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How can you keep abreast of the exciting ministry of Pacific Garden Mission? The PGM News takes you through the "doors that never close" to the very heart of the Mission. You'll enjoy the lively articles and colorful photos in this attractive monthly publication. Get a sneak peak of the latest edition here, then request your free subscription.
Yes, Jesus is at Work
in His Clinic
by Pui-Wing W. Dy, M.D.,
Director, PGM Medical/Dental Clinic |
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VISION AND
MISSION
Jesus, being the Great Physician, would not just heal physically, but He went further to address peoples' deepest need—the need to have a vital, growing relationship with the Living God. The PGM free clinic is God’s, and has been given this unique role as a
Mission
clinic, distinct from community clinics. People can go to any clinic to get medical help, but how many clinics can offer them hope that would lead them to the Source of Life for spiritual wellness, and bear fruit for eternity?
After 56 years, the clinic mission is still the same. As the retired Dr. Joan Zoellin put it, our main goal is to present Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord as well as the Great Physician, dealing with the eternal soul as well as the temporary body.
THE WORK
Apart from treating physical ailments, at the clinic we invest to empower people with God’s Word. We tell people about God’s work of restoring us to Himself. We often pray with patients before they leave the clinic. A passage that is often shared comes from Jeremiah 29:11–14a, aiming at empowering people with true hope, and leading them to faithfully seek the Lord.
Recently, a 48-year-old homeless person came from another state and got stranded and came to PGM. When seen for some infectious diseases, he also told the doctor that for 48 years he never knew what Jesus and His cross meant until he came to the
Mission
. I had opportunity to clarify his understanding of God’s plan of salvation in a simple way, and he understood. On follow-up about two weeks later, he said with a smile, “You wouldn’t guess what I did yesterday.” He went on to say he had received the Lord and got baptized at a church! This is just a glimpse of what God has been doing at His clinic. Patient’s hearts often seem softer before they leave the clinic. Jesus is still setting captives free.
Medical conditions commonly seen in the clinic include Athlete’s foot, hypertension, diabetes, asthma, chronic bronchitis, drug withdrawal, psychiatric issues, sexually transmitted diseases, and skin rash. There is a long list of patients with severe tooth decay waiting to be served. Optometric exams and eyeglasses have been given to many. Skin-testing for TB in this high-risk population, vaccinations including flu shots, and counseling are also provided. All services, including medicines and supplies, are free of charge. While the services are free, we invite patients to take responsibility for their health. The census of those who received services at the clinic was about 500 to 700 for each of the past four months.
Many times we see God orchestrating help in such a timely way to meet special/specific needs that arise. He directs the traffic too at the clinic. We’ve seen Him carving out a block of time for particular individuals to meet specific need—the divine appointments.
THE CO-WORKERS
God hand-picks the staff—presently there are two full-time registered nurses and a physician. None came because of an ad. He uniquely equips each one with gifts that complement one another to bring about effective teamwork and accomplish His purposes. He does on-the-job discipleship with us to better reflect Him. We would be the first hit if we don’t grow. Volunteers generally come on a weekly, monthly, or bimonthly basis. These include dentists, an oral surgeon, doctors, nurse practitioners, registered nurses, an optometrist, and a podiatrist with students. A volunteer has also been coming weekly on Tuesdays for many years to provide Christian counseling.
OTHER PROVISIONS
Two testimonies, among others:
How was the new, bigger facility furnished? A Christian surgeon moved to
Hawaii
, and his staff knew about the
Mission
’s moving to the present location. His office furniture just about filled in what were lacking in the expanded medical space. We needed two additional exam tables; he had two newly re-upholstered exam tables to give. We have four medical exam rooms; he had four nice white free-standing cabinets for them. His furniture also fit perfectly in the waiting areas. There were also many calls to donate dental equipment that we even got choices to pick from. In addition, our regular optometrist volunteer donated an optometric exam chair.
How did God help us to make the most of each dollar donated? When we needed to replenish thermometer covers, the manufacturer had discontinued that item. A similar item found was about twice the price and not sure to fit. As we were waiting to find a better price, within about a week two small boxes of another brand were donated and these fit our thermometers even better than what we had been using. This showed us what to buy, and it was on sale for a lower price than our original cheaper ones. Time and money saved!
PLEASE PRAY THAT:
- We would keep the main thing the main thing
- We would have a vital growing relationship with our Lord so that we could daily be about our Father’s business, just like Jesus would.
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