HEARTBEATS OF LOVE
Imagine—your daughter of seven years has long been diagnosed with heart failure. You live in a poor country in which offers little economic or medical hope. You travel to Europe frantically searching for assistance, but word arrives that your little one has entered a terminal phase. You must return home. Hopelessness, despair and devastation threaten to crush you. Then in the midst of this darkness comes the news—from a hospital who, will not only coordinate the intricate and complex procedure to replace her heart, but also will completely cover the entire cost! This was the reality that Lilian and Sebastián Benítez lived this past summer. Then, at the critical moment, a donor heart was selflessly provided by a couple whose daughter had died from neurological complications. On September 1st, Tatiana Benítez received a new heart as over 68 medical professionals intervened at Centro Médico Bautista. “God directed everything. We never lost faith!” declared the mother at a special thanksgiving service the hospital hosted on the day of Tatiana’s discharge. Helping the helpless and unfortunate is the business of CMB and so it has been for over half a century. Dramatic cases like Tatiana’s represent thousands of others on a lesser scale—but in each one God is glorified and the love of Jesus Christ is made visible. As Chaplain José Lezcano preached in the thanksgiving service, “God is the Supreme Donor. He did not donate just an organ, but rather the whole life of His own Son.” The Bible promises in I Samuel 2:30, “For who honors Me, I will honor…”. I can attest from personal knowledge, involvement, and experience that this institution of health is a beacon of God’s Light in a dark land. Powerful rays of Truth and Light such as related above emanate regularly. The Baptist Medical Center exists solely to serve God and man. They desperately need our help to continue. Earlier this year, they “stepped out” on faith to expand and up grade the antiquated Radiology and Imaging facilities, investing over $100,000 to provide the infrastructure. They are asking our help for and additional $100,000 to acquire the needed equipment. The cost of Tatiana’s transplant easily represents a significant equipment purchase, but it also clearly demonstrates the leadership’s determination to maintain the original purposes of CMB to help others and depend upon God for the rest. I consider it a great privilege to be an advocate for Centro Médico Bautista. They receive no other assistance other than what our foundation can raise. So many of you understand their need, identify with this cause and have selflessly given to this incredible mission. Thank you for your example and challenge to us all. As we conclude this year please, prayerfully consider a gift to Centro Médico Bautista to help fund this vitally needed project—which is their “heart transplant” to continue quality diagnosis and care to thousands in the name of Jesus Christ, Our Lord and Savior. Please accept my deepest wishes for a very blessed Christmas, |