Pettross

A TOWEL OF CONTENTION

by Dr. Cynthia Pettross

n a mission trip, healthcare workers treat patients whether it’s a medical trip or not. And we usually find the facilities less and the observers more than home. For example:

“His finger’s coming off!” Charlene screamed, trying to constrain her hysterical 3-year-old son Andy. Andy, had smashed and ripped open his finger in a closing door. I was called out of the conference room to help in the lobby.

The extent of the damage was not yet clear, but it sounded grim. Would there be an amputated finger to save? Like a code I called out orders, “Someone get ice. Get a wash cloth!”

My commands fell on deaf ears. The entire lobby watched, paralyzed. This was clearly not a hospital. True, with no white jacket and a hoarse voice, I was not exactly confidence inspiring. But the hotel staff was as clueless in response as our mission volunteers.

Lacking assistance, I demanded the gaping desk workers tell me where to get ice. Reluctantly, they sent me around the corner to an ice machine, but with nothing to hold the ice.

I was amazed. Mother and child were frantic. Onlookers stared.

Finally, someone got a wash cloth. Knowing that I was a physician, Charlene trusted me. We sat. She held Andy tightly, but he was thrashing so wildly I couldn’t examine his finger. We needed to immobilize his arm.

“Get me a towel!” I commanded the room in as loud a croak as I could muster.

Surprisingly, this request enraged Jack, the father, who also knew I was a doctor. He grabbed the child and ran out of the hotel, calling for a Band-Aid. Jack made a futile attempt to bandage the bloody, flailing finger, but couldn’t.

Jack was losing touch with reality. I followed insisting that the lesion was serious, but was disregarded. Jack’s grabbing at Andy’s flailing hand threatened to extend his wound, and damage his joints. It was painful to watch.

Parents have their rights. But I could not stand around and watch mistreatment. I told Charlene that Jack would not listen to me and left the lobby. And by this time I had called 911.

Five minutes later the mother came for me again requesting help. I got a towel, and finally a mission volunteer brought ice and a wash cloth. Dan, another volunteer helped me wrap the towel around Andy’s arm. Now immobilized, I could gently examine and firmly compress Andy’s finger.

Almost miraculously Andy relaxed. With his wound under pressure, pain and panic had left. The scene was calm when the paramedics showed up to take him to the ER.

“Jack’s brain turned off,” is how Charlene explained Andy’s behavior to me. Apparently it stayed off all day. Later he had no thanks, only rebuke. “It made no sense to ask for a towel!” he scolded me. “You couldn’t feel the finger through it!”

In wide-eyed surprise I corrected his misunderstanding, “The towel was to immobilize Andy’s arm.

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A L L A B O U T A R T 4 H E A L I N G®

by Laurie Zagon

or 21 years, Art & Creativity for Healing has facilitated non-profit Art4Healing® classes and workshops in Southern California. In that time, we’ve served over 85,000 children and adults through healing art. Our healing workshops facilitate participants as they learn to use abstract colors on canvas as a selfexpressive language, through the designation of colors as feelings. It is a form of journaling for self-awareness.

Our mission is to support emotional healing through art & creative expression for those living with pain, grief, fear, or stress.

Who We Serve?

Our trained and certified facilitators share the unique Art4Healing® method to help tens of thousands of people use art as a tool for self-expression.

We also offer the only accredited certification program in the Art4Healing® method. Certification training is provided solely in the Laguna Hills studio. Our Art4Healing® International Online Certification Program is available world-wide, and we’ve graduated several international students.

Our workshops are in our studio in Laguna Hills. Select courses are also offered live online, via Zoom.

We work with more than 35 non-profit program partners in Orange, San Diego and Los Angeles counties, centered around six Core Programs.

What we do

Art & Creativity for Healing supports emotional healing for children, families, individuals, and military personnel using our Art4Healing® method.

We assist adults and children suffering from the emotional impacts of abuse, illness, grief, fear or stress. Our individual workshops and community programs offer expression, encouragement, clarity, and insight. We give pain a voice and meaning by providing expressive abstract art workshops to support emotional healing.

