Visit to North East Asia 16 August - 5 September 2005
The 34th Annual Exchange Programme, linking the Christian Medical Association of Japan, Korea and Taiwan, took place from 15-21 August 2005 in Karuizawa, Japan.This event opened the door for Priscilla and I also to visit the ICMDA member organizations in Korea, Taiwan and Hong Kong.
Japan
The Conference theme was ‘The role of Christians in the Care of the Elderly’. Each country is grappling with the twin challenges of ageing populations and declining birth rates. Papers were read on Church based care programmes, the Christian role in the aged society, care for the terminally ill, demographics and reforms in insurance systems including long term care. A door opened for profitable meetings and experiences, in particular a visit to St Luke’s Hospital, Tokyo. St Luke’s is a brilliant tribute to the Philosophy of the Hospital to be ‘a living organism designed to demonstrate in convincing terms the transmitting power of Christian love when applied in relief of human suffering’.
Korea
In a programme arranged by the Korean Christian Medical Association (KCMA) and the Korean Christian Fellowship (KCMF) hospital after hospital visited were centers of excellence. In the Severance Hospital in Seoul, the biggest Christian hospital in the world, the support and service provided in patient care was absolutely exemplary. Other visits included the Presbyterian Medical Centre, the Good Samaritan Hospital in Pohang where each staff member contributes 1% of their salary to mission outreach and the Handong Christian University where 3,000 students, undergraduates and postgraduates, from all over Korea and the world, study. Once qualified they seek positions on the globe where they can make a difference for Jesus Christ.
Taiwan
Our first evening in Taipei was spent with an enthusiastic group of young doctors (Taiwan Christian Medical Students Fellowship). The next evening we accompanied Dr Heng Chan Chen (TCMA General Secretary) to the MacKay Memorial Hospital where a meeting of the Christian Doctors Fellowship had been arranged. Our last day in Taipei was a ‘whirlwind’of activity. The Rev Lun-Hsien Tung, General Secretary of the Chinese Christian Medical Mission (CCMM) was an absolute ball of fire for the Lord. No sooner had we visited his staff in the HQ than we were whisked away to visit the Taipei National University Hospital, meeting a wonderfully committed group of Christian medical people.
Hong Kong
It was a joy on our return journey to visit Hong Kong and hear about the events, activities and happenings of the CMDF Hong Kong. With Dr Roy Chow, the present Chairman, experiencing the Taiwan Congress, the probability of many attending the World Congress 2006 from Hong Kong is eagerly anticipated.
The schedule was tight but incredibly rewarding and inspiring, particularly in our experience of the unity seen through fellowship in and commitment to Jesus Christ.
ICMDA Eurasia
Summer 2005 Conferences in Russia and Central Asia
These conferences were planned as a partnership between CMF(UK), ICMDA and the local leadership. To run the two conferences consecutively was seen as a good use of resources.The international team of around a dozen members included leading CMF speakers and members from ICMDA, PRIME, HCFI and International Health Services. Team members mostly paid their own way.
Russia: Kursk, 19-25 July ‘Blossoms in the Wilderness’ (Isaiah 35:1)
Some 70 local delegates from ten Russian cities with one each from Ukraine and Belarus gathered in Kursk, some 300 miles SW of Moscow. Nearly all were medical students or junior doctors. The organisation was in the hands of six young leaders from six different Russian cities. On Friday/Saturday we were joined by a small group of older doctors from Moscow, representing the Christian Medical Association of Russia. Input from the international speakers, including Bible readings from Daniel, was much appreciated. A highlight was the prayer night where the group covered each of the cities represented and then prayed for all the other areas of Russia not yet included.
Post-communist Russian society is in many ways a barren wilderness, but these young people were like beautiful flowers bursting out of dry ground – a tribute to grace and hope for the years to come.
Central Asia – 26-31 July ‘Streams in the Desert’ (Isaiah 35:60)
Here 120 local delegates from 14 centres in four countries gathered with about 40 local expatriates involved in medical ministry. Among them were a few older believers, but the majority were students and young doctors.Very few had been believers more than 5 years. Issues of suffering for Christ were prominent on their agenda. The Sunday morning prayer and commissioning was a highlight as they prayed for each of the countries represented and for surrounding lands. God has clearly done a remarkable work in Central Asia over the last ten years and these fine young people were indicative of this. They went forth to their different homes to be streams in the desert.
A limited supply of English language books and a good supply of three books in Russian (Aids and You, by Patrick Dixon, Matters of Life and Death by John Wyatt and Cure for Life by Bernard Palmer) were available at both conferences at nominal prices and were welcomed enthusiastically.
ICMDA Bursary/Scholarship Fund
This is for those in need of financial support to attend the ICMDA World Congress in Sydney on 7-16 July 2006. Donations can be sent to ICMDA European Office, Russets, Woodlands, Pembury Kent IN2 4AZ, UK.
Cheques made payable to ICMDA UK Trust. Bank transfer details are available on request. UK gifts sent to the European office can be augmented by Tax reclaims.
