Author: Dr. Michael Johnson

God called us to long term missions almost 25 years ago. You have trusted us then. We pray you will continue to trust us. This update is to provide you with the reasons why.

They are not quite human so we can kill them. This is a paraphrase of author Eric Metaxas, who spoke at Reach Pennsylvania on behalf of protecting the unborn. He was referring to the insights of William Wilberforce and Dietrich Bonheoffer. Eric Metaxas has authored books on these two men. He spoke passionately about them, describing how, during their lifetimes, they fought against the powers that saw some people as less than human and hence expendable; the African slaves and the Jews.

The sin of slavery and the horrors of genocide were considered normal and acceptable in those societies. Abortion is normal and acceptable today. Our society considers the unborn less than human as they have no voice, and are not perfectly formed as those who make the decisions about their lives. In the United States, nearly 40-50 percent of babies of African descent are murdered in the womb. Genocide continues.

“…according to the archives of the Tuskegee Institute, from 1882 to 1968 – 86 years – the Ku Klux Klan lynched 3,446 Negroes…,abortion on demand in America accomplishes that is less than 4 days.” (Source: CNS News)

Are they less than human because they are still in the womb and defenseless? Are they humans for whom Jesus died? We trust that you will continue support us as we carry this message to ears that won’t hear. Help us continue support the Hope Pregnancy Center in Philadelphia.

Miriam Medical Clinics is off to a slow start, but not a “no” start. While we search for a permanent dwelling in Philadelphia for the clinic, 12,000 homeless people yearn for the same. See the facts here

We have decided to start ministering to the homeless immediately, rather than continue to wait for all of the specific things on our wish list. It is obvious we are overwhelmed. Despite the outreach of Christian, government, and humanitarian efforts many of these unsheltered men, women and children will face even greater difficulties during the approaching winter. We still have desire and design for a permanent structure, but Christ bids us to start where we are with what we have. We invite you to trust us and even volunteer to work with us as we provide health care in shelters and ‘drop-in’ centers for people who need care in Christ’s name. You can work with us in a number of capacities including social work, and counseling. The hurdles we face for permanency of where we think we should be should never deter us from serving from where people are.

Out of Nazareth remains focused on mobilizing the church in service to those who are incarcerated. Although the record has been a bit ‘checkered’ there is good news. One year after what we deemed a successful conference on the perils of the imprisoned, and after numerous visits and letters to those behind bars, there is no massive tide of volunteers. The good news is that several men from our home church have completed courses and are actively involved with counseling. They trust that being screened, patted down, even having background checks is worth ministering in Christ name. We ask that you trust and invest with us as we continue to mobilize them. Though we may have a passion for getting guns off of the Philadelphia streets through our buy-back program, few has felt that same passion. We are still hopeful for this program to take off, but in the meantime, pray that the passions for peace will overcome passion for to spill blood. In the meantime, we trust that love makes a difference as demonstrated in the ministry “Reaching Out From Within.” (Source: CBS News)

The Least of These is a ministry in transition that still needs your trust and support. Though we are establishing ministries in Philadelphia, we have an obligation to support the 12 children who are still in high school and college in Kenya. One way we will do that is by selling the car we have that remains in Kenya and use the proceeds to support the educational costs for these children. We continue to need your help to see these students through their educational challenges as they will by God’s grace become the Christ filled leaders of Kenya. You can do so by giving to this ministry you have come to trust over these many years.

100 Years and Counting in Trust God has given us a legacy of trust. Grannie, Nannie, Modeah, Mrs. Edna Odessa Tartt Simmons Harris, celebrated 100 years of life with us this September. We can only pray we can be good stewards of the lives He has entrusted with us.

Grandma Kay and Grandpa Mike are on a surrey ride in Philadelphia with our son Emmanuel and his 3 daughters, Tyra, Kaylee and Alicia.

He Trusted Us which is an amazing thing. Over 2,000 years ago, God trusted that we would kill His only begotten Son…, and He sent Him anyway. As we enter the ‘Christmas season’, it is an awesome, and awful reality that our Father knew exactly He was sending the Christ, what He would do, How He would be received and how He would die. Yet Jesus came as a babe, defenseless, (not aborted) homeless, was incarcerated, and was eventually murdered by His kinsmen. Sure sounds a lot like the reasons you have entrusted yourself with the ministries God has given us over the years. As you celebrate this Christmas, celebrate by giving generously in Christ’s name.