ACFH also partners with schools, shelters, hospitals, and other non-profit agencies to integrate Art4Healing® programs. Our programs include Creative Tools for Homeless Children & their Families, Healing for Heroes and their Families, Vintage Colors – Art4Healing® Over 60, Raging Colors: Expressive Painting for Teens, Out of Darkness: Women Survivors, and the Visiting Art Angel Bedside Program.

Our Art4Healing® curriculum contains strictly guided exercises, rather than loosely formatted art sessions. These exercises are specially designed to elicit emotional responses. Participants leave encouraged, with enhanced clarity and insight.

A note on Art4Healing® vs. Art Therapy

We are NOT an Art Therapy provider.We share art as a tool for self-expression and self-exploration. The structure of the Art4Healing® sessions makes clear that the leaders are facilitators of the creative process, not therapists guiding it. ACFH facilitators don’t offer any interpretation or diagnosis.

The focus remains on the participants in charge of their own exploration. The fact that this process is therapeutic DOES NOT make it art therapy.

Art therapy is actually a legally separate institution and field of practice.

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HOW A PANDEMIC STRENGTHENED A MOTHER/DAUGHTER

CONNECTION THROUGH PRAYER

by Belinda Oberle, R.N.

ver the years in my walk as a Christian, I have developed a muscle for prayer. My journey of learning to pray started when my daughter, now 30, was in elementary school and I was introduced to “Moms in Touch”. This journey of becoming a prayer warrior has taught me so much about my heavenly Father. It has and continues to be a privilege to take my petitions on behalf of myself, my family, friends and others to Him. I have witnessed the power of prayer and this story has provided me an even deeper understanding of that power. “Are you busy now? I thought you might have prayer with me before I go to bed.” These were the words that appeared via text on my cell phone on January 14, 2021 at 7:59 p.m. PST. This was the date my 88 year-old, widowed and fiercely independent mother, Betty, was diagnosed with Covid 19 pneumonia. She was home alone in Indiana. I was almost 2,000 miles away in Orange County, California. I had just finished a Zoom call with my Bible Study small group feeling grateful to have such an amazing group of women believers in my life when I read this text message. I quickly went from gratitude to urgency and concern. It was unusual for my mother to ask for prayer, and emotions of fear, anxiety and frustration at being so far away swirled around in my head and body. I cried out “Please be with her and heal her, Lord”, as I dialed my mother’s phone number. After I assessed that she was not in distress and in need of medical attention, I asked her: “Are you scared?” Her response was: “Kind of.” Again, feeling helpless, I knew that the Holy Spirit’s covering of Peace was needed for both of us. I began to pray with confidence and under God’s authority Matthew 18:20: “For where two or three come together in my name, there am I with them.” As I continued to pray over my mother, a powerful calming occurred in both of us. At the end of our time together, her voice was stronger and she was less fearful. I instructed her in what to do if her symptoms worsened and reassured her that I was only a phone call away even in the middle of the night. After our call, I thought about all the people who have experienced loss during this pandemic and the feelings of helplessness that brings: the loss of a loved one who is no longer here, the loss of a job, the loss of not being able to see family. I sensed God’s Presence telling me to surrender myself and my mother to Him and to trust that He would take care of both of us. He would walk hand in hand with Mom; I was not supposed to be with her at this time. Isaiah 40:13 entered my mind. This was the scripture I’d held onto when the pandemic first began. “For I am the Lord your God, who takes hold of your right hand and says, Do not fear; I will help you.” On January 15, I again prayed with my mom. What started as a one night “have prayer with me before I go to bed” has become a nightly ritual between my mother and me. While my mother doesn’t want to lead prayer, she does often respond with “Yes Lord” and “Thank You Lord” during our prayer time. My mother tells family, friends and neighbors that she and her daughter are praying for them or “that is an answer to prayer” and looks forward to our nightly prayer time and chats. It’s been a beautiful, sweet time together and God has used my heart for prayer to draw us closer to Him and to each other. He has reminded me of His sovereignty over our lives. This precious, God-anointed time He’s given me with my mother would not have happened if my mother had not gone through the dark place of illness with Covid pneumonia. I thank God for giving me this gift and for helping me to see these past perilous times from a heavenly perspective: Time with family and friends is precious. I feel blessed that God will allow me to be reunited with Mom and my family this summer. It will be a time of rejoicing and reflecting on what God has done in our lives. May God continue to deepen me as a prayer warrior and continue to use me for His Kingdom. Praise Be to Our Lord Jesus Christ!

