SIM International Director Malcolm McGregor and his wife Liz.

One day, when we were living in Ethiopia, our friend Wondwosen turned up at our home wheezing and out of breath. Though we had known Wonde for some time through our discipleship ministry at Addis Ababa University, it wasn’t until that day that we realized how ill he really was.

As a child, Wonde had contracted tonsillitis. Because it was not treated on time, his heart valves were affected. Now, at age 22, this was beginning to seriously affect him and he needed two heart valve replacements. But he knew that was not possible in Ethiopia.

Wonde’s story reflects a reality in many of the countries where SIM works: health care is severely restricted due to a lack of finance, personnel, training and facilities and to be sick is a huge burden on you and your family. According to the World Health Organization’s statistics (http://www.photius.com/rankings/ healthranks.html), SIM works in 14 of the bottom 20 nations for life expectancy, in 13 of the bottom 20 countries for health performance and 15 of the bottom 20 countries for infant mortality.

So how do we cope with the huge needs of the sick in many of the nations where we work? The easy answer would be to avoid the issue and respond with a statement that we are only here to preach the Gospel and to save people from a lost eternity. But is that how Jesus responded to the sick?

To be ill in Jesus’ time was also a great burden on the person and their family. In addition, society viewed it as a punishment from God for sin. Jesus got involved—he responded with compassion. The Gospels are full of stories of Jesus healing those around him who were sick.

As he went about his Kingdom work, Jesus engaged with people where they were at and as they came across his path. He took to heart their struggles and burdens and got involved in them; he did not ignore them. In SIM “we humbly acknowledge that the ultimate human need is to know God.” But “we also believe that he has called us to compassionate, holistic service in this broken world by alleviating suffering, fostering development and effecting change in society.” This is our Core Value #6, and we intend to continue to live this out.

SIM’s medical ministries include working in hospitals and clinics, offering healthcare training, working to cure and alleviate leprosy, responding to the HIV and AIDS crisis, and many others. We engage in these tough issues in the name of Jesus, because this is what he would have done.

So how did we respond to Wonde’s dilemma? We got involved. Through the help of many friends we were able to send him to the UK for treatment and the replacement of his two heart valves. Wonde was part of our life, and we needed to enter into the huge challenge he faced. That’s what Jesus would have done. Find out more about SIM's impact in medical missions

Wondwosen returned to Ethiopia after his surgery and served God for seven years. During that time he got married and had a son. Sadly, Wonde passed away due to damaged kidneys, a side effect of his heart problem.

*Note: This article was originally published in Serving In Mission Together, issue 127.