We concluded our daily updates on the HH tragedy
last week, and the last article we posted had some 40 visitor comments a few
days later. This morning an additional 35 comments have been registered. And
theirs are but a fraction of the hundreds of comments received from the
twenty-six thousand (26,000) visitors who read our 4 week series.
Because of the great interest in the HH - Dr.
Thistle debacle we are morally obliged to maintain our focus on this tragedy
and will do so by featuring visitor's comments, SA updates and reports directly
from Zimbabwe each Monday until…
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| Dr. Paul Thistle's ministers here |
______________________________
In an Army where negative communication is not encouraged; the soldiery have been searching for answers, because we have been taught the difference between right and wrong, and have sought to implement this teaching through our daily existence. We have found no answers - only a one-sided presentation because of the Army's silence.
I live in the UK and have been watching the
locations of people who have read these articles. There are over 200 different
cities/towns to date. I appreciate that some of those are IHQ staff who are
tuning in to see what the groundswell of opinion is, but nevertheless the bulk
of the rest will be telling their corps comrades - I certainly have.
We have trusted our leaders - deemed them to be
highly spiritual people who have the interests of the Kingdom at heart. But
this tragic episode has shown us a darker side, which, speaking personally, has
destroyed my trust in them. Whatever the political sensitivities, I cannot
condone the sudden dismissal of Dr Thistle in such a way. To me it was inhumane
and uncaring, and yes, selfish, for not considering the detrimental effects it
would have on people who regarded the hospital as a lifeline. I fear TSA will
lose more than it gains from this.
So what can we do in the face of such
intransigent, arrogant silence? Bear in mind this is a private blog, only read
by people who have found this site… And what we found here was a platform that
enabled us to be aware of what was happening at a higher level in our name (SA)
without our knowledge. We only hear the positive spin so prevalent today, but
which should be absent from a church environment, given the concept of 'the
priesthood of all believers'.
This sort of 'forum' platform is not available
to the common soldiery, who, by the way, fund our movement and its leaders in
their comfortable positions, cocooned in their introspective spiritual world
with the Army ‘organisation’ at their centre – an organisation to be protected
at all costs - just look at the new logo to confirm that.
'Army' has the
biggest arc, then 'mission' and then last of all the 'message' takes up less of
the arc any the other two. Subliminal maybe, but I noticed it. And any
challenge to the organisation and its practices is obviously not to be
tolerated, hence the swift dismissal of the good doctor who epitomised all that
was best about our movement.
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| THE KARANDA MISSION HOSPITAL TO WHERE FORMER HH PATIENTS ARE SEEKING THEIR WAY |
************************
We can but air our views, but as this subject
inevitably draws to a close, TSA can once again sit comfortably in their ivory
towers, praying, worshipping, studying the Bible, albeit in sincerity, and
encouraging us to do the same (which is as it should be), but at the same time
a refusal to put those lessons learned into practical restorative actions,
denying other children of God a decent life is inexcusable, and the people of
Chiweshe are still suffering because of that.
Some bloggers say that this type of message is
melodramatic, but the dictionary definition of 'melodramatic' suggests there is
a happy ending.
I'm afraid not.
And life IS drama - some low key, some of
higher significance - and this tawdry piece of SA history is high drama to the
people it affects - TSA has let them down in a big way. It has also let the
soldiery down - almost unanimously on this blog people have called for the Army
to do an 'about turn' and restore some of what has been lost for this poor
community.
…“but as this subject inevitably draws to a
close” as a blog focused issue…
Rest assured, we will feature the HH tragedy
each Monday until we are satisfied that TSA has halted its gatekeeping exercise
and initiated changes in its philosophy, policy and restored the necessary
health care programs.
26,000 blog visitors from primarily western
nations, and hundreds of blog commenter’s have followed our focused series on
the HH tragedy. We are committed to keeping these concerned friends up to date.
__________________________
POSTED BY: Dr.Sven Ljungholm (Ethics - Human Values)
Former officer residing in the UK
Former officer residing in the UK
31 comments:
TO GENERAL ANDRE COX
Many people discard Christianity because Christians contradict the message of the Gospel itself. Instead of following Christ’s example of service, sacrifice, and love, we’re guilty of being hypocrites— hurting AND ignoring those around us. HH patients are hurting and Salvationists at the ground level are being ignored. Seeking solutions to these contradictions fall to you. Finding resolutions will require time, energy, and work—but God desires that you try.
Certainty and confidence don’t necessarily equate to holiness and righteousness.
former residing in the UK
Will the General even see this? I've heard that his 'minders' shield bad news from him. Sad.