1 Thesalanians 5: 16-18: “Be joyful always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.“

You can email Belinda at boberle@cox.net

W h e n Y o u r H e a r t G e t s T i r e d

by Skip McDonald, R.N, BSN, ThB

f you have any familiarity with Scripture, then you have probably read Galatians 6:9, “And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.” That is a wonderful Scripture and sounds really good, but it may seem impossible 24/7. Even though we are admonished not to, sometimes we do become weary in well doing. It happens! You know that I know that, and God knows that. This type of weariness usually comes from dealing with difficult people or situations. Compassion fatigue is a personaland or professionalexhaustion which can lead to burnout.

Consider these signs of compassion fatigue as an empath: 1. Emotions of others can flip yours like a switch 2. Feelings of compassion feels like a punishment to you 3. You find yourself feeling constantly fatigued and exhausted 4. Beginning to feel nonchalant towards others’ problems 5. Continual struggle with depression and anxiety 6. Find yourself talking abruptly about decisions 7. Avoidance and isolation, even though empaths need time alone (empath refuge)

image/1137981897?adppopup=true free royalty anymore this do https://www.gettyimages.com/detail/photo/cant So, what is an empath you may ask? That person who experiences the emotions of others, sometimes to the detriment of themselves or others. Therefore, if compassion fatigue can lead to burnout, what does burnout look like?

1. Feeling tired a lot! 2. Negative attitude a lot! 3. Feeling unappreciated and useless 4. Patience wearing thin 5. Mind and focus out of whack 6. Restful sleep harder to come by 7. Headaches/stomachaches 8. Self-medicating with unhealthy sources 9. Running out of sick days! Psalm 32:8, one of my favorite verses admonishes us this way, “I will instruct you and teach you in the way which you should go; I will counsel you with my eye upon you.” As he counsels me with his eye upon me, I need to keep my eyes upon Him! The Lord’s instruction and counsel does not lead us to compassion fatigue. Even as we minister in His name, He always considers us and wants our best too.

God knows that to the degree we feel cared for, we will extend that same care to others. In caring for ourselves as we care for others, we will exemplify Ephesians 5:15-17. This passage tells us to be careful how we walk, not as unwise people, but as wise, making the most of our time because the days are evil. We will therefore avoid foolishness and understand the will of the Lord.

As I journey through life and minister in Christ’s name, the Holy Spirit reminds me of Matthew 11:28-30, 28 “Come to me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” Cindy bunch in her book, “Be Kind to Yourself,” offers two questions throughout the book: 1. What’s bugging you? 2. What’s bringing you joy? These are two great questions for checking in with ourselves. Too often we don’t do that. We just keep

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the Lord,” and shared what he had told her to say. This story is noted in John 20:1-2, 11-18. John depicts Mary Magdalene as the primary witness to the most central events of Christian faith. She was the first to discover the empty tomb. Christ, after his resurrection, chose her to announce the good news of His resurrection to the other disciples. In essence she was declared to be the first missionary--a woman, who was given the privilege by Jesus Christ Himself to inform the disciples/apostles that Jesus had risen from the dead. What a special gift that He bestowed on her!

Talking Points:

• Mary Magdalene was a true witness to the resurrection of Jesus Christ.

• Mary went beyond obedience to extravagance.

From her heart she poured out a very costly gift that became a memorial of her love for centuries to come—in fact, wherever the gospel is preached throughout the world. • We cannot give God anything He needs. He owns everything already. But we can give Him something

He wants—and that is the love of our hearts.

