Of Death, Medicine and Hope

One week ago my colleague and partner in the practice of pediatrics died after being involved in a horrendous car accident.  There were lots of unanswered questions.  He drove his car into the back of a truck parked on the side of the road.  Did he fall asleep?  Why him?  Why now?  He  did so much good and brought physical healing to so many.  Why?  Why?  Why?

It is never easy to deal with death.  As doctors we are supposed to keep people alive.  Our patients desire and expect us to restore their health and at the very least beat back the specter of death from overcoming them.  In reality, the best a physician can do is delay the inevitable.  Even this gives physicians too much credit, for it is God who enables us to provide physical healing and controls the number of our days.  And yet, those who believe and those who do not ask, why, why, why!

When a doctor dies, we can say, “Look, for all his knowledge of medicine, he could not save himself, therefore, what hope is there for me?”  In the same way Jesus was mocked by the chief priest and elders as He was dying on the cross.  “He saved others,” they said, “but he can’t save himself!  He’s the King of Israel!  Let him come down now from the cross, and we will believe in him.  He trusts in God.  Let God rescue him now if he wants him, for he said, ‘I am the Son of God.’ ” (Matthew 27:41-43)  Why?  Why?  Why?

But this is not the end of the story.  On the third day after Jesus died, he rose from the dead, witnessed by many and remains alive today.  As Jesus said to Thomas, “Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”

As Christian physicians, we are obligated to do our best and God entrusts us with the truth.  We are reminded daily of our frailty and who is in control.  Why we ask?  So that we may reflect on the condition of our souls and those of our patients’, as well as our need for a Savior.  It is only after believing in Christ and him crucified for our transgressions that we can have true hope and offer it to our patients.  Our sadness will turn to joy knowing the peace that surpasses all understanding will bring healing to our souls and ultimately the restoration of our bodies.

Read 1 Corinthians 15.

Surprised by Suffering

When we watch the news are we numb to the seemingly ever increasing amounts of suffering taking place in the world.  As a missionary in Kiev, Ukraine when we have visitors we enjoy showing them the historical sites of this city dating back to 482AD.  We currently have a guest who is a retired US Air Force physician, served on the mission board of the Evangelical Free Church and now travels extensively assisting the Christian Medical Dental Association ministry for International Medical Education.

Over the past several days in between appointments we visited the Golden Gate of Kyiv where many died when the Mongols attacked and captured Kyiv in 1240 AD.  Then we went to the World War II museum where we reviewed the history of Nazi Germany’s invasion of Ukraine and subsequent explusion.  The concentration camps, the weapons, the instruments of torture as well as the personal letters of some of the heroes who fought in these battles.  Then the hall of remembrance at the top of the base of the Motherland Statue, where all the names of officers who died are written on the walls.

Perhaps the most sobering of all was the visit to Babi Yar.  Three days after the capture of Kyiv in WW II,  Jews were told to report to this location which is a ravine and simply shot for no other reason than their Jewish heritage.  Walking on this ground, knowing the remains of over 33,000 who were murdered in just three days are intered, is quite an emotional experience.

Now for the past two weeks we have witnessed the rumbling of tanks, armored troop carriers and missles down our street.  They are not preparing for war, we pray, but practicing for the parade to take place on August 24th to celebrate the 17th anniversary of Ukrainian independence from the Soviet Union.

What is so striking in all of this is the seemingly unending number of ways man has learned to kill his fellow man over the years and in increasingly greater numbers.  More people have died in battles during the past 100 years  than the rest of human history combined.   Why we ask?  The answer lies in our own hearts.  James 4:2 states, “You want something but don’t get it.  You kill and covet, but you cannot have what you want.  You quarrel and fight.”

But for those who believe in Christ, we have hope.  He died so that we may live.  His death was not in vain.  It was a purposeful act required by a Holy God that we may be reconciled to Him.  Therefore, in this you may greatly rejoice, though now for  a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials.  These have come so that your faith-of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by-may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed (1Peter 1:6,7).

Will I be able to withstand the test of suffering?  Will may faith remain strong?  I am thankful God who enabled me to believe will also enable me hold up under such circumstances.  So do not be surprised by suffering, but be filled with the inexpressible and glorious joy for you are receiving the goal of your faith, the salvation of your soul (1 Peter 1:8,9).

