NOVEMBER 2020
Prayer For Front Line Workers During The Pandemic
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earest Heavenly Father, thank you for Your great love, thank you for always being there for us just a heartbeat away. You are the one true God who has all the power and might to heal and protect all of us. We look to you to meet all our needs, but even more so, we look to you during these troubling times. We pray today for the health and safety of all those on the frontlines of the fight against COVID-19. In particular and most importantly, we pray for the doctors, nurses, and medical staff caring for the sick. Lord, protect them from exposure to this virus and keep them safe, under the shelter of Your wings. Give them the strength to carry on each day, comforting their tired and weary hearts. Lord, I pray also for the first responders – police, firefighters, and paramedics – who keep us safe and continue to work in our communities. Keep them safe from the virus, so they can continue to serve and protect our cities. Lord, I also pray for the essential workers who didn’t expect to be on the front lines. Protect our grocery workers, store clerks, truck drivers, those who produce our essential goods, and all others serving our communities. Lord, support and encourage them, and keep them protected from this virus. Lord, there are many heroes in this battle, although none greater than you. For we have no power to face this virus and its impacts on our own, Lord, so we fix our eyes on you. We will not be afraid. We will not be discouraged. For you, Lord, are with us every step of the way. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.
VOLUME 1 ISSUE 2
"He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say to the Lord, “My refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.”
EDITOR’S CORNER TABLE OF CONTENTS “Trust in the LORD with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths”
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(Proverbs 3:5-6 NKJV)
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THE WHY, THE WHAT, AND THE HOW OF HCFI by Dr. Keith Michael . . . . . . . . 3 SUCCESS BASED THINKING by Dr. Dung Trinh . . . . . . . . 4
race and peace to all of you as you read this 2nd edition of Healthcare Pulse, a publication of HCFUSA.
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Recently we completed our 2nd Zoom Conference, “The Good News from The Frontlines: In The Shelter Of The Most High” which was seen around the globe and was dedicated to all frontline workers, both home and abroad. Our speakers were composed of nurses, doctors, police officer, head of hospice and senior living experts, as well as those who have been affected or infected by this pandemic. We tried out a new format to include panelists who spoke from the heart on how they were affected as they worked through the difficult situations in their workplace. Dave, a police officer, shared how he dealt with PTSD, suicide and a myriad of problems dealing with the fallouts from the pandemic, riots and the negative publicity surrounding our political situation here in the US. He stated he leaned on Philippians 4:6 to help get him through the chaos and trials of the pandemic. Amy, a nurse from Mission Hospital, shared how difficult it was to care for her trauma patients with the PPE’s and lead vests they were required to wear in the trauma room. She stated she leaned on her faith in God to get her through each night. Paula, a senior living leader, shared how difficult it was to work with the loneliness and isolation of families not being able to see their loved ones. Talar, Vincent, Leland and John shared how God gave them the courage and strength to walk alongside their colleagues, patients, friends and family as well as their church members in these troubling times. People ask, “Will this pandemic ever end?”. Is Covid19 going to haunt us for a lifetime? It will go down in the annals of history, however, for those who remain under the shelter of the Most High will get through with God’s strength. l attended a John Maxwell conference recently, where Steve Harvey spoke about how we get to success. He stated, ”Through failure we reach success, both failure and success go together”. He said, “A crisis equals a detour (inconvenience). It upsets our world.” It takes us where we do not want to go. Take the detour, you may see what you never saw before, take pictures, learn from it and you will get to success. As the message of Psalm 91 states, “Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Highest will rest in the shadow of the 2
THE GIFT OF THE CROSS by Eithne Keegan, MSN, RN . . . . . . . . 5
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WHEN YOU FEEL LIKE HIDING by Darlene Sala . .......6
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WHAT DRIVES OUR HEART? by Dr. Ade Adebanjo . . . . . . . . 7
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WE ARE CALLED TO COMFORT by Melodee Battenschlag ,RN, BSN . . . . . . . 8
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ZOOMING IN ON ISRAEL ACCORDING TO GOD’S WORD by Carol Krejci, RN . . . . . . . 9
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WHAT IS HCF ? . . . . . . . . 12
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UPCOMING EVENTS . . . . . . . . 13
Almighty. I will say of the Lord, He is my refuge and my fortress, my God in whom I trust”. It is difficult at times to have the faith to really believe that there is Good News from the Frontlines, however, as we learned from our panelists, we need to be the ones to model the joy of the Lord in our workplace and at home. We need to be the ones to model peace, compassion, and patience to help our loved ones and patients as they struggle to get to a new normal. May God bless each of you reading this publication and may you see God in all you do during these unpredictable times.
