Dr Neville Everard drove about 17 miles out to Jigna where a crowd of over 150 from surrounding villages was growing. Hymn singing, preaching for around 20 minutes, then medical treatment – ‘the Gospel in action’. Another day, another handful of villages, hundreds hearing the Good News of Jesus Christ. Back at Kachhwa, the hospital became noted for its treatment of eye diseases. People came from up to 500 miles away, many from areas in India where they were forbidden to hear the Gospel. All heard about Jesus during the course of their treatment, and those who could read took portions of Scripture with them when they left. The medical work helped to break down opposition.

 “Medical work does give a splendid opportunity of showing in a practical way an interpretation of the love of God to the people.” wrote Frances Gould. “When travelling in a bus last month, I was interested to hear two men discussing the affairs of Kachhwa Hospital; the one apparently did not know if its existence, the other was enlightening him. ‘Well,’ said he, ‘if ever you are ill that is the place to go to. Their principle is “to have mercy”. These people have made a heaven on earth for us.’ If Kachhwa is his opinion of heaven, then it is a very poor one indeed, but we do pray that something of the peace and love of God may be revealed to all who attend the hospital.” 

After 30 years of decline, Dr Raju Abraham and his team have built up the medical work of Kachhwa Christian Hospital and developed community involvement. Through health care, education and agriculture, they are reaching out to local villages. Leadership training is a prime focus and they work with the Friends Missionary Prayer Band to run the conferences and accommodate visitors from up to 50 districts. Schools of Biblical Training are held twice a year. There has been strong opposition and some violence, but the Christian students gave great support during the troubles in that country.

How does Kachhwa Christian Hospital separate its religious from its secular work? There is no such separation. Through all their activities they are working to improve the lives of those around them, both physically and spiritually, and to enable them to flourish within their local communities. 

Raju writes “Thank God for the doctors, the growing believing staff at the hospital, the FMBP and the incredible response to the Gospel.”   

  Crosslinks magazine October 2006 index