Medical professionals many times are asked the question “Is it contagious?”  Family and friends ask this question not so much for the patient, but because they fear for their own health.  If the illness is contagious, there is a period of isolation so as not to infect others until the period of infectivity has passed.  If the infection becomes chronic, stigma may result.  The infected person is often further isolated in the community even if the problem is not contagious.

When we read Numbers 12, we learn that God considers sin as contagious, thereby requiring isolation.  Miriam was diagnosed with leprosy.  She developed this disease as a punishment for her pride and jealousy towards Moses.  She and Aaron were envious of the attention Moses was receiving as the leader of the Israelites.  God made Miriam a leper as a punishment for her pride and thus associated her sin with disease.

We must be very careful here.  While all disease is related to sin, not all disease is related to specific personal sin.  In this case Miriam’s disease was related to specific personal sin, pride and envy.

We learn that both disease and sin have consequences.  When we sin, we do not only affect ourselves.   Initially, it appears only Miriam will suffer from this disease.   However the whole nation of Israel had to wait for Miriam to be healed before moving on, creating a delay in their journey of seven days.  How often when we sin do we think of all the people we affect?   Typically we are only thinking of ourselves.

Finally, we find out just how merciful our God is to us.  While He could have left Miriam to deal with the consequences herself, isolated from the community, in shame with an incurable disease, He restored her.  Moses acted as a mediator and offered a simple prayer, “God, please heal her.”    God provides a mediator for us and our patients, Jesus Christ.  He is the cure for our fatal disease, sin.

We are no longer contagious.  We also have the incredible privilege of being God’s instrument of mediation.  Many times a day we have the opportunity to pray with our patients though we must do so with sensitivity and permission.   In doing so we bring about reconciliation with God and the ultimate physical and spiritual healing we all need.

Further reading: Numbers 12, Proverbs 16:18, Philippians 2:1-11

 Every day we make hundreds of decisions, from the moment we wake up to the time we lay down to rest.  These decisions range from simple choices of what to eat or wear to more complex ethical decisions of life and death as medical professionals. How do we choose what is right and wrong?  We base these decisions often on who, why or what we want to serve.  Do we want to serve God or the idols of our heart?

Imagine becoming a king at only 25 years of age.  This is the situation Amaziah found himself in when his father, Joash, king of Judah, died, the victim of a murderous plot.

Initially, he acted in accordance with the Law of God, bringing justice against those officials who killed his father, but not against their sons (2Chr25:4).  He also followed the prophet’s instructions about not going into battle with soldiers from Israel.  He believed that God had the power to help or overthrow (2Chr25:8).

God rewarded his obedience with victory over the Edomites. But Amaziah did not follow the Lord wholeheartedly.  He was more concerned with losing the money he paid to mercenaries to help him(2Chr25:9).  Then he began to worship and consult the gods of the defeated Edomites (2Chr25:14).  Amaziah soon found himself, suffering under the hand of defeat with the walls of Jerusalem destroyed and the treasury of his kingdom empty.

Do we not sometimes find ourselves in this same position?  We ask what is politically correct or will I suffer monetarily or in prestige.  Do we do what is right based upon God’s word or do we listen to advice based upon hollow and deceptive philosophy?  If we listen to the wrong advice, we might find ourselves spiritually and physically bankrupt.

May God give us the strength and wisdom to follow Him in regards to the many moral and ethical choices we make each day, consulting Him instead of bowing to the idols which have no power to save either physically or spiritually.  Both we and our patients face problems every day.  We have no control over that, but we do have control over our response to these situations.

We have a choice.

Read 2 Chronicles 25, Colossians 2:8.

Olga (L) and Valentina (R)

Our time in Kyiv presented additional opportunities to practice our flexibility.  Our main audience in Lutsk was psychologists, but in Kyiv it was educators.  Each group has a different set of interests requiring us to alter our teaching to meet their needs and interests.  However we did not alter the Biblical references in our presentations.

God provided evidence that our Christian message was being heard.  At lunch an attendee began talking with us.  Where are you from?  What are you doing here?  What is your purpose?  As the conversation continued, she said, “I knew you were Christians.  I attended one other conference based on Christian principles.  What you teach is exactly what my country needs.”  It is good to know that people are watching and listening.