Eithne Keegan, MSN, RN
THE WHY, THE WHAT, AND THE HOW OF HCFI by Dr. Keith Michael
EVANGELISM
The Why HCFI exists because of God. A God who loves sick and dying people (Matthew 14:14), a God who sent His Son to bring physical and spiritual healing to people (Matthew 4:23-34) and a God who commissioned His disciples to teach all people what He had taught them (Matthew 28:19–20).
PRAYER DISCIPLE-MAKING
The Healthcare fields of the world create a unique environment for God to manifest His love to all people.
Dr. Keith Michael, HCFI Secretary to the International Board, International Coordinator and Chairman of GLAT (Exco) resides in South Africa. He holds his Masters in Medicine, with Family Medicine as his specialty, served as Chief Director of Hospital Services in the Mpumalanga Department of Health and in 2008 opened his own private Medical Practice in the North West province. He was appointed to the International Board of HCFI in January 2013.
The What HCFI seeks to honor God’s heart and plans through three key strategies:
Prayer – Knowing God’s heart and praying it into fulfilment Evangelism – Sharing the gospel with healthcare personnel and patients Disciple-making – Being true disciples of Christ in all spheres of life and helping healthcare workers to be the same
Gifted in Administration and Strategy Planning, Dr. Keith Michael has been used of God to streamline some of the initiatives in HCFI, including the structure of “Clusters” which skillfully groups regions together for more effective communication. He tirelessly travelled to different regions of the world before Lockdown and now continues his global liaison with HCFI Regional Promoters and other International leaders Online. Photo source: https://www.pbs.org/independentlens/lionstrail/trail.html
The How HCFI has a number of ‘tools’ related to each of the key strategies above. Our mission is to place these tools into the hands of every Christian Healthcare worker (Frontline Healthcare Worker) in the world and to inspire them and equip them to use the tools in fulfilling their unique calling in this environment.
All leaders in HCFI seek to facilitate an enabling environment for the Frontline Worker, and His faithful care will be the security you need. 3
SUCCESS BASED THINKING by Dr. Dung Tirnh
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uccess is not determined by the size of a bank account, a title or a position held. Success is having a sense of purpose, passion, and positive personal relationships - people. I call it “PPP”. Success begins in the mind. Achieving success is a pattern of thinking, a belief system, which removes barriers that prevents us from achieving our purpose, passion, and positive personal relationships in life.
• "I can" and "I can't" are stories constructed in our minds by parts our brain (the medulla) who's primary purpose is "security and protection", Not Growth and Success. We acknowledge our Fear, say "Thank You for sharing", and move forward with our plans for success.
Faulty thinking and untrue beliefs hold us back from achieving success in both business and life. They limit our ability to grow and expand. Most of the time, we are our own enemy to achieving success. Thinking correctly and embracing truth creates freedom in our life and expands our horizons. God has principles that govern this world, and being aligned to those principles opens the door to fulfilling our purpose in life.
God is orchestrating His Master Plan. Our goal is to find where He is moving and be in the current of His work. Because He is sovereign, there are no accidental opportunities. Every meeting is a Divine appointment and every circumstance we face has already been known by the Father before we were even born. Our job is to be prepared and grab opportunities as they come.
We are created by God in love, and we each have a purpose destined to us by God, with a specific set of talents/spiritual gifts given to us. When we recognize, develop, and implement our God given spiritual gift, it is when we find Purpose and Passion in our life, our reason for living. And to fully survive in society while putting our talents and gifts to work, we need all of these ingredients: Purpose, Passion, and People.
