A team consists of Christian physicians and their spouses, dentists and students, and physical therapists took time from work to provide medical services to those whom have zero access to medical care in Jeremie, Haiti. The journey to the site was not a smooth ride. They encountered unwelcoming neighborhood and crowded street filled with people and markets. They also had a moment of utopia to enjoy the peaceful scene on the way to Jeremie.
A temporary medical clinic was set up when the team arrived. From triage to clinical consultation, the whole team provided standardized care to the people. Medical technology and pharmaceutical were provided. Ultrasound was performed on a boy who had a tumor on his right posterior shoulder, located near his right arm pit. The team decided to make a surgical removal of the tumor. Although the team only had limited resource and staff, it was a successful operation. New portable ultrasound technology really made a difference for the team to make diagnose and provide care. A growth on a girl's right face was taken care by imaging ultrasound, primary care, to surgical treatment. The smile on her face after receiving the treatment was priceless!
Three dentists, eight dental students, and four dental assistances worked around the clock to extract teeth and provided dental care. The joy of seeing aching teeth removed must be beyond comprehension. Who would like to live with an aching tooth?
The physical therapy students brought Jesus' helping hands to the team. Their presence and enthusiasm gave the team heartfelt warmth to continue their work. Many God's moments penetrated through the services brought by the PT team. A girl was able to walk again with a walker and a man gained his mobility with a wheel chair. We are humbled and reminded again that medicine is not just about medical care, technology, and pharmaceuticals. A lesson learned that healing also requires Jesus and His servant heart.
The team didn't forget the importance to share the Gospel with the people. They brought Evangicubes to tell the story of Jesus - He came to this world to give us Hope for life and the eternity by paying our debt of sins on the cross. By God's grace, the local evangelical church and crusade also came to preach the good news. People were set free from their illness and heard about an everlasting cure for their broken lives.
Our mighty God knows when and how to place us in His time to accomplish His will. Medicine is merely a mean for restoring health. As Christian medical professionals, we hope people to see God is the only source for healing through medicine. No matter how hard we try to prevent or cure illness, death still exists. The only cure for death is Jesus. Jesus eventually is all we need for living a life everlasting.
Many valuable Scriptures were shared during the presentation:
Matthew 15:14-16 You are the light of the world. A city located on a hill cannot be hidden. People do not light a lamp and put it under a basket but on a lamp-stand and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before people, so that they can see you good deeds and give honor to your Father in heaven.
Ephesians 6:12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world, and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.
Proverbs 3:5-6 Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will direct your paths.
Matthew4:23 Jesus went throughout Galilee, teaching in the synagogues, preaching the good news of the kingdom, and healing every disease and sickness among the people.
Revelation 21:4 He will wipe away every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.
Matthew 25:40 I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.
Luke 9:2 Jesus sent them out to preach the kingdom of God and to heal the sick.
John 9:1-7 Now as Jesus was passing by, he saw a man who had been blind from birth. His disciples asked him, “Rabbi, who committed the sin that caused him to be born blind, this man or his parents?” Jesus answered, “Neither this man nor his parents sinned, but he was born blind so that the acts of God may be revealed through what happens to him. We must perform the deeds of the one who sent me as long as it is daytime. Night is coming when no one can work. As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world.” Having said this, he spat on the ground and made some mud with the saliva. He smeared the mud on the blind man’s eyes and said to him, “Go wash in the pool of Siloam” (which is translated “sent”). So the blind man went away and washed, and came back seeing.
John 3:16 For this is the way God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.
Romans 10:17 Consequently faith comes from what is heard, and what is heard comes through the preached word of Christ.
Revelation 7:9-10 and Revelation 7:16-17 Before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and in front of the lamb. They were wearing white robes and carrying palm branches in their hands. And they cried out in a loud voice: “Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne and to the Lamb”...Never again will they hunger; never again will they thirst. The sun will not beat upon them, nor any scorching heat. For the lamb at the center of the throne will be their shepherd; he will lead them to springs of living water. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.
John 8:12 Jesus said “I am the light of the world. Who ever follows me will never walk in darkness, but have the light of life.”
Few weeks later we took time to welcome new leadership, class 2016, and said goodbye to class 2015.
We will sail into a new year, a year of unknowns and surprises. With God's grace and love, we will continue His work with strength and courage. Thank you class 2015, as you embark on a journey to make rounds in the hospitals, we hope you will experience God intimately in your daily life. We are excited for you and pray you will make the best out of your education and academic career. May you shine for Jesus and be the light and salt to the people around you. Hope one day we are not only doctors who are Christians, but Christian doctors who heal like Jesus did.
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