UMO assistant Anatoly did the oral translation both weeks as well as the written translation for slide presentations prior to the conferences themselves.  We could not have done this without him.

In both cities the information was received enthusiastically.  Comments heard over and over were that the information presented was at a very high level.  This is very important because we do not want our reputation to taint the name of Christ.  By being excellent in what we do elevates our Christian message as well.

The Balametrics program taught by Ron was so popular that many people wanted to know how to purchase

Working with children on the board

such equipment for themselves.  Currently there is no way to buy this equipment directly in Ukraine.  The equipment provided for each training was donated by a single sponsor from the USA.  Ron was always quick to point out that it was really a gift from God to the children with disabilities and their  families.  Now that the information about the Learning Break Through Program has been taught, there is a real interest in obtaining the equipment.  Please pray for Ron as he determines how this can be accomplished.  He truly does not want to lose the Christian message that accompanied the equipment, so it is vital that he find the right person or group here to represent him.

Linda Sauke had another busy week.  Her time was spent evaluating and making suggestions regarding programs for  children attending Kyiv Christian Academy.  Marianna was grateful for Linda’s input in UMO projects at a preschool for children either affected by or infected with HIV.  Linda is a wealth of knowledge gleened from personal experience in the field of ESL.

As the week closed, we said good bye to the Elsinger family first.  Their children accompanied them on this trip so they could spend time with Oksana’s family in Ukraine.  The children needed to begin school and Dave had additional business to attend to in the states.  The Saukes stayed on for a few more days to meet with members of the Evangelical Free missionary team and sightsee.

The feedback from our work has been encouraging.  Most frequently heard were comments about the high level of information, the quality of the teaching and the practical value.  The information did not remain long in the hands of the participants.  Our powerpoint presentations were posted on the internet by the Kyiv Institute.  In November in Lutsk will be a meeting of the National Association of Ukrainian Educators  where the Learning Breakthrough Program will be presented by Anton, Ron’s star student.

Most importantly we pray the relationships developed and deepened will have an eternity consequence.  May we have compassion on the children with disabilities and their families.  May the kingdom of Christ grow and the God we serve glorified.

The key word we talk about in short term missions:  flexibility.  The next six nights and five days would be no exception.  Before we even left the flat we experienced our first challenge.  Our driver Dima was waiting for us at the train station.  He thought we were arriving instead of departing.  He quickly arrived at our flat where we were waiting on the street surrounded by our suitcases. We made it to the station with time to spare and soon some were being gently rocked to sleep by the moving train.

Arriving at 6:30 a.m., we should have had plenty of time to get settled in to our accommodations and prepare for the opening ceremony of our conference at 10 a.m.  At 7:45 a.m. our Ukrainian host, Tetyana, called to say that we needed to be ready in 15 minutes.  The Mayor of Lutsk wanted to participate and welcome the team to his city.  It is not polite to keep the mayor waiting.  So now it is fast forward, shower, shave, breakfast and be prepared for the day in under 15 minutes.  What additional surprises would await us?

The site for this conference was School No. 20.  This was perfect since the themes for this conference included how to educate children with disabilities, how to treat attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder and the parental role in the treatment of autism.  As in years past, we were once again partnering with the Lesia Ukrayinka University of Volyn department of psychology, Tetyana Vihovska, assistant director of an orphanage for children with special needs under 4 years old, and Valentin Kolyano, director of School No. 20.

The Mayor

We arrived at the school only to learn that the mayor would be late.  Yes, I must remember flexibility.   Desks were placed in a square shape for the participants in the auditorium. Besides the mayor, the head of the Department of Education for the Volyn Oblast (State), the head of the Department of Education of Lutsk, the head of the Department of Psychology of Brest University in Belarus,  the head of the Department of Education and Developmental Psychology of Volyn University and several Lutsk City Council members were in attendance.

As is typical in Ukraine everyone had a chance to speak and welcome us.  There was much political talk of how important it was to take care of the children with disabilities.  This was quite different from  five years ago when UMO held its first conference in Lutsk.  Now the officials were talking about inclusive programs for children with disabilities.  This was very encouraging, but talk is cheap.  Does administrative action match the words they speak?  Later I learned this is not always the case but there is improvement.