MIND
SUCCESS
Key Paradigms of Success: These are "truth concepts" that we can use to filter events and opportunities that we are faced with each day. It will allow us to move beyond a mind state of fear and doubt, and move forward with decisions for growth and success. • God is Sovereign
Dung Trinh, M.D. arrived in the United States at the age of 5 as a Vietnam War refugee. His childhood education was at a Buddhist pagoda in Vietnam and having never heard of God before, his first introduction to Christianity was when a Christian church in Orange County sponsored the whole family to be flown to the US during the war. Through a series of ‘God circumstances’ during his high school years, Dr. Trinh became a follower of Jesus, which he believes was the most important decision of his life. He has served on the Board of Directors of various organizations over the past several years and founded ‘Tongue Out’, a nonprofit organization which provides free health care to ‘the least of these’ around the world including Vietnam, Haiti, Peru and Mexico. His activism stems from his deep faith in God and appreciation of his parents’ sacrifices for their four children.
• Everything that is thrown at us in life is already "Father Filtered". God allows trials in our lives for a purpose - to allow our character to be refined and grow. • God's ways are not our ways, His plans are not our plans. • All things (good and bad) work together for the good of those who love Him and are called according to His purposes. • Where God guides, He provides (famous Pastor Chuck Smith quote)
Dr. Trinh can be reached at dung.trinh@alzoc.org .
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THE GIFT OF THE CROSS by Eithne Keegan, MSN, RN
However, what does the cross mean to me? C—Christ, Christ’s love for all of us
R
ecently, I was touched by a conversation I had with my nephew in Ireland. I had given him a gift of a cross, after one of my mission trips to Africa. It was given as a symbol of love, but little did I know, that this little cross on a leather chain meant more to him than I would have ever imagined. Simon said, “I felt protected when I wore this cross”.
R—Radiant, his radiant love for us O—Oasis, he is our oasis in the desert S—Sacrificial, He sacrificed his life for us on the cross, so our sins would be forgiven, past, present and future. S—Supreme, He is supreme above all of us.
So, I decided to write a story about this gift as, at the time of sharing the gift, I never knew that this simple gift would mean so much to him. He asked if I could find another similar cross and have it blessed.
The cross is a symbol of Christ’s death on the cross and his resurrection into heaven. Like Simon, the cross as a symbol, is comforting to us. Jesus is my protector and the reason why I stay close to Him and His Word every day. How do I do that? I pray, worship, attend church, and read my bible daily. To me this brings me close to my protector. Why, because I know that he sacrificed himself for me to show me his love and to forgive my sins past present and future. The famous verse John 3:16, “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only son, that whosoever believes in him should have eternal life”, summarizes the cornerstone Christian belief that God sacrificed his son for the salvation of humanity. This is my statement of faith.
Simon is a deep thinker, highly intelligent, compassionate, caring, fun-loving and a fierce competitor whether it be at sports, or simple card games. We enjoy our deep conversations and relish the time we spend together. What is the origin of the cross? The cross was not widely used in mainstream Christianity until the time of the Roman emperor Constantine—about 300 years after Christ established His Church. According to the book Babylon Mystery Religion, the cross originated among the ancient Babylonians of Chaldea. From there, it spread to ancient China, India, Mexico, parts of Africa and other places, centuries before Christianity was born.
Photo by Thijs van der Wei-
I read somewhere that in Italy, before the people knew anything of the arts of civilization, they believed in the cross as a religious symbol. It was regarded as a protector and was placed upon tombs. In 46 B.C., Roman coins show Jupiter holding a long scepter terminating in a cross. The Vestal Virgins of pagan Rome wore the cross suspended from their necklaces, as the nuns of the Roman Catholic church do now”.
Simon Keegan Turn to page 10...
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WHEN YOU FEEL LIKE HIDING by Darlene Sala
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ou who are in the healthcare industry or healthcare ministry--are there times in your life when you’d just like to be invisible? You don’t want to hear anyone call your name for help, or ask you one more question, or expect anything from you. You just want to hide somewhere where no one can find you. I’m sure you know the feeling. You just wish you could just stay in bed and pull the covers up over your head for the entire day!
“...being under God’s wing means safety and comfort
Few of you who work in healthcare have that luxury. In this pandemic, people’s lives are depending on you. Spouses and children need your care. On the practical side of things, you can’t risk losing your job. So you keep going.
and protection…” I comfort you” (Isaiah 66:13).