I commend the FSAOF for taking up this cause and keeping it active- Ashamed and repulsed at the lack of SA IHQ response.
former officer - broken hearted
UK
(name on file)
Thank you for keeping this story alive. I, like many are not only disappointed, but also disgusted by the lack of action from TSA leadership over this issue. It all smells of "cover it up and shut people up and it will soon go away". I have lost all respect for the international leadership of TSA. They have no more credibility in my eyes. I am happy to speak openly about this story to friends and acquaintences and happy for my name to appear on responses both here on the blogg and on FB. If I ever get the opportunity to meet the General, Chief or anyone else in TSA leadership I suspect has some knowledge about this, I will quite willingly ask them straight out: what does the Army intend doing about it?
2 PARTS DUE TO SIZE
This is a CBC News producer Jet Belgraver interview with Dr Thistle in June 2008 - in happier times.....
Q: What drew you to Zimbabwe to begin with?
The short answer is that I thought I was going to Mexico for a vacation and I got the wrong plane. But the longer answer is after medical school, I wanted to practise in an under-served part of the world. I volunteered my services with the Salvation Army and they suggested an African country — Zimbabwe in particular. I didn't know too much about it at the time, [except that it was] probably one of the more stable economies and stable countries in the region at the time. As it turned out, they were short of doctors and they had a rapidly growing HIV pandemic and health care was suffering. So I volunteered for one year — that was the initial contract. But I think my watch stopped ….
Q: Why have you stayed so long?
A: It is community. [The] longer you stay and you adopt the language and culture, the more you see beyond the four walls of a hospital, out into the community, and see the potential: education, income-generating projects, support for people living with HIV/AIDS. … When the novelty's worn off, you've developed relationships with the community and you have a growing network of partners all around the world, including Canada, being my home-soil. One thing leads to another and you continue to work, see development, even in the midst of the struggling economy in Zimbabwe now. Things are still happening, things are exciting and there are positive stories in the midst of a backdrop of sorrow and suffering and the unrest from the recent election.
Q: What has been the impact of the current economic crisis?
A: Inflation, they say, is at a million per cent a year. I don't know how they calculate that because my little pocket computer doesn't hold so many zeroes! It's astronomical. How can you run any business when you can't set your prices for more than five minutes? What exchange rate do you use? So it's difficult to live in general, and when you're a district hospital serving 140,000 people every year with 140 beds, it's more difficult because you're dealing with more logistics — not just medical supplies but foodstuffs for your patient. From the soap to wash your linen to the operating room, these day-to-day logistics are really unfathomable in a Canadian healthcare system.
Q: What has been your biggest medical challenge?
A: HIV/AIDS. Our incidence has declined from 27 per cent in 1999 to 15 per cent in 2008, but that still means that 15 per cent of the adult population — [those in their] reproductive years, the bread winners — are suffering what has been an incurable illness. At some point, usually sooner than later, they will succumb to AIDS.
Now, we've intervened with the ARVs [antiretroviral drugs] and [the] HIV cocktail, but the fact is they have to access treatment. [You] have to imagine what it's like for people in a rural area of Zimbabwe, with a poor transportation network, trying to access care at a hospital such as Howard. And being able to understand and continuing to live on treatment, having to take a pill at the same time every day, twice a day for rest of their life. It's possible but it's another challenge — a medical issue, a social issue… .
...CONT...
Q: Are you at all concerned about what we hear as a growing political crisis in Zimbabwe? Are you scared?
A: Concerned, yes, for the welfare of the people. Scared, that's a sort a like a Halloween term to me and not so much frightened by it because the community and the hospital have a long-standing relationship. We've been there since 1923. We've seen the comings and goings of unrest and political disturbances from the colonial government to Ian Smith's party, back in the '70s. … We support the community and the community supports us. We're there to assist in any way possible and that's respected in the community with our medical and social programs. We've got a good relationship with the government of today and hope that will continue with who ever wins the election and whoever forms the government of tomorrow.
Q: So despite the current situation, there are still volunteers coming to the hospital?
A: Yes, because it's the network that we've established and its taken years. Howard Hospital is safe, 100 per cent safe. We're smack in the middle of Africa, in the midst of the current situation of the country, in the midst of poverty and HIV/AIDS. It's not a Club Med, it's simply the Med and there are risks involved in travelling to this part of the world. Is it safer than the 401 in rush hour? I think it's safer based on my experience this morning driving out to Mississauga. But those are all perceptions. And perceptions are what rule the day, not the facts or the risk of serious illness or injury.
