A flood of sick people has overwhelmed both Grandma Sharon’s clinic and our own. The most challenging part, as it turned out, is not only diagnosing and administering the correct treatment but also convincing people that their ailments are not due to witchcraft, but real diseases that require a dose of antibiotics.
One young man, for instance, was brought to us (actually, carried over the mountains) when he was already on the verge of death. Since some of his symptoms were extremely dangerous, that very night, Eugene took him to the hospital in Lae (a three-hour drive from us). A few days later, he called us, his voice breaking, begging to be taken home: “The doctors can’t help me. It’s a curse. I… need a sorcerer immediately… Take me back to the village; the sorcerer will lift the curse from me, please.”
(This young man was a believer, led worship in one of the churches, and participated in many of our evangelistic trips). Eugene tried to dissuade him, but he ran away from the hospital and was carried back to the village sorcerer. A few days later, he called again, barely breathing: “Save me!”
My first (natural) reaction was to ask, where is the sorcerer, and why didn’t he help? But Eugene was much more compassionate. When they brought him back to us again (and it’s a three-hour journey through the mountains, one way), Eugene once more took him to the hospital, where he is currently staying.
It’s important to note that the young man prayed with tears and repented! Praise the Lord, who is stronger than any sorcerer!
Ministry in PNG – Eugene & Irina Konstantiniki