Dr. Sotunsa, John Obafemi. B.A.(Theology) MBCHB
Medical ministry is the right hand of the gospel. In the might of economic and social challenges the support for this arm of the ministry has been dwelling such that this vital tool has not been optimally in use. Many mission hospitals that over the years had learned of donations and subventions have languished with thinning of donor funds. In fact, many have echoed “you cannot plant a tree in America and reap the fruits in Africa”. This, in essence, is challenging the brethren in Africa to bear the burden of the gospel in its entirety and proclaim the testimonies of victory of the LORD who made everything out of nothing.
The truth about this challenge is that medical missions will come to reality only through prayer and fasting (Mt. 17:20) because the devil does not want it to come to fruition.
In 2002, Olumide was opportuned to join a Christian hospital in Ogun State. The hospital had been in operation for 27 years. It had gone through various phases of development from a garage clinic to a 15-bed hospital.
There were periods when paying salaries was difficult and the workers had to do some gardening to support themselves and the work. The nurses and doctors had to take part in the cleaning. Despite these, the hospital was nose-diving. The financial support from the mission headquarters was not forthcoming. There was so much grumbling and discontent since a hungry man is an angry man.
The first thing in such a situation is to refer the centre back to the owner of the work- GOD. Olumide challenged the handful of workers to prayer and fasting and God heard their prayers.
Using what you have
The 5000 men had listened to the gospel and it was evening. They were to return through the long dusty path back home though weak and tired. Jesus did not want this to happen lest some will faint on the way. So Jesus ordered…”give ye then to eat” Mt. 14:16. The disciples replied “we have here but five loaves and two fishes” v17. God used this little supply to feed the 5000 men besides women and children. God is able to expand the little resources in the presence of faith and total dependence on God. Trusting God, Olumide began challenging the workers to trust the LORD for a spectacular change in the whole setting. He challenged them and they gave 5% of their lean and infrequent income to God throughout 2003. You know what? God began blessing their faith. Now rather than a fifteen-bed single building, God brought in divine favor through a patient healed of Vericela Zooster and a new laboratory was built for the centre.
Stepping outside the box
Mt. 14:22-30 revealed the storm-tossed boat in which the disciples battled for survival prior to Jesus walking on the water. Peter, realizing it was Jesus, challenged Jesus to call him to walk on the water. That is to do the impossible. Peter did walk on water. He walked on water because Jesus walked on water and bade him to. For medical mission to attain its full potential and be sustained there is the need for leaders who have the vision of the LORD. The work cannot grow above the leader because your vision determines your attitude. Dare to do something great. Olumide rallied the workers and they began by direct labour forty five-bed ward which was commissioned October 2006. A radio-diagnostic centre followed. With more services, salaries are now regular. In the same vein, a dental unit was commenced with a visiting christian doctor, Oyedele. He visited twice weekly. The equipments were supplied without payment. To the glory of God, the four million bill was paid within 6 months. This year Dr. Oyedele joined the mission full time.
Minimizing wastages; Maximizing potential
Now that the work became less stressful, success posed another problem. Some nurses gathered, refusing to take samples, and set lines as they had been doing before. They drew Olumide’s attention to the fact that in the teaching hospitals it is not done. Like the Israelites, they longed for more salaries and less work “like other nations” (1 Sam 8:5). This however had been the Waterloo of many mission works. “Not my job syndrome had led to internal wrangling and wastage seconding to disorder. Mt. 14:19-21 gives us the way out of this. Proper organization and maintenance of team spirit for we “kill the elephant”.
Mobilizing support
To support medical ministry, we have put to mind that you cannot give what you do not have. Charity is a welcome sermon when there are resources. The fact that medical mission is capital intensive cannot be over-emphasized. What did Olumide do to support the work?
1. Look inward- What services can be rendered that will help generate income? This will involve some courage and improvement in skills and services by the available staff members.
2. Look around- What services are needed around that can be provided or introduced. Olumide introduced dental service in his centre and that was a big boost.
3. Look Outward- Who can help? God had made the rich to take care of the poor. When you challenge the people of substance they could support the work in various ways especially as they might have been blessed by the medical ministry. Drug companies and charity organizations can become partners in attaining the goals. At Olumide’s centre, the cable Television system broadcasting Christian messages was sponsored by 2 companies, a company just donated five Pentium IV computer systems to improve their processes while another donated blocks toward their next project 140 bed ward hospital. Like Nehemiah, look outward and use every open door to God’s glory (Neh. 2: 7-8).
