No Hands but Yours

Enrique and Carolina

2012-01-21T04:30:00.000-08:00

"I love my job!" I tell people this all the time. And contrary to what you might think I don't love my job because of the hours of bookkeeping, or the long wire transfer forms, or even the travel to some of the most beautiful places in the world. I love my job because of the people I get to work with and for, the amazing doctors and donors that are doing this work and making it possible.

I wanted to use this week's blog to introduce you two of the newest members of this group, Enrique and Carolina. Dr. Enrique Wulff and Mrs. Carolina Rojas will be joining the 2012 long term formation class at the end of the month and serving the people of rural Tanzania for three years. They have graciously offered to author their own blog to keep us all updated on their service.

You can click here to read all about them on their blog, Enrique and Carolina on Mission.

How are you planning on celebrating Mardi Gras?

2012-01-06T07:05:00.000-08:00

Well it may sound a little odd to be thinking about a celebrating Mardi Gras during the Christmas season, but around the office plans for our Mardi Gras celebration are well underway. This year we will be hosting our annual Mission Doctors Auxiliary benefit with a Mardi Gras Celebration at the Wilshire Country Club in Los Angeles.

Join us February 18, 2012 for a fun evening of cocktails, fine dining, dancing, and a silent auction to benefit Mission Doctors. All of the proceeds will support the work of Mission Doctors in Africa and Latin America.

If you would like an invitation to this event, please contact our office.

A Busy Year

2011-12-30T06:00:00.000-08:00

2011 is almost over and it was a busy year for Mission Doctors; our Auxiliary hosted the largest Gala Benefit in over forty years, our annual Retreat / Seminar brought doctors from across the country to learn about our short-term mission opportunities, and this made it possible for thousands of patients to be cared for by Mission Doctors in Africa and Latin America.

As 2012 begins we will have two families begin the preparation for three-year assignments, our Auxiliary is busy planning the Mardi Gras Gala to be held on February 18th, and we are already receiving reservations for the 2012 Retreat/Seminar to be held March 30 – April 1.

You are the ones who make this work possible. You put the doctors 'in the picture' in Africa and Latin America.

Please consider making a year-end donation. By donating online and you will receive a tax deduction receipt immediately.

Thank you for your support and wising you and yours a very happy New Year!

And for our friends who are 70 ½ years old or older, December 31, 2011 is the deadline to make a donation directly from your IRA under the “Charitable IRA Rollover”.

Reason for the Season

2011-12-24T05:00:00.000-08:00

Tom and I served in Thailand with our children for three years and had the opportunity to go to the beautiful midnight mass at the Cathedral of Our Lady of Perpetual Help in Udon Thani for Christmas during our time there.

The joy of being in the missions for Christmas for us was that the emphasis is on the celebration within the Church and little else – and the luxury of time. With few distractions it was easier to just spend time together. Of course being in the missions at the holidays, it is also a time when everyone more acutely misses family and friends being so far from home.

Trying to bring the mission joy forward to me means working to keep the emphasis on ‘the reason for the season’ and letting go of the pressure that exists for so many of us in our culture regarding spending, gifts, rushing around and the lack of time for what really matters.

Today our Mission Doctors who are serving in Africa and Latin America will celebrate a Christmas where the emphasis will be on the birth of Jesus. They will however, also be missing family and friends during the special time of year. Please keep them and all missionaries in your prayers this Christmas and always.

Last Minute Shopping?

2011-12-16T07:51:00.000-08:00

Shopping online for Christmas has made the holiday season a little less stressful for many of us.

Avoiding crowded malls and long lines can be a blessing! Your online shopping with iGive can be also be a blessing for others.

By simply registering for free with iGive and then just shopping online at your favorite stores (including Amazon.com) up to 25% of your purchase goes to support the work of Mission Doctors.

It only takes a moment to register and then you can buy everything from books, children’s toys, CDs, clothes, food, sports gear, jewelry, toiletries,flowers, computers, pet food, and much more. Please consider taking a moment and shop for "goodness sake".

And right now iGive will donate $5 to Mission Doctors for just trying it out!

Thank you for your support of Mission Doctors!

Guest Blog 2-Photo of the Week

2011-11-17T10:39:00.000-08:00

This week Laurie McElroy, our wonderful, hard working Administrative Assistant, is sharing her favorite photo. An image of the blessing of the hands from the Archdiocese of Los Angeles White Mass celebration last month.

This was my first time attending the White Mass and it was really a wonderful experience. It was beautiful to see the Catholic community support and show their appreciation for those in healthcare. There were so many people that came up to me expressing their gratitude and appreciation for all those that participated in acknowledging all of their hard work and dedication.

Guest Blog- Photo of the Week

2011-11-08T05:00:00.000-08:00

Our Executive Director, Elise Frederick is currently out of the country visiting mission locations in East Africa. So, we thought that as the other staff members at Mission Doctors, we could take over her photo of the week blog for the two weeks she is out of the country. As the amature blog editor for Mission Doctors I am excited to be the actual author of a blog this week.

I would like to share with you my favorite Mission Doctors photo. This photo was taken by veteran Mission Doctor, Dr. Richard Stoughton of orpahns in rural Zimbabwe. This photo of beautiful childern graces my desktop background and motivates and keeps me enthusiastic about my work at Mission Doctors. I am excited to share it with you! I hope you will remember it and those smiling faces when you think about the work of Mission Doctors.

Mamma and Baby, Photo of the Week

2011-10-25T11:55:00.000-07:00

This week's photo of the week comes from Terry Hake who is serving with her husband in rural Njinikom, Cameroon. She is serving as a teacher in local mission school and her husband is a family practice physician caring for patients at St. Martin De Porres Hospital.

"The other day I was coming through the hospital compound and there were two mamas standing and visiting. Each woman had a baby on her back. What a lovely sight, it just brings a smile to your face."

Cocktails for the Photo of the Week

2011-10-14T17:50:00.000-07:00

This week's photo of the week is staring actress Clare Carey Seaberg and her mother Jane Fehrenbacher. Clare Carey was a speaker at this week's Cocktails for a Cause at the elegant Los Angeles Athletic Club, hosted by Mission Doctors Association (MDA) and club member Nicole Gordon. Clare was born while her parents were Mission Doctors serving in Zimbabwe, she is an enthusiastic part of Mission Doctors. Jane Fehrenbacher recently served with her husband Dick Talbot at St. Martin De Porres Catholic Hospital in rural Cameroon. This was the first Cocktails for a Cause evening for Mission Doctors and we are excited to share this event across the country.

Ma and Pa, Photos of the Week

2011-10-07T11:18:00.000-07:00

They have lived long lives as farmers in the Northwest of Cameroon. Coming to the outpatient clinic for a visit with Mission Doctor, Jim Hake, this beautiful couple were thrilled to see their photos. In addition to health issues our US octogenarians may face as well, Jim said that Ma
could hardly straighten her back due to arthritis and the stooped labor women do in the fields of Cameroon with a short handle hoe.

Mother Antonia

2011-10-03T11:26:00.000-07:00

Mother Antonia (The Prison Angel and Foundress of The Sisters of the Eleventh Hour) joined us this year at the Wilshire Country Club for the Auxiliary's annual card party. This photo of her speaking on Wednesday is my choice for photo of the week.

She joined us for lunch and shared inspirational words about the medical needs of people around the world, leaving many of us in tears. Here she is speaking about an upcoming raffle to raise funds for the tuberculosis ward in rural Cameroon.

I always feels blessed when Mother Antonia joins us for an event.

Thanks for the soup, tortillas and hospitality!

2011-09-02T11:07:00.000-07:00

My choice this week for photo of the week:

A few years ago, while visiting in Northern Guatemala with Dr. Linda Novak and Dr. Brent Burket these lovely ladies prepared a lunch of chicken soup and corn tortillas for the doctors and team.

Their smiles are even more beautiful than their colorful clothes and this has always been one of my favorite photos.

Photo of the Week

2011-08-26T11:48:00.000-07:00

Each day, I am blessed to receive photos from around the world of our mission doctors and their patients. I thought I should share these wonderful photos with you each week as part of Mission Doctors’ Photo of the Week.

To kick this off, I wanted to share this photo of Dr. Crystal Cunningham. Crystal is a general surgeon serving short term with Mission Doctors this summer. She hit the ground running last week, preforming surgeries before recovering from jet lag.

In this photo, Crystal is praying before preforming surgery with the staff at St. Martin De Porres Hospital in rural Cameroon, as they do before every surgery.