Representing the team, Jim greeted the participants and encouraged them to understand that our team came to

Jim Greeting Participants

help because of our belief that all children are valuable since they are made in the image of God.  Also, he pointed out the uniqueness of having parents teach the professionals, admonishing the group to include parents as part of the therapeutic team. After the opening ceremony, a city official and mother of a child with disabilities came up to thank Jim for promoting the role of parents in the care of their children.

Indeed, two members of our team were neither medical professionals nor educators, but parents.   Dave and Oksana, engineers by education, are parents of children affected by autism.  They are  professionals when it comes to the care of their children.  Doctors and teachers in Ukraine are taught they are the  professionals and the final authority regarding the health and education of all children.  It is rare that opinions of the parents are heard.  Therefore, for parents to be teaching the professionals is quite unique.  Irina Valitova, the chief of the department of psychology at Brest University in Belarus and an excellent therapist for children with autism said, “This was the best teaching on ABA therapy for autism I have heard.”  The Elsingers did a great job of teaching and elevated the role of parents in the medical and educational systems.

The Elsingers

During the first two days our time was devoted to lectures on Balametrics (a program used to improve sensory integration and focus), ADHD and learning styles by Ron Sauke.  Jim taught about the medical treatment of ADHD and gave an update about what is new in autism.  The Elsingers gave their family’s story and told of the many therapies they tried but emphasized the role of ABA therapy.

The second day of lectures presented us with more opportunities to practice flexibity.  God had blessed us with beautiful weather.  This day also coincided with the national day of tourism in Ukraine.  There were special activities happening all over Lutsk.  This combination topped by a personal invitation from the Mayor to participate in a special tour of the city, (which we were told would be a personal affront to the government if we declined) allowed us to model flexibility once again.  We rescheduled the last two hours of teaching so all could participate in the tour.

Lutsk dates as far back as the 7^th century.  It is divided into the old town and the new.  The most prominent landmark of the city is Lubart Castle.  Historically, it is most famous for a congress of monarchs which took place in 1429, its aim was to “discuss measures against a common enemy – the Turks.”

The last three days were used to present masterclass training on Balametrics and ABA Therapy.  Prior to the

Balametrics Equipment

conference we planned to hold the Elsingers’ masterclass in the morning and Ron Sauke’s in the afternoon so that people could attend both.  We were limited to 26 people in the Balametrics training by the amount of equipment.  I should mention this equipment was paid for and shipped to Ukraine by one anonymous donor who wanted all the glory for the donation to go to Christ.

So on the first day of class, we prepared the room for 26 people  with the same number of chairs.  It was a big surprise to see 20 people standing with every chair occupied.  Another chance to learn how to be flexible, but  we had a strict limit on the number of participants. After an hour of discussion it was decided to hold a second class in the morning and combine the two for the last class.  The only disadvantage was it decreased the number of people who could attend the Elsingers’ master class.

After this there were no major challenges.  Linda Sauke was invited to consult on development of ESL programs in a small Christian school, a private school in a small town, and two universities.  Jim did consultations with two families with autistic children and participated in Teacher Appreciation Day at Tetyana’s orphanage.

Teacher Appreciation Day

At the orphanage Tetyana recognized the role of UMO in finding families for two children.  One child with Down Syndrome was told by a cardiologist on her first visit she was too young for a needed operation.  On the follow-up visit she was too old.  Two weeks before the conference,  this precious child had her heart repaired in Oklahoma.  Praise be to our God! Her parents sent several pictures of a very happy and well-cared for little girl, and these pictures spoke volumes to the caregivers.

On the last day there was a small banquet.  During this banquet there is typically plenty of food, drink and toasting.  It is the Ukrainian way of showing hospitality, honoring guests and debriefing at the end of an intense period of work.

Several things were significant during the banquet.  The relationships were more friendly and open.  After several years of working together we are able to move past the mere formality of these events.  As a result we are freer to talk about more spiritual and family issues.  Ron Sauke, being the oldest and married to the same beautiful woman for 41 years, was asked to offer a toast to love.  This would be like no other toast our Ukrainians would hear.  He spoke of the love Christ has for His people and his desire to have a relationship with Him based upon what He did for us, hoping that all present could enjoy this relationship.

