Keeping Mission Hospitals Going In India

I have reached Mungeli, home to Drs. Anil and Teresa Henry, our appointed missionaries here at Christian Hospital Mungeli. My over night train ride was uneventful as the staff nurses I traveled with took good care of me. I was greeted by the Henry Family, dear friends that I first worked with in Bissamcuttack back in 1999. My last night in Bissamcuttack, Dr. Johnny Oommen raised a question around a speech he will soon give entitled “Walking on Water.”

I have reached Mungeli, home to Drs. Anil and Teresa Henry, our appointed missionaries here at Christian Hospital Mungeli. My over night train ride was uneventful as the staff nurses I traveled with took good care of me. I was greeted by the Henry Family, dear friends that I first worked with in Bissamcuttack back in 1999. My last night in Bissamcuttack, Dr. Johnny Oommen raised a question around a speech he will soon give entitled “Walking on Water.” By all accounts he said, mission hospitals should sink, not float. So what keeps them going year after year? A good question for me to ponder as my journey continues. 

So as I look around Mungeli, what do I see? What keeps mission alive in India? Perhaps first I could look to my friend, Nancy Henry. She began her work here fresh out of nursing school (St. Luke’s Nursing School, Cleveland, OH) in I believe 1960.  Nancy has lived here all this time, is about to celebrate her 79th birthday on Monday, and still teaches English as a second language to nursing students. Her tireless energy and commitment to nursing has helped many nursing schools in this part of India thrive and grow over the years, helping them to float, not sink. Due to her work and the mentoring of many younger nurses, there is an excellence in nursing that the mission hospitals strive to obtain daily. Who sparked Nancy’s interest in mission work when she was young and growing up in the US? How are we keeping that interest alive in our churches today? Happy Birthday Nancy! And thank you for your service.

While here in Mungeli, I attended a wedding by ambulance, a first for me but not the Henry’s. I have made hospital rounds each day, attended chapel, and met with the School of Nursing Principal to get my work assignments for next week. 

Namaste,

Rebecca Herr

Rebecca Herr, member of Bristol United Church of Christ, Bristol, New Hampshire, serves with the Christian Hospital Bissamcuttack and at Christian Hospital Mungeli, India.