Please join us in praying for the success her time in Cameroon and all of her patients.

Follow Me

2011-08-19T10:37:00.000-07:00

An expression that has become very popular in our language today is ‘Follow Me’ – it now generally refers to a social network site like Twitter, we hear people say ‘Follow me on Twitter’ - this kind of ‘following’ however is pretty passive – when we are called to Follow Jesus he tells us there will be sacrifices involved, He never sugar coats what lies ahead for Himself and His followers.

This Sunday and next, the Gospel of St. Matthew reflects the continuing revelation of just who Jesus is and what that means for us. In the discussion between Jesus and Peter this Sunday, Peter speaks of an understanding he is told has been revealed to him by the Father, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God."

As the discussion continues and Jesus tells the disciples what this will mean for Him, impending suffering, death, and resurrection, Peter is rebuked when he says, "God forbid, Lord! This shall never happen to you." Not only does Jesus denounce this, He goes further to say that "If any man would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.”

Dr. Jim and Mrs. Terry Hake serving in Cameroon

Does following Jesus make life easy? Usually not. How often are Mission Doctors and their families asked – “Why would you walk away from all this country has to offer in the field of medicine? Why would you leave your friends and families behind to serve in Africa or Latin America? Why would you do this in such economically uncertain times? How frustrating is it for doctors to be unable to provide for their patients in Africa all that could be provided for them here?

Keeping the good news in our hearts makes it much easier to remember that we are indeed called to take up our cross and follow Him. For some this means actually leaving home and caring for the poor and suffering in the world, for everyone it means living our lives in such a way that puts the other at the center of our decisions and actions. Not passively following Jesus as someone follows a social network, but living our lives knowing that this is what actually matters. “For what will it profit a man, if he gains the whole world and forfeits his life?”

Sharing the Mission

2011-08-04T08:52:00.000-07:00

One of the things that I get to do as the Executive Director of Mission Doctors is speak in parishes that are assigned to us by the Mission Office of Los Angeles, as part of the Mission Cooperative.

This year I spoke at the Assumption of The Blessed Virgin in Pasadena In June. Last week I was in Long Beach at St. Barnabas, and this weekend I will be at Holy Redeemer in Montrose.

Once I’ve overcome my initial nerves of speaking at all the Masses; I have to be honest now, I really enjoy this. I enjoy meeting so many people, being in a new parish, enjoying new choirs, and of course having the opportunity to tell the story of Mission Doctors Association.

I tell people about this amazing legacy of Msgr. Brouwers, that began right here in Los Angeles – more than 50 years ago. I tell them about the work that is being done today in Africa and Latin America.

And, I share a story or two from the doctors – I always like to share this one from Dr. Cavanagh, from their long-term assignment in Zimbabwe. A patient asked if the photo on his desk were his daughters. To which he replied (no doubt with the pride I’ve heard him speak of his family) ‘Yes these are our daughters.’ The patient’s next question…, ‘Then why are you here?”   Tim’s response was so perfect and sums it up completely…. "We are here, because there are people in the United States who sent us to be here with you.”

As we redid our web site this past year we added something new.
A Mission of Healing. A Partnership of Hope.

I always stress when I am speaking at the Masses that the doctors and their families do not do this alone, we are the ones who make it possible, we are all the partners in hope for this mission of healing.

Dr. Tim Cavanagh is just finishing up two months in Cameroon – I invite you to read his post on The Full Chapel, thoughtful as always – this one made me cry.

Newsletters, envelopes, stamps, oh my!

2011-07-11T09:33:00.000-07:00

Boxes are overwhelming the Mission Doctors office this week.

Each summer we send out a print newsletter to all of our supporters and friends. The newsletter is filled with stories from the missions, upcoming events and news from our office. We are especially excited about a couple of the patients stories included this year. We get to hear from our doctors about their service in general, but rarely do we get to hear about individual patients.

Would you like to receive one of these 2011 Mission Doctors Newsletters?

You can contact our office to sign up to get one in the mail.

Freedom

2011-07-05T10:46:00.000-07:00

Yesterday, families around the country gathered in backyards celebrating the fourth of July, Independence Day in the United States. As for me, I spent my holiday with family sharing stories, eating veggie burgers and watching my nieces and nephew's children grow right before my eyes. We are blessed in this country with rights few are afforded around the world.

When I sit down and reflect on Freedom, I am often reminded of a quote by Eleanor Roosevelt, "Freedom makes a huge requirement of every human being. With freedom comes responsibility." We are blessed with this freedom and with it comes the responsibility to care for others. I feel fortunate to work with Mission Doctors, doctors who are willing to leave their practices and the comforts of home to care for patients a world away. It is only with our freedom that we are able to care for the world.

What is your favorite quote about freedom? How did you spend your holiday celebrating our freedom?

Get Social With Us

2011-06-25T04:30:00.000-07:00

Are you on Facebook, Twitter, Change.org or YouTube?

Or are you like me, who only a couple years ago, were not sure what these are?

We are working on bringing Mission Doctors Association into the 21st century, with the goal of helping more people learn about the work and hopefully become involved in this 'Mission of Healing, Partnership of Hope!' and we would to include you!

So, check out our social networks and get social with us!

Follow, Fan or Join us on:
Twitter: www.Twitter.com/MissionDoctors
Facebook: www.Facebook.com/MissionDoctors
Change: www.Change.org/MissionDoctors
YouTube: www.YouTube.com/MissionDoctors

If you’re still not sure what we are talking about – ask the closest 12 year old!

Growing Blog Family

2011-06-03T17:51:00.000-07:00

Over the last two years we have been creating and maintaining blogs for our long term mission doctors, those committing to a service of three years at a mission hospital or clinic in Africa or Latin America. Recently, we started working with our short term doctors to help them share their experience this same way.

This week I wanted to share some of these blogs with you. I invite you to take a few minutes and visit these, they are filled with the ups and downs of service, inspirational patient stories and some funny reflections on their days. You can sign up to follow these blogs and you will know when something new has been added.

Hakes in Cameroon: http://hakesincameroon.blogspot.com/

Dr. Jim Hake, a family practice physician and his wife, Terry Hake, are long term mission doctors. They share their experiences serving at St. Martin De Porres Catholic Hospital in rural Ninjinkom, Cameroon.

Burket Thoene Family Mission: http://burketthoenefamilymission.blogspot.com/

Drs. Jennifer Thoene and Brent Burket write about their time serving with their four young children at a Hospitalito, Santiago Atitlan, Guatemala.

A Step Along the Way: http://astepalongtheway.blogspot.com/

After returning from his most recent long term mission in Zimbabwe, Dr. Richard Stoughton discusses the progresses made at St. Theresa Hospital and his annual month long trips.

Dr Malphus in Africa: http://drmalphusinafrica.blogspot.com/

Santa Monica pediatrician and former Mission Doctors board president, Dr. Edward Malphus documents his time serving at St. Martin De Porres Catholic Hospital in Cameroon.

Maria and Milans Mission: http://mariaandmilansmission.blogspot.com/

A new blog written by a mother and son will share their first mission with Mission Doctors Association. We are espeically looking forward to son Milan's experience adjusting to life in rural Cameroon.

Cavanagh Missions: http://cavanaghmissions.blogspot.com/

Dr. Timothy Cavanagh, a long time board member and veteran mission doctor just started another short term mission to Cameroon. He will continue to share about his experience living and serving at St. Martin De Porres in South West Cameroon.

Visits

2011-05-25T09:29:00.000-07:00

One part of my job as Executive Director is visiting with our dedicated supporters. This provides the opportunity to thank them, and update them on our work; where we are in the world and our plans for the future. Last Friday, after the closing retreat for the 2011 Class of Lay Mission Helpers, I had the opportunity to visit with Dr. Leo Poxon.

I have seen Leo’s name on mailing lists, donation envelopes and invites for thirty years, so it was wonderful finally getting a chance to sit down and speak with him one on one. I am working on putting together a special article about our conversation and his history with the organization in the 2011 Mission Doctors print newsletter.

Are you signed up to receive our print newsletter? If not, please contact our office to sign up. And to view newsletters from previous years, visit our website.

Retreat

2011-05-13T11:44:00.000-07:00

I will be out of the office all next week on retreat with the 2011 Lay Mission Helpers (LMH) class. As a member of the LMH formation team, I get the opportunity to share in their formation and to participate in this retreat. Next week will be the close of their four month formation program and a chance for the candidates to reflect on their formation before leaving for their mission assignments.

