Not many years ago, the University Teaching Hospital in Zambia's capital city of Lusaka wasn't a place you wanted to go to if you were sick. Its reputation, facilities, medical care and treatment were extremely poor. Unfortunately for those who had to use its services, they had no choice. It is the only hospital in Lusaka.
But that is all changing. Over the past few years changes have taken place that have turned the hospital around to what some say may soon make it one of the best hospitals in Africa.
Jim is one of those who is contributing to this difference. In 1990 Jim held a senior position in a teaching hospital in America. When his daughter told him of a need for doctors and surgeons in Africa with AEF, he knew God wanted him there.
In 1991 he and his wife, Ellie, found themselves at Luampa Hospital in the remote Western Province of Zambia. But after five fruitful years at Luampa, they knew that God had something else for them.
After a series of God ordained circumstances and appointments, Jim found himself on staff at the University Teaching Hospital in Lusaka.
'The Doc from the bush has come to town - and what a shock!' is how Jim describes his city.
'I have 14 lectures to give this quarter and I'm into the books and making overhead charts, graphs, slides and things I haven't done for a long time,' said Jim. 'It all takes me back to my medical school training days.' Jim has a full teaching load as well as general surgery duties. Each day brings new challenges and opportunities to teach as well as be taught! 'My Chief Resident showed me how to put an orthopaedic nail in the medullary cavity of a fractured femur,' said Jim. 'What can I teach a guy like that!'
The attitude of the residents, interns and students has made a deep impression on Jim. 'They are eager to learn and as I watch them seriously taking notes and the residents and interns learning on the wards, I realize that the Lord has planned all this.'
You don't need to know Jim very long before you catch his excitement and enthusiasm for life - and for the work he is doing. And for someone approaching 65 - Jim seems to have a whole lot more energy than most people half his age! But it is his love for people and for evangelism that you notice most about Jim. You quickly sense his heart is always longing and willing to reach out to those who are in need of hope and Christ.
Both he and Ellie, who also works part time in the hospital, have many opportunities to get alongside their co-workers and the student doctors. They are also involved with the Christian Medical Student Group and the Nurses Christian Fellowship. For Jim, working in a teaching hospital in Lusaka is as much being a missionary and doing missionary work as it was when he was at Luampa.
'The Lord has continued to affirm that we are where He can best use us to sow the seeds that were planted at Luampa in the lives of medical students', said Ellie.
But that is all changing. Over the past few years changes have taken place that have turned the hospital around to what some say may soon make it one of the best hospitals in Africa.
Jim is one of those who is contributing to this difference. In 1990 Jim held a senior position in a teaching hospital in America. When his daughter told him of a need for doctors and surgeons in Africa with AEF, he knew God wanted him there.
In 1991 he and his wife, Ellie, found themselves at Luampa Hospital in the remote Western Province of Zambia. But after five fruitful years at Luampa, they knew that God had something else for them.
After a series of God ordained circumstances and appointments, Jim found himself on staff at the University Teaching Hospital in Lusaka.
'The Doc from the bush has come to town - and what a shock!' is how Jim describes his city.
'I have 14 lectures to give this quarter and I'm into the books and making overhead charts, graphs, slides and things I haven't done for a long time,' said Jim. 'It all takes me back to my medical school training days.' Jim has a full teaching load as well as general surgery duties. Each day brings new challenges and opportunities to teach as well as be taught! 'My Chief Resident showed me how to put an orthopaedic nail in the medullary cavity of a fractured femur,' said Jim. 'What can I teach a guy like that!'
The attitude of the residents, interns and students has made a deep impression on Jim. 'They are eager to learn and as I watch them seriously taking notes and the residents and interns learning on the wards, I realize that the Lord has planned all this.'
You don't need to know Jim very long before you catch his excitement and enthusiasm for life - and for the work he is doing. And for someone approaching 65 - Jim seems to have a whole lot more energy than most people half his age! But it is his love for people and for evangelism that you notice most about Jim. You quickly sense his heart is always longing and willing to reach out to those who are in need of hope and Christ.
Both he and Ellie, who also works part time in the hospital, have many opportunities to get alongside their co-workers and the student doctors. They are also involved with the Christian Medical Student Group and the Nurses Christian Fellowship. For Jim, working in a teaching hospital in Lusaka is as much being a missionary and doing missionary work as it was when he was at Luampa.
'The Lord has continued to affirm that we are where He can best use us to sow the seeds that were planted at Luampa in the lives of medical students', said Ellie.
