Once we had established an eye hospital in the far north of Pakistan I had begun to settle into a routine and didn't want much more adventure in my life. Just getting the hospital established had worn out any need for challenges or adventure in my natural understanding of things. However, God loves people too much to leave us "settled" and soon we understood that unless we went beyond our comfort zones many would never receive the healing of blindness they so desperately needed and so began our travel to remote mountain communities to examine and screen people for cataract surgery. On one such journey about 2 hours from Gilgit where our hospital was located I met a man named Ibrahim.
Ibrahim was in his early 50's and for most of his adult life had been the most powerful man in his village. But over time he had gradually become blind from cataract. His life of power and influence was seemingly over. His family began to shun and mistreat him and he was now relegated to a corner of the house alone in his thoughts. His mind was consumed with thoughts of ending his own life. Just prior to our visit, Ibrahim's one obsession was to find a way to end his life.
When his family and neighbors became aware that our team was in the area they came out to us and I remember looking into his eyes and seeing mature cataracts. We scheduled his surgery and I remember the day we operated on him. Everything we did medically and surgically was achieved with the desire to serve and worship Jesus Christ. Before we operated we always prayed. We prayed for God to help us in the surgery and to do the work of healing through our hands. We pray as the scriptures teach us to pray in Jesus name.
The day after Ibrahim's surgery we removed the bandage from his eye and with great joy he smiled and was overjoyed to see clearly. His first words were, "Jesus healed me". Of course I was a bit surprised that this was his first remark after having had surgery the day before. Surely the surgeon would want to take some credit as well! But upon reflection and after questioning him further I could see the wisdom in his words. He
recognized something we at times only acknowledge as influence or motivation. Jesus had indeed healed Ibrahim for it was Jesus who led us to Northern Pakistan, who had supplied the money to pay for the hospital, the equipment, the surgeons, the nurses, the local staff. Truly, without Jesus Christ, Ibrahim would have remained blind and depressed and perhaps ended his own life. Ibrahim was given some medicines and instructions to help him recover well from the surgery. In time he also received site in his other eye after an additional cataract surgery. Along the way he requested to learn more of Jesus Christ by reading a Bible in his own language. His favorite scripture had a moving and powerful effect on his life. He fell in love with the Jesus who boldly told him, "I am the light of the world.
Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life."
Ibrahim had sat in darkness and not had either physical light or spiritual hope for a long time. But now he had both and he became a gateway of hope for his entire village telling others of what Jesus had done for him on one dramatic day. His words were quite simply, "The Doctors prayed for me in Jesus name and when I awoke I could see." "Jesus healed me and for that reason I want all in my village to know of this great prophet". The favor and blessing of Ibrahim allowed us to reach out and touch many of his family and friends. While I was tempted to remain in the hospital and serve God there, the love of God compelled me to go beyond... to the remote places where poverty, hopelessness and even even thoughts of suicide dwell too often in abundance. If we claim to love God and won't go with him into the hard places we lie and don't tell the truth. We must go with him to heal, to bring hope and share love. Want to go with me?
Jim
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