At the end of the retreat, on Sunday, May 22, they will be commissioned at John the Evangelist in Los Angeles. Please keep these missionaries in your prayers this week as they spend time together in prayer in the final steps of their formation.

Small Group of Thoughtful Committed Citizens...

2011-05-09T09:30:00.000-07:00

Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has. -Margaret Mead

This is one of my favorite quotes and one we have up in our office at Mission Doctors. Often times the news from around the world can be overwhelming. Stories about unstable political situations, the spread of HIV/AIDS and the treatment of women around world can leave even the most experience nonprofit employee feeling exhausted.

2011Auxiliary Benefit

Fortunately, for us here at Mission Doctors we work with one of these small group of thoughtful, committed citizens our Mission Doctors Auxiliary and Friends of Mission Doctors in Wisconsin. We could not do our work without these dedicated men and women.

We are currently working on our next local, Los Angeles area Mission Doctors Auxiliary roster. If you are interested in learning more about the Mission Doctors Auxiliary and would like to receive invites to great events in the area, drop us a line at the office. If you don't live in the Los Angeles or Wisconsin areas, check out website about starting your own Friends of Mission Doctors.

Without the help of this small group of thoughtful, committed citizens we could not do our work. Please join us.

Puzzle Pieces Come Together for Health in Los Angeles

2011-05-03T10:51:00.000-07:00

Working with the parish leadership members of Mission Doctors Association, Dr. Laura King, and Millie Sterz, RN, and I worked to invite representatives from Lions Club, Aids Healthcare Foundation, St. John’s Family Clinic, QueensCare, St. Vincent’s Multicultural Health Awareness and Prevention Center, NAMI (National Alliance for Mental Illness), Alcoholics Anonymous and Al-Anon, which supports friends and family members of problem drinkers. Parishioner and registered dietitian, Ann Crockenberg also provided opportunities to learn more about healthy cooking.

The Pastor at St. John’s, Fr. Damian Kabot, said “Parishioners and their families were very grateful and surely took advantage of the free services that were provided.” The current class of lay missionaries, living in the Mission House adjacent to the church, helped on the day of the event to set up keeps things running smoothly.

Cheryl Fabien, parishioner and Health Fair Committee Chair thanked us all “for the idea, execution, and help given to make this a complete success. It was truly appreciated by everyone.”

We are grateful to everyone at St. John the Evangelist for the warmth and welcome provided every year to all who are preparing for long-term mission service, and this was a small way to say ‘thank you’.

Easter

2011-04-25T10:35:00.000-07:00

In your resurrection, O Christ, let heaven and earth rejoice!

My husband and I attended sunrise Easter Mass at San Gabriel Mission – a parish that was established as part of the California Missions in 1771.

As I reflect on the meaning of Easter I am reminded that Christ came and is risen, not only for the peoples who have celebrated here for more than 200 years – but for all people in all time; those who came before and those yet to be born; for all people in all places; those in Africa, Asia and Latin America. In your resurrection, O Christ, let heaven and all the earth rejoice!

A Holy Week for the Whole World

2011-04-20T09:49:00.000-07:00

One of the great joys of being in the missions is the opportunity to celebrate our Catholic celebrations with both the familiar and the new. Everything from a 5 hour Chrism Mass with offertory gifts that include chickens and goats in Cameroon to the elaborate, beautiful and temporary decorations on the plaza in front of the Church in Guatemala.

Offertory Procession at Chrism Mass in Cameroon

“alfombras” or carpets made of

colored saw dust in Guatemal

In parishes around the world our Holy Week celebrates the passion, death and resurrection of Jesus whose suffering and death was indeed for the whole world.

Every Eucharist is the opportunity to re-live the last supper. Holy Thursday also reminds, with the washing of the feet, that we are all called to be servants; called to share our very lives with each other.

On the Friday we call good we find ourselves again on the path and at the foot of the cross. How is it that the creator of universes embraces our humanity even to suffering this seemingly ignoble death?

The answer is always that we may be redeemed, that we may live, that we may serve, that we will love as Christ has shown us. We too are called to give our lives to others.

Today, Mission Doctors and their families are doing just that. They serve that others may live.

Please keep them and their families in your prayers this Holy Week.

Joy, Connections, Excitement, and Anticipation

2011-04-06T10:13:00.000-07:00

The 2011 Retreat / Seminar at Loyola Marymount has come and gone… but the feelings of joy, connections, excitement, and anticipation lingers!

This was the 14th year we have hosted this event for doctors and their spouses considering short-term service and we brought together surgeons from Pennsylvania and Alaska; a Cardiologist from Michigan; Family Practice from Arizona; and our California representation included dentists, family practice docs, an ophthalmologist, physical therapist, psychiatrist, physical medicine and rehabilitation physician, pediatricians, as well as spouses with as varied background as attorney, potter, pilot and writer.

One of the highlights of the weekend was the presentation of Dr. Joseph Llewellyn of Palmer, AK, who had attended the retreat for the first in 2010, and who served at Njinikom, Cameroon at St. Martin de Porres Hospital in the fall. He made a presentation this year on “Thoughts From a First‐Timer”. Dr. Ed Malphus who will be leaving to serve in Cameroon for a month in May told me that Dr. Llewellyn’s presentation had been exactly what he needed for his upcoming one month mission to the same hospital.

So – now the planning begins, those attending are already making their plans to serve, interest in sites from Guatemala to Cameroon over the next year.

Next year will be our 15th Annual Retreat / Seminar – and we are already making plans and taking reservations for 2012! If you are, or know, a Catholic Doctor interested in learning about the possibilities, we would love to hear from you.

Bambelela / Never Give Up

2011-03-22T10:35:00.000-07:00

A weekend spent at the Religious Ed Congress in Anaheim with 40,000 Catholics is something that I have head referred to as the ‘Catholic County Fair’!

The spirit of the event is busy, beautiful, tiring, and blessed!

My role for the weekend was once again to represent Mission Doctors Association at a booth, and specifically the One Million Patient Project. We gave out hundreds of fliers describing the T-Shirt design contest that ends April 30 – and invited people to sign up to receive the packet for High Schools, Youth Ministries, Confirmation, etc. We had many sign up and Jessica is working on getting these out today!

As we were packing up in the rain on Sunday I still found myself singing Bambelela from the Mass on Friday with Fr. Martin and Marty Haugen leading the music. Never Give Up is a strong message as it related to the people of South Africa and their struggles toward independence, but it is a message that resounds for all people all the time.

The middle of Lent can be a time when we can feel like throwing in the towel on our sacrificing, we can become weary with the season – so this may be why even now on Tuesday a.m. I am singing ‘Never Give Up’ as I face a desk covered with more projects than I have hours!

So… Bambelela – Never Give Up! Take heart – we are on the journey together!

(Bambelela by Marty Haugen is available on ITunes)

Prayer, Fasting and Good Works

2011-03-09T08:47:00.000-08:00

Perhaps it is being on the other side of 55 - or the result of a busy job and family life, but Ash Wednesday - even though 'late' in the year really feels like it suddenly appeared on the calendar. The wisdom of celebrating seasons in the Church!

Years ago I taught a 3rd grade RE class and we made Lent books for all the students. For each day there were three lines - Prayer, Fasting and Good Works. I think I need to be a third grader again so I can make myself really focus on the daily consideration of Prayer, Fasting and Good Works this Lent again ..... Maybe I will try to use the blog this way?

Today, Ash Wednesday Prayer - 6:30 a.m. Mass on the way to work. Fasting and Good Works - (accomplish two with the effort of one) No yummy soy latte from the shop downstairs, that I confess I indulge in from time to time - and take that $5 and make an on line donation to the One Million Patients Project. Done.

OK, one day down...the rest of Lent to go...

Take a moment and share what you are planning on doing for Lent.

Celebrations, Dancing, Working Together for the Mission…

2011-02-11T07:58:00.000-08:00

One of the great highlights of visiting the missions is the celebrations. The community often comes together to greet us as we arrive and say good bye when we are preparing to leave, even for a brief visit.

This week in the North East of Cameroon they celebrate National Youth Day. Terry Hake’s class, the entire school, and all young people across the country take time away from class (although I know one math teacher who may think more time in class is called for) and celebrate this national holiday together!

We are getting ready for our annual celebration and while not a national holiday, the Mission Doctors Auxiliary is once again hosting the Gala Benefit. This year on February 19, we will be ‘Celebrating the Mission, Creating the Possible’ at the Jonathan Club in Los Angeles.