There is one place, however, where you can go to hide. You can run to God, as a baby bird runs to its mother and hides under her wings. Psalm 91 tells us this: “He will cover you with his feathers. He will shelter you with his wings. His faithful promises are your armor and protection” (Psalm 91:4 NLT).
The apostle Paul wrote, “And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work” (2 Corinthians 9:8). When an eaglet is under his mother’s wing, everything is dark. Sometimes under God’s wing we can’t see anything either, but we know He can see what is ahead and will protect us. Peace comes because we know the one who cares for us will not forsake us in our time of need. When life overwhelms you, don’t try to make it on your own. Run to Him for refuge. As Psalm 91 tells us, He will cover you with His feathers, He will be your refuge, and His faithful care will be the security you need.
For a baby bird, under its mother’s wings is a place of safety, warmth, and comfort--a place of closeness to the one who can take care of its needs. For us, being under God’s wing means safety and comfort and protection, as well.
You can email Darlene at darlene@guidelines.org
The Psalmist David wrote, “I will lie down and sleep in peace, for you alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety” (Psalm 4:8). God says, “As a mother comforts her child, so will 6
WHAT DRIVES OUR HEART? By Dr. Ade Adebanjo
This same love is now shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Spirit (Romans 5:5) and is supposed to take ascendancy in our lives as we yield to it.
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There is still lurking in our soul the desire to see the claims of justice satisfied - our hatred for wrong and desire to see people get what they deserve, especially when they have done wrong to us or to others. We continue to see this played out in our world with the recent and ongoing reactions to the injustices that have been perpetrated against particular demographic of people.
peak and act as those who are going to be judged by the law that gives freedom, because judgment without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful. Mercy triumphs over judgment.” – James 2:12-13 NIV There is an innate desire in every one of us to see the right thing done and justice served. A desire to see people get what they deserve based on their actions, both for good but also for bad.
Sometimes what people do, “DRIVES OUR BRAIN” (to borrow the words of my wife). If we live out of our soul (brain, feelings, emotions) we will always be upset by what people do and cry out, even fight, to prove them wrong and see them get what they deserve. This can however lead to us becoming judgmental, vindictive/ vengeful.
This desire resides in our soul and is indeed part of the nature we were created with. For some people, this desire is more of a passion that manifests in their advocacy and championing of the cause of justice. This desire is rooted in the Law, both natural and biblical. It tends to draw us in the direction of the legal demands of the law and what it deems as right and wrong.
We must realize that while we remain intolerant of wrongdoing that drives our brain, we must yield to and live by what “DRIVES OUR HEART” i.e. the Love of God. We must live out of and walk in the spirit (and not in the flesh). As we do so we will be better placed to seek and apply/extend mercy and grace to people, trusting that the One to whom vengeance belongs is well able to vindicate and avenge us.
Jesus described this in the scriptures: “Your ancestors have also been taught, ‘Take an eye in exchange for an eye and a tooth in exchange for a tooth.’ However, I say to you, don’t repay an evil act with another evil act. But whoever insults you by slapping you on the right cheek, turn the other to him as well. – Matthew 5:38-39 (TPT)
Our heartfelt and continued prayer should however be that the offender will respond to the love, mercy and grace being extended by the Lord and by us so that they do not end up on the wrong side of God judgment and vengeance.
Christ requires a higher standard of righteousness from those that believe in Him. We must learn to balance this natural desire for justice with the new law that operates in us which is the Royal Law – "thou shall love thy neighbor as the self" (James 2:8). This is also called the “Law of liberty” i.e. the law that sets people free, not holds them down to the legal claims of their wrongdoing. This law manifests itself in mercy and grace. This is what Jesus came to introduce to the earth and what He died on the cross of Calvary to make not just a possibility but a reality in our lives.
Mercy refused to let us get what we deserved for our sins i.e. death. There on the cross JUSTICE MET GRACE when Jesus the Lamb of God was crucified. This was the culmination of the love of God towards humanity. Turn to page 10...
