Have you heard of ECHO and OYSTER? I have certainly come to understand them better through reading this account of the work of Dr James Burton and his wife Peggy, a nurse. Their call to medical work as dedicated Christians led to a demanding spell starting up a new mission hospital in the then Belgian Congo. The difficulties and dangers are graphically recounted and most doctors would probably find themselves unable to cope with the absence of facilities and equipment that are described. After two terms of service there they had to return to the UK for health reasons, but this gave them the opportunity and experience to pursue support for medical mission.

After a spell in General Practice and running a conference centre they were confronted with an offer of redundant but very useful medical equipment from closing NHS hospitals and the military. There was so much equipment that an organisation was required to arrange its warehousing and dispatch to mission hospitals around the world. We are thus taken through the formation of the Joint Mission Hospital Equipment Board and its enormous growth into a major charity ECHO (Equipment for Charity Hospitals Overseas). ECHO now buys bulk purchases of supplies and organises training workshops for equipment maintenance overseas, in addition to its original work. In earthquakes and other disaster situations their expertise is often called upon to transport supplies to the needy areas.

Retirement age came and Dr Burton had to leave the direction of ECHO to others, but not before his work was acknowledged by the conferral of an OBE. However, there is no retirement from the Lord's service, and the Burtons went on to do a mission locum in Liberia and then raised funds to support Christian work in Eastern Europe. The book goes on to describe the development of OYSTER (One Year's Service To Encourage Recruitment), the Medical Missionary Association (MMA) and HealthServe, a Christian medical resource centre dedicated to mobilising healthcare professionals to serve Christ in the developing world. Dr Burton is currently President of MMA HealthServe.

This is a very personal but informative account showing how much dedicated lives can accomplish. It is divided into easy to read chapters and is well illustrated, making it attractive in appearance. It is a challenge to young Christians, especially those with a vocation to any sphere in healthcare, to use their talents to serve Christ. It would be a helpful gift and should find a place on your Church bookstall or library.

Reviewed by
Arthur Wyatt
formerly Consultant Surgeon, Greenwich, now Medical Adviser MSI Professional Services