We are glad to introduce a new book entitled ‘Broken Pottery’. It is a collection of poems and prose reflecting the challenges God has given us over the years of ministry and marriage. We pray that this book will allow all who read it to take joy in being used for God’s glory and thus for His purpose. We were made from clay so that we could be broken and made whole again. Jeremiah 18:6 ‘…,God’s Decree! “Watch this potter. In the same way that this potter works his clay, I work on you, people of Israel.’ (The Message).

Introduction

Miriam Medical Clinics (MMC) is incorporated in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania by the Bureau of Corporations and Charitable Organizations. MMC, Inc. is a faith based healthcare organization with a mission to provide compassionate, holistic and affordable medical care to those who have lacked adequate health care in underserved communities of Philadelphia. All persons in Philadelphia, regardless of ability to pay but in need of quality health care and compassion, are welcomed at Miriam Medical Clinics.

Miriam Medical Clinics Concept

Miriam Medical Clinics (MMC) will offer patient care using an integrated health care team approach. The clinic will begin operation in November, 2013. Operations will be implemented in three phases. Initially, MMC, Inc. is establishing a partnership with “The Bethesda Project” (TBP), a program for homeless individuals, with facilities located in several communities within Philadelphia. This collaboration will comprise phases 1 and 2 of implementation as follows:

Phase 1:

During phase 1 health screening and instruction on general health literacy will be offered. This phase will be an informal introduction of medical services within TBP community. In addition, depending upon health/social issues identified, MMC may serve in a referral capacity, directing residents to providers of primary and hospital health care, as well as social service providers. Such services will initially be offered at the St. Mary’s homeless shelter facility of TBP community, 18th and Bainbridge streets in south Philadelphia, which currently has no medical services provided. MMC, Inc. will be serving as volunteers. Services will be offered twice monthly, however with increased numbers of volunteers, it is hoped that a more frequent presence at St. Mary’s may be established.

Phase 2:

Phase 2 will constitute a more formal medical practice as volunteer licenses and practitioner malpractice insurances are secured. Particularly for residents of St. Mary’s who have a more permanent status, it may be possible to manage chronic illnesses, especially involving regular follow-up, transition of care and medication management. These issues are especially relevant to the Affordable Care Act. It is hoped that for those who have lacked access to health care, for a myriad of reasons, such access may be facilitated through MMC. In this model, MMC will also serve in a voluntary capacity.

Phase 3:

Miriam Medical Clinics, Inc. is currently seeking a permanent office location that meets Commonwealth requirements in terms of Disability access and office space. In this facility, MMC will offer medical services based on the Patient Centered Medical Home model (PCMH).

This model is based on a health care approach employing core competencies of several healthcare disciplines. This team effort must be directed at achieving positive patient outcomes by enlisting the patient and professional health team as collaborators in disease prevention, management and health maintenance. Thus MMC will offer a paradigm for healthcare that is patient centered and aimed at effective and continued disease management. Through holistic care, patient education, follow-up and transition of care objectives can be achieved. Thus, the patient’s likelihood of maintaining long term health will be increased.

The core interdisciplinary healthcare team will consist of the following members:

• Physician
• Registered Nurse/Nurse Practitioner
• Clinical Pharmacist
• Diabetic Educator
• Social Worker

Clinical roles of core staff

Physician

The Physician will serve as team leader, with oversight for all patient staff interactions and responsibility for all medical decisions.

Registered Nurse/Nurse Practitioner

The Registered Nurse Practitioner, will serve as an alternative primary care provider leading patient care under the supervision of the physician.

Clinical Pharmacist

The Clinical Pharmacist will be lead delivery of pharmaceutical care services by providing Medication Management services. Medication will not be dispensed.

Diabetic education

The Certified Diabetic Educator will manage patient education with regard to a diagnosis of Diabetes Mellitus.

Social Worker

The Social Worker will lead efforts directed at evaluating the patient’s socioeconomic issues that may be related to access to health care and overall health maintenance.