When our patients are flown to Wewak and dropped off at the hospital, Samaritan Aviation’s care and ministry has only just begun. Most of our patients have been flown out after experiencing tremendous difficulty and trauma, so their needs can be overwhelming. This is why we have two PNG citizen staff members who have a daily presence at the hospital. Robert and Catherine are like hospital chaplains with a holistic approach to patient care. With a backpack full of supplies, one day they will hand out toiletries, food from the market the next, maybe a toy for a child on another. With each visit, they sit down next to the patient and his or her family to listen to their story, encourage them in God’s Word, and pray for them. For long-term patients, Robert and Catherine walk them through lessons from “Healing the Wounds of Trauma,” a biblical approach for helping people after difficult events. Using an oral-based teaching style, they address topics such as, what happens when someone is grieving, forgiveness, and, if God loves us why do we suffer? Their focus is not limited to Samaritan-flown patients; they regularly share the Gospel message with other patients in the crowded hospital wards as well. Upon discharge, they send the patient home with Bible literature and needed supplies for the journey.
As they give of themselves, Robert and Catherine often talk about how blessed they are in return. Robert says, “I really love seeing all the people and having meaningful conversations. I like listening to them, hearing about their lives, and finding out where they are at spiritually. Many times, I get a chance to share with them about God and how much He loves them. This is what I enjoy the most.” Similarly, Catherine shares, “The thing I like most about hospital ministry is the joy it gives me when people respond to hearing God’s Word. It makes me want to go back and do it again.” It takes all of us working together for Samaritan Aviation’s Gospel ministry to be effective, and the team is truly strengthened by Robert and Catherine’s gifts and talents.