The Value of $300

In world’s economy the value of $300 does not seem like much.  But when seen through God’s eyes the value greatly increases.  What we think as being insignificant, might be of great value to someone else.  Things we take for granted such as access to any book, on any subject, at anytime, are not common place in the rest of the world.  Such is the case with medical literature in Ukraine.  Physicians in the USA have access to hospital libraries, the latest medical journals and textbooks and of course the Internet.

So, what would bring tears combined with giddiness to a grown woman who happens to be the most knowledgeable doctor in all of Ukraine regarding the treatment of children infected with HIV?  The answer is a textbook about pediatric oncology.  About two months ago I was visiting Dr. Svetlana where she works at Okmadet the National Children’s Hospital.  When she learned of my previous training in pediatric hematology/oncology, she began to talk of her 12 year old patient who developed lymphoma and the challenges of treating a child with AIDS for cancer.  Pediatric oncologists were consulted but there is a tremendous stigma associated with anyone who is HIV positive in Ukraine.  The oncologists were hesitant to treat and slow to respond when called.  So Dr. Svetlana said, “What I need is to learn how to treat these kids myself!”  ” I need a textbook.”  “I have the money, but I can’t buy it in Ukraine.”  “Can you help?” We also take for granted a reliable postal service.

About the same time Jim and Donna Houston from the Church at Brookhills in Birmingham, Alabama were visiting with a team from Lifeline Adoption agency who I have assisted from time to time with adoptions.  After hearing the story above they promised to present this need to their church.  

After returning to Alabama and sharing the need, the Ladies Bible Study Group at Brookhills led by Betsy Parker responded to the plea.  They purchased the latest edition of Principles and Practices of Pediatric Oncology .  Six weeks later the text was hand carried to Ukraine by short term missionary from Brookhills to insure safe arrival.  With the current weight restrictions on luggage and the book being heavy and quite large this was a huge and timely favor.  When I carried the book last week to Dr. Svetlana, she immediately developed a huge smile when she saw the text and tears when I told her the cost had been paid in full. She quickly scanned the pages with delight, saying over and over I need to read about this or that.

But what of the girl with lymphoma?  Tragically, her immune system and body were just too weak.   She died just a couple of weeks ago.  But this was the opening I had been waiting, the moment to discuss Biblical medicine and Jesus Christ, who also paid the price in full so that we may have eternal life.  Only Christian physicians can offer this true hope.  Only we can explain the diagnosis of our greatest illness, sinfulness, and then offer the healing that comes only through knowing Jesus Christ.

Pray for Svetlana and her staff that the may become believers in Christ as our work at Okmadet continues,  whether teaching English to the medical staff, helping provide resources or just showing the love of Christ to the patients and their families.  We pray they will one day be able to be used by God to offer spiritual healing to their patients and families.

So what is the value of $300?  It is the proper use of what God has given us to build relationships, encourage others, advance His Kingdom and ultimately bring glory to God.   And thank you Church at Brookhills for sharing your resources.

Healing of the Soul and the Body

Spurgeon was a prolific preacher, who relied on gleaning gems of truth from the Scripture.  His church grew to be one of the largest in the world, all without the entertainment and experience that is passed off as worship in many of our churches today.  In the following commentary he discusses healing of the soul and the body.

It is the sole prerogative of God to remove spiritual disease.  Natural disease may be instrumentally healed by men, but even then the honor is to be given God who gives virtue to medicine, and bestows power to the human frame to cast off disease.  As for spiritual sicknesses, these remain with the great Physician alone.  He claims it as His prerogative, “I kill and I make alive, I wound and I heal.”  One of the LORD’s choice titles is Jehovah-Rophi, the LORD that heals us.  “I will heal thee of thy wounds,” is a promise that could not come from the lips of man, but only from the mouth of the eternal God.  On this account the psalmist cried to the LORD,  “O LORD, heal me, for my bones are sore vexed,” and again, “Heal my soul, for I have sinned against thee.”  For this, also, the godly praise the name of the LORD, saying, “He healeth all our diseases.”  He who made man can restore man.  He who was at first the creator of our nature can create it anew.   What transcendent comfort it is that in the person of Jesus “dwelleth all the fullness of the Godhead bodily!”  My soul, whatever your disease may be, this great Physician can heal you.  If He be God, there can be no limit to His power.  Come then with the blind eye of darkened understanding.  Come with the limping foot of wasted energy.  Come with the maimed hand of weak faith, the fever of an angry temper, or the ague of shivering despondency.  Come just as you are, for He who is God can certainly restore you.  None shall restrain the healing virtue that proceeds from Jesus our LORD.  Legions of devils have been made to admit the power of the beloved Physician, and never once has He been baffled.  All His patients have been cured in the past and shall be in the future, and you will be among them , my friend, if you but rest yourself in Him this night.