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WE ARE CALLED TO COMFORT UNTIL HE CALLS US HOME By Melodee Battenschlag, BSN, RN
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y dad was diagnosed with lung cancer in 2012, only two years after my mom died of breast cancer that metastasized to her lungs. My dad had never smoked and he maintained a healthy weight, diet, and he exercised. My dad questioned why he developed cancer, and even wondered if somehow he had contracted it from my mom.
underwent the biopsy that revealed he had terminal lung cancer. I researched treatment for the type of cancer my dad had and learned that chemo added only two weeks of life. I made arrangements for my dad to be treated by one of the best oncologists, hoping that he could beat the odds. My dad thought he had 5 more years to live since he was healthier than my mom was at the time of her diagnosis of stage IV breast cancer. My dad died less than three months following his diagnosis of lung cancer.
After suffering for over a month with a cough, my dad finally sought medical attention. I requested to help him obtain needed treatment so that he could attend a family reunion scheduled for the following week. The pulmonary specialist reviewing the CT scan used the word “neoplasm,” which my dad did not understand. When my dad had left the room, the pulmonary specialist said, “Your dad is not going to that reunion” and provided me with a copy of the CT scan.
I will never forget the day I sat at my dad’s hospital bedside with other family members waiting to hear the consulting physician’s opinion regarding my dad’s prognosis. This wonderful Jewish doctor sat down when he talked to my dad. He told my dad that further treatment would be of no benefit and that the end was near. Once my dad confirmed that he would not be in pain while dying, he began talking about heaven. He described amazing gates made of pearl and streets of gold as though he was actually excited to go. He asked the doctor if he could share a joke about heaven. With tears running down my face, I was still able to smile at the joke he shared, yet I was amazed he could even think of a joke after he had been told that his life would soon be over. His peace was supernatural.
On the way home, I told my dad of his probable diagnosis. Having watched my mom go through five years of cancer treatment with complications, he said, “I’m not going through chemo.” I assured him I would support whatever treatment he wanted. I left my dad’s home that day with a heavy heart. When I started my vehicle, the song by Mercy Me I Can Only Imagine started playing on the radio. This song about heaven was sung at my mom’s funeral. I sensed God was preparing me to take my dad home. Still, I prayed and rallied others to pray for my dad’s healing. I understand God heals immediately, over time, and sometimes through heaven.
After the consulting doctor left, the respiratory therapist came in. My dad refused the breathing treatment, informing her that he was “going to heaven.” My dad went home on hospice that day. The hospice nurse listened to his lungs and told me he had less than 72 hours and I should say my “good-byes”. She gave him medication for pain. His eyes remained shut and he lay still and restful.
I missed the reunion to be with my dad as he
Image by RAPHAEL42 from Pixabay
I held my dad’s hand and wept silently. I do not know how he knew I was struggling, anticipating his soon departure. My dad comforted me with his words, “We all have to go sometime.” My brother had come from out of state to see my dad before he passed away. He was leaving that day and knew when he returned my dad Turn to page 11...
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ZOOMING IN ON ISRAEL ACCORDING TO GOD’S WORD by Carol Krejci, RN
tabernacle and temple, how to share your faith with your Jewish friends, and Israel in the marketplace of the world.
D
o you wish you knew
People want to know, and they need to know,
more about Israel and its relationship to the
more about the Holy Land. I discovered this since writing
Bible? Then, “Zooming in on Israel According to God’s
“Israel, My Personal Journey” and leading studies from it.
Word” is for you. Through this study you will gain an increasing awareness of Israel and, most importantly, its
As of this writing, we have gained new topic
direct connection with the Gospel, by means of God’s
leaders, including two deeply knowledgeable Jewish
Word, discussions, photos and instructive sharing sessions
believers. Our leaders have led us in some interesting
taught by persons knowledgeable on relevant topics. Zoom
studies, such as “Why God created Music,” the “Feasts of
is the platform which we use, so the sessions are recorded
Israel,” “Archeology and the Bible,” and “Christ Revealed
and available not only on YouTube, but also on the HCF
in the Old and New Testament.” Fascinating topics!
USA website, for which we are sincerely grateful. There is one teaching session twice a month (the first and third
There is no cost for the course, and you can join
Tuesday of each month at 8:00 PM EST).
at any time. Just contact me at my email address, and will send you an invitation to the Zoom meeting. Anyone who
Initially, the important issues we (a team of four)
is on Facebook can join our Facebook group, “Zooming in
discussed were explaining why we are doing this and
on Israel According to God’s Word,” where the invitation
making a disclaimer that we do not represent any church,
will also be posted.
denomination or political group, as we did not want to enter into those types of discussions which easily could lead to controversy. We don’t/will not try to be theological or to have all the answers as there are other such groups
for that. The first few weeks of the series covered the topic of “Why Israel?” Hollie Saunders agreed to lead the teaching sessions for that topic, having just graduated from the second of three teaching courses of “The Gospel and the Preacher,” a three-month Bible school that focuses on the central message of Christianity: The Gospel of Jesus Christ.
