These were the essential ingredients
that allowed Lazarus to nurture his fine mind and develop his
full capacity. At the hostel he learned how to play the drums
and harmonium, play chess, sing, and play soccer, badminton, and
cricket—favorite sports of all Bangladeshi youth. He also
became interested in the poetry of Rabindranath Tagore, the Bengali
Nobel laureate.
As a teenager, Lazarus professed his faith in Christ and became
a communing member of the Church of Bangladesh. After graduating
from high school, Lazarus wanted to pursue higher education, but
he couldn’t afford the private tutors that are necessary
to do well on college exams and go on to the university. Instead,
he went back home and joined his father, mother, and brothers
plowing, planting, and harvesting rice fields. After two years
of this backbreaking labor, Lazarus applied for admission to the
four year nursing training program at Christian Mission Hospital
that provides excellent training at an affordable cost. Since
the training is recognized by the Bangladesh Nursing Council,
graduates are certified for government nursing posts anywhere
in the country. This was an ideal opportunity for Lazarus to advance
his education, to learn skills with which he could serve others,
and to secure a job that would support his family. Now Lazarus
is completing his first year at the Nursing Institute and is excelling
in all of his classes. He takes his ward work seriously and treats
all patients with respect. He hopes someday to serve as an orthopedic
nurse. Whatever he does, I know he will be a true servant of God.
From the lives of both Asrita and Lazarus, you can see that,
despite the immense suffering in Bangladesh, there is hope for
the future. Despite the burdens of prejudice, poverty, and discrimination,
these two young people are beating the odds. They represent the
tribal youth of Bangladesh who, though poor and neglected by government
social services, are coming forward and making a difference. They
have put their faith in God, and He is blessing them richly.
In this case, God has channeled those blessings through the Church
of Bangladesh and its educational institutions. The Presbyterian
Church (U.S.A.) is working in partnership with the Church of Bangladesh
to support the training of nurses at Christian Mission Hospital.
Because of your support, I am able to be here as a Presbyterian
medical missionary to witness how profoundly this ministry is
affecting the lives of many young people. Asrita, Lazarus, and
the 75 other students studying at the Nursing Institute join me
in staying, “Thank you!”
Shalom,
Cynthia L. Morgan, MD, MPH
The 2004 Mission Yearbook for Prayer & Study, p.
196
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