Short Story 5: The Calling
Not long ago there lived a man. His name was John. John was a medical student doing his internship in a regional medical college and his ambition was to become a Surgeon. As internship was the last step in completing his undergraduate medical education, and as the workload was heavy in the regional hospital, John was clueless as to how he can prepare for the post-graduate medical entrance exam. So he consulted some of his seniors and discussed about his situation.
"John, Sit down, relax bro." said Jacob, his immediate senior. "Stressing yourself over this and worrying will not accomplish anything". "No it does" replied John. "It makes me seek help. It is an indicator, it is a psychological marker that I need counselling.". "Now that it has almost happened, it is not bad idea to relax and wait for Anand to come.", replied John. As they were chatting away, Anand appeared. He said, "Hello bro. What's up? I heard you wanted to discuss something important. What is the problem now?" "He is anxious about his future", replied Jacob. "I will give you the exact details and Jacob please shut up till I finish, will you please?" replied John.
Anand was already doing his residency in general surgery and so John thought it would be nice idea to discuss the issue with him. "Anand, as you know, I also want to join Surgery residency, but I don't know how I can prepare with all this work load and overtime and twelve hour shifts. I need you help me develop a plan so that I can prepare and succeed in entering a Surgery residency."
"Ok! We will see how the Lord leads". Anand join him in prayer and as they finished praying together, Anand received a phone call. "Just a minute guys", he said and excused himself. After a minute he returned and they started the discussion.
"Jacob, John, I received a message from the head of mission hospital in North India. He is visiting our city and he wants to meet Christian medical students and give them a presentation about openings in medical missions in needy areas and remote areas. So I think if you attend that meeting, you will get some idea about openings where you can spend some time and learn. We will post-pone this discussing as that meeting can modify whatever we may conclude today."
The next Thursday evening at 6 pm, John and Jacob were at the meeting place. Anand could not make it as he was on duty. The meeting started. Dr. Peter Kumar was the speaker. His presentation clearly gave the statistics of how Christian mission hospitals have decreased maternal mortality rate (MMR) and Infant mortality rate (IMR) in their respective mission fields and how churches have been planted along with the mission hospitals. At the end, Dr.Peter gave his Altar call. He said, "I request those who feel called by God to come forward and submit themselves to work among needy Christian mission hospitals in India. But I warn you, it will require sacrifice of personal ambition and personal plans. It may cost you important people and relationships which are dear to you. It is choice to let go of material comforts and live in places which are endemic for Malaria and Kala-Azar. It may cost you your life. But I can tell you for sure that it will be worth the cost. Consider Jesus. Count the cost."
John and Jacob stood up and committed themselves to mission. This was the first time they were making this commitment. But they were able to confirm their commitment to enter medical missions that day. The gathering of saints prayed for them and they stayed back to discuss the issue further with Dr. Peter.
The time came for John to complete his internship and graduate undergrad medical school. After the graduate day ceremony, Jacob visited John's home and they together convinced John's parents their plan to serve God in mission field. "If that is what the Lord wants from you, go ahead John", said John's father. We are not against you serving in mission field. Just make sure it is God's will and not just your emotional decision."
The next day John and Jacob went straight to teh railway station to book their tickets. They booked the ticked two weeks ahead and started preparing themselves to live in mission hospital. They made a list of clothes, books and prophylactic medication they need to take along with them. The day of departure arrived and they both left for the mission hospital in north India. After arrival they were brought to the hospital in the hospital van which went all the way from the remote area to pick them up from the railway station in the city. Along the way, the driver said, "Many Doctors join here enthusiastically but, they loose steam and return home within a couple of months. Dr. Anand you friend who is doing surgery residency, he did not even last a month. He packed up and left in three weeks time. Let us see how long you can bear with us. The problem is many Doctors, especially young ones are idealistic and expect perfection because they think it should be perfect in a Christian mission hospital where people who have made personal sacrifices stay together. But that is far from the truth. Even though people have made personal sacrifices to serve God, it does not make this place perfect and such unrealistic expectations will only create disappointment for you. You should be wondering how a driver can know and speak so much. I am not just the driver, I am the manager, clerk and many other things as and when need arises. Our driver is on sick leave and so he cannot come and pick you up. So I have come to fill that spot today. I am Mr. Sarkar and I am the Hospital manager here. I have arranged a double room for both of you. You can submit your certificates today meet Dr. Peter for dinner and start your work tomorrow. We have planned to post in all the department on a rotational basis for 1 year with 2 months in each department." "Thank you very much", replied the tired boys in a chorus. There was such harmony and synchronization in their thank you that they themselves were surprised.
