April 13, 2007
Institutional Chaplain Don Mitchem
God has His own special ways of encouraging each one of us in whatever work He calls us to do. Recently, a call came to my office requesting the visit of a chaplain for a patient on the sixth floor of the Maricopa Medical Center. I was told that the patient was a twenty-six year old woman with leukemia and that she was very depressed. I immediately went to visit her. Upon entering her room I noticed that Doreen (not her real name) had very little of her beautiful brown hair left. She didn't seem very conscious of this, but was very quiet, only responding briefly to the few questions I asked as she looked at me with large sad eyes.
As we talked I learned that Doreen was from a small town about three and a half hour's drive northwest of Phoenix. Her pastor was not able to see her very often because of the distance. She was feeling very lonely and depressed. Doreen stated that she was a Christian. I sought to minister with a counsel of encouragement in the Lord, read Scripture to her, and prayed. I promised to see her again the following day.
The next day as I was about to enter Doreen's room, I met up with her doctor. He said: “Chaplain, I want to request that you continue visiting Doreen as regularly as you can. Following your visit yesterday, all of Doreen's monitory machines showed very positive readings for the first time.” I assured him that I would continue to visit Doreen. As I entered her room, my heart was so full of thanksgiving to the Lord! I'm sure it showed. We had a good visit together.
Two weeks ago, I visited a young man at our Psyche Annex facility. He asked about God and Jesus Christ, and why he should believe in both. Using Scripture, I was able to explain and he said he understood. Then he said, “It seems that what I need to do now is receive Christ as my Savior–right?” Joyfully, I exclaimed, “That's exactly right. Would you like to do it now?” His answer was a definite, “Yes!” I led him in praying the sinner's prayer, gave him a Bible and some discipleship instructions before leaving. The next day, he was discharged. Sometimes, we have so little time to have a ministry with patients–pray that I will take advantage of every opportunity God brings my way.