The hospital has 175 beds and only two full-time and two part-time doctors serving Ngara, the surrounding area, and Lukole refugee camp. Stephen’s main area is surgical and obstetric emergencies. Katie works in the children’s ward, out-patients, and also on a project supplying mosquito nets to the most malarial areas.

HIV impacts every area of health care.About 25% undergoing emergency surgery are HIV positive, with patients in advanced stages on every ward. Many on the children’s ward are HIV positive, or die from anaemia because their infected parents cannot donate blood. “Performing surgery exposes us to risk.” says Stephen, “We take all available protective measures including prayer.” With so much secrecy and ignorance about HIV, the Reaneys point to “a great need of local Christian counsellors who have the time and cultural insights to calm fears and bring truth, love and hope into shattered and suffering lives. It’s a privilege to be allowed to do this when there is no pressure of emergencies still waiting.” 

Stephen and Katie’s work goes far beyond professional involvement. Stephen takes every opportunity to speak about the Christian faith with patients, 30% of whom are Muslims. Says Stephen “I pray with all my patients undergoing major surgery and recently we’ve had a supply of John’s Gospel in Kiswahili to distribute. I’m also involved with the diocesan “Jesus” film screenings both on the hospital wards and also around the district.” 

The Reaneys have clear views about holistic mission. “As doctors, our first concern is to save physical life and relieve suffering. As Christian doctors, we ought to be doing that in a way that’s patterned on the love and compassion of our Lord Jesus. Only then will our verbal testimony about the Gospel have any real impact.” Stephen believes talking about Jesus is down to ‘catching the moment’. “I remember one Muslim patient who’d been in a bomb blast. I had to share the Gospel with him as I took fluid away from around his heart in a desperate attempt to save his life. He was still receptive even though he was in his last hour of life.” 

“Being Crosslinks Mission Partners we’re committed not just to medical work, but to revealing Jesus to others through the work that God trained us for, and through the truth of the Scriptures. Being involved in physical healing is a great privilege but brings only temporary healing. Being a channel of God’s soul healing love lays up treasure in heaven and is a far greater privilege.”

Crosslinks magazine January 2004 index