Before we set up the clinic, the team attended service on Sunday morning. We collaborated with this local church in El Salvador, and they were eager to see spiritual change in their community. In addition to providing the space for us to set up a clinic, they volunteered with us by serving the patients. While we were assessing and treating people’s physical and emotional needs, the members of this church hosted worship services and preached the gospel to patients as they were waiting to be seen. All throughout the week, they made every opportunity to minister to their community with love and enthusiasm.
The church so evidently desired for people turn to Jesus, and our doctors shared this mindset with them. Every physician I worked with ensured that each and every patient knew about Jesus, and if a patient admitted that they were not following Christ, then the doctors would take time to share the gospel with them. I remember how, after the assessment was made the prescription was written, Dr. Tope would say, “Now that we have addressed your physical health, it is time to address your spiritual health.” She knew that the church held sermons right outside her door, and that the team members triaging patients were also praying with them. Yet, she would not end her time with a patient until she shared the gospel and prayed with them. By the end of the week, we saw fifty-one people give their lives to Christ.
These conversations set the tone for the week, but they would mean nothing if our actions did not carry the same message. There are countless examples of Christians who make no attempt to reflect the love of God, but this was not the case with our team. Our doctors lovingly preached the gospel and prayed with every patient no matter how busy we were. I tried to preserve order on one of the busiest afternoons. Even though I was assigned to work with physician, it was more fitting for me to step out of this role to manage the flow of patients in and out of the clinic. In these moments I saw Dr. Metcalf on her way back to her examination room surrounded by students and volunteers all in need of her help. A line of patients waited outside her door in the hot sun as she walked to her practice answering all their questions with gentleness and intentionality. After addressing their needs, immediately, she treated her next patient with such joy. It was as if she was seeing her first patient of the day. It was the love of God overflowing from within Dr. Metcalf that allowed her to do this. From this experience, I have made it my goal to treat my future patients with the same love regardless of the environment I am in.