• Have you ever given Him something extravagant simply because you love Him so much? It's something to think about. “Well, I don’t much care anyway,” he said with resignation. “They might as well ship me off to heaven right now. They want to send me off to Columbus for radiation treatments,” he said, lips quivering. I thought, I have got to pursue this with him. He seems so afraid. We talked of his loving family, and of his loving Father in heaven. It seems he was worried that if he went to Columbus, perhaps his bills would not get paid. I tried to reassure him that his family could take care of his financial obligations by putting his Social Security checks in the bank and paying his bills. As our discussion turned back to God and His constant love and care for us, he again remarked that “ they might as well ship me off to heaven, but then” he hesitated—” I might not get into heaven if my bills aren’t paid.” So, right then and there, I was able to share with him, and remind him there are no bills in heaven. I reminded him that Jesus paid the bill in full when He died for us on the cross. He smiled, and as a nurse came in to give him a sleeping pill, I left. Before I got out the door, he called to me— “Come back when you get a chance.” I did not get another chance to visit, as he was discharged soon after that night. He might not have been on my list, but he certainly was on God’s list, don’t you agree?

Verses in the Bible related to Mary Magdalene are: (Mt 27:56,61) (Mt 28:1-10) (Mk 15:40,47) (Mk 16:1-11) (Lk 8:2-3) (Lk 24:10) (Jn 19:25) (Jn 20:1-2,11-18)

Eithne Keegan MSN, RN was born and raised in Ireland in a small village. She emigrated to the US on December 31st1977. She started her nurse training in Dublin, Ireland, and continued her nursing career in Orange County California, where she raised her daughter, Nora. She accepted Jesus as her Lord and Savior and was baptized on her first mission trip to Kiev, Ukraine May 2002. Eithne is an MSN, RN and an International missionary, teacher, speaker and short story writer. She now works at a COVID Clinic helping those affected by the pandemic. She helped start a school of Nursing in Northern Kenya and has led numerous mission trips around the globe as well as assisted in writing the best practices of medical missions.She is now the National Coordinator of Healthcare Christian Fellowship USA. You can email Eithne at hcfusa53@gmail.com.

Contact Carol at cakrejci2001@yahoo.com to order the book, or if you are interested in:

• Teaching one of the subjects listed

• Enrolling in the Zoom class

Without it, we couldn’t safely compress his finger.”

Charlene was pleased with Andy’s treatment. Andy’s finger was not fully detached. The laceration was deep and there was a fracture at the bone tip, but eventually all healed nicely.

In contrast, Jack wasn’t pleased. He criticized me to other team members. I struggled, feeling unappreciated and humiliated. Andy had been at risk because he didn’t trust me with a towel! Yet more, a shadow loomed over our two ministries’ future partnership.

Insights: What can healthcare workers learn from this situation?

• Mission trip spiritual warfare: Bad events and difficult situations happen on outreaches and mission trips. Beyond the physical injury in this case was the threat good teamwork of a dozen years. To counter physical and spiritual threats, we need to be vigilant, in constant prayer, and have prayer teams.

Dr. Cynthia is a board-certified physician with decades of experience in America and overseas. Now retired from medicine she directs American Ethnic Ministries, which brings the gospel in word and deed to America’s unreached. AEM is active in outreach, personal evangelism, tracts and devotionals, discipling, and teaching ministries and churches of various denominations.

Dr. Cynthia has hosted two international TV series, received an Excellence in Teaching award from the University of Southern California, and a community Physician of the Year award. She is now passionate about www.ChristianfromMuslim.com and YouTube, because through it every church and Christian in America can get free video training and study guides on Muslim evangelism and discipleship. You can email her at palmproject@hotmail.com

• Learning how we react: Under pressure and in strange settings can we overlook misunderstanding of our medical skills, insults, and gossip? Can we forgive, block out bitterness and keep working with the offender?

• Moderating our response:Voluntary mission work is different from routine medical work. We can simply discontinue voluntary work. But there is another option. Might we be able to detach our pride and emotions from the situation? Might we objectively weigh the costs and benefits of future work with a person or ministry?

Jack mistreated me then and other times. He did not apologize. But he really loves God, and is committed to mission work that most Christians overlook. Relations were strained between us for a few months; but praise God, we continue working together to bring the gospel to the unreached.

It is not easy for medical people to be humble. But the work is not about us – it’s about Jesus and people. As Hebrews 12:2 suggests, let us pray for grace to keep our eyes on Jesus and his kingdom – not situations, people, or what we deserve.