Victory Day

In Ukraine on May 9th is celebrated Victory Day.  It is a combination of Veteran’s Day and Memorial Day rolled into one.  This day 62 years ago the Great Patriotic War or World War II officially came to an end.  A good reason to celebrate and a good reason to remember the 40 million people, 20 million from the former Soviet Union alone, who lost their lives in this conflict. 

As you walk the streets of most cities in Ukraine you will quickly come upon a veteran.  They are easy to spot because they are wearing their uniform proudly and usually have a chest full of medals.  Whether in America or Ukraine, I just want to go up to these men and women to say thank you.  I often did this when I lived in the USA.  What unspeakable horrors these men witnessed.  How strange to be living now on the other side and wanting to thank Ukrainians for their bravery. 

America and the Soviet Union fought on the same side during that conflict, but history records our relationship turned cold soon thereafter.  For much of my life, those we now consider our friends were indeed called the enemy.

For Ukrainians the name of this conflict makes sense because they were fighting on their soil, for their homes and their families.  For Americans we were fighting more for ideals.  We romantize our history probably to hide the horror and reality of war.

It is easy to say that freedom is not free but bought at a price.  But are we willing to pay the price?  There is a freedom however we cannot earn, our freedom from sin.  It too was bought at a tremendous price, the death of our savior, Jesus Christ.  On the final day of judgement will you be able to celebrate for eternity the victory won for those who place their faith in Christ?

Despair turns to Hope

Weekly I meet with a group of Ukrainian physicians who are believers but need lots of encouragement when working in a very oppressive environment.  In most countries physicians are taught a very man centered view of medicine.  If only we could discover the cure for this disease, man could live for ever.  Christian physicians often behave only as doctors Monday through Saturday and Christians on Sunday.  Of course, this is not always the case, but the medical system does not allow them to express there Christian opinions freely without ridicule.

This is especially true in Ukraine where for the past ninty years science and evolution were promoted as the true basis for the philosophy of medicine.  Not only were Christian ideas ridiculed but there were economic consequences for holding such beliefs as well.  Christians were not promoted.  If you shared your faith with your patients you were removed from your position.  Despite being an independent country with one of the highest levels of religious freedom in the post-Soviet era compared to other countries in the former Soviet bloc, things have not changed much in the medical sphere.  Christian physicians are the overwhelming minority, making up only a small percentage, 1 or 2 %.

In our weekly meeting we have been examining how the Great Physician dealt with patients.  Previously these same physicians have been taught  how to share there faith with there patients in a course called The Saline Solution.   We studied how compassionate Jesus was in caring for His patients, as He proclaimed and revealed the truth of their condition to them.  You could visibly see the anguish on some faces and the joy on others as they wrestled with how they could share their faith with sensitivity, permission, and respect within the time constraints every doctor faces.

We ended our time with prayer for God to work in the hearts of their colleagues and for them to be the most Christ-like physicians towards their patients.  May they make the most of every opportunity to be Christians first, who happen to be doctors, seven days a week.  May God use health care providers to relieve the despair we all felt once, providing an everlasting hope to their patients. 

Despair

If you were alive about 2000 years ago and living in Jerusalem, imagine the despair you would feel today.  You were a disciple of the man they called Jesus.  Yesterday you were a witness to his brutal death.  What would you be thinking today?  You cannot fully describe all this man was to you since you began following him three years ago.  How do you make sense of what has happened.  Truly this is complete and total despair.

 What a difference a day makes.  We are blessed to know the rest of the story.  I can’t imagine any situation worse than this day for the disciples.  We have a living hope.  A future that cannot be taken away from us.  He died so that we may live.  He is alive to prove who He is.

Tomorrow we know the despair that is felt today will turn to joy.  On the streets of Ukraine people will greet each other saying, “Кристос воскес!  Воистину воскрес!” 

” He has risen!  He has risen indeed!”

Then and Now

If you were a medical missionary 100 years ago, you would have been sent to a far off country.  It would have taken weeks if not months to communicate with you.  Your task would have been to have compassion for the sick and dying, to care for people.  There would have been little in the way of treatment but much in the way of comfort and eternal hope.  There would have been little chance that you would see the shores of your homeland again.