Valintin Kolyano, the principle of School No. 20, could not have been more gracious or helpful.  Each morning he personally drove us to his school.  He instructed his staff to provide us with whatever we needed.  The work

Valentin Greeting Our Team

of his staff was always done efficiently, excellently and with a smile.  This was a testimony to his leadership.

Our conversations with him were peppered with Biblical references.  As we drove past churches, he would make the sign of the cross giving honor to God in the Orthodox tradition.  When we complemented him on how well he and his staff were caring for us, he would respond with this is how my father taught me from the Bible.  We pray that God will continue to work in his life and draw him into a deeper relationship with himself.

Indeed during this conference we heard more Ukrainians speak of doing what is right in God’s eyes.  Tetyana, our host, gave consent to God for arranging all we did.  “Our work together is not by chance.”  When the banquet was over we shared a conversation and presented the Gospel.  We pray God is moving her one step closer to recognizing Christ as Savior.

During our time in Lutsk we daily witnessed the hand of God at work and the answer to prayers.  Truly, as we cast all of our anxious thoughts upon him, our God supplied all of our needs.  We are exceedingly thankful to Him.  Now it is on to Kyiv and repeat the seminar at the Borisa Grinchenka  Kyiv Institute of Teachers and Psychologists and School No. 26.

“It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness, it was the epoch of belief, it was the epoch of incredulity, it was the season of Light, it was the season of Darkness, it was the spring of hope, it was the winter of despair, we had everything before us, we had nothing before us”—and so Charles Dickens began his classic novel, A Tale of Two Cities.  Although published in 1859 regarding events surrounding the French Revolution, this same paragraph could be used to describe the current situation in the world.  A world viewed through this lens would be both frustrating and hopeless.

It seems each generation is faced with the same incongruities.  With the amount of knowledge doubling at ever-increasing rates, every five years or less currently, we would like to think we are capable of solving the problems of the world.  The reality of our dilemma was written in Ecclesiastes 1:9, “What has been will be again, what has been done will be done again; there is nothing new under the sun.”

And so during the Hope for Europe Congress two weeks ago, the participants were challenged by the current situation in Europe and the world: an aging population, declining birth rate, immigration issues, the rise of Islam, environmental issues, global poverty, corruption and a staggering financial debt.  In health care we live in an age when our knowledge of how our bodies function and ability to fix them is exploding, yet we are faced with problems with access to and the cost of care.  And still, despite these advances, we must also deal with the death of our patients.

Yet there is one consistency which connects and rises above all of our fears and doubts, transcending all the inconsistencies and challenges we face: God, who is unchanging, the same yesterday, today and tomorrow.  Because of the character and consistent faithfulness of God who exposes all falsehood, we may possess and offer hope to our patients and a weary world in need of reconciliation and forgiveness from the One who created them.  “In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade.”(1 Peter 1:3,4)  This is true hope.

Let us use all the medical knowledge and skill we possess in order to gain influence among the dying in order to share the hope we have been given through Christ.

Read: Romans 15:4, 1 Corinthians 14:6-7, Ephesians 1:18, 1 Peter 3:15

Christian providers should provide the very best physical care but at the same time add a spiritual dimension.  But what does it mean to be spiritual?  I am reading a book by Paul Tripp entitled A Broken-Down House, Living Productively in a World Gone Bad that provides some insight.

Too often we associate spirituality with our external behavior, church attendance and participating in other ministry activities.  If this is what Christianity is, how does this differ from any other religion?
Tripp defines Christian spiritually as nothing less than “a deep devotion to Christ, the fruit of which is a lifestyle of daily worship of him and active service in his kingdom.”  As a result every aspect of our lives and medical work should demonstrate devotion to God and a self-sacrificing love of others.

