Afghan patient finds hope at Siloam

Originally published in the Christmas 2001 edition of Healing Waters
By Dr. David Gregory, Volunteer Physician and Medical Director

The wedding was traditional and elegant and attended by a large number of well-dressed guests. After the ceremony concluded, my wife, Joicelyn, and I made our way to the reception and dinner at an exclusive private club atop one of Nashville's tallest downtown structures.

Dr. David Gregory
Volunteer Physician and Medical Director

The bride and groom were radiant, the music merry, the view of the city breathtaking, and the food delicious and plentiful. Having enjoyed the festivity and eaten to satiety, we decided to take a serving of roast beef home to our son, there being far more than could be consumed by the remaining revelers.

As I approached the table and began to select some "take out," a previously unnoticed, slight of build, middle-aged waiter hurried from the shadows to my side. His face seemed familiar, but since I had never been to this establishment before, I did not belabor recognition.

He was polite, solicitous, and eager to fulfill any request I might have made. He helped me assemble a generous portion of gourmet delights and then quickly produced a box in which to carry home the booty. He anticipated and met my needs before I could articulate them.

Ready to depart, I looked into the eyes of this bearded follow who had hurried to assist me. His somewhat sad expression contrasted with the mood of the wedding guests. Sensing my uncertainty of his identity, he offered, "My name is Karim. I am from Afghanistan…and you are my doctor."

Of course! With no little chagrin, I remembered having seen Karim at Siloam several weeks previously. A modest refugee from one of the world's poorest war-torn nations, Karim suffered from a serious disease. He struggled to provide food and shelter for his wife and young daughter.

Unfortunately, over the ensuing weeks following that night of the wedding reception, Karim's health deteriorated further. Unable to perform his duties, he could not maintain employment.

During subsequent visits to Siloam, Dr. Morgan Wills and the clinic staff recognized that Karim needed major vascular surgery in order to avert possible gangrene of his feet. Our partnership with Vanderbilt Medical Center allowed Karim to undergo the necessary procedure.

Karim sailed through the surgery with the courage and stoicism characteristic of many of our refugee patients who have survived unspeakable pain and suffering in their homelands before arriving in to the United States. All of us at Siloam pray that the surgery will allow Karim to regain a measure of health that will permit his return to gainful employment as the productive citizen he desires to be.

In this present time of anxiety and fear of terrorism, people like Karim who come from Islamic nations like Karim are often regarded with suspicion and distrust. However, our mission to share the love of Christ by serving those in need through healthcare impels us to care for persons in need from all cultures and religions, and the patients recognize Christ's love and acceptance here. In fact, as a result of the genuine concern and compassion of our staff and volunteers, Karim and his family have begun to express a desire to learn how this same Jesus Christ might provide hope for him and his war-torn people.

May we never tire of receiving and sharing God's grace or of bridging barriers and being agents of reconciliation and healing for all who come through our door.