Q: Many Canadians remember the story of Tinashe and Tinotenda, the conjoined twins from the village were who underwent separation surgery in Canada a few years ago. How are they doing?
A: The twins are great, they're four-year-old children making mischief all around Zimbabwe, at least all around the village. We see them on and off but seldom do I see them for medical concerns. …The younger one, Tinotenda, still has a mild curvature of the spine but that's even straightening out. He's the more talkative one. The other, Tinashe, is quieter but more physically fit of the two. The mother's doing well, getting some assistance from our Canadian well-wishers to start some income generating projects for the family. The kids are healthy and that's more than we had expected in 2004.
That was in 2008. Dr Thistle's statement 'Howard Hospital is safe, 100% safe' sounded so assured.
But not when you factor in the power-mad diktats of Salvation Army leaders it's not.
The Howard hospital has seen off many challenges since 1923, including those involving governmental issues going back to the '70s - see above - but in the hands of just 3 of TSA's international leaders - the biggest christian charity - it's 'heartbeat' was squashed in 48 hours - by ousting the one man who saw potential for this poor, marginalised community, and implemented the Army's slogan 'Love in Action' singlehandedly. How tragic, and how indefensible.
A God-raised and Spirit-filled Army,
Convinced of its calling today
To enter the world of the hurting
With Jesus, the Life, Truth and Way;
We ask that your Spirit’s infilling
Will guide us, empower and inspire;
O Lord, give your presence to make us
One Army, your Army, on fire.
One Army, one mission, one message,
One Saviour and Lord of all;
An Army with purpose and passion,
We are united to answer his call.
An Army following Christ together,
Reaching the lost with his love;
One Army, one mission, one message
For the world.
Responding to your great commission,
Our charge from your hand we will take;
The young and the old as our mission,
Disciples for Jesus we’ll make;
Bring freedom and hope through our living
Serve others with strength from above;
O Lord, give us your holy vision,
One mission, your mission, of love.
The transforming message of Jesus,
With power to make lives anew,
Speaks healing to lost, broken people
And proves all his promises true.
We ask that in sharing your message
We also its fullness embrace;
O Lord, may your Word live within us,
One message, your message, of grace.
SA leaders -
Tell the Chiweshe people how you are fulfilling this 'clarion call' in their community.
Tell them how your actions have been beneficial to them.
Tell them how your actions will represent the love of Jesus in their lives.
Tell them how you have entered their hurting world. Tell them how you have deployed the love of Jesus by withdrawing Dr Thistle.
Tell them how your actions speak 'healing' to them.
Tell them -WHY.
It's not good enough just to sing about it, is it?
General Cox you must bring Howard Hospital back to its former status and appoint a Surgeon! You must make comment about the rotten decisions taken by IHQ a year ago. Are you head of a Church and Registered Charity? Yes you are so you can do it! You are now directly responsible for what happens next!
Twelve months ago: "Toronto, ON, August 23, 2012 – The Salvation Army in Canada has been informed by its International Headquarters located in London, England, that Howard Hospital remains operational following the recent reassignment of the Chief Medical Officer, Captain Dr. Paul Thistle. Patients are being treated by the two doctors and other medical staff at the hospital.
A new Acting Hospital Administrator has been assigned and is in place to guide the facility through this transition. According to the statement issued by the Army’s International Headquarters, service will continue and be enhanced by significant, planned future investment in the hospital." NO IMPROVEMENTS. MEDICAL SERVICE AT ITS LOWEST LEVEL IN YEARS.
-
“As an organization, we remain committed to Howard Hospital and to the people of Zimbabwe today and in the future,” said Commissioner Brian Peddle, Territorial Commander for The Salvation Army in Canada and Bermuda. ”We consider the health of its patients and the well-being of the staff at Howard Hospital to be of paramount importance.”
As a third generation SA officer I never imagined that I would ever utter these words with respect to a Commissioner's statement: UTTER RUBBISH!
USA
I sent the General and my TC the internet link to the final HH report submitted by Jolinda Cooper.
I asked the following questions of them:
1. Will IHQ be setting up an independent, external investigation of this matter?
2. Will IHQ be dealing with questions which this report raises?
3. Will public apologies be made by IHQ to the community of Chiweshe and to Capts. Dr. Paul and Pedrinah Thistle?
4. Is TSA going to try to make amends to the Chiweshe community by providing money to transport the seriously ill from the region of the HH to Karanda Hospital where they can receive affordable medical care from Dr. Paul Thistle? This was a suggestion made to the Army by Major Dr. James Watt (R) and could be done until the Army can replace Dr. Thistle at the HH.