It is important to celebrate and this year we will honor a couple who have done so much for the work of MDA. Dr. Ed and Mrs. Mary Lou Malphus have been involved for many years in this work and we will thank them for their commitment and service. Dr. Malphus, outgoing president of the board of MDA will also be the recipient of the Msgr. Anthony Brouwers Award.

So we celebrate! There will be dinner and dancing, working together for the mission. We are gathering to ensure that we will be able to continue to make it possible for doctors like Jim Hake to serve and dance in the missions. Visit this YouTube video that I took while visiting the Hakes in Cameroon he is just back from an emergency at the hospital and joins in the dance!

If you can join us, please contact our office, tickets are still available!

Mission Continues...

2011-01-14T04:40:00.000-08:00

January 14, 1964, Msgr. Anthony Brouwers, founder of Mission Doctors Association lost his battle with cancer at 51 years old.

Today, we strive to continue his legacy by making it possible for Catholic doctors and their families to serve at mission hospitals and clinics.

"As never before, the sufferings of mankind easily transverse oceans and become part of the consciousness and the conscience of the American Catholic medical expert. Their plight is our problem. Their cries of pain and misery are necessarily as personal and impelling as those of our loved ones at our own hearths." Msgr. Anthony Brouwers, 1963

How much more in 2011 are we exposed to the suffering of our brothers and sisters around the world - perhaps to the point of a sense of saturation and increasing sense of impotence. Yet today, when it is easier to stay put and chose comfort over sacrifice, Mission Doctors Association has seen an increase in the number of doctors willing to share their skills.

We pray that more will continue to answer the call to serve and that those who can not themselves deliver a baby in Guatemala, or provide care for emergency patients in Uganda or treat HIV patients in Cameroon will make their service possible.

"Am I my brother’s keeper?...This is no rhetorical question. To be Christ-like each of us has be one declarative statement: ‘I, we and all of us everywhere are our brother’s keepers’." Msgr. Anthony Brouwers, 1959

Mother Antonia (The Prison Angel and Foundress of The Sisters of the Eleventh Hour) reminds us to ask Msgr. Brouwers to intercede on our behalf, and to note when these prayers are answered.

A book on the life and legacy of Msgr. Brouwers is available - contact our office to learn more.

Special Day

2010-12-08T07:00:00.000-08:00

I recently had a phone call from Mother Antonia who reminded me that December 8th is a special day, not only because it is celebrated as a holy day of obligation, commemorating the Immaculate Conception of Mary. Mother Antonia told me that it is also the anniversary of the ordination of our mutual founder, Msgr. Anthony Brouwers.

Mother Antonia shared that every year she has seen special miracles on and around this date that affirm for her Msgr. Brouwers’ place among the saints. One such miracle spared one of her own sisters an amputation due to medical complications.

We too remember our founder in a special way on December 8th. Msgr. Brouwers dedicated this movement of lay people to the missions to this feast of the Immaculate Conception which we celebrate. Let us work to continue his legacy of international service for Catholic laity through our prayers and all our efforts.

If you have had the opportunity to be blessed, as Mother Antonia has been, in seeing or experiencing special miracles on or around December 8th – perhaps invoking the prayers of Msgr. Brouwers, please write up a brief description and send it in…
Perhaps one day they may be a first step in acknowledging the sanctity of our founder.

Of course we know many holy people who have lived and died are counted among the Saints, as Mother Antonia reminded me. Our parents, family, and friends who make up the heavenly choirs. If we area able to acknowledge Msgr. Brouwers presence among them, it may help more people know of his legacy in the mission work we strive to continue.

If you would like to know more about Mother Antonia and the Religious order she founded – there is a book about her life – “The Prison Angel: Mother Antonia's Journey from Beverly Hills to a Life of Service in a Mexican Jail”, available on Amazon.

If you would like to know more about our founder, Msgr. Anthony Brouwers, LMH and MDA have a book available about his life and work: “For We are God’s Helpers’ - you can obtain a copy of this inspirational book by contacting LMH.

Its that time again.

2010-12-01T07:39:00.000-08:00

Time to wait in joyful anticipation.

While we wait, we struggle to wrestle back the meaning of the Holidays from the commercial trappings that encircle us.

Of course, it is wonderful to find gifts that make our family andloved ones smile, feel loved, and know how much we appreciate them each day of the year. Yet all too easily the gift giving can become a task, a reciprocal duty that looses any meaning. It is wonderful to deck the halls, but too easy to get so busy that the days just pass without time for reflection and prayer.

So as we wait this very blessed season of Advent - we light a candle each week on the Advent wreath, the growing light increasing to banish the darkness.

Sometimes for me it can feel like I have one foot in the holy – the true reasons and meaning of this season, and the other foot deeply and busily emerged in the preparations, decorations, baking, shopping, wrapping, and preparing. What I want to try to do this year is not see these as separate things but pull all the seemingly busy work into the holy – prepare with joy; decorate with gladness; bake and shop with the true intention of making my friends and family happy; wrap and prepare with a peaceful heart intent on preparing myself too for Christ to come.
Wishing you joy this Advent.

Let us light the candles together and keep both feet exactly where they should be!

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Of course I do have two commercial messages for Mission Doctors

– for those of you who like me shop online – you can just shop as you would, but go through iGive.com and support Mission Doctors.

And – if you would like to make a gift to Mission Doctors Association in someone’s name this holiday, we have prepared beautiful full color cards for you to let them know of your kindness.

Communication

2010-11-19T09:05:00.000-08:00

Today, we communicate in ways that our parents could not have imagined. This blog, the internet, cell phones on dirt roads in Cameroon, websites, Facebook, instant messaging, skype – all ways to communicate, to reach out and connect with others.

I think this is basic human nature. We want to tell our story and we want to hear others and learn where our interests, our lives intersect. Shared values draw us together – a belief that all people, everywhere are created by our loving Father, deserving of our love and opportunities to live healthy lives.

For several months we have been working on the new web site for Mission Doctors Association. I am so excited about the updates and our ability to add information and keep the content current to what is happening today. I was able to add the photo of Dr. Talbot to the slide show on the home page – and he is in Cameroon right now on short-term service with his wife Jane Fehrenbacher Everyone is so excited to have a dentist there that the sisters from other hospitals have been making the trek to see him!

So – as we prepare for the season of thanks I also invite you to watch a video that tells a special story of thanks.

Blessings to you and yours!

St. Luke – patron of healers…

2010-10-20T10:10:00.000-07:00

For many years the Archdiocese of Los Angeles had not had a ‘White Mass’ – a Mass held to honor the work of health care professionals, so named for the white garb most commonly worn by doctors, nurses, and others who are engaged in the healing ministry.

Two years ago when our MDA Board of Directors took on the task of a 5 year strategic plan – this was one of the items that came forward, re-introducing this celebration in the Archdiocese. We wrote to Cardinal Mahony who welcomed the idea and we were partnered with the dynamic woman who (among other titles) is the Director of Health Affairs for the Archdiocese, Sr. Angela Hallahan. Working together last year with a small but dedicated committee this annual event was re-introduced with wonderful success and we immediately looked to ways to grow the celebration for 2010.

On Sunday we will gather again at Holy Family in South Pasadena; ‘Blessing Healers – Celebrating Health’. The committee has grown, the numbers have increased, and this Sunday promises to be a wonderful opportunity to bring together those who give so much of themselves in service to others. One of the highlights of last year’s Mass was the blessing of hands, a moment when the healers were invited to stand and extend their hands, palm up, to receive a blessing. As moving as it was to witness these humble individuals stand, bow their heads, and raise their hands, I also watched a doctor who had been practicing medicine for more than 40 years brush away a tear.

Let us pray for all who minister to the health of others. May they always see Jesus in their patients, may they feel the breath of the Holy Spirit as they bear the burdens of this ministry and may the know their work is in partnership with our loving Father.

What a trip it was!

2010-09-21T11:05:00.000-07:00

It wasn’t a long trip – but it was packed full with an impressive amount of visits, contacts, hugs, tears and laughs. Greeted at the airport by my dear friend Sr. Xaveria we headed out to Padre Pio Clinic for the night, and followed it in the morning with a meeting with Archbishop of Bamenda, Cornellus Esua and the honor of Mass at the Cardinal’s private chapel in Douala celebrated by Archbishop Esua and the Cardinal. On to the 8 hour drive by the ever reliable Bo’Paul – (father of Paul) who has been driving for the hospital for 20 + years! To say that the car was in good hands is a great understatement – also known as Henry this driver’s infectious smile and laughter can only be met with same.

