Much of life, I am convinced is just a matter of showing up and being available. Recently a fellow missionary in Ukraine asked me to participate in a conference for business people. The conference was about using the Ten Commandments to develop a personal code of ethics when dealing with employees, colleagues, customers and government officials. My first reaction was this really does not pertain to me. I have an extremely busy month ahead in our own ministry. What would I have to offer? The presenters said there are always questions about medicine and my participation would provide first hand knowledge. Eventually and reluctantly I said “Yes.” In addition I agreed to host one of one the couples in our flat.
The weekend course turned out to be very useful and applicable to the practice of medicine and me personally. Many young Ukrainian physicians dream of opening their own clinics. But, on what principles will they build their practice? The course helped me prepare for a conference for medical students later in the month with the title, Golden Standards and Biblical Principles in Medicine. What better standard to use than the Ten Commandments!
The couple we hosted, Tom and Ann Tannery, were extremely encouraging. Tom owns his own business in Atlanta and is president of a ministry called Europartners. They both have quite a testimony of how God reconciled them to himself. The time of fellowship we enjoyed with them was just what the doctor needed. It is always interesting how God puts people in our paths to instruct, rebuke, correct and train if we are willing to submit to another’s authority.
During the conference I was able to make new friendships and renew some old ones. In the end, there was not one question asked that pertained directly to medicine, but my wife and I were blessed for being available in so many other ways.