I wonder if I'll receive a reply??
A retired officer in our territory emailed me this morning that they wrote to our TC about this as well since Jolinda's report came out, and got a reply from the TC intimating that positive things were being planned but he could not share information. sounds very diplomatic to me.
I wonder what the positive things being planned are?
If that's so, they could at least publish a holding statement. Whether it would be believed, though, is another matter considering the doubtful veracity of IHQ statements so far on this issue. Sad, for Christian leaders. But we live in hope - unlike those poor people in Chiweshe.
Well, we had been told in a comment on here, and I had also been told by a reputable source that Major John Murray was on the ground at Howard Hospital 2 weeks ago.
You would think we'd have heard something at this point, like the previous commenter said, at least a "holding statement", or an acknowledgement that they have heard the soldiery and the public.
But until we hear from them, we need to keep getting the word out there.
I am speaking personally here, and *not* as a recommendation from the FSAOF... I would encourage people to download the report, or at least the link to it, and share it with those who would not care to visit the FSAOF blog site. Even printing a copy to share with others who don't have computers would be good. Sometimes people will sit and read a printed report before they'd sit and look at it on a computer.
It appears that the HH wasn't the only place that funds disappeared:
Mufakose Salvation Army leaders in gross embezzlement of church funds
11/05/2011 20:42:00
There was chaos at the Salvation Army Church in Mufakose yesterday when some members of the flock revolted against their leadership over what they called “gross embezzlement of church funds”.
The church members baying for blood, disrupted service for nearly two hours accusing the church leadership of misappropriation of funds.
Some disgruntled church members told H-Metro that the revolt was sparked by the fact that the leadership failed to account for money that was meant to be used on a church trip which just ‘vanished’.
“The church was planning to go for a trip and everyone was looking forward to the trip. “The money was being raised every week over a long time but we were really shocked when we learnt that there was not even a single cent in church coffers.
“People became angry and threatened to beat up the church leadership if they failed to account for the money and that’s how the noise ensued,” he added. Some youths who appeared to be at the forefront of the revolt told H-Metro that there was a team that had been tracking Major Mukawo.
Although they refused to reveal the amount of money that went missing, the youths said that it was indeed “a lot of money”. “A lot of church funds were squandered and we need that money back. There is a lot of money that went missing and we are not happy at all.
“We never expected that such a thing would happen here. “Another thing that sparked this rebellion is that a fellow lady from the church donated a keyboard to the church but its whereabouts are unknown,” he added.
“Many stories of funds mismanagement started emerging and the congregation wanted some answers. “Service was disrupted for nearly two hours as people tried to come to a mutual understanding. When H-Metro arrived at the church yesterday, angry strident voices could be heard from within the church with some people milling around the church obviously itching for a fight.
The angry “gang” leaders from the youths blocked the gate in a bid to ensure that the church leadership would not leave the church. The “gang,” which was on the warpath, however, barred H-Metro from entering the church premises and locked the gate from inside.
“This is none of your business. “We don’t want you here, drive back or else we will beat you up,” said the gang. It was after a fierce resistance that the “gang” finally gave H-Metro an insight of what had been taking place.
They revealed that they were planning to evict one of the church leaders from a church house soon after the church service had ended. “We are planning to evict him from the church house after we are through with proceedings here. Let’s meet at his place in an hour,” they said.
H-Metro witnessed the determined looking youths as they removed household goods from the house.
A bed and some few items had already been thrown out of the house with some youths continuing to throw out more items, oblivious to the crowd of curious onlookers.
Why are Africans being treated as second class citizens by the Salvation Army? The terrible decision making of 2012 affecting the health of tens of thousands of people would not have been permitted elsewhere.
"Positive developments" to be published by IHQ in the future will not compensate for the loss of human life in Chiweshe during the past 12 months. A public apology is required. As Africans we do not have good lawyers but good memories. In Zimbabwe they will have memories of relatives who died. People who were treated by Dr. Thistle for many years died without his care. To them justice will only be served if Dr, Thistle returns to Howard Hospital. A new surgeon will take years to adjust to the language and culture of Zimbabwe, if he lasts that long. Has anyone invited Dr. Thistle to return to Howard Hospital?
A concerned Kenyan
If you read about events in Zimbabwe, you realise that it is a very corrupt country, where good people are forced to do things they don't want to, just to survive. But you do expect different from church leaders, and it's shocking to rob poor people who have been thrifty in trying to save.