Arriving at Njinikom, Martin de Porres Hospital, after the obligatory stops half way to purchase pineapples and papaya, I was greeted by music, hugs from the many sisters and Jim and Terry Hake who began their three-year assignment this summer and two of our surgeons who were serving short-term, Bill Walsh and Magued Khouzam.

Over the next 10 days I had the opportunity to attend daily Mass with this wonderful group of faith filled people, to make rounds with our doctors, observe surgeries, witness both tragedies of loss and miracles of recovery. Coming home my heart is filled to near bursting with the faith and friendship, with joy and love and I know that I am so very blessed to have the opportunity to be a witness to this amazing ministry of healing.

We are preparing a new web site for MDA and we decided upon a phrase to put under the title of the organization that I believe does a wonderful job conveying just what this is: Mission of Healing. Partnership of Hope.

Please keep all these wonderful people in your prayers – know that you are in theirs.

A special bridge of healing...

2010-08-23T08:39:00.000-07:00

I leave this week for Cameroon - of course this starts with spending quite a few hours sitting in airports & airplanes to get to Douala (I think it is 30!) - an overnight at Padre Pio Clinic and the next day a rather long drive to Njinikom in the Northwest - to St. Martin de Porres Hospital.

So, I began taking malaria prophylaxis, packing my bags which will include some medical reference books requested by Jim and some Tupperware requested by Terry Hake, and a bag of Peanut M&M's - the required take along for mission visitation!

I am really looking forward to this trip. I will meet with the Archbishop of Bamenda and the Bishop of Kumbo. I will have the opportunity to visit our overachieving bloggers Jim and Terry who recently began their three-year assignment and Dr. Bill Walsh who will be completing a one month surgical mission. I will also see my old friend, Sr. Xaveria Ntenmusi, hospital matron. Sr. Xaveria and I have been communicating since the 1980's when she was at Shisong Hospital and other mission doctors were serving there.

Without the hard work and dedication of Sr. Xaveria, St. Martin De Porres would not be able to invite our doctors and other doctors from around the world to provide life saving medical care and the necessary training for local staff.

Sr. Xaveria is just one of our partners in Africa and Latin America. It is this partnership, working with the local community to build sustainable health care that makes our organization and the selfless work of our doctors possible.

Partners here that support, and partners there who receive - a special bridge of healing!

Finding Ways to Connect...

2010-08-13T14:08:00.000-07:00

There is a new website I just signed up for – and I wanted to invite others to visit and consider being among the first to join.

It is called iCatholic, is part of CatholicTV – a brand new Catholic social networking site, their goal is to provide a place to;

·Connect with fellow Catholics

·Share your Faith and inspire others

·Be an active part of The CatholicTV Network

·Provide ideas and content for the iCatholic digital magazine

I set up a page for Mission Doctors, added a few photos, and videos. Take a look and let me know what you think!

What a wonderful idea, and a fantastic way to help more Catholics know about what others are doing around the world to live their faith!

Living for Others

2010-08-02T15:25:00.000-07:00

When preparing to speak at all the Masses at St. Pancratius in Lakewood, I scoured resources and reflections on Sunday’s readings.
I came across a link from St. Louis University, that while I didn’t share it directly, it did impact the way I looked at what I was there to speak about – Mission Doctors and their families are truly ‘people for others’

“…our relation to God is a new life in ‘existence for others,’ through participation in the being of Jesus... the ‘man for others,’ and therefore the crucified, the man who lives out of the transcendent” (D. Bonhoeffer).

The sacrifices made by doctors who leave the comforts of friends, family and a practice in familiar surroundings; availability to necessary medications and knowing that they have additional treatment options… they leave behind these reassuring personal and professional connections, to practice medicine in resource poor settings, because they are called – because they are sent.

Their relationship to God is a new life truly lived in ‘existence for others’.

Summer with MDA

2010-07-09T16:16:00.000-07:00

In Southern California, we think it is really summer when the ‘June gloom’ (which lasted into July) finally lifts!

For us at the MDA office summer also means that we are getting out our annual Newsletter, making plans for mission visitation to Cameroon in the fall, saying good bye to mission doctors and families headed to begin long and short-term missions, and preparing to speak at several Catholic parishes as part of the Mission Co-op. (Tomorrow alone Dr. and Mrs. Jim Hake leave for Cameroon to serve three years and the Elfrink family are headed to Hillside Clinic in Beliez!)

This year Dr. Phil Hawley, who recently returned from Guatemala, will be speaking at Our Lady of the Pillar Church in Santa Ana, in the Diocese of Orange. Dr. Kate Bolton and Mr. John Ruley, who will spend September in Uganda, will speak later in the summer at Santa Maria and St. Benedict in the Diocese of Oakland. I have already had the opportunity to share the story of MDA with the parishioners at St. Mary Magdalen, I will be at St. John Baptist in Granada Hills this weekend, and then at the end of the month at St. Pancratius in Lakewood.

It such a wonderful opportunity to share with the parishioners information on how lay Catholics are sharing their skills and living their faith around the world, this too is a part of the mission!
 
Please say a prayer for all of us who will be sharing our missionary work, and for those traveling that they arrive safely – we know they will all receive a warm welcome, from Uganda to Belize, from Cameroon to Guatemala!
 
Thank you

Blessed are the Poor in Spirit...

2010-06-08T08:55:00.000-07:00

I´ve just returned from Guatemala and a visit with Drs. Jennifer Thoene and Brent Burket along with their four children, Christopher, Elizabeth, Julianne, and Nicholas. (pictured here with Bishop Gonzalo de Villa y Vásquez and Lay Mission-Helper Mitch Tolbert) Just prior to that visit we had Commissioning Mass for Dr. James and Mrs. Terry Hake, leaving this summer to begin a three year assignment in Cameroon.

I had some time to think about this blog, waiting in airports (and in Guatemala City for an airport to re-open) and how I can share with you the joy, dedication, and generosity of spirit all these special individuals share. One a young family, taking their children, away from aunts and uncles and grandparents - the other couple leaving behind adult children and grandchildren.

It isn´t that they are unaware of the sacrifice, or that they don´t miss the opportunity for big family get togethers that this separation means, but that despite this separation they step out, they take the risks necessary to share their skills with individuals in need in Africa and Latin America.

This is a profound example for all of us who comfortably put our heads on our pillow tonight, who can see our families when we chose. Their example of service, so far from home, is one that we may not be able to follow today, but through our own sacrifices we can make their service possible.

Those who support the work of MDA are the essential partners in a healthy delivery in Guatemala, a child treated for malaria in Cameroon, a trauma cared for in Uganda, a village visit in Tanzania. We put our faith and trust in God that we too may be blessed.

A Seed Sown to Grow in Africa...

2010-05-24T16:26:00.000-07:00

"I have come to realize that we all sow seeds everyday. By our actions we sow both good and bad seeds, we then live in the landscape we have created" Dr. Jim Hake shared this reflection on Sunday, at St. John the Evangelist Church in Los Angeles.

Dr. Jim and Mrs. Terry Hake were commissioned, blessed and sent forth this weekend for a three year assignment to Cameroon in West Africa. I wanted to take this blog post and share with you their words of wisdom.

Terry spoke of a faith journey that brought them to this day. She noted that God had sent her three messages that helped her realize that she too was being called to serve as a lay missionary, to teach in the Diocese of Bemenda. Jim shared that he had wanted to be a medical missionary since he first heard a priest from Africa on Mission Sunday 35 years ago while still in medical school.

The seed planted, had been kept buried until 2003 when he and Terry attended the annual Retreat / Seminar offered for doctors who are considering serving short-term. Subsequently, Jim and Terry did serve short-term assignments in both Cameroon and Zimbabwe. Retiring from his Family Practice in Moses Lake, WA, last year, Jim was ready to take the next step, and he and Terry came to Los Angeles in January 2010 and joined the formation program.

Jim completed his reflection by saying, “As we head out we ask for your prayers.”

I would like to ask that you remember Jim, Terry and all of our Mission Doctors serving in Africa and Latin America in your prayers tonight, sowing a seed of mission in your own heart.

Mother's Day Around the World

2010-05-07T09:54:00.000-07:00

Mother's Day in the US is this Sunday, May 9, an opportunity for children of all ages to appreciate their own mothers and celebrate the role of mothers around the world. And while my own Mother's Day will be filled with a few of my favorite things; family, good food and just a little time to relax, my thoughts will inevitably travel not only to my own mother but to all mothers.   

