Standing in the gap for those without medical care
When JHC embarked on the journey to meet physical and spiritual needs of vulnerable families and youth at risk, we also began to identify key areas needing immediate attention. One of those was emergency medical care.
This was no surprise; we were keenly aware of the circumstances surrounding the underprivileged we were called to serve. The Central African Republic, for example, has experienced several years of uninterrupted internal conflicts, resulting in nearly half of the country’s population being displaced from their homes. A lack of access to health care services is pervasive throughout the nation.
The Emergency Medical Fund
This troubling reality is not just limited to the CAR. Most of the countries we minister in have similar stories of little to no basic medical care. As we focus on helping these vulnerable families achieve self-sustainability, we cannot ignore their urgent health needs.
That’s why JHC established the Emergency Medical Fund, which stands in the gap for those who lack insurance, are impoverished or are the victims of cultural indifference.
Writer Augusten Burroughs said: “When you have your health, you have everything. When you do not have your health, nothing else matters at all.” Honestly, without decent health, every activity is hindered.
Burroughs’ quote reminds me of the biblical story of a father whose son was affected by epilepsy. He brought the son to Jesus’ disciples to be healed, but they were unable to do so. Later, when Jesus joined His disciples, this man approached Him. The passage goes on to say the father knelt before Jesus out of desperation, and begged Him to heal his son – which Jesus did.
And when they came to the crowd, a man came up to him and, kneeling before him, said, “Lord, have mercy on my son, for he has seizures and he suffers terribly. For often he falls into the fire, and often into the water. And I brought him to your disciples, and they could not heal him (Matthew 17:14-16, ESV).
Achieving true transformation
As a mother and grandmother, my heart goes out to the countless families facing these impossible health challenges daily. Without the proper medical care, the outcome is always fatal. As a matter of fact, my husband’s aunt Veronique recently lost her last remaining daughter, whom I had just visited earlier this year. The young mother developed complications from malaria and received an injection. In a matter of hours, she passed away, leaving behind young children.
Poverty has a multi-dimensional cause. In order to achieve true transformation through our self-sustainability program, it became obvious that the people in our program needed proper medical care to thrive. I have seen time and time again the benefits of helping with a mother’s health care needs, which enables her to then care for her children and family. As we continue to serve the least and the lost, the Emergency Medical Fund must be an integral part of our outreach.
As you read this newsletter, I am in Africa to personally take Brigitte, one of the girls in our Youth at Risk Program, for medical treatment for recurring seizures. Thanks to our supporters’ sacrificial donations to the Emergency Medical Fund, I am able to take her to receive the necessary medical care. Brigitte is an excellent student. But the seizures have had a debilitating effect, often causing her to miss classes. She also cannot use a motorbike unsupervised – which limits her travel – and the list goes on. Treating her seizures will open the door for her to further her education.
Would you consider including the Emergency Medical Fund in your support of our ministry? A gift of $10, $25, $50 or more can help others like Brigitte receive the critical medical attention they need. Please join me in praying for the ultra-poor people this ministry serves … and thank you for donating as the Lord leads.
