The small medical clinic in Potosí, Bolivia, South America, where I work as a missionary started a hospice program, something new in all of the country. Our healthcare team offers the best we can in terms of symptom management, but unfortunately we don't have the same medications here as in the United States, so there’s not much we’re able to offer. We are, however, able to offer something much more valuable than a medication: Jesus.
When I first met Emilio, a 53-year-old gentleman with metastatic lung cancer who had terrible bone pain, I was still learning Spanish and becoming familiar with the culture. I had so much to learn, but I had wonderful Bolivian Spanish teachers who helped me to practice praying in Spanish and gave me the vocabulary to be able to explain the Gospel. I felt inadequate but also excited to finally be able to communicate intentionally with people in their heart language.
Emilio and his family were not believers in Jesus, but they had been incredibly open to reading the Bible together and prayer. Our healthcare team visited them several times a week and had built a relationship with them. During these visits, Emilio and his family heard the Gospel through Bible stories and simple explanations. Through prayer and the Holy Spirit’s prompt, we directly asked Emilio a question, just as Jesus had asked his disciples (Matthew 16:15): “Who do you say that Jesus is?”
After thinking for a few moments, Emilio answered, “Jesus is the Son of God who came to the earth to die for my sins and forgive me so that I can have a relationship with God.” This completely blew me away. Because Emilio's alertness came and went, we weren't sure how much he understood. However, when he answered so confidently, my heart was overwhelmed. After confirming that he truly believed this, we prayed together as he accepted Jesus as his Savior, redeemer, and ultimate healer.
As I continued language lessons after Emilio's death, God impressed a new phrase on me. In Spanish, the phrase “to give birth/life” is dar a luz which translates literally as “to give light.” I love that “to give life” is synonymous with “to give light.” Jesus says he’s the light of the world (John 8:12). He also says that he’s the way, the truth, and the life (John 14:6). Light and life go hand in hand.
Jesus not only embodies both of those descriptions; he’s the source of light and life in our lives. Emilio knew Jesus as his Savior—the one who gave him true life and light in the midst of the darkness of his disease and freed him from the penalty of his sin. At Emilio's funeral, we could praise and glorify God for our hope in him and his work of salvation in Emilio's heart.
Caitlin Lawrence, BSN, RN, is a missionary serving with SIM in Bolivia. She graduated from Quinnipiac University with her BSN. Prior to Bolivia, Caitlin obtained her oncology nurse certification and worked with hematology and oncology patients for 9 years.
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