Fantastic Visitor Video!
Andre Ishak, his wife Jeanine, and their son Brandon just visited us for about 10 days. Dr. Ishak is a Hand Surgeon, and he performed many life-altering and wonderful surgeries during their time here. We were very blessed to have them. Check out the amazing video they made to document their trip!
Ethiopia 2014 from Andre Ishak on Vimeo.
Taking the Mission Beyond the Hospital
At Soddo Christian Hospital, we are investing in our staff through discipleship. And some of them took what they were learning to the Soddo community - going outside the camp to bring about transformation. Here's how it happened:
While studying the Gospels in their small groups, some of the members had an idea: to minister to the prisoners in the local Soddo prison. They would share the Gospel and meet practical needs of the people they met. Wanting to hear from the Spirit, they took a month to pray, fast, and ask for God's guidance in their plans. Then, they began to collect donations from individuals as well as the Hospital. Those of us working here were more than happy to play our part in seeing these faithful employees live out our mission in Soddo.
On June 7th and 8th, the group ventured into the local prison. There were 50 people involved in the ministry. Their efforts reached out to 600 prisoners - providing medical services, giving out donated medicines and clothing, and sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ. In those two days, 74 people prayed to receive Jesus as their Savior. Among them was a man imprisoned for murder. He asked, "Can God really forgive someone like me?" Yes! He repented, and received Christ. Praise God!
One of the core beliefs of our hospital is in doing holistic ministry - sharing with people the salvation found in Jesus combined with practical and excellent medical care. This group of ministers sent out from us carried that holistic message to the broader community. Fueled and excited by seeing the work of God's spirit, they are now planning their next move. They plan to try a similar program in some neighboring towns, or possibly to focus on job creation and discipleship training.
21 New Hips!
Recently, we had the privilege to be visited by a joint specialist from the US. Dr. Clint Barnett is an orthopedic surgeon at the Scott & White Medical Center in Temple, Texas. He specializes in replacing worn out knees and hips in patients who have suffered from severe arthritis and debilitating pain.
Last week, he brought those skills to Ethiopia and Soddo Christian Hospital. In just one week, he and Dr. Anderson and our OR crew knocked out 21 hip replacements! Yes, that's right. Twenty-one!
21 patients who had been suffering for years with severe pain.
21 patients who could barely walk.
21 patients whose lives will never be the same.
We are so proud of our OR team as well. These anesthetists, scrub nurses, porters, autoclave staff, and recovery room staff worked extra hours and on weekends to get the work done! Near the end of the campaign, we had a couple of the patients come up to the front of our weekly chapel service to share how they were already feeling better.
At Soddo Christian Hospital, our desire is to provide excellent medical services and make disciples of Jesus Christ. We are thankful that God sends servants like Dr. Barnett our way, and pray that God will all the glory for the work that is done here in Soddo!
Thank you, Dr. Gray and family!
Recently, we waved goodbye to the Gray family who have been a part of this hospital for the past six years. Dr. Paul Gray came to Soddo to be a General Surgeon, and for much of that time, he was the only one. He served in many roles during his time here including Medical Director and Director of the PAACS residency program. His wife, Becca, served as the Guest Coordinator for all the short-termers that come through, and in recent days she coordinated charity surgeries through the Watsi program.
The Grays are loved by many in Soddo, and much could be said about what God accomplished through them during their time here. More, in fact, than could fill the pages of this blog. God used Paul’s skillful hands to save the lives of countless patients, and his excellent teaching skills to pass the knowledge on to the residents. His administrative skills contributed much to shaping the vision of the hospital, as well as reams of documents and curriculum related to the PAACS program. He spent countless hours in intentional discipleship and Bible study with the residents. Becca patiently coordinated guests’ comings and goings, as well as served out of her professional background as a dietician. Not to mention raising two kids on the mission field.
Recently, one of the residents told a story that really encapsulated Dr. Gray’s attitude when it came to patients. There were two patients in the ICU who had just received tracheostomies – a temporary airway placed in the neck. One of our residents had been called to see the patients because they were in distress… at the same time! In fact both of them were on the verge of cardiac arrest. The resident called Dr. Gray, but as can often happen here, the network dropped the call just as he was beginning to explain the issue. On instinct, Dr. Gray rushed from his house to the ICU arriving, in the words of the resident, “before I even put my phone back in my pocket!” The patients were suffering from occluded trach tubes, which Dr. Gray immediately remedied and saved both of their lives. The reason this story had such a huge impact on the resident, was that it is counter-cultural for a distinguished surgeon to come running. Especially when summoned by someone lower than them in social hierarchy. (Much more common to run when you are called by someone who outranks you). Also, many times a resident would be left to fend for themselves. Dr. Gray’s servant mindset toward his patients (and the resident) saved their life that day, and made an indelible mark on that resident.
We will miss you Grays!
Just Another Week at SCH
Here are a few patient stories from the past week:
1. A young woman was in a terrible car accident, and fractured both of her legs. Oh, and she happened to be 8 months pregnant! Fortunately, there was no sign of trauma to the baby who seemed to be fine. We admitted the young lady to the hospital, and she had surgery on both of her legs. Then, we kept her in the hospital in order to deliver her baby. This past week, she gave birth to healthy baby boy!
2. A young man was struck down by a car while walking on the road a few hundred kilometers south of here. He was found unconscious with absolutely no way to identify him. It was not known who his family or friends were. Passers-by brought him to our hospital where he was admitted to the ICU with a diagnosis of severe head injury. For over a week, he lay unconscious. A CT scan of his brain showed no bleeding requiring surgery. St.ill no family showed up, so photos were circulated around the village near where he was found. This past week, his father came and the patient woke up. He is improving every day.
3. Several patients have been hospitalized with severe electrical shock injuries. One was riding standing up in a back of a truck, when the truck went under a low hanging high voltage power line. Another was working on a high voltage power line when he was electrocuted and thrown ten feet to the ground. Both are improving. Although they have severe burns, they will survive.
4. Many patients are having prosthetic hip joints put in this week thanks to some new hardware from St.ryker. We are hoping to do about 15 hip replacements over the next week. Many of these patients have been suffering for many years with chronic hip problems, and this surgery will change their life!
We praise God for all the He is doing at Soddo Christian Hospital. Thank you for your support and prayers.