaining to be raised. But, as with any race, these last miles can often be the toughest.

 

It is only through dedicated donors, volunteers, and friends like you that we have made it this far. Your compassionate and loving support has helped us continue to run with perseverance the race set before us, so our patients are the victors in the end. Because of you, they are able to continue running and not “grow weary and lose heart.” We thank God for you.

 

As this year closes and we enter into 2024, may you and I remain steadfast in our dedication to one another as children of a loving God. As we carry our shared purpose even more to the next leg of the race, will you support this incredible work?

 

Will you donate so that thousands more in the future will be offered the great hope of healing? We need you and, we thank you.

 

Merry Christmas,
Liz Coates
Executive Director, Good News Clinics