Day Four

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DAY FOUR - Blessed are those who raise their
voices for health justice, they shall be heard



When you pass through the waters, I will be with you;
and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you;
when you walk through fire you shall not be burned,
and the flame shall not consume you.
Because you are precious in my sight,
and honoured, and I love you (Isaiah 43.2,4)

In Geneva, a young woman takes three small, but expensive injections to
keep her multiple sclerosis under control. In Nairobi her Kenyan friend
keeps her similarly expensive HIV medications in her handbag. In the USA
a colleague worries about her out-of-work sister who will soon not have
access to full health insurance. In Geneva, the young woman’s medicine is
paid for by her health insurance, theirs is not. This is not fair and it is not
right. Living with an illness is never easy, even in countries with good
healthcare systems available to all. Money should not be the prerequisite to
getting treatment, but in so many places it is.
And there are other problems as well. Sometimes people who are ill get
blamed; some are even made to feel that their illness is God’s judgement.
Illness and disability are stigmatised in some cultures. We need to combat
this. As part of a faith based movement we affirm that God cares for each
and every human being; each of us is infinitely precious and loved. Yet we
live in a world that preaches the values of human rights and flagrantly
disregards them when it comes to just and equal access to healthcare.
Sometimes, we feel that all that is left in the face of such injustice is silence
and prayer.
Lack of access to HIV treatment is just one example of how systems in
today’s world put profit before people. The global market states that patents
are more important than making sure medicine and care reach people. As
people of faith, we still dare to speak about God loving all equally. Stating
the basic tenets of our faith in this way only has any integrity if we also act
to change unjust systems. It is easy to feel dwarfed by the size of the
problem. God says “They shall not overwhelm you … I will be with you.”
We need to believe that our local, national and global projects will help roll
back the injustice and work in meaningful ways towards achieving the
Millennium Development Goals on health, particularly maternal health. We
must move forward trusting that this is also part of God’s work.
Yet we also know that healthcare needs to address the whole person. We
are not just bodies needing healing and cures but people who need to talk
and be listened to. As we grow, change and age, our health needs change.
All of us need access to good and reliable information, particularly the
young and the vulnerable. In health care we need to judge people less and
accept them with God’s open arms much more.

Questions for personal reflection
What are the challenges around health and justice in your community
and/or in your life?
Health is not just an individual matter. How can you promote community health and offer quality information?
Share stories of wellness and illness others.
What are the challenges that the issue of health poses for our prayer life?

Prayer

God of Love, of Mercy and Life,
Your constant presence in our lives reassures us of your love without
boundaries.
Help us to always remember that justice for some is not enough.
Healer of bodies and souls,
Help us to see each one of your children with your eyes of unconditional
acceptance so our work can make a positive difference in the lives of the
most vulnerable.
We pray in the name of Jesus, through whom you became one of us.
Amen.

LAM Highlight:

Since many lower income families in Latin America have limited access to affordable healthcare, preventative and curative services can impact a needy community significantly. Caring for the physical needs of others has long been a cornerstone of Church outreach, and purposeful integration of healthcare and Christian witness is the key to successful ministry. This means attending to medical problems in such a way that wins an opportunity to share the Gospel message. Since people tend to be more open to the Gospel when they are physically ill, sensitivity to spiritual needs is paramount.

Medical care, nursing, dentistry, nutrition, hygiene, obstetrics, and ophthalmology are just a few of the areas where you can serve. Latin America Mission is committed to working with and through local church leadership to develop health-based ministries.

Robby had the opportunity to visit Honduras a home for the elderly. He shared his gift of music and love with the many seniors living their final days in this home. We have since found out that the home burned down and the residents were displaced. Please pray for each and everyone of them. That they receive the care and love we wish for ourselves at that age.