At the end of one year, after holding out in the hospital for a year, Dr. Peter called the juniors doctors Dr. John and Dr. Jacob. They were to choose one department where they can work. Choice was hard as it was more based on need than on the personal choice of the two. During the discussion it came to light that there was a great need for doctors in Obstetrics and in Anesthesia. Dr. John since he was interested in surgery was posted in Obstetrics, where he learnt to manage all the challenging and complicated pregnancies. Dr. Jacob, who did not have any personal favourites and remaining open to God's will was given Anesthesia which he believed was the leading of God in his life.
After six months, it was decided that they can continue in their respective departments for another six months after which they can apply for post graduation. In the meantime, Dr. John and Dr, Jacob, cleared their DNB primary entrance. After six month, they applied and they were admitted for DNB. John opted for Obstetrics and Gynaecology and Jacob opted for Anaethesia. In three years they completed their course and returned to the mission hospitals as specialists who would serve there for a long time.
Dr. Anand who compeleted his surgery residency by the time these boys joined their DNB post graduation, had already joined the mission hospital and when Dr. John and Dr. Jacob joined back. The trio of Surgeon, Obstetrician and Anesthetist served the people in that remote area both physically and spiritually. God used them to bring holistic healing to many and they served God's purpose and lived out the life they were called to serve. In the meantime, because of their commitment to medical missions, they visited their families only twice a year and it was becoming almost impossible to arrange a match for them in marriage. But they never cared for these, committed their lives to Christ and continued to serve God in the place of their calling. The duo said, "What kept us going was that we were focused on fulfilling God's call for our lives and not on what we were sacrificing. Sacrifices are necessary stepping stones to help us fulfill God's will for our lives. There is simply no other way."
"John, Sit down, relax bro." said Jacob, his immediate senior. "Stressing yourself over this and worrying will not accomplish anything". "No it does" replied John. "It makes me seek help. It is an indicator, it is a psychological marker that I need counselling.". "Now that it has almost happened, it is not bad idea to relax and wait for Anand to come.", replied John. As they were chatting away, Anand appeared. He said, "Hello bro. What's up? I heard you wanted to discuss something important. What is the problem now?" "He is anxious about his future", replied Jacob. "I will give you the exact details and Jacob please shut up till I finish, will you please?" replied John.
Anand was already doing his residency in general surgery and so John thought it would be nice idea to discuss the issue with him. "Anand, as you know, I also want to join Surgery residency, but I don't know how I can prepare with all this work load and overtime and twelve hour shifts. I need you help me develop a plan so that I can prepare and succeed in entering a Surgery residency."
"Ok! We will see how the Lord leads". Anand join him in prayer and as they finished praying together, Anand received a phone call. "Just a minute guys", he said and excused himself. After a minute he returned and they started the discussion.
"Jacob, John, I received a message from the head of mission hospital in North India. He is visiting our city and he wants to meet Christian medical students and give them a presentation about openings in medical missions in needy areas and remote areas. So I think if you attend that meeting, you will get some idea about openings where you can spend some time and learn. We will post-pone this discussing as that meeting can modify whatever we may conclude today."
The next Thursday evening at 6 pm, John and Jacob were at the meeting place. Anand could not make it as he was on duty. The meeting started. Dr. Peter Kumar was the speaker. His presentation clearly gave the statistics of how Christian mission hospitals have decreased maternal mortality rate (MMR) and Infant mortality rate (IMR) in their respective mission fields and how churches have been planted along with the mission hospitals. At the end, Dr.Peter gave his Altar call. He said, "I request those who feel called by God to come forward and submit themselves to work among needy Christian mission hospitals in India. But I warn you, it will require sacrifice of personal ambition and personal plans. It may cost you important people and relationships which are dear to you. It is choice to let go of material comforts and live in places which are endemic for Malaria and Kala-Azar. It may cost you your life. But I can tell you for sure that it will be worth the cost. Consider Jesus. Count the cost."