The State of the World's Mother's report recently came out reporting the best and worse places in the world to be a mother. The report ranks 160 countries based on health, nutrition, education and political data. Our own country, the US, ranked 14 in the developed world, while 8 of the lowest ranking are Countries in Sub Saharan Africa.

A women giving birth in Cameroon has a 1 in 100 chance of dying in childbirth, a number 100 times greater than the US.

The life expectancy of a women in Zimbabwe is now 44 years, up from a previous record shattering 35 years just a few years ago.

A mother in Uganda faces an infant mortality rate 10 times greater than a child born in the US, and a risk that her child will die before their 5th birthday is 131 in 1000, vs. 8 in 1000 in our country. *

Mission Doctor, Brent Burket, M.D., now working in Guatemala wrote recently in his blog about the lives of the mothers he has observed there. The pace of their day from the moment that they awake to the time they go to bed, their tasks to collecting water, moving to the water’s edge to wash clothes, collecting wood for a cooking fire, preparing meals – every moment of every day part of their efforts to provide for their families and this is where he notes there exists the similarity between his own mother, sisters and wife, their care for the family.

Mothers everywhere are striving to provide for their children. Most mothers around the world however are not as fortunate as I am, having four healthy married adult children. As I reflect on this time with my children and their spouses this Sunday, my heart is overflowing with gratitude for what I have, and I feel the need to raise a prayer for mothers everywhere.

Those who struggle today to bring life into an uncertain world, those who sit at the bedside of a sick child, and those who are facing - what in our hearts we know to be the most unnatural order - laying a child to rest. May we find ways to support women around the world through our prayers and actions to make the world a safer and healthier place for all mothers and their children.

A word of prayer for World Malaria Day...

2010-04-23T10:45:00.000-07:00

Sunday, April 25: World Malaria Day. One day set to help raise awareness about the widespread devastating impact of Malaria.

Malaria is a deadly mosquito-born disease, that effected Europe and North America as recently as the 1950s. However, simple public health measures helped end the spread and eliminate the disease in these parts of the world.

Sadly, Malaria still afflicts approximately 500,000,000 (500 Million) people in Africa, Asia and Latin America and kills one child every 30 seconds, the time it has taken to read this post.

These staggering numbers can cause paralysis. What can I do?

The image that often comes to mind for me when I consider these numbers is that of one little girl and her father, in Uganda, at the bedside Kate Walsh, R.N., helping the father apply cool compresses to reduce the girl’s fever. Or the mother at the rural clinics in Cameroon with her small son lethargically laying across her lap as the exam was preformed, and medications given.

There are huge global efforts to reduce the impact of malaria, seeking ways to create an immunization, distributing treated bed nets, and the ultimate impact of these efforts hopefully will one day change the face of this disease.

In the mean time, Mission Doctors and their families who can, try to offer care that is both immediate and compassionate to one patient at a time. It may not even be a drop in the bucket, but as a parent myself, I do understand that the entire world can seem to exist in arms of a parent holding one sick child.

For all those suffering today, for their families, for researchers and for everyone who is working to turn the tide on malaria today we pray.

Never doubt...

2010-04-09T09:47:00.000-07:00

"Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it's the only thing that ever has." This quote from Margaret Mead has always been one of my favorites and for years has spurred me on during late nights and long flights with Mission Doctors.

We are still working on wrapping up all of the details following our annual weekend Retreat/Seminar a couple weeks ago. This gave us the opportunity to bring together a group of dedicated mission doctors and their spouses and with those interested in learning about ways they can serve. As I looked over the room I knew this was indeed a group like the "small group of thoughtful, committed citizens" Margaret Mead described.

I again want to take a moment on this blog to thank all of those generous and committed missionaries and thoughtful participants for spending the weekend working to be the change in the world.

Thank you.

P.S. - Interested in attending this event in 2011? We are already accepting reservations - Loyola Marymount University - April 8 - 10, 2011!

What a weekend!

2010-03-22T10:40:00.000-07:00

As many of you know, this past weekend was the Los Angeles Religious Education Congress in Anaheim and what a weekend! We shared a booth with Lay Mission-Helpers and had the opportunity to share the story of this great work that has gone on for more than 50 years – there were more than 21,000 registered attendees!

We premiered OMPP...the One Million Patients Project and talked to anyone that would listen about the work of Mission Doctors. Visit www.OneMillionPatients.org

Thousands of faces, hundreds of bookmarks, old friends and new, handshakes & hugs ...phew! It was a great weekend, but needless to say - a quiet Sunday evening was very much appreciated.

But no time to rest….We are so excited about this upcoming weekend, our 2010 Mission Doctors Retreat/Seminar. Doctors and their spouses from around the country are traveling to Los Angeles to learn about Mission Doctors and the opportunities to serve short term in Africa or Latin America. Please keep us in your prayers this weekend, as doctors discern their call to serve. On Sunday our local friend will join us for Mass at LMU. A busy time, but an exciting time as we are all working together to bring health care to those most in need.

What is OMPP?

2010-03-12T13:28:00.000-08:00

Have you heard of OMPP?

In this case its not the Office of Medicaid Policy and Planning or the Ontario Motorist Protection Plan.

It is something new for Mission Doctors, a way for everyone to get involved and make a difference. We will be premiering OMPP next weekend at the Los Angeles Religious Education Congress in Anaheim, we will be at booth #469 and online at twitter.com/missiondoctors

A Moment of Thanks

2010-02-26T11:56:00.000-08:00

It is an especially busy time around the office. We are wrapping up all of the final work from the 2010 Auxiliary Benefit; preparing for the upcoming national Religious Education Congress in Anaheim; gathering materials for the March 26-28 MDA Retreat/Seminar; and making plans for our Annual Mass and Brunch on March 28^th!

Drs. Brent Burket and Dr. Jennifer Thoene along with their four children left for Guatemala this month, Dr. Jim and Mrs. Terry Hake are in the current formation program and will begin three years in Cameroon later in the year. I am also working to try to meet with many of our friends and supporters one on one to share information about where we are – and where we hope to be to make the Mission Possible.

While the work can – at times - feel a bit overwhelming, this is also the most exciting time. The opportunity to spend time with those who make the work of Mission Doctors possible as well as the opportunity to introduce new people to the mission of MDA truly fuels our energy for this work.

I wanted to take a brief moment in this blog and thank all of you who are supporters, volunteers and missionaries who not only make Mission Doctors Association the growing, faith-filled organization it is, but renew my passion for it everyday. Wishing you a prayerful Lent as we all strive to grow closer to God through our prayers, support and service for our sisters and brothers around the world.

Thank you!

If you would like to make a Lenten sacrifice in support of the work of Mission Doctors Association you can do so on our website.

Valentine's Day

2010-02-12T11:24:00.000-08:00

Valentine’s day, celebrated this Sunday, often brings images of red roses, large boxes of chocolate and candle light dinners to mind. The St. Valentine, whose feast day is February 14, is among the earliest of Roman martyrs, and on this day we celebrate and treasure love, love of all kinds. The romantic and committed love of husband and wife, the devoted love of parent and child and the affectionate and caring love between friends.

In my job, I get to see a very special kind of love everyday. This kind of sacrificial love motivates people to leave their homes, travel half a world away and share their gift of healing. Not flowers or chocolates, but the love we are all called to have for all of our sisters and brothers, a universal, faith motivated love.

The title of this blog and the prayer of St. Theresa - Christ has no body,
but ours, no hands but ours is always the challenge; how can we be
Christ to others; how can we ensure that they experience the love God
has for each of them?

This week Dr. Brent Burket and Dr. Jennifer Thoene, along with their four small children, began a
three year assignment to Hospitalito in Lake Attitlan. Brent and Jennifer are very close with their
families in California and Oregon - their families too make a sacrifice, sharing their loved ones
with the people who need them in Guatemala.

Please keep this young family, and their family at home in your prayers this week, and you can
let them know you are praying for them by signing a prayer card on our web site.

Inescapable network of mutuality…

2010-01-29T11:08:00.000-08:00

As we hear about the devastation in Haiti bloggers around the world are calling for support and prayers for those in Haiti. The images, descriptions and stories of suffering and loss can be overwhelming, but the response has been amazing too.

I wanted to share with you a quote from Martin Luther King Jr., “All men are caught in an inescapable network of mutuality”.

This mutuality connects us to the entire world; a mother at the bed side of a child in sub-Sahara Africa, an elderly women in Thailand, newlyweds in Central America and all those suffering in Haiti. As Catholics we are reminded of this connection as we receive Christ in the Eucharist, there are many parts but we are all one body.

