Encarnacion, Paraguay
New Clinic Builds Community Support
Three years ago, Jorge Frey had never heard of the Luke Society. In fact, three years ago Jorge hadn't given his life fully to Christ.
That didn't stop God from preparing Jorge for his calling to build a women's clinic in Encarnación, Paraguay. Already the Lord was taking hold of him, preparing him for a life of ministry.
When, out of politeness, Jorge accepted a friend's invitation to visit a Baptist church several years ago, his previously nominal Christian practices became real to him. His faith began to grow, and he soon realized that God was calling him to a life of service by use of his medical knowledge.
Before Jorge became a Christian, his desire was to study medicine. He studied in Mexico and was one of the top students in his class, focusing on obstetrics. After graduating, he was one of the best-known doctors in Asunción, Paraguay's capital city.
When Jorge accepted Christ as his Savior, and his faith grew, so did his desire to use his vocation to God's glory. He felt particularly led to provide medical care to expectant women. Paraguay currently has the highest maternal death rate in South America. Public hospitals do not offer prenatal care and do not have the facilities to safely care for even low risk pregnancies. Low cleanliness standards lead to infections and high postnatal death rates of both mother and child.
With his medical background in obstetrics, Jorge knew this was the area of service God was calling him to. He and his wife, Gloria, took a step in faith and used their savings to purchase a piece of land on which they planned to build a women's clinic, although initially they did not have enough money to get the clinic up and running quickly.
Several months later, they were introduced to the Luke Society. Dr. Apolos Landa and Dr. Vogel went to Encarnación to meet with Jorge and see if his vision fit with the Luke Society's mission. Dr. Vogel was encouraged by Jorge's willingness to follow God's calling and his determination to be obedient to it, even when he did not know where he would get the funds to build the clinic.
His desire to serve his own people in an area that was in need fit perfectly with the Luke Society's vision. Now, one year later, the clinic is nearing completion. The pediatricians are already practicing in the new clinic, although the operating and delivery room, where Jorge plans to perform C-sections, is not yet fully equipped.
By December, Jorge hopes the clinic will be fully operational, thanks to the donations of Luke Society supporters.
Jorge and Gloria are very excited about the progress of the building. They had expected to spend at least two years preparing the building, but it will be finished and operating in just one year.
Gloria has continually supported her husband in his vision and has also played an integral role in making their vision a reality. She is in charge of the day-by-day management of the clinic, making sure that it is constructed according to their vision of the clinic's purpose.
To make the clinic more inviting for women, Gloria chose to paint the walls several soft colors of pink, with lilac doorframes. "The soft feminine colors will help women to feel at ease and will immediately let them know that this is a women's clinic," she said.
The clinic will have three private postnatal care rooms, where women will stay with their newborn babies. There is also a larger communal postnatal care room that will hold four to five beds.
Jorge recognizes the importance and value of the clinic, but he also realizes that community health is vital. He has hired a community healthcare coordinater, Rosa Gens, to train young people in the surrounding communities to provide basic community health in smaller towns near Encarnación. There are currently 22 healthcare workers, selected from churches in their own villages. Although Rosa, a professor, has not had any previous medical education, Jorge has trained her personally, and together they train the healthcare workers so that they can provide quality medical care to their neighbors. The healthcare workers see this as a wonderful opportunity to witness.
"If we just went to their houses and told them about Jesus, they wouldn't listen," said 19-year old Lydia, one of the new health care workers. "But after we have helped them, they are more willing to listen."
Consistent with the Luke Society's vision, Jorge is working to provide holistic care through obstetric, community and spiritual health care. Jorge is partnering with many churches in the surrounding villages to set up health care programs, including brigades to provide vaccinations to young children.
Not long ago, pastors in the community worked alone to serve their church families. Now, as they become aware of Jorge's vision, they also realize God's unique calling to this area, and with their common bond in Christ, are able to fulfill this calling through this new ministry.
Juan Slovzzian is a pastor in a small church about 30 miles from Encarnación. He and his wife have begun a comedor, a food kitchen in which young children can receive nutritious food. They provide food to approximately 100 families. Juan is also working with several other pastors in an association to train missionaries to go out to other countries, including China.
Many of the churches are young, and most of the buildings are not completed, although some have been under construction for more than five years. The churches gradually complete the building as they obtain funds. However, this has not stopped the church families from growing. One church not far from Encarnación has been blessed to receive 32 new members in the past two years.
When Dr. Vogel visited Paraguay in August, the leaders of area churches, as well as the healthcare workers and the workers in the new clinic came together for a dedication ceremony. In a celebration through songs, speeches and feasting, brothers and sisters in Christ came together to dedicate the clinic and their work to God's glory.
"Today I feel something different," said Jorge, a smile illuminating his face. "Everyone is so unified, the church is one." The churches have come together, with the Luke Society facilitating their common bond, to further God's kingdom.
This group of people also shares an unbreakable bond with us. Although the words are different, they sing the same melody as we do: Mi corazón entera la canción, !Cuán grande es El! Then sings my soul, my Savior God to Thee, How great Thou art!
Our Savior is truly great, and Jorge looks continually to follow His leading and spread His greatness to His people.
Anne Vogel