John and Jacob stood up and committed themselves to mission. This was the first time they were making this commitment. But they were able to confirm their commitment to enter medical missions that day. The gathering of saints prayed for them and they stayed back to discuss the issue further with Dr. Peter.
The time came for John to complete his internship and graduate undergrad medical school. After the graduate day ceremony, Jacob visited John's home and they together convinced John's parents their plan to serve God in mission field. "If that is what the Lord wants from you, go ahead John", said John's father. We are not against you serving in mission field. Just make sure it is God's will and not just your emotional decision."
The next day John and Jacob went straight to teh railway station to book their tickets. They booked the ticked two weeks ahead and started preparing themselves to live in mission hospital. They made a list of clothes, books and prophylactic medication they need to take along with them. The day of departure arrived and they both left for the mission hospital in north India. After arrival they were brought to the hospital in the hospital van which went all the way from the remote area to pick them up from the railway station in the city. Along the way, the driver said, "Many Doctors join here enthusiastically but, they loose steam and return home within a couple of months. Dr. Anand you friend who is doing surgery residency, he did not even last a month. He packed up and left in three weeks time. Let us see how long you can bear with us. The problem is many Doctors, especially young ones are idealistic and expect perfection because they think it should be perfect in a Christian mission hospital where people who have made personal sacrifices stay together. But that is far from the truth. Even though people have made personal sacrifices to serve God, it does not make this place perfect and such unrealistic expectations will only create disappointment for you. You should be wondering how a driver can know and speak so much. I am not just the driver, I am the manager, clerk and many other things as and when need arises. Our driver is on sick leave and so he cannot come and pick you up. So I have come to fill that spot today. I am Mr. Sarkar and I am the Hospital manager here. I have arranged a double room for both of you. You can submit your certificates today meet Dr. Peter for dinner and start your work tomorrow. We have planned to post in all the department on a rotational basis for 1 year with 2 months in each department." "Thank you very much", replied the tired boys in a chorus. There was such harmony and synchronization in their thank you that they themselves were surprised.
At the end of one year, after holding out in the hospital for a year, Dr. Peter called the juniors doctors Dr. John and Dr. Jacob. They were to choose one department where they can work. Choice was hard as it was more based on need than on the personal choice of the two. During the discussion it came to light that there was a great need for doctors in Obstetrics and in Anesthesia. Dr. John since he was interested in surgery was posted in Obstetrics, where he learnt to manage all the challenging and complicated pregnancies. Dr. Jacob, who did not have any personal favourites and remaining open to God's will was given Anesthesia which he believed was the leading of God in his life.
After six months, it was decided that they can continue in their respective departments for another six months after which they can apply for post graduation. In the meantime, Dr. John and Dr, Jacob, cleared their DNB primary entrance. After six month, they applied and they were admitted for DNB. John opted for Obstetrics and Gynaecology and Jacob opted for Anaethesia. In three years they completed their course and returned to the mission hospitals as specialists who would serve there for a long time.
Dr. Anand who compeleted his surgery residency by the time these boys joined their DNB post graduation, had already joined the mission hospital and when Dr. John and Dr. Jacob joined back. The trio of Surgeon, Obstetrician and Anesthetist served the people in that remote area both physically and spiritually. God used them to bring holistic healing to many and they served God's purpose and lived out the life they were called to serve. In the meantime, because of their commitment to medical missions, they visited their families only twice a year and it was becoming almost impossible to arrange a match for them in marriage. But they never cared for these, committed their lives to Christ and continued to serve God in the place of their calling. The duo said, "What kept us going was that we were focused on fulfilling God's call for our lives and not on what we were sacrificing. Sacrifices are necessary stepping stones to help us fulfill God's will for our lives. There is simply no other way."
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