The best way to recognize true Christian spirituality may be to look at how a false spirituality points us away from Christ.  Tripp discusses five common ways in which counterfeit spirituality goes
wrong:

”First, it mistakes commitment to Christianity for commitment to Christ.  I can serve and enjoy the externals of Christianity more than I serve and enjoy Christ.  An example of this was the parable of the
Pharisee and the tax collector in Luke 18:9-14.  The Pharisee was a religious man and was in the temple praying, but his prayer was not an act of relationship with and submission to God.”

“Second, it mistakes bible knowledge for biblical wisdom.  Knowledge and foolishness can live together, even though it seems they shouldn’t.  Wisdom is something deeper than intellectual comprehension. Wisdom is something you live.  You don’t show wisdom by demonstrating what you know.  You reveal wisdom by the way you think, desire, choose, act, react, speak, and respond to the situations and relationships around you.”

“Third, it mistakes commitment to a system of theology and rules for Christian maturity.  It is dangerous to define Christian maturity by how biblically literate and theologically knowledgeable a person has
become or to reduce it to how well we keep the rules.  This kind of spirituality God vehemently rejected in the Old Testament, Isaiah 29:13.  The grace of Christ has been given to transform me at the
level of the deepest, most profound motives, thoughts, desires, purposes, perspectives and cravings of our hearts.”

“Fourth, it mistakes doing new “religious” things for a heart of obedience to Christ.  Is my participation in church activities an act of willing obedience or simply a system of penance and self-atonement
to ease my conscience about the fact that I really do live as if my life belongs to me?  We should be participants in the ongoing celebration of God’s grace, and servants who make willing sacrifices
daily for the sake of God’s kingdom.”

“Fifth, it mistakes participation in ministry opportunities for a Christ-like lifestyle.  It is good and proper for the local church to design, organize, and schedule various ministries for the body of Christ.  But the call of Christ for me is to offer every aspect of my life to him for his service, not just those my church emphasizes.  We should not think of our lives as separate from ministry, nor are we to think of ministry as separate from our lives.  Therefore, we should see every aspect of life and particularly our work as  our ministry.”

Thank you, Paul Tripp, for helping us to understand what true spirituality is in order that we may reflect  a truly Christ-centered, grace-driven, God-glorifying, heart-satisfying righteousness to a physically dying, spiritually dead world coming into our offices daily. Our patients have desperate needs.  May God use us to offer a living hope to our patients every day.

For further reflection read Romans 12:1-2; Luke 18:9-14; Isaiah 1 and 29.

Some of their comments:

“You don’t have to do everything but you must do something.”

“We need to pray a lot more.  I like the idea of connecting to one another to pray via SMS on cell phones.” (The impact of social media…)

“We should prepare faith flags ahead of time and lots of them.”

“I learned new ways of thinking about how to apply Christianity in the workplace.”

It’s encouraging to read of their desire to implement what they learned.

May God receive all the glory.

I’ve never been to Albania and I honestly didn’t know what to expect.  What a wonderful surprise to see majestic mountains as I flew into the capital city.  I quickly moved through passport control and located my driver Gyorgi who was holding a sign that read “Jim Pepot.”  Oh, well.  Close enough.  Between his limited knowledge of English and both of our limited knowledge of Russian, we managed to carry on a conversation as we drove to the Albanian Christian Center.

I learned that he is the supervisor of a Christian school attended by children of diplomats, missionaries and both Albanian and foreign businessmen.  Sadly only a few Albanian children attend this school, but perhaps one day there will be more.

Gyorgi has one son (age 16) and one daughter (age 21).  He has been to Montenegro and Kosovo, but few countries outside the region because of needed visas and high travel costs.  He explained to me that Albania is 50% Muslim and 50% Christian.  Christians are predominantly Catholic and Orthodox with only 4% being Protestant.  I quietly prayed that God may use this seminar to revive Albania and see the Great Commission fulfilled!

The roads became narrower as we approached the Center and after a couple of honks of the horn a gate began to open and we entered the site.  The Center at one time was the site of the Viet Nam Embassy.  It featured gardens with various tropical trees and tall columns flanked by palm trees marking the steps to the porch and entrance to the administrative and meeting building.

Behind the administrative building…the guest house. Though the rooms were chilly — no radiators to be seen — the team had a very restful night sleep after meeting to determine who would teach which particular section of the seminar.  What a privilege to teach with Hungarian Gabor and Dutch Alet.

