Developing World
The deeper diagnosis: The revolution medical missions actually needs
At a recent global conference of Christian medical doctors, a talk entitled “A Revolution in Healthcare Missions” sent a buzz through the auditorium. The speaker called for an end to the old, Western-centric model, addressing the dangers of a colonial mindset. It is an important critique, but afterward I heard many asking, “Is there still a need…
Read MoreSeven missionary lessons from the Apostle Paul
You know how I lived the whole time I was with you, from the first day I came into the province of Asia. I served the Lord with great humility and with tears. Acts 20:18-19 One of the Christian ministries I am grateful to God for is missionary work. People like myself came to Christ…
Read MoreIntegral mission through palliative care in Nepal
When the first mission workers arrived in Nepal in 1954, Leprosy was endemic and caused much suffering with high levels of disability, social stigma and ostracism from the community. With its mission to serve the poorest and most marginalised, International Nepal Fellowship (INF) opened Green Pastures Leprosy Hospital in 1957. Whilst Leprosy remains an important…
Read MoreFaith, health and collaborative love – Pandemic partnership for health professionals and the church
This article is republished with kind permission from the Lausanne Movement website where it is also available in French, Spanish and Portuguese. The impact of the church on health and development is much greater than it appears. There are two main reasons for this: First, Christians working at the front line are so busy that…
Read MoreThe lost culture of reading and writing
Being literate, defined as ‘the ability to read and write’, is a grace brought about by education. Prophet Isaiah divided the world into ‘those who know how to read’ and ‘those who do not know how to read’ (Isaiah 29:11,12). This is the reason the ‘Millennium and Sustainable Development Goals’ call for ‘Universal Primary Education…
Read MoreHow do we strengthen church and mission hospitals?
Recently listening to Peter Saunders share about the Mission Hospital (MH) database project in a MedSend conference (see video here), and David Stevens sharing in a webinar on ‘Strengthening Mission Hospitals’ has challenged further exploration of the question, how do we strengthen church and mission hospitals? In this short post, I reflect on some lessons…
Read MoreCOVID pandemic: Lessons learnt and the way forward
The COVID-19 pandemic originated in China probably by September 2019 and swept through all the countries of the world causing a public health crisis, overwhelming even well-organised health care systems of the Western world. In its wake there is a huge economic crisis across the globe which threatens the socio-cultural and economic foundations of mankind.…
Read MoreSome brief Christian considerations on the COVID-19 vaccines
En français After almost a year of socio-political disruption caused by the SARS-CoV-2 RNA virus, some vaccines have received emergency approval for use in the vulnerable and general population. Some countries have received and have begun to vaccinate their people, while others are anxiously awaiting the arrival of the vaccines. Christians and Christian faith communities…
Read MoreWinner of the 2020 Dr Shane Sam Mathew Memorial ICMDA Medical Missionary Award
En français In recognition of her committed service, the Dr Shane Sam Mathew Memorial ICMDA Medical Missionary Award for 2020 was given to Dr Camy Thomas at the South Asia Regional Online Conference. Dr Camy Thomas, is a graduate of Christian Dental College (CMC) Ludhiana, from the batch of 2007. She is the daughter of…
Read MoreCOVID-19: a dental perspective
En français The COVID-19 pandemic has thrown several challenges at dentists and their patients. At the same time, it has given us the opportunity to rethink and realign our approach to oral health in the context of a new normal. In a webinar recorded for the ICMDA recently, I talked about the impacts of COVID…
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