Note: Names have been changed. Visit the AmericanEthnicMinistries.org

and www.ChristianfromMuslim.com

About the Founder/Director

Laurie Zagon, M.F.A. is an artist, author, and former professor of art who lives and works in Southern California. She is the founder of Art & Creativity for Healing Inc., a non-profit 501(c)(3) public benefit corporation dedicated to offering art for healing workshops free of charge to hospitals and community organizations where children and their families can process abuse, illness, grief or stress.

Born and raised in New York City, Zagon received her Master of Fine Arts degree from Syracuse University and her undergraduate degree from the Maryland Institute College of Art in Baltimore. Her paintings have been exhibited throughout the world and are featured in many prominent corporate and private collections.

Zagon has been teaching color, design, and painting for more than 20 years. From 1985-89, she created and facilitated the successful “Color and Play for the Inner Child” art therapy workshops in New York. After moving to California in 1989, she produced similar workshops for recovering alcoholics and drug addicts at local hospitals and community centers. It’s Never Too Late To Have A Happy Childhood, Inspirations For Inner Healingby Dr. Claudia Black, published by Ballantine Books, features 34 of Zagon’s paintings. To-date, this book has sold over 150,000 copies.

From 1991-1992, Ms. Zagon was invited by the Symposium on Healthcare Design to create a unique workshop for architects and designers. This opportunity launched a nationwide six-hour continuing education seminar for the American Society of Interior Designers titled, “Selecting Appropriate Colors for Healthcare.” Over the next two years, Zagon presented 10 of these seminars throughout the nation. In 1995 she co-authored the book, The Power of Color: Creating Healthy Interior Spaces, published by John Wiley & Sons.

In 1993, Zagon developed a series of art for healing workshops at Children’s Hospital of Los Angeles and the AIDS Resource Center in Pasadena for children living with HIV. After moving to Northern Arizona in 1994, she began conducting workshops for terminally ill cancer patients and women with breast cancer. She also partnered with Big Brother/Big Sisters of Northern Arizona to create a series of workshops for children living in single parent homes.

Upon returning to Southern California in 1996, Zagon joined the faculty at Azusa Pacific University where she developed the City of Hope: Expressing Feelings with Color internship course. In its inaugural year in 1997, the course offered nine art for healing workshops for more than 100 cancer patients and their caregivers. From 19962002 the workshops served more than 650 individuals and their families.

Zagon has received numerous awards for her work with Art & Creativity for Healing including the 2002, Clara Barton Award for “Woman of the Year in the Arts” from the American Red Cross, The Ambassador of Peace award presented by the Violence Prevention Coalition of Orange County in 2011 and most recently, the “Outstanding Founder” award on National Philanthropy Day in 2020 presented by the Association of Fundraising Professionals, Orange County California Chapter.

You can email Laurie at laurie@art4healing.org

a r t 4 h e a l i n g . o r g

https://www.gettyimages.com/search/2/image?family=creative&phrase=compassion+fatigue

going, and going, and going until we are depleted. She provides numerous exercises for self-kindness. One of my favorites is creating a “What’s bringing you joy playlist,” and “What’s bugging your playlist.” I knew right away which songs I would choose in getting started. What about you?

G ET S TAR TED NO W

Jesus continually calls us to come and rest in body and soul. He wants you to know that He cares more about you and who you are than what you can do for him. He knows that when you feel cared for and loved by Him, you will eagerly serve Him, no coercing needed. And, out of his kindness, you can learn to be kinder to yourself. May the peace and love of God flood your heart with healing and nourishment as you continue your walk and pilgrimage with Him on planet earth. Peace.

You can email Skip at skip.mcdonald@intervarsity.org

Where do you start in healthcare ministry?

Many of us struggle with questions along our walk of faith in healthcare:

• Why is faith important in healthcare? • How can I fulfill God’s call in care giving? • What is my part in healthcare ministry? • Where can I find healthcare ministry

training?

• How do I start a prayer group?

We have a guide for you

Through years of experience, we've developed a guide especially for you! Compassionate Care for the Sick and Hurtingis a 10 part series we wrote especially for lay-people, visitors and all caregivers. You can read, download and use it today! Click to learn more and get your free guide.

Scan the QR code or go to the link

https://rebrand.ly/ctvvtxb

to download the whole guide.