Moving to Bangladesh? Maybe, A call for help

Beloved family and friends!



It is with much excitement that I am fwriting this letter. Around nine years ago, I felt called to medical missions. Since then, I have completed my undergraduate studies and medical school, and have begun my third year of pediatric residency.  Recently, Elizabeth and I submitted our applications to work with World Medical Missions (Samaritan’s Purse) for two years, and we are prayerfully awaiting their decision.  This Fall, I will be going to Bangladesh on a two week Global Health rotation, that is a medical mission and scouting trip, under the auspices of World Medical Mission.

Bangladesh is an Islamic nation that was once part of India.  After partition, it became known as East Pakistan. In 1971, Bangladesh successfully gained independence from Pakistan at great cost; horrific genocide claimed the lives of between 300,000 to 3,000,000 Bengalis.  Bangladesh is also one of the poorest countries in the world; their GNI PPP per capita (which is a fancy way of saying their adjusted gross annual income per person) is only $2,030, which ranks 137th out of 169 countries listed by the World Bank (2014).  Their infant mortality rate is rated 142nd out of 188 countries (CIA 2012).  Per 1000 children, an estimated 48 children die by the age of 5 years old.  The physical and spiritual needs in this country are enormous.

My family is at a critical stage in our lives.  We feel compelled to follow Christ’s Great Commission to “go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.” (Matthew 28:19-20)  We want to go.  Yet the questions remain:  Where?  With whom?



As I stated earlier, in September I will be embarking on a journey to help answer this question.  At this point, I am writing with several requests.  Most importantly, pray that God guides us clearly to the place He has for us.  Pray that God keeps us safe and gives us wisdom throughout this process.  Pray that our financial needs will be met, and that we live by faith without worrying about the stresses of the world.  I still have debt from medical school, which we are trying to pay back as quickly as possible.  Because of this, I am also asking for financial support to fund my short-term trip this Fall.  If I am selected to work with Samaritan’s Purse, the extra money will carry over. If God has put it on your heart to help us with this, we would greatly appreciate your support.  However, if you are in a place where you cannot give: please, do not give money.  Instead, pray.  We cannot do without prayer.  I know God will provide for our needs and yours.  To God be the glory, great things He hath done!

Thank you so much!

The Helms


There are three ways by which an individual can make a donation to our project account.


1.    Go to the following website:

http://www.samaritanspurse.org/medical/wmm-doctors/

At the bottom of the donation page type in (Helm, Ethan) and follow the prompts to make a credit card donation



2. Alternately, you can make donations by calling in with credit card donations to Donor Ministries at 828-278-1555 ET 8:30 am – 4:30 pm. You will need to give my name (Ethan Helm) and project code number: 005030.



3. The third way to donate is to mail a check made out to Samaritan’s Purse with my name (Dr. Ethan Helm) and project code #: 005030 in the memo line.  The project code number assures that the monies will go into my account.  Please mail the check to:

World Medical Mission
Attn: Cathy Greene
PO Box 3000
Boone, NC 28607



*** If you choose to donate to our account, you will receive a receipt immediately if donating online and within 5 – 7 business days if donating by phone or mail.  This receipt will allow you to claim a tax deductible donation to Samaritan’s Purse.***

If the money raised exceeds the amount of this short term trip, and we are selected to work with World Medical Missions for 2 years, the excess money will go toward supporting us while in Bangladesh.