Please join Mission Doctors Association in offering support for the efforts at Hôpital Sacré Coeur, a hospital in northern Haiti, open and operational and in need of your help.

You can do so with a tax deductible donation on their web site through PayPal - You can help them meet these urgent needs, and of course keep all in your prayers.

Our hearts and prayers go to the people of Haiti and to all who are called to provide relief.

Christmas Gift

2009-12-18T14:48:00.000-08:00

A newlywed couple, Dr. Mark and Mrs. Sheila Bisanzo from Massachusetts recently shared how they are experiencing Advent and preparing for Christmas in Uganda. Sheila commented “...we're grateful for the opportunity to enjoy the essence of Christmas and the renewal it brings without the overwhelming American distractions of buying and spending”.

I remember Christmas during our time in Thailand, now almost 30 years ago, with the same joy that Sheila recalls. There is something liberating about being removed from what we take for granted and have come to believe must be part and parcel of the 'traditional' holiday. Shopping, wrapping, planning, mailing, often accompanied by stress that can overtake the meaning of the Holy day. Removing all these made it easier to stay focused on what we are really celebrating - 'that God so loved the world that he sent his only Son...'

In the years since returning to Southern California, I can’t say I’ve always kept this perspective during Advent and Christmas, especially as my kids were growing up, wanting to create perfect memories for them. As I take a step back and look at all of the holiday that have come and gone, I know that Christ has been at the center, even if we were momentarily distracted. Taking the time to slow down and be grateful (even after staying up until 3 a.m. wrapping gifts and making cinnamon rolls...), we have been given the opportunity to express to each other the love that God has for each of us.

There is a special gift that those serving at Christmas receive, even if like Mark and Sheila it means working at the emergency room - a gift that will last a lifetime. Sheila shared 'When we think about the Holy Family and the image of the Nativity, a peaceful time of a family gathering is the gift they shared and which we still embrace today. ‘Where two or three are gathered together,’ that's the Christmas gift.”

May we all experience the presence of Christ, though all of the errands, shopping and wrapping, and may we always recognize the real Christmas gift!

Where Two or More are Gathered...

2009-12-18T14:14:00.000-08:00

The Holidays often mean getting together with friends and families to share and celebrate.

We are working on plans, born of this same idea, getting people together to help spread the word about Mission Doctors. Generous veteran mission doctors and dedicated friends are hosting events in their area to share the stories and to celebrate the mission with friends and family, and plans are underway for more of these events after the first of the year.

I am just about to run out the door to pick up the invitations for a gathering in Long Beach next month. Dr. Brent Burket and Dr. Jennifer Thoene will be on hand to talk about their upcoming mission assignment to Guatemala, at the home of Dr. Laura King. As we make these plans and send out the invitations, I am reminded of Jesus’ promise that “where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.” Coming together to share in the story of doctors who serve those most in need, Jesus is certainly with us. The promise is that He will be with us as we gather, as we pray, and as we serve together.

The doctors who travel half a world away to provide life saving medical care for God's neediest, and those who gather to pray for them and offer support, are certainly not acting alone. May you too feel the presence of Christ on this Advent journey and as we celebrate His birth this Christmas.

Would you like to attend or host a gathering in your area to share information about Mission Doctors?

Sharing their Story

2009-12-11T10:34:00.000-08:00

I wanted to take a moment and share with you a couple of the blogs our Mission Doctors are writing to share their mission stories.

A Step Along the Way This blog, with it’s title is inspired by the prayer of Archbishop Oscar Romero, is written by Dr. and Mrs. Richard Stoughton. The Stoughton’s have recently returned from an eight year mission in rural Zimbabwe, serving the people of St. Theresa's hospital. While their long term mission has ended their commitment to the people of St. Theresa’s hospital continues. In this season of thanks Dr. and Mrs. Richard Stoughton are sharing Eight Days of Gratitude, comparing the life lived in the US, life at St. Theresa’s Hospital and those living in the community around the hospital.

Burket-Thoene Family Mission The Burket-Thoene Family Mission is a new blog, started by Dr. Brent Burket and Dr. Jennifer Thoene. These veteran mission doctors will start a long term mission to Santiago Atitlan, Guatemala with their four children; Christopher, Elizabeth, Julianne and Nicholas. This doctor couple will be caring for the indigenous Mayan population, the Tz'utujil, working along side the people at a hospital called Hospitalito.

Please take a moment and check out their blogs, hear their stories and consider signing up as a “follower” to receive new blog posts.

We Wait Together

2009-12-04T13:51:00.000-08:00

Advent is the time of waiting and preparing- but the word Advent is from the Latin word 'coming".

We are waiting, we are preparing for Christ’s coming – as the world waited more than 2000 years ago – but we know that in Advent our focus needs to be, not on the waiting but on who we are waiting for. We are waiting for Christ to come, waiting to celebrate once again the dawn of the new day when nothing would be the same.

Children may anticipate with joy the coming of Santa Clause.

Adults may prepare for families coming together at the holidays.

There are others in Guatemala that are also awaiting with joyful anticipation the coming of Dr. Brent Burket and Dr. Jennifer Thoene who will begin a three year assignment to Hospitalito in January.

In Uganda, the hospital awaits the coming of Dr. Ron and Mrs. Barbara Wick in January.

In Cameroon, Sr. Xaveria is awaiting the coming of Dr. James and Mrs. Terry Hake.

These doctors and others serve because Christ has already been born in their hearts and they can’t wait to share their skills and their faith with others.

Please keep all mission doctors and their families in your prayers this Holy Season.

We wait together. We know who we are waiting for, and we know that once again we can strive to be the one others are waiting for.

Courage on the Word Day of Prayer and Action for Children

2009-11-20T09:06:00.000-08:00

When I travel to the Africa and Latin America to visit our doctors who are serving in small mission hospitals and clinics, it is the faces of children that remain etched in my memory. The children running along the road, laughing at the lady with the camera, singing in the church, and the children in the hospitals, their parents anxiously standing at their bedside.

As a mother of four, in these childern’s faces I see my own children. I recognize the joy and the fear, the laughter and the tears.

Those of us in the west however need to awaken to the reality of the lives of children around the world. In Uganda today there are over 1.2 millions AIDS orphans. In Guatemala more than half the children suffer from chronic malnutrition. In Cameroon the burden of poverty is heightened by diseases of malaria, TB, chronic respiratory infections. The needs of these children and their communities is what drives our doctors to sacrifice so much to serve, and is what drive my own work.

Today, November 20 is the World Day of Prayer and Action for Children. On this anniversary of the Convention of the Rights of the Child, I would like to share with you the story of Courage. This story not only inspired me, but all of the doctors and nurses serving in this small mission hospital in Ghana. Courage is a young boy none of us will forget.

Imagine a World

2009-11-05T13:55:00.000-08:00

I wanted to take a moment this week and share with you a powerful quote from the founder of Mission Doctors, Monsignor Anthony Brouwers, “Many do not know the needs of the world’s poverty; some do not care. Others know but refuse to lift a finger or open a tight purse. The present writer, on journeys through the mission lands, has had the privilege of rubbing shoulders with the reality of poverty. To see it in all its stark realism is not enough; one must smell and touch it before the mind drinks in the realities of the senses.”

His ability to help those of us here in the US understand the reality of the needs has called many of us to join in the work of Mission Doctors Association. It is true, that the needs in the Africa and Latin America are difficult to imagine while sitting at our computer screen in a warm home or office. It is my charge however, as a missionary myself, returned home, to share these needs with others and to encourage prayers and support.

Imagine a world where all needs of the poor are met. We can imagine this one patient at a time. Click this link to view a Mission Doctors video. You can meet our doctors serving and learn about the real needs that exist.

Beatitudes

2009-10-30T16:13:00.001-07:00

This Sunday we will hear the beautiful and familiar Sermon on the Mount, the Gospel reading that gives us the Beatitudes. These Beatitudes are a hopeful message of God’s love and gives us the template against which we can hold our actions.

Am I poor in spirit, meek, merciful, pure of heart, am I a peacemaker?
Do I hunger and thirst for righteousness and am I willing to be persecuted for it?

The dedicated doctors and their families that serve in the missions are indeed poor in spirit living simply for the sake of their faithful service. And sadly, due to limited resources they have far too many opportunities to mourn at the bedside of a patient.

At times faced with the inequities they experience, I know they have a deep hunger for a remedy that would address the underlying injustices.