There are some Christians, indeed I knew one or two - not in Africa - who just 'lived by faith' and had no regular income, but who trusted God and somehow managed to have all their needs met. We have sadly moved away from this 'total faith' concept, and corruption seems to be the result.
I think there are numerous cases in Africa - a friend of mine told me about instances in Ghana where SA soldiers are not happy with the financial credibility of their leaders, and these are poor people who are urged by their officers to give more than they can afford to church funds.
It's very sad.
To 'concerned Kenyan'. My heart goes out to you and your people. Indeed, I feel guilty for living in the West where this tragic decision was taken. Many of the contributors to this blog have repeatedly asked SA leaders for an explanation of WHY they did this to your community.
You and yours are constantly in our prayers, and although just as powerless as you are in this instance, we will continue to lobby TSA for an explanation and some restoration.
May God bless you.
Concerned Kenyan -
If you are in East Kenya Territory, your own Commissioner Chigariro would be a good person to speak with. She was the Commissioner that gave Dr. Thistle 48 hours to leave Zimbabwe. She told the press that it was being done "for the good of the church". She also intimated that if the Thistles did not leave Zimbabwe, they may be forced out of the church (which happened - their officership rank was removed). And she criticized the Thistles for fighting to stay, saying that they were being disloyal to the Salvation Army.
I don't believe the Thistles have been invited back, and I doubt they ever will be invited back. When she was General, Linda Bond told a group of concerned donors that there was nothing anyone could say that would put the Thistles back at Howard Hospital.
A suggestion made to Major Dean Pallant to transport patients to Karanda Hospital (where the Thistles are serving now, under the umbrella of another church-based mission agency), and that suggestion was ignored, even though a brand new ambulance was donated to the Howard Hospital in November of last year.
I haven't seen this report before - another reminder of the treasure TSA threw away:
(in 3 parts due to size)
SURVIVING IN ZIMBABWE: Chasing Dr. Thistle
http://www.thepeterboroughexaminer.com/
By GALEN EAGLE 5th February 2011
Dr. Paul Thistle walks towards the children's ward at a brisk pace,
briefcase in h&. A commotion stirs. Mothers & children … sit on their beds & await the doctor's attention.
It's a little after 9:30 a.m. & Thistle's speed is daunting. … it’s his 2nd stop of the morning after checking the new mothers in the maternity ward.
He has to fit in a morning meeting with the administrators, check in on some 80 patients in the women's & men's ward & head into the operating theatre by 11:30 a.m. More than 30 patients are waiting in the children's ward alone. "If I spend five minutes on each patient in this ward, I'd be here more than three hours," he said, …
Thistle .. deals with some 300 patients a day…. In the 1 minute he has with a patient, he assesses, reassures, educates & decides on a course of action. He speaks to the people in their native tongue of Shona. Within 60 seconds he connects with them on a human level. He's brisk, but caring.
Howard… is a teaching hospital. Nurses, midwives & student doctors learn from Thistle's approach. His idea is to combine health care with an equal combination of quality & compassion.
Roselyn Ndawona, 22, holds her five-year old boy Denzel on her lap while waiting her turn.
Denzel has a large burn on his back from a cooking oil accident. In broken English, Ndawona offers a few short words that exemplify the service at Howard."They treat you good. The people care," she says.
While Howard is the central hospital for the Mazowe district of the country's Mashonal& Central Province, it's not rare for people to travel here from distant parts of Zimbabwe & neighbouring areas.
A different type of care is what attracted 51-year-old Peter Chidouvi away from a district hospital in the capital Harare where he was being treated for chronic illness. "Here is better than Harare," he said. "Dr. Thistle, he talks to the people. He loves the people. He doesn't throw people out."
In a country that is 98% black, it can be challenging for a white Canadian to fit in. But Thistle walks among the people here, not as a revered white man, but as a member of their own, a man they know will treat them as equals. He graduated from medical school at the University of Toronto in 1989 specializing in obstetrics & gynecology.
...CONT...
…..He doesn't minimize the challenges faced at Howard, where he & two Zimbabwean doctors provide health care for a population of more than 250,000 people.
HIV & AIDS are the underlying health factors for the majority of patients & where there is HIV/AIDS there is always tuberculosis, he said."… Hundreds of patients line up weekly for the hospital's Tariro (Shona for ‘hope’) Clinic where they receive antiretroviral & TB treatments.
The expectant mothers, the sick, the dying & their healthy relatives & friends are exposed to AIDS awareness & education at Howard Hospital. Counseling & spiritual care are provided with support from the local SA church & an education team reaches schools, churches & community centres using song, art & puppetry.