Some topics considered thus far include the history https://www.facebook.com/groups/416039252685066
and geography of Israel, missionary travels in Israel, Jesus in Israel, the Feasts of Israel, God’s amazing plan for the
Turn to page 11...
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Continued from “What Drives…”
Continued from “The Gift ...”
No matter how much our flesh wants people to suffer for what they have done, at the end of the day our spirits really cannot stand to see people suffering because the love of God is in us.
So why exactly is the custom of gift giving important? There is an important purpose in gift giving, one is appreciation, it is a way of showing we are grateful for them and value them and the role they play in our lives. What is important to know is that gifts in themselves do not express appreciation, people do.
Let us learn to live and walk in the spirit, yielding to what DRIVES OUR HEART, rather than living in the flesh and yielding to what DRIVES OUR BRAIN. Let us be merciful and gracious not vengeful and vindictive.
The gift must come from our hearts and must be given willingly without expectations of getting something in return. Jesus did not expect anything in return from us. He sacrificed His life that we would have the special gift of salvation and if we follow him, we will have eternal life with him in heaven.
This is often not easy to do, but it is how we are called to live in Christ Jesus. Let us remember that the basis of our judgment and the mercy we will receive is the way we have shown mercy to others.
The gift of the cross was a simple one from me to Simon. As I give him a replacement for his lost cross, may he see that God sent his son to replace what we had lost in the Garden of Eden and that Jesus will find us. All God asks is that we come follow Him, His lost sheep.
Let us speak and act on the basis of the law of that gives people freedom i.e. Love. You can email Dr. Ade at ambassadeinternational15@gmail.com
Psalm 56:3 states, “When I am afraid, I put my trust in you.” Deuteronomy 30:3 states, “God, your God, will restore everything you lost; he will have compassion on you; he will come back and pick up the pieces from all the places where you were scattered”. Simon, as I replace the cross you lost, may you be blessed with this story, that when we are lost, we too can be found. The choice is ours. Do we choose to be found or do we choose to be lost? May God bless you with this little message of what the gift of the cross means to me.
Eithne Keegan RN, MSN was born and raised in Ireland in a small village. She emigrated to the US Dec 31st 1977. 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 RN, MSN, and an International missionary, teacher, speaker and short story writer. She works as an Administrative Nursing Supervisor in a hospital in California. 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 .
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Continued from “We Are Called ...”
Continued from “Zooming in…”
would be in a coffin. He leaned over my dad’s body, hugging him and crying, saying “Good-bye Dad.” My dad responded, “Bye and bye we will meet on that beautiful shore.” These are words from a beautiful old hymn. My dad was again comforting us with the comfort he had been given by our Lord.
There is no textbook for the course. I have written a companion book titled “Israel, my Personal Journey”, which is a 40-day devotional tour of Israel, but it is not a textbook. If you are interested, contact me at my email address. You will receive an autographed copy of the book for $15.00, which includes S&H. All proceeds will be donated to Healthcare Christian Fellowship USA.
My dad had such assurance of where he was
I have reached out to others regarding leading a session in the future and hopefully this message is articulate enough to explain the premise. Here is an opportunity to educate and edify interested others. If you feel led by the Lord to share from your experiences or knowledge, please pray about leading a session.
“ His peace was supernatural. “ going when he died that he had no fear or anxiety. Comfort and peace was all he shared during his final days and hours. Remembering those last days with my dad continues to bring peace instead of sorrow. His absolute confidence confirms what I already knew: we will meet again. In Romans 8, we learn that nothing will ever separate us from God’s love, not even death. To be absent from the body is to be present with our Lord (II Cor. 5:8). As believers, we are comforted by the many promises available to us. As long as we remain here on earth, we are called to comfort others with the comfort we have been given (II Cor. 1:4).
