The Inspirational Doctor

I was in a Charity area in Africa, and had been working there for a number of years. During this time, I had been fortunate to make the acquaintance of, and work alongside, a brilliant local doctor who was also a born surgeon. This bright and witty lady, articulate and excellently educated, was well known to us and dearly loved in our local community. However, Mariette* had a secret life. For over seven years, twice a week she disappeared for about eight hours, and none of us knew where she went to. Mild speculation surfaced about this unusual regular disappearance from her surgery on her half days off.

It just so happened that I found the answer to the mystery a short time before I transferred from that post. Working in Charity myself, I happened upon a poor area which was in need of assistance. While walking the street there, I was informed that a simple surgery on the second floor of a complex there had the fortunate services of a doctor twice a week. This doctor saw all who came to see her, and no-one was ever charged a cent. She had saved so many lives, and carried out so many surgeries, that she was regarded in the area as a saint. She was indeed, my dear acquaintance and friend.

I happened to pop into her practice the next week, and started chatting to the receptionist there. I casually remarked that I now knew where Mariette went to twice a week, and mentioned the area I had visited. The receptionist started, and looked visibly discomforted. 'Please don't tell anyone,' she said. 'Only you and I know what doctor does and where she goes. She funds all the maternity cases, surgeries and consultations from her own pocket from money she saves from the profits of her own surgery. However, she wants absolutely no-one to know what she does.'

I was interested. 'Why?' I queried, 'Surely it is a wonderful thing she is doing?' 'Yes,' replied the receptionist, 'However, Mariette says that it is her gift to God, her tithe to Him. As such, it is their secret - His and hers. She does this work for Him, for the glory of God. If it became known to others, it would no longer be her quiet tithe, but a public and possible acknowledgement of her work. Mariette does not want this. So can you pretend you don't know?' 'Of course,' I said quietly, and went off, thoughtful at what I had heard.

At a glittering social function, I was present at a group as they teased Mariette who stood, exquisitely coiffed, with expensive jewellery around her neck and beautiful earrings. She wore a designer dress, and stood confidently in designer shoes. 'We know where you go,' members of the group said, 'You go to a spa for the latest facials and for pampering.' 'No, no', said another, 'You go over the border to the casino.' All were laughing, and she most of all. And, as I looked at her serene face, testimony to a privileged background, the best of education and a background of wealth, only I knew that this lady who was an ardent  Dutch Reformed Church Christian went twice a week to the most impoverished, physically dirty and suffering area, dressed in humble scrubs,  and single-handedly saved lives with equipment and medications paid for from the proceeds of her practice.

I was privileged to have this lady, so bright and gifted in character, as a friend for many years. It is years since I saw her, as I moved on to other towns with my Charity work commitments and eventually emigrated to Ireland. However, Mariette is still a radiant icon to me. Often as I work, I pause and her image, unbidden, comes into my mind. She was a true inspiration to me - a lady and a doctor. As one of my gurus in India told me when I lived there for a few months, 'Remember what is said; a doctor saves lives, eases suffering, dries tears, and listens without judgement to those who are dying. A doctor is God's Other Self.'

Please say a prayer for all our doctors, that God may bless their work, steady and strengthen their hands, give them the health they need to carry out their tremendous task, and enlighten their minds with wisdom in the daily decisions they must take in order to save lives. In the spirit of Lumiere, please consider funding a doctor in an underprivileged area, assisting in the funding of a relief camp, squatter camp, refugee camp, camp in strife-torn areas. Many are working amidst needs for equipment and medical supplies. Possibly you could help. The need is there - perhaps Providence ordained that you read these words because you are the one who could fund the help.

*Name has been changed