Cobra & crocodile bites aside, much of what happens at Howard would be typical to any Canadian hospital. Some 2,500 births take place here each year.
Sandos Mwale, a 48-year-old truck driver, contracted malaria while in the Democratic Republic of Congo. "My headache was bad. I was unable to see. I had no appetite. I had abdominal pain & achy joints," he said. "I decided to come here because of the Howard Hospital reception, the way you are treated when you are here."
Nurse Nancy Chihiya has been at Howard Hospital for one year. …. "There are a great number of challenges here, but Howard's philosophy suits my personality. It creates a good relationship between you & your patient," she said. "People in the government hospital are more reluctant to get to know the patients."
Howard's outreach program spreads far past its own boundaries. The inpatient & outpatient departments treat 75,000 patients a year & the home care unit has 5,000 registered patients assisted by some 400 volunteers.
16-year-old Regina Karomo opens the door to her mother's mud hut in a remote village some 100 kilometres from the hospital. It was a long, harrowing drive to her home for the home care crew. The hospital's Land Cruiser had to cross water-drenched patches, avoid grazing
cattle & oncoming traffic along skinny, uphill portions of the road. Karomo's mother lies on a rug in the hut beside a burning fire. The mother became a quadriplegic in 2008 when she was carrying firewood on her head down a nearby mountain.
Nurse Justin Maikana checks the patient's catheter & asks her questions while a physiotherapist works with Karomo to perform her mother's exercises. "As you can see, these people live very far from the hospital so they have the problem of raising the funds for transportation," Maikana said. "When the care is given at home it's easy & it's given with the co-operation of the primary caregiver."
In a village closer to Howard, Smart Zinyemba, a 65-year-old farmer, said the health of his wife & six children depends on Howard's affordable services. Having recently fallen out of favour with the local government that stringently controls the sale of fertilizer, Zinyemba said he has struggled to keep a roof over his family's head. He has no electricity or running water.
Farmers in the area…live on an average of $1 per day. Howard charges $2 for a consultation, between $1 & $5 for medication & between $5 & $100 for surgery. Children & seniors receive free health care. Thistle said he finds it hard to charge for health care, but the hospital would be completely overwhelmed if it removed its fees. "That's difficult for me personally. I'm born & bred in Canada into the universal health system. At the same time, you need to put value to your services," he said.
...CONT...
The hospital has a serve first, pay later policy. … Most families do their best to repay. Zimbabwe is still recovering from the effects of … the loss of its currency shortly after the introduction of a $100 trillion note. "I was making millions with the Zimbabwe dollar. I had a six-figure salary," Thistle joked.
He dons his surgical garb, puts on white rain boots & enters the operating room. It's a chaotic place as several patients wait on gurneys in an intake hall
before one is wheeled into a blue room with outdated equipment. Only one surgery is performed at a time. "We don't have enough human resources, so we can't run more than one surgery at a time," Thistle explained. Contending with constant power cuts, surgery must be performed in daylight without use of complicated machinery.
On the table is a young girl with a broken arm suffered during a sports game. She's awake, but she stares to one side with huge dilated pupils. She's drugged with the hallucinogenic Ketamine, a favourite form of anesthesia in the developing world because it's easy to administer & doesn't require the same amount of post-surgery attention. A nurse pulls on the girl's shoulder while Thistle pulls on the broken arm, setting it back into place. Today Thistle is joined by Canadian doctor Curtis Krahn, a family doctor from Manitoba who's supporting two local students through medical school & came to monitor their progress for a week.
On top of the hectic hospital operations, Thistle oversees a revolving door of international travellers, all of whom come to Zimbabwe with different expectations. "It's a juggling act when you're dealing with visitors because there is nothing like Howard anywhere in the world," Thistle said. "There's going to be a learning curve."
After spending a day with Thistle in the operating room, Krahn had nothing but praise. He performs feats with such basic materials that more specialized North American doctors wouldn't be able to handle, Krahn said. "I'm very impressed”.
Bekkie Vineberg, 31, from Toronto, has been visiting Howard Hospital for 10 years as a member of the Jewish humanitarian group Ve'ahavta. Thistle is a special person whose commitment never seems to waver, said Vineberg, who's studying to be a midwife.
"Paul is all the things they say he is. He is tireless, wholeheartedly committed & extremely well connected," she said. "He's always an ambassador on behalf of the people here."
