In May 2007, Jun and Evelyn Apilado were the picture of health and vibrancy, offering their warm and wonderful hospitality to the mission community in Mwanza, Tanzania. Jun was very busy with his construction work and plans were in place to clear the land for a new Church, a project very close to Jun’s heart. Evelyn was occupied with the Shaloom Preschool for 30 children. Lawreen McBride, S.M.A. Lay Missionary, joined Evelyn in this ministry in May.

In July, the first crisis struck. One of the S.M.A. priests was in a serious motorcycle accident. He needed to be flown to Nairobi for medical care. Jun and Evelyn volunteered to accompany him and help him while he was in the hospital in Nairobi, Kenya. With God’s help, the priest has been making progress in his recovery.

While in Nairobi, Jun thought he should check out some chest pain he had been experiencing for a couple of weeks. This proved to be a very good decision. Jun needed immediate care for 70% blockages in his heart. With the diagnosis and advice of the cardiologist in Nairobi Hospital and the fast and efficient work of the IMG Insurance, Jun and Evelyn found themselves on an air ambulance to a Cardiac hospital in Johannesburg, South Africa.

On July 30, 2007 Jun had open heart surgery. The doctors and medical team were terrific, and Jun was in very good hands. There were some faith-challenging moments, but God saw Jun through his surgery and the weeks of recovery. After a few more weeks of convalescing at the S.M.A. Regional House in Rustenburg, and enjoying the hospitality of the S.M.A. community in South Africa, Jun and Evelyn were ready for the journey home to California, via Tanzania.

They arrived at their home in California mid-September to continue healing and gaining strength. Prayer is powerful! Even the doctors were marveling at Jun’s recovery. One of Jun’s comments: “I am the miracle man!”

Join with us in thanking God for granting Jun a wonderful recovery and the faith and trust in God to take the journey. Thank you to all who joined with the S.M.A. family in praying for Jun and Evelyn throughout this challenging ordeal. With faith, hope, doctor’s approval, and God’s will, Jun and Evelyn plan to return and continue their mission work in Tanzania in January 2008.