Sounds of Nazareth by Rudy Miller

Nazareth Hospital comes alive at 7AM every morning. Evening medical staff gives way to the day shift, beds and medications are prepared and the outpatient department opens for business. Last week, as I walked by the hospital kitchen at 7AM, I was taken by a sound……the kitchen staff was  singing…..”What a friend we have in Jesus.”

Nazareth Hospital’s vision statement reads…”witnessing Christ through a healing ministry offering holistic care.” Yet, vision and song are only significant if the words are lived out in the lives of people. Most Kenyan’s view of Christianity is not bound by denomination. They see their relationship with Christ as relevant at 7AM as on Sunday morning. I believe that is incarnational living.

Every day three Pastoral Counselors begin their medical rounds at Nazareth Hospital.  Each counselor is trained to bring compassionate care to medical healing. I spoke with Vinton, one of the counselors, who spoke of a mother who had just lost her first baby at birth. A shock in any culture yet extremely significant in Kenya. Vinton calmly spoke of praying with the mother and her family and giving them the hope of future children and family. Although he was tempted to flee from the grief, he turned the moment into one of encouragement.

Five years ago Tree of Lives established and continues to financially support Pastoral Counseling at Nazareth Hospital. Recently the program has been expanded by training local church members to deal with grief and depression in the midst of hospitalizations.

The kitchen staff is not unique to Nazareth Hospital.  All departments begin their day with worship and prayer.  What an inspiration to the patients they serve and a true example to me of living out the Christian life.

You can help support this great cause. Visit www.treeoflives.org to learn more and click here to donate now.