A man named Gary came to the Mission recently because he was going blind.  Gary wasn’t homeless – not yet anyway, but if he didn’t get help, he soon would be.  Gary had a job on a farm down in Nevada driving tractors, combines, and other farm equipment, and he lived in a bunk house on the farm.  But when Gary began to have trouble plowing a straight line due to his failing eyesight, he knew he needed help.  He took a bus up to Spokane where he has a sister and found his way to the Union Gospel Mission.

Gary saw one of the doctors in our medical clinic who facilitated his surgery for cataracts.  After a few follow-up visits for double vision, Gary headed back to a waiting tractor in Nevada.

Now, that whole process took several months and numerous connections. It was quite a bit more complicated than the methods by which Jesus healed the blind when he walked the earth, but I’m fairly certain that He was no less delighted with the results.  God loves to heal.

In Matthew 11:5, Jesus described His ministry like this:  “The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy are cured, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is preached to the poor.”  Physical healing went hand in hand with Jesus’ message of salvation.

The doctors and nurses who serve in our medical clinics are the reaching arms and healing hands of Christ, and we are incredibly blessed by their dedication and enthusiasm. Michelle Kiddoo, one of the nurses, said she volunteers because it is “an honor to be part of these men’s lives.”  Susan Vowell, RN, said her great joy is to see the women in the recovery program “begin to blossom and to participate in their journey,” and Dr. Seely said he wished he could do more: “I can’t out-give God.”

I believe the Mission is a picture of the church caring for the poor in the way God designed. Every day, I see people eagerly stepping up to participate and wanting to make a difference.  Thank you for partnering with us to bring healing to both the body and the soul.