Contact Carol at cakrejci2001@yahoo.com to order the book, or if you are interested in: 1. Teaching one of the subjects listed 2. Enrolling in the Zoom class
Melodee Battenschlag RN, BSN was raised in a Christian home and accepted Jesus as Savior as a child. She served in ministry as a Children’s Teacher, Women’s Ministry leader, Events Director, Life Group leader, Bible Study leader, Hospitality Committee leader, Medical Ministry, Missions leader, Prayer Group leader, and Hostess of events and missionaries. Melodee spent most of her career as an RN in the field of Case Management. She was self-employed as an independent Case Manager for over 35 years. She has been on numerous mission trips in countries around the world. Melodee has assisted HCF at conferences and global prayer retreats and assisted in the Saline Process training.
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WHAT IS HCF ?
T
he Healthcare Christian Fellowship (HCF) is a non-profit interdenominational organization among caregivers. In 1936, Francis Grim, a Christian businessman in South Africa, and his brother Paul visited their elderly father daily in a local hospital. During these visits they noticed that the patient’s physical needs were well taken care of, but their spiritual needs were largely ignored. Francis was alarmed and concerned about the lack of spiritual care. He realized that many patients pass through the
Healthcare Christian Fellowship, USA
healthcare systems of our world who do not pass through our churches.
Healthcare Christian Fellowship, USA (formerly Hospital Christian Fellowship) is the United States chapter of Healthcare Fellowship International. It began in 1972 at a small hospital in San Clemente, California.
Yet, when they are ill, they often want to reach out to God: A God they do not know. They need someone to teach them the Good News of Jesus’ forgiveness, care, healing, joy and salvation.
A nurse, Aubrey Beauchamp, started prayer meetings at her home. In time this small beginning became a national movement among Christian Caregivers. Aubrey has retired and Eithne Keegan has taken over the leadership of HCF USA. She can be reached at hcfusa53@gmail.com .
He began to train a small group of student nurses how to share their faith with their patients and fellow workers. This was the beginning of what has now become Healthcare Christian Fellowship International (HCFI), a world-wide movement among all branches of healthcare, active in over 100 countries around the world. Go to www.hcfglobal.org for more information.
Our mission is to encourage and strengthen caregivers in their faith, workplace, and personal life, promoting Biblical principles in healthcare. We train caregivers to meet the spiritual needs of their patients and fellow workers.
Doctrinal Basis The Doctrinal Basis of HCFI shall consist of the essential beliefs of Biblical Christianity, including:
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• • • • • • •
The unity of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit in the Godhead. The person of our Lord Jesus Christ as very God and very Man, born of the virgin Mary, His real and sinless humanity, His atoning death, His bodily resurrection, and His ascension into Heaven. The Divine inspiration and supreme authority of the Holy Scripture in all matters of faith and conduct. The guilt and depravity of human nature in consequence of the Fall. The substitutionary death of our Lord Jesus Christ, and His resurrection, as the only way of salvation from sin through repentance and faith. The necessity for the new birth by the Holy Spirit and His indwelling in the believer for sanctification and service. The personal return of the Lord Jesus Christ and the judgment to come for the just and for the unjust. The resurrection of the body and eternal life. Heaven as a place of everlasting blessedness for all who have accepted the Lord Jesus Christ.
In brief, HCFI places a strong emphasis upon the Deity of Jesus Christ and His Atonement; regeneration by the Holy Spirit and His indwelling fullness in the believer for personal victory and fruitfulness; the supreme authority of the Scriptures and the importance of personal and group evangelism.
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Healthcare Christian Fellowship, USA P.O. Box 3439, Laguna Hills CA 92654-3439 Phone: (949) 312-7284
UPCOMING
EVENTS
HCF Canada Online Conference November 14, 2020 “Beyond The Physical : Holistic Healthcare During Challenging Times” Christian Healthcare Workers as Servant Leaders Details : http://www.hcfcanada.org
HCF USA Next Conference will be dedicated to Prayer February 2021 Details coming soon!
North American Prayer Retreat 2021 March 15-19 Location to be announced Agenda and registration information coming soon!
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March 2021
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Healthcare Christian Fellowship, USA P.O. Box 3439, Laguna Hills CA 92654-3439 Phone: (949) 312-7284
www.hcfusa.org
