The Hospital Refused to Help
Apr 1, 2021
- Tom Albinson with Kate and Ilir Cami
The hospital refused to help!
A young Afghan man recently broke his collar bone in a motorbike accident. He was treated at the public hospital and sent home in a simple brace, even though the pain was still extreme.
The Athens team was concerned. They showed his x-rays to an orthopedic surgeon who volunteers with our refugee medical center in Athens. He confirmed that it was a serious break. Our friend would lose full use of his arm unless he received immediate surgical intervention.
The team took the surgeon's report back to the hospital. But they still refused to do the surgery!
The team refused to give up. Thanks to those who support the Athens ministry financially, the team was able to help him get the needed surgery at a private hospital last week.
The Athens team did more than help him get surgery.
In the days leading up to his surgery, he shared the heart-breaking story of his parents’ deaths and his difficult childhood. The team was there to listen. “He has experienced little affection or kindness over the years and was deeply touched when we helped him in this simple way.” God is using the Athens team to help heal more than his broken collar bone.
Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death...
The Athens team has also been walking alongside of a young Iranian battling cancer. Doctors have determined that neither chemotherapy nor radiation have helped. They are now going to try immunotherapy even though the chances are slim that it will be effective. It may soon be time for him to transition into hospice care.
He is fighting for his life, far from home and family. But he is not alone. The team continues to walk with him daily and help as they are able.
How good to know that our friend is a follower of Jesus. He knows sickness and death will not get the final word.
Far from home and family, but not alone.
IAFR partners with One Heart, a like-minded Greek nonprofit led by Sahar Kamrani, a former refugee from Iran. Ilir and Kate Cami (IAFR missionaries) serve full-time under the leadership of One Heart.
CLICK HERE to learn more about the work in Athens by clicking below.
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When you partner with IAFR, you are meeting critical needs, strengthening hope, and re-humanizing our refugee friends. Your support is a tangible sign to them that they are not forgotten and that God hears and sees and cares for them.
Many thanks to our faithful and generous financial partners who make it possible for our team to show up in the lives of refugees and asylum seekers every day!