Matthew goes on beyond the Beatitudes quoting Jesus "You are the light of the world." "...your light must shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your heavenly Father."

The good that is done by Mission Doctors is a form of this light, may others may see the good and give glory to God!

How are you finding ways to live the Beatitudes and be the light of the world?

Many other doctors more deserving of the award...

2009-10-22T13:03:00.000-07:00

"There are many other doctors more deserving of the award.” This is the answer our office received from Dr. Michael Fitzgerald, in response to his nomination. However, this Sunday on the Feast of Saint Luke the Evangelist, it was my honor to witness Dr. Fitzgerald receiving the Mission Doctors Association, 2009 Catholic Doctor of the Year Award at the Archdiocese of Los Angeles White Mass.

While it was a daunting task deciding on the award winner from the more than a 1000 nominations sent out nationwide, Dr. Fitzgerald stood apart for his commitment to his community and those around the world.

Dr. Fitzgerald volunteers with the Poverello Clinic, a free clinic for the uninsured. His service has also taken him to the Sacre Coeur Hospital in Milot, Haiti, as well as hosting Haitian physicians who come to the US for specialized training. Dr. Fitzgerald in addtion serves annually as a volunteer physician accompanying and ministering to the sick and disabled who make the pilgrimage to the Shrine of Our Lady of Lourdes, in southern France.

Thank you Dr. Michael Fitzgerald for your dedication to your patients and your ability to recognize the face of Christ in all you serve.

To learn more about Dr. Michael Fitzgerald, please read the spread on the award and his service from the Diocese of Syracuse paper.

International Day of Peace

2009-09-21T15:30:00.000-07:00

Today, September 21^st is the International Day of Peace. In 1981, the United Nations General Assembly established this International Day of Peace with the intention of having the entire world observe a day of peace and nonviolence.

In response to our own Catholic World Day of Peace on January 1, Pope Benedict XVI quoted his Predecessor Pope John Paul II drawing attention to the negative repercussions for peace when entire populations live in poverty. “Poverty is often a contributory factor or a compounding element in conflicts, including armed ones. In turn, these conflicts fuel further tragic situations of poverty. “Our world”, he wrote, “shows increasing evidence of another grave threat to peace: many individuals and indeed whole peoples are living today in conditions of extreme poverty”.

Millions of people today live in extreme poverty around the world. This poverty has the power to hold peace at bay.

Today, and for more than 50 years, Mission Doctors have served at mission hospitals and clinics to offer health care to those most in need.

While the healthcare debate rages here in the US, the need in Africa and Latin America call some dedicated lay missionaries to leave the comfort of home and family to share their gifts and live their faith. They bring their professional skills and in doing so are also bearers of peace.

May we carry peace in our heart, share it in our families and workplaces, our communities and pray to hasten the day that swords will be beaten into plowshares.

A Prayer on 9/11

2009-09-11T11:25:00.000-07:00

September 11 was celebrated in my house growing up, it was my father’s birthday. A special dinner, followed by my less than stellar attempts at a birthday cake.

Sadly, since 2001, September 11 leaves us now remembering the shock of the horrific and tragic events of that morning. Today we remember those who died and we pray for the loved ones left behind who suffered the greatest loss.

On this day of grief, reflection, service and prayer, this prayer of St. Francis challenges us to try to go beyond the pain, beyond the grief, beyond the fear, calling us to the light in the darkness.

Lord, make me an instrument of your peace.
Where there is hatred, let me sow love,
Where there is injury, pardon
Where there is doubt, faith,
Where there is despair, hope,
Where there is darkness, light,
Where there is sadness, joy.

O Divine Master, grant that I may
not so much seek to be consoled as to console,
not so much to be understood as to understand,
not so much to be loved, as to love;
for it is in giving that we receive,
it is in pardoning that we are pardoned,
it is in dying that we awake to eternal life.
- St. Francis of Assisi

For those whose lives were lost on September 11 we pray that you welcome them to Your eternal life Oh Lord. For their families and those whom they love, may Your consolation be theirs.

The Power of Prayer

2009-09-03T10:16:00.000-07:00

Doing a quick Google news search for “power of prayer” everything, from the current health care debate, to stories of people lost at sea, come up. Each of these stories, while significantly different, has in common a belief in the power of God’s grace.

The mission doctors who serve at hospitals and clinics around the world, often with their spouses and families, do so believing in the power of God’s grace. Grace to get them there safely; to guide and protect them while their serve; the grace to offer professional care with limited resources; and upon returning, the grace to arrive home safely.

I want to take this blog post to invite you to share some of your prayers for our missionaries serving the poor around the world. If you would like to send a prayer of support and encouragement to our mission doctors and their families, you can do so here.

Thank you for becoming our partner in prayer!

Our Lady Brings the Rain

2009-08-28T09:38:00.000-07:00

Drs Melanie and Roy Elfrink served this summer with four of their six children at St. Martin de Porres Hospital in the diocese of Kabale, Uganda. Melanie wrote about the start of the rainy season, and the link to the Feast of The Assumption, which is a National Holiday in Uganda...

Melanie writes:
One of the highlights was seeing the rainy season start. Everyone kept saying that it was going to rain on the 15th, the Assumption. It's a national holiday, and the people say "Our Lady brings the rain on her feast day". Since that was Saturday and we'd had no rain for some time we decided to see. Skeptically, like the Americans we are. Wednesday: a few clouds, no rain. Thursday: a few clouds and a clap of thunder, no rain. Friday: a few clouds, two claps of thunder, and a teeny sprinkle that barely counted as rain. Friday night: downpour. Saturday: downpour. Sunday: downpour. Repeat that last part every day since the Assumption. Father John told us at mass, "Our Lady brings the rain every year on the Assumption to show the people of Uganda that she has a special love for them because we have a special love for her."

It felt like Easter, because after months of that red dust coating everything, including your body/eyes/even teeth if you walked very far, Saturday of the Assumption the air smelled clean, the plants were all clean, and the people were so happy they were giddy with relief and gratitude. Mass was filled with beautiful music, special dancing, people pledging themselves to Mary.

May the changing of the seasons be an opportunity for us too, to recognize our dependence and to celebrate, with gratitude, the example of the lady who said yes to God!

Honeymooning at Karoli Lwanga Hospital

2009-08-21T10:36:00.000-07:00

Mark and Sheila Bisanzo were married on June 12, 2009 (My husband Tom and I were married that same day 33 years earlier!) Unlike many newlyweds, they didn't set up their home near work or family. They are beginning their lives together serving as members of Mission Doctors Association at Karoli Lwanga hospital in rural Nyakibale, Uganda. The reflected on how, beginning their married life in the missions has given them cause to reflect on the challenges and blessings.

As we continue on this journey of acclimatization and discovery, we appreciate the significance of ritual in our daily life together, especially because we are beginning our marriage in Uganda. We are creating a rhythm of daily rituals in our new home and surroundings while we accept the lack of running water and current drought.

We celebrate the threads of joy and gratitude woven throughout our experience, such as an enthusiastic "Agandi!" (“Hello, how are you?”) and smile by a child along the road, or watching the soulful sway of parishioners dancing and singing to the drum beat at mass. A common greeting which our colleagues and neighbors extend to us says it best, "You are so welcome." The Ugandans whom we have encountered and whom we will work and live alongside have made us feel wholly welcome, as they express warm appreciation for our coming to work at the hospital. We only hope that we can share some humble offering in return as we continue our work as part of the Nyakibale community.

I Stand on my Soapbox for the Feast of St. Luke

2009-08-11T08:36:00.000-07:00

Did you know that St. Luke is the patron saint of doctors?

As a member of the Los Angeles Archdiocese White Mass committee, I know it is my responsibility to promote this special event. And really, what better venue to do so, than my very own online soapbox?

A White Mass is traditionally celebrated for all physicians and medical personnel on the Feast of St. Luke. This institution follows the centuries old customary Red Mass, recognizing the service of Catholic judges, prosecutors, attorneys, law school professors, students, and government officials.

It was coined the “White Mass” not because of the liturgical color, but because medical personnel typically wore white rather than the more common of the greens and blues today.

The theme, “Celebrating Health; Blessing Healers”, reflects the spirit of this event. Los Angeles Archdiocese and Mission Doctors Association have come together to celebrate the service and recognize the challenges and blessings Catholics in who serve in health care face today.

Local Catholic doctors are encouraged to take part in this event, October 18, 2009, as an opportunity to come together seeking God’s blessing on their work. To learn more about the upcoming event visit the White Mass website.