Now you are able to reach any populated portion of the world within 24 hours, definitely 36.  You have any number of options to communicate with any one, any where, any time instantly.  Your task might involve hands on care, but you more than likely be involved in teaching and providing technology.  Everyone wants the technology to cure disease, so obtaining humanitarian aid and teaching new methods of treatment would help you build relationships with your colleagues in a foreign land in order to share the Gospel and advance God’s kingdom.

 Today was a remarkable day.  During my time in Ukraine I have developed relationships through out both Ukraine and the United States.  A few weeks ago I was asked to assist in obtaining heart surgery for a little one year old boy with complex congenital heart disease.  This child’s problems were so difficult that it was reccommended that he could only be helped in America.  I contacted my friend Dr. Stephen Daniels, who is now the Chairman of the Department of Pediatrics at The Children’s Hospital-Denver.  We had trained together back in Cincinnati.  He connected me with Dr. Francois Lacour-Gayet, a cardiovascular surgeon and head of the Department of Surgery  at the same hospital.

We had previously arranged a calling time by e-mail.  It was 5 PM in Ukraine and 8 AM in Denver, CO.  We called using a laptop computer and a head set with microphone.  Despite thousands of miles our voices sounded as if next door.  The young 26 year old surgery resident assisted with some of the details with the computer.  Then he asked what is the purpose of this call and who will I be talking with.  There was instant recognition of the surgeon in the USA.  The resident was in awe saying, “I can’t believe I will shortly be chatting with one of the most famous pediatric heart surgeons in the world.”

We truly live in a global community.  Because of being born and trained as a physician in America, but now living in Ukraine God has given me an unique opportunity to serve both countries through the referrals I am asked to see.  Despite the technology and new treatments, I am still called upon to give true hope which is everlasting and can only be found in the Gospel.  Then and now are really not that much different, as it is writtenin Psalm 90, the days of our lives are seventy years, and if by reason of strength they are eighty years, yet their boast is only labor and sorrow, for it is soon cut off, and we fly away.  So let us give thanks to the one who truly heals, both body and soul,  providing us with all wisdom and knowledge for our future is in His hands. 

The Drama of Life

Everyday around the world the drama of life is played out.  Doctors more than most are privy to watch these  dramas unfold, indeed the actors are brought to his doorstep for consultation.  When all is said and done whether we have the best technology available or not what hope can we really offer our patients.

During the past two weeks a fellow missionary, George Markey, became ill with acute necrotizing pancreatitis.  He had served for the past 14 years in Kyiv where he successfully planted a church which is now completely run by Ukrainians.  Six months ago he and his wife moved to Kyrgyztan to begin a new work.  We have been following closely the drama and the struggle of this man’s fight for life.  We have been praying along with many others for God to bring healing to his body and wisdom for his doctors.  This illness has only a 10% survival rate.

 God’s providence is truly amazing.  What are the odds George would be admitted to a  hospital where a world reknown surgeon for this condition worked.  He was initially too ill to be transported to a facility in the West.  His children began to fly in from various parts of the world where they serve as missionaries to care for their father.  In this part of the world there is  little of the technology and care we have become acustomed to in the United States.  Typically the families provide all of the extras, such as clean sheets, observation and taking vital signs.  The families must go to a local pharmacy and purchase the recommended medicines and bring them back to the hospital.  Then the nurses, who are generally understaffed, must be tracked down to administer the treatments.  The atmosphere is definitely not the same.

During this struggle the family continued to gaze at and trust in God first,  pleading for mercy and wisdom.  Yet they recognized whether their husband and father lived or died would ultimately be decided by God.  If the outcome was not what they preferred, God would still be God, their God.  This is just like Daniel as he stood before Nebuchadnezzar and was about to be thrown into the fiery furnace.  

Despite great financial obstacles, a few days ago, George was flown by a special medical evacuation airplane to a hospital in Indianopolis where he was admitted directly to the intensive care unit.  The struggle continues but we know that his redeemer lives.  Therefore we can have and give true hope, whether we have the latest medical technology or not.  With blessed assurance we know our savior lives, the first fruit of those who have already fallen asleep.

What an encouragement to witness the faith of this family.  We join with this family in prayer that through the drama of George’s life God will be glorified and that others will come to believe in the Savior that lives and heals eternally.  This is how the Great Physician practices medicine.  He alone has the permanent cure for both body and soul.  Let us continue to fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith.