By Dr. Ian Ma (past team leader of EMAS China West Medical Mission)
On one hand, I am very sad to learn of the passing away of Dr Bob Stephens, but on the other hand, I am happy that he is now in a better place with the Lord.
Bob was my mentor, my encourager, my teacher and my model in serving God, especially in the medical mission.
In 1991, Dr. Bob Stephens, Dr. Alfred Chan and myself went as an exploratory team to visit the poor remote region of Ningxia in Northwest China. This was the first time I’d embarked on a medical mission. The experience and impact on me were tremendous. I have learned a lot on the trip, especially from Bob. He was then already a veteran in medical mission, he was humble, humorous and willing to teach.
The medical mission trip in 1991 was the beginning of an enlarging outreach in China West. We have subsequently enlarged our medical mission territories to three adjacent provinces. We have established Living Water Projects, EMAS hospitals, teaching and training local health workers and to conduct medical clinics.
Over the years, my wife Pauline and I have had the privilege of visiting Bob and Sylver several times in Warkworth. Our last visit was in May, 2023 at their senior home where we had a very memorable fellowship and dinner together.
Bob, you have fought the good fight, you have finished the race and you have kept the faith. Moreover, you have influenced and impacted many EMAS medical missions team members on their lives in serving God. I am one of them.
Good bye, I miss you, but we will see you again.
April 24, 2024
Photo above: Dr. Ma and Dr. Stephens in China
CELEBRATION OF LIFE
Date: 3 May 2024
Time: 1 p.m. Eastern Standard Time (7 p.m. in South Africa)
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