The conference began at 9:30 a.m. and ended at 8:30 p.m.  The two coffee breaks in addition to lunch and dinner gave us ample opportunity to get to know the participants better.  They were well prepared, asked great questions and began immediately to consider how to make the program more Albanian!  I was impressed with the passion these young Albanians have for the Lord and for their country.

Sunday morning and the three trainers went to three different churches. My church spent 45 minutes in praise and worship, followed by a brief children’s message and then the sermon which lasted another 90 minutes.  I was struck by the fact that the overwhelming majority in attendance were under 35 years of age.  Many were introduced to me as physicians.  (Gabor mentioned that he met many nurses at the church he attended that morning.)

What a great opportunity in Albania for health care professionals to be witnesses of Jesus Christ!  Twenty participants may seem like a small group, but it is significant when you consider the size of Albania and its population…fewer people live in that country than live in Kyiv alone!

Sunday afternoon and Monday morning was devoted to training trainers.  Fifteen participants took this extra training and are qualified to teach this material throughout Albania.  We concluded our time together in prayer praising God for being the God of all people and thanking Him for the privilege of being used by Him to be His instruments in bringing the message of hope and eternal life to those physically dying and spiritually dead…and therefore in need of a Savior.

Of course, we were also introduced to the tastes of Albania on Sunday night.  The foods were delicious, but the fellowship was even sweeter.  It was great fun to laugh, share and learn about each others’  families and cultures.

We pray these relationships will bear much eternal fruit in changed lives and souls for the country of Albania and beyond.

In her book which is based on her extensive personal study and personal experience, she provides the answers to several questions frequently asked by those who suffer physical illness.  Does God still heal people miraculously today?  If so, does He want to heal all or just some?  And what am I to think if my prayers for healing go unanswered?  She draws four conclusions for us to ponder.

First, Jesus is just as concerned about our health and healing today as He was when He walked this earth.  She quotes Henry Frost who wrote the following, “Christ is the eternal Son of God, and He is in His divine attributes the same yesterday and today and forever (Hebrews 13:8).  If therefore He loved in the days of His flesh, He loves now; if He cared then, He cares now; if He healed then, He heals now.  It does not necessarily follow that He will do now all that He did then, or that He will do what He does now in the same way as He did then, for His purposes in some things are different at present from what they were in the past.  Nevertheless, Christ is changeless in character, and we may be sure that He is infinitely interested in us and concerned about us.”

Second, yes, we are healed by His wounds—but not necessarily immediately.  All life, all healing, and all atonement flow from that fountain who is our Lord Jesus Christ.  Where else would it come from?  Joni quotes theologian Richard Mayhue: “Isaiah 53 primarily deals with the spiritual being of man.  Its major emphasis is on sin, not sickness.  It focuses on the moral cause of sickness, which is sin, and not on the immediate removal of one of sin’s results—sickness.”  We should be quick to add that not every sickness is the result of specific personal sin of the one afflicted.

Third, our Lord Jesus has varied purposes of His own.  In His mercy and in His purposes He will heal immediately.  But at other times His healing will go on at a deeper level in the innermost parts of our being and not be fully realized in our bodies until we step into our new bodies upon our arrival in our Father’s house.  Yes, He has redeemed those who believe in Christ, but He is also continuing that redemptive process in our lives right up until we draw our last breath.

When the resurrected Christ told Peter how he was going to die to glorify the Lord, Peter looked over his shoulder at John and said, “Lord, what about him?”  Jesus patiently replied, “If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you?  You must follow me?”(John 21:22)  In other words, Jesus has His own purpose for each of us.  And what-ever situation He gives us in life, we are to follow Him in faith and trust.

God has different purposes for His own, and He shows Himself strong and gains glory in different ways throughout each of our life-times.  And if He allows suffering in our lives, He does for very specific, very important reasons, and he does not do so lightly!

Again she quotes Henry Frost: “Christ has many things to think of in planning for a saint; He must have in mind what is best for the individual; what is the greatest profit in respect to His testimony; what is required in his relationship to many other saints; and what is to make most for God’s present and eternal glory; and He will hold resolutely, in answering prayer, to that course which will combine in bringing the largest and most enduring good to pass.”