It's nearing 5 p.m. by the time Thistle exits the operating room & heads towards his office. A line of about 25 people is waiting. Many are expectant mothers waiting for ultrasounds. An extreme human resources shortage at Howard means Thistle is the only person qualified to perform the basic procedure. The lineup will likely keep him busy for hours & he's got dinner plans tonight. His wife is organizing a feast for Krahn & his wife Debbie, Vineberg, three Peterborough volunteers & a Peterborough Examiner reporter. Pedrinah will expect her husband to entertain.
During a typical day, Thistle watches helplessly as mothers die at birth, babies die of malnutrition, men & women are stuck down in the prime of their lives. Somehow, he returns to his family each night, remaining positive with his sense of humour intact. Somehow, he gets up in the morning & does it all again.
"You have to have a sense of humour. If you didn't laugh, you would cry & you can't spend your entire years of service weeping. Yes you deal with all the horror, but you have to work that out & see if you can improve your service," he said. "But when it does fail, you have to be able to pick up the pieces & move on & treat the next person & the next person. By the Grace of God, the majority of the people who come to Howard walk out alive on their own two feet."
UNBELIEVABLE TO DISCARD THIS MAN SO CASUALLY.
'People who were treated by Dr. Thistle for many years died without his care'. This was written by 'a concerned Kenyan'. Proof positive of the loss of life because of this shocking decision.
SA - you must do something, or the death toll will only increase.
Here is a link to a site detailing a SHUMBA member's trip to Howard Hospital a few short months before Dr. Thistle was sent away:
http://www.shumbamedical.org/2012/03/dr-a-rosengartens-visit-to-howard-hospital/
He ends it this way:
"The question arises, why do this in the first place? I recall wanting to do something like this decades ago, when I was younger and more idealistic. I had talked the talk then, but not walked the walk. Now that I am older, and working significantly less, I have the time to take this walk, and so I did, albeit for a short while. So again, why?
Answers that come to mind include: altruism, a wish to give something back to people, a desire to do something adventurous, to work in a radically different culture.
The trip, after all, was pro-bono on my part, and so there is a “feel-good” quality to this kind of endeavour. There is an educational component as well. Certainly I learned quite a few things as a result of throwing myself into this society for a few weeks.
Did I change the world for the better? On a miniature scale I did my bit. Arguably the experience was more for myself than anyone else. It has given me a different perspective, and enables me to better appreciate the ease of life and work in Canada, relative to Zimbabwe.
Would I do it again? Why not? It was fun and it was interesting. I admire Paul Thistle, who “walks the walk” full time, all the time. For me it was a working holiday. I admit that I would rather not give up the western luxuries to which I have grown accustomed. But for a few weeks per year, I would like to continue to do this work, in order to keep in touch with the harsh reality of life for a huge segment of humanity. I went into medicine in the first place in order to do some good for people, and this kind of international work is in keeping with the idealism that motivated and continues to motivate my work as a doctor."
'Paul Thistle, who “walks the walk” full time, all the time'.
How many do we have in TSA that you can say this about? I would hazard a guess at 'very few'.
On the 'false prophets article it speaks of discernment. Do NONE of our leaders have any? If the answer is 'no they don't, then we need to be very worried indeed. For discernment breeds wisdom, which is essential in a spiritual leader. If the leaders had had an iota of discernment, they would have seen off the demands for Paul Thistle's dismissal, and would have avoided the humanitarian disaster that followed that unwise decision.
I do pray that our new General will have discernment, and will decide to implement a large measure of restoration for the people so cruelly treated by our leaders.
Paul and Pedrinah are my personal friends. I cry when I read excerpts like this describing his work which was so abruptly terminated. Why? Why? Why?
IHQ's silence is becoming more than arrogant - it is sinful.
I agree - I have never met them but their mission is engraved on my heart due to this issue, and I cannot understand why TSA let this happen. I also can't imagine what this has done spiritually to the community of Chiweshe. Their spiritual wounds are just as important as their physical needs, and I grieve for the whole situation - tragic.
In view of the toxic silence by our international leaders, and the difficulty of co-ordinating some mass action by the soldiery, what I would like to see is every rally and public meeting led by anyone from IHQ 'disrupted' by someone asking them publicly about the Howard Hospital scandal. They would probably be removed by the 'minders', but at least it would bring it to the attention of more soldiers and friends, and could - maybe - urge the leaders to shake themselves from their self-righteous slumber and act to help the Chiweshe people in their time of need, which was, after all, inflicted by IHQ.
As someone mentioned previously, the least they could do is to arrange transport for sick people to Karanda for treatment, and tell us that they are doing so. Because in addition to the appalling initial decision, which even those with no faith wouldn't have made, they are compounding the situation by their inaction ever since.
