Author: Paul Hudson
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A cheerful heart is good medicine
In medical school I learned that the death of a spouse is a risk factor for one’s death, and many times the surviving spouse dies near an anniversary of the sad event. The connection between our soul and body is closer than we can imagine. The book of Proverbs says it this way: “A cheerful…
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Not the way it’s supposed to be
“The veins of sin interlace with most of the rest of what’s wrong with our lives — through birth disorders, disease, accident and nuisance. Thousands of Third World children die daily from largely preventable diseases: out of laziness or complacency, certain grownups fail to prevent them. Thousands of First World children are born drug addicts:…
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Taking it in steps?
A missionary doctor, nurse or health provider in his or her first term is all enthusiasm. After all, he or she may think, “After all that preparation, let’s get on with the real work!” But those first few years show how much more there is to learn! First there is the adjustment to the new…
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Too much to do? Time to re-examine our own assumptions!
Stress and burnout are recognized themes in medical missions. One source of stress is the sheer magnitude of physical needs; one billion people in our world have no access to a trained health worker and healthcare workers often stand in the gap. In the face of overwhelming need how do we maintain healthy margins? Overextended,…
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“…not merely a doctor”
“The doctor has so objectified himself that he never faces up to himself and his own life at all.” “Somewhere in Pembrokshire a tombstone is said to bear the inscription, ‘John Jones, born a man, died a grocer.’ There are many whom I have had the privilege of meeting whose tombstone might well bear the…
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Navigating a path to sustainable Chinese medical mission participation
Take a look at some the challenges that Chinese Christian doctors could face as they consider God’s call to missions. And this article doesn’t even begin to address the cross-cultural issues of Eastern and Western medical worldviews! As you consider these hurdles, let’s not think ‘it can’t be done!’ Rather, let’s think that “God is…
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Life-risking courage in the cause of love
This audio podcast by John Piper helps us address the question of loving others. How do I love to the fullest measure? How do I ensure that my good deeds are not selfish ambition disguised as love? He says, “If you abandon your quest to be satisfied in God to the fullest measure, you will…
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Finding meaning as a Christian in mission
Kathryn Butler is a trauma and critical care surgeon who recently left clinical practice to homeschool her children. She teaches at Harvard Medical School, and has contributed to the literature on surgical critical care and medical education. She and her family live in the woods north of Boston. This is her journey from medical mission…
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Assessing the learning needs of medical mission workers
This survey finds that learning needs of medical missionaries are broader than you might think.
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Third culture leadership
Mission leadership should include ‘bridge people’ who embody the diversity of our pluarlistic world.