Over the last few months, because of the faithful support of so many people, we have been able to help people all around the world.

We were able to give three brand new ultrasound machines to missionaries working in three different countries.  From my personal experience, I can assure you that an ultrasound is an invaluable tool in remote parts of the world.  Often the only diagnostic tool available in these areas is simple x-ray. An ultrasound greatly expands the ability to diagnose and better treat patients.  The ultrasound is especially invaluable in the obstetrics setting–allowing assessment of the baby and allowing doctors to better care for the mother and child.

One will go to a new Christian mission hospital in Burundi, Africa.  Dr. Jason Fader is a great friend and he and other doctors are establishing a teaching hospital in Burundi.  Another ultrasound will go to Dr. Arega Fekadu to be used in Malawi, Africa.  The last machine will go to Dr. Alex Philip and his hospital in Bihar, India.  Each and every ultrasound will go to help people in some of the most impoverished areas of the world, helping people with little or no access to quality medical care, reaching out to these people with the kindness and compassion of Jesus.

We were able to purchase a new autoclave for a mission hospital in rural Zambia.  An autoclave sterilizes surgical instruments for use in the operating room.  This particular hospital’s autoclave had been malfunctioning for months, at times preventing the doctors from performing necessary surgery.  This new autoclave will assure that surgery will continue to help the people in such urgent need.

We were able to give a substantial gift to help Syrian refugees.  As you know, hundreds of thousands of people have fled the violence in Syria.  Through our partnership with Dr. Sam Ra’ad and Health Outreach for the Middle East, we are able to reach out to these people in need.

We were able to begin the construction process of a dental clinic in far western Kenya.  The people in this remote area have little or no access to dental care.  As a surgeon, I can attest that I often see neglected dental problems lead to life-threatening infections.  Being able to care for the dental needs of people will make a significant impact for the Kingdom.

With our joint venture with Franklin Graham and Samaritan’s Purse we were able to construct and fully furnish visiting doctors housing at Mukinge mission hospital in Zambia.  Because of the shortage of housing, often it was difficult to accommodate the visiting doctors that are so needed to help with the burden of care at Mukinge.  This new side-by-side duplex will allow two families and 8-10 people to be comfortably housed.  The missionaries at Mukinge are SO grateful.  I should be able to see the new construction when I go to Mukinge in April.

Many more projects are planned in the future, but I–like the one leper who came back to say thanks–wanted to express my gratitude to all who have contributed.  And mostly I want to say thanks to God for all He IS doing and all He is GOING to do this year.  It is such an honor to be a part of advancing His Kingdom.  Blessings!

This resurrection life you received from God is not a timid, grave-tending life.  It’s adventurously expectant, greeting God with a childlike, “What’s next, Papa?”  Romans 8:15 Message

“I prefer a church which is bruised, hurting and dirty because it has been out on the streets, rather than a church which is unhealthy from being confined and from clinging to its own security.  More than by  fear of going astray, my hope is that we will be moved by the fear of remaining shut up within structures which give us a false sense of security, within rules which make us harsh judges, within habits which make us feel safe, while at our door  people are starving and Jesus does not tire of saying to us, “Give them something to eat”.”

Pope Francis

Evangeilli Gaudium (The Joy of the Gospel)

We took care of a lot of trauma patients in my busy surgical practice in Little Rock. Whether by helicopter or ambulance, patients who had been seriously injured were quickly transported to our hospital. Very often I would spend hours resuscitating and operating on these patients. Most did well. Sadly though, despite rapid transport to the hospital, despite a well-trained staff intervening quickly, sometimes the injuries were too severe, the blood loss too great, the head injury too devastating and the patient would not survive.

I can remember so many times going out to the emergency department waiting area, to a small room to one side and speaking to the anxious family members awaiting news. The conversation would always start with “I am so sorry. We did everything we could possibly do.” And the conversation would end with silent embraces and shared tears. And for the next few days I would carry around a lingering sadness as I grieved this sudden loss of life. As I shared the pain of a family’s world forever changed in an instant.

For years I made it my routine whenever I would leave the hospital at the end of the day to leave through the emergency department, specifically past the door to the little living room where those conversations had so often taken place. I did this to remind myself that life is uncertain. Life is fragile. Things can change in an instant. I did this to remind myself to be thankful for those close to me. To live and love knowing there is no guarantee of tomorrow. To live and love in the moment. To live and love with no regrets.