I am a retired Canadian officer. Like many I am unable to put into words my deep hurt and loss of confidence in SA leadership. The damage to the Thistles and at HH can not be repaired but I would like to believe that wrongs will be made right and confidence restored. So far I see no evidence of either. I do not regret my years of service as an officer but I fear for our future ministry. How far do we push the patience of God. Do our leaders really expect God to bless our organization while they continue to use or abuse their power.?
Perhaps our only choice is humbled prayer and seeking God's will for TSA in His Word. This morning I was led to Hebrews Ch 5. I believe it speaks volumes about our current and more recent leaders in whom God has placed His trust ... I sincerely hope it stirs introspection in all our hearts:
Hebrews 5:1-14 NIRV
Every high priest is chosen from among men. He is appointed to act for them in everything that has to do with God. He offers gifts and sacrifices for their sins. He is able to deal gently with those who have gone down the wrong path without knowing it. He can do that because he himself is weak. That's why he has to offer sacrifices for his own sins. He must also do it for the sins of the people. No one can take that honor for himself. He must be appointed by God, just as Aaron was. Even Christ did not take the glory of becoming a high priest for himself. God said to him, "You are my Son. Today I have become your Father." (Psalm 2:7) In another place he said, "You are a priest forever, just like Melchizedek." (Psalm 110:4) Jesus prayed while he lived on earth. He made his appeal with loud cries and tears. He prayed to the One who could save him from death. God heard him because he truly honored God. Jesus was God's Son. But by suffering he learned what it means to obey. In that way he was made perfect.
Eternal salvation comes from him. He saves all those who obey him. God appointed him to be the high priest, just like Melchizedek. We have a lot to say about that. But it is hard to explain it to you. You learn too slowly. By this time you should be teachers.
But in fact, you need someone to teach you all over again. You need even the simple truths of God's word. You need milk, not solid food. Anyone who lives on milk is still a baby. That person does not want to learn about living a godly life. Solid food is for those who are grown up
. They have trained themselves with a lot of practice. They can tell the difference between good and evil.
As the song writer reminds us:
"I am listening Lord to thee
What has thou to say to me?"
Former DE UKT
I was moved by the above comment - and reminded of the words of this song:
Filled with compassion for all creation,
Jesus came into a world that was lost.
There was but one way that He could save us,
Only through suffering death on a cross.
Chorus
God, You are waiting. Your heart is breaking
For all the people who live on the earth.
Stir us to action, Filled with Your passion
For all the people who live on the earth.
Great is Your passion for all the people
Living and dying without knowing You.
Having no Saviour, they're lost forever
If we don't speak out and lead them to You.
From every nation we shall be gathered,
Millions redeemed shall be Jesus' reward.
Then He will turn and say to His Father:
'Truly my suffering was worth it all!'
Will He say that about us, after forsaking His people so callously? TSA has a calling to seek and to save the lost - I really don't know why this hospital and its people have been singled out for exclusion. I do pray that the Lord will stir the leaders into action - we can't do it, it has to come from them - fill them with His passion - for ALL the people who live on the earth. this includes the people of Chiweshe.
I believe God is moving stubborn hearts. But likethe dripping of water on a stone it may take sometime to wear away stubbirn wills.
In passing.. the media in the UK is full of the IInstallation of the new Chief Rabbi. Interesting this maybe but it shows TSA has not got high impact in its new General's appointment or his potential installation.
Perhaps this is God giving us our answer. Less and less impact on the World stage; showing how Worldly TSA has become. Time will tell.
The words of ... Kneeing in penitence ... comes to mind.
Former TE UKT
There is far more compromise going on than we know about. Projects are being undertaken in conjunction with secular bodies and governments. The 'world' is pleased to have our knowledge and our workers, but will not contemplate being seen as religiously partisan. Consequently, the 'Salvation' part of our name is being sidelined, and we are just pawns in a political game that the leaders either don't have the scriptural discernment to resist, or they just don't have the spiritual will to do so.
The partnerships bring into focus the question of loyalty once again. They are made by our leaders to 'bolster up' TSA's flagging influence in the world. But if we deny God in all that we do, why should we rely on Him to keep us going? He has given us all the chance to follow HIm or not. It seems that the leaders have decided that compromise is best for them, as they don't want to lose face and ultimately their positions. This is not how the church of God should be acting.
Only the leaders and God knows what happened to turn compassion into cruelty in Chiweshe, but whatever it was, it is now etched in history, and sadly, I believe God's judgment will follow.
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