Fourth, as with other crucial issues, Satan will seek to push us into nonbiblical extremes on this issue of miraculous healing.  Joni writes, there is one thing that seems to be a common element in those who take extreme positions on divine healing, a lack of humility.

She continues writing “on the one hand you have people telling God what He must do, and on the other hand you have people telling God what He can’t do.  As clay pots who are we to dictate terms to the master potter and tell Him that he Has to heal me right now?  Who are we to tell God what He can or can’t do in today’s world?  He can do as He likes.  He is God.  As He declares in the book of Isaiah, ‘My purpose will stand, and I will do all that I please’ (46:10).  As Job asserts, ‘He stands alone, and who can oppose him? He does whatever he pleases’ (23:13).”

Joni concludes, “At times He is willing to heal immediately—and He will perform a miracle that modern medicine can’t begin to explain.  At other times, however—and for reasons we can’t always fathom—He is not willing to heal a particular illness, reverse the course of a disease, or cancel a particular disability.  As with the apostle Paul, who had his request for healing denied, the Lord Jesus will give an extra measure of His presence and grace instead.”

Indeed, may we join with our patients in saying, “your grace is sufficient for us, for your strength is made perfect in our weakness.”(2 Corinthians 12:9)

About a month ago I received a phone call from a missionary in Cherkassy, Ukraine asking my opinion about a 2-year-old child whose family attends their church.  The child has developmental delay, lack of speech, and seizures.  The question was would I agree to evaluate this little boy.  The family had a friend who was willing to drive them to Kyiv to see me.  After obtaining a few more details I offered to go to Cherkassy and evaluate him.   It would be impossible for this family to use public transport because of the child’s behavior.  It would even be a difficult 2-½ hour journey in a private car.

Our missionary friends said the family was overwhelmed with the thought that a doctor would come to them. Our friends sweetened the offer by inviting Marianna to come with me and spend the night.  We had wanted to get to know this missionary family better so it was not a difficult decision to say yes.

So last weekend we hopped on a marshrutka (mini-bus) and headed to Cherkassy.  We arrived early in the evening and enjoyed a delicious meal and warm fellowship.  Some people you meet and it just feels like you have known them for years.  We were glad for this opportunity to deepen our relationship with them and their children.

The next day we were off to their church.  When people are patient and encouraging enough to allow us to speak imperfectly in their language you certainly feel welcome.  Upon learning I was a doctor, a queue formed of people who wanted to talk to me about medical problems.  This happens in all cultures but particularly when people do not trust their medical system.

After church we headed back to our friends home to have dinner and evaluate the two year old.  After spending about three hours obtaining information, examining the child and answering the parents’ questions we put together a plan of what needed to be done next and how to care for the little boy.  We prayed for God’s strength to deal with this health issue and, if it be His will, to bring healing from this problem.

Our marshrutka was leaving for Kyiv at 6pm and the father had to prepare for the evening worship service so we had to say “goodbye” before we really wanted to.  As the child’s parents were leaving, his mother said to our host, “Thank you so much for arranging this visit.  We spent more time with the doctor today than all of the other visits combined with doctors since he was born. And he even listened to us and allowed us to ask questions.”  They were grieved by the possible diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder but now they can begin to focus and determine how to help their son.  This is not an easy diagnosis in Ukraine because of the stigma and limited number of resources available.

As they were leaving, the phone rang.  Another family had a child with a fever of 104 and asked if I would  be willing to look at the child.  We had planned to get back early but what is another hour?  The child arrived quickly.  I already knew the history from this morning in church, so all that was needed was an examination.  I reviewed what they should do and what to look for and we were off to catch our marshrutka.

On the way to the bus stop, our host, who is also a publisher, offered his assistance to raise funds and find the appropriate publishers to provide materials for both physicians and parents so they might know the truth of what is known about autism (and other issues) and how to help these children. Wow, that was unexpected!

Altogether it was a great 24 hours:  We deepened our relationship with our friends, developed new friends, were encouraged as well as were encouraging,  and pointed people to the One who has the power to make a difference.