Sustaining the vision and the mission
Sustaining the vision and mission in the medical ministry is not just about money, neither is it business as usual. Olumide found Nehemiah’s method very helpful.
1. Regular assessment of challenges
Neh. 2:12-15. Go round; assess the work that needs to be done. This will inform your prayer and approach to the challenges. Missions cannot be done by proxy.
2. Share the vision
Neh. 2:17- 18. When you share the vision, you sell the mission. Whoever buys into the mission receives a commission which makes him or her run with the vision. So you will not be the only burden-bearer. The burden shared is always easier. It ensures support in the time of challenges and discouragement. Share the vision, proclaim it loud and clear. Let the cleaner, gardener buy into it and let the laboratory scientist and accountant play their parts.
3. Handling challenges
Neh. 2:19-20. When things are difficult, we all are united in prayer and fasting against a common enemy. The inflow of success might be greeted
with a lot of attacks and opposition and many might despise the little beginning. What did Olumide do?
a. Report to God- Neh. 4:4; 6:9. Never be tired of reporting to God hourly, daily. Do not bottle the challenges up for it will result in bitterness and blur your vision of the LORD.
b. Encourage colleagues- Neh. 4:14, 15. Be positive. In the midst of all attacks remember, many depend on you for strength, encourage them in the vision and purpose of God. Lean on the revealed will of God for strength.
c. Avoid distraction- Neh. 6:2-4; 10- 14. Distractions are special devices to bring in discouragement through majoring in minor; that is, misplaced priorities; capitalizing on trivialities. Faith establishes doubt and fear. It allows for suspicion. Be focused, purposeful and determined to achieve the will of God for your ministry.
d. Correct wrongs- Neh. 5:1- 13. Oppression must not be allowed within the mission. We are all equal before the Lord. You occupy a specific position only by God’s grace. So no oppression should be allowed.
e. Accountability- Neh. 5:14- 15. God owns the work. Every penny in the work belongs to Him. Many medical missionary work have resulted in “eating from the altar” before the fruits are ripe, forgetting that casting your bread upon the waters makes you find them in bags after many days (Eccl 11:1,2). It is better to give and give again into the work from our just earnings than to take from it. Olumide sows into the work so his colleagues follow suit. Givers never lack.
Proper stewardship does not mean accumulation of resources in the banks
rather it involves investment of the master’s fund in ways that will result in greater yield (Mt. 25:14- 31). When such business know-how is lacking the work suffers (Lk 16:1-13).
Succession
Elijah had led Israel to return to God (1 Kings 17) and now Jezebel sought his life, he was discouraged and fled for his life. He wanted to die but the work must continue, and the LORD said unto him (Elijah), Go, return on thy way to the wilderness of Damascus and when thou comest, anoint Hazeal to be king over Syria, and Jehu the son of Nimahi shalt thou anoint to be prophet in thy room. And it shall come to pass, that he that escapeth the sword of Hezael shall Jehu slay and him that escapeth from the sword of Jehu shall Elisha slay. (1 Kings 19:15-17).
Important in the sustenance of the medical missionary work in succession. Elijah’s work was rounding up and God needed a good workman who is able to endure the cross, withstand threats and go the extra mile at every time of need (2 Kings 2). That man was Elisha. This was very important that God called him before Elijah was translated. With Elisha, the work graduated to a greater height.
In the same vein, to sustain the work in the medical mission, there is the need for the skill of Dr. Luke, the prayer zeal of Jabez, Elijah’s divine intervention on Camel, determination and empathy of Ruth and the perseverance of Paul. Do not let your talent and skill die with you. Pass on the torch so that greater things will be accomplished for the master.
Conclusion
The resources to develop and sustain the medical missionary work in Africa are in Africa. We only need to submit all we are, have and will ever be for His use then He will establish and sustain the work with accompanying signs and wonders.
Dr. Sotunsa, John Obafemi. B.A.(Theology) MBCHB
Registrar, Obs & Gynae Dept. Olabisi Onabanjo University Teaching Hospital, Sagamu.
#Missions #2007