Estado de necesidad exculpante incompleto

Healthcare Christian Fellowship members also play a major role in facilitating Christ-reconciling work to the dying patient. The International Heartbeat magazine in what is called, The Jubilee Edition (1936-1996:7) gives an account of a situation where Jacqul's beloved grandfather was dying without having relationship with God through Christ. In this family nobody knew Christ as one’s personal Saviour. The fact that no visitors were allowed any more except the close relatives raised more concern. The testimony is titled,’ No One to Tell’ it goes on like this, ‘Grandpa will die this afternoon, tonight or tomorrow’. My broken hearted friend Jacqul whispered her voice hoarse from sobbing. Her grandpa so beloved by his family, was in the final stages of a terminal illness. He had never met Jesus in this life, how could he look forward to being with him in the next world. The narrator continues stating ‘, that afternoon Ruth had been on a routine visit to the very hospital where grandpa was admitted and she spent time with the HCF group. Ruth’s visit made it possible for HCF team to visit him three times. On the third visit grandpa made a definite commitment to Jesus Christ. The nurses were sure of it. They said,’ grandpa now had peace he did not have before’.

Within just two days of his commitment to Jesus, Grandpa went home to his new found Saviour. Like the thief on the cross, his salvation had come five minutes before the midnight hour of his life. But like the thief on the cross also, it was time enough to assure eternal life with Jesus.

The article ended with the following statement, 'No one to tell him' so I had thought. But I had been wrong. A caring, praying HCF team had been there, and through the team God could pour out the riches of his everlasting love into a dying man’s heart.” Healthcare Christian Fellowship team resembles Peter who was given keys of the kingdom by Jesus. The team is at a better position to introduce patients to the redeeming power of Jesus provided their members themselves know Jesus as their Lord and personal Saviour. HCF was founded for that very same reason. In the International

Heartbeat Jubilee Edition (1936-1996:29) the constitution and the aims of the HCF are spelled out in

the following manner:-“The health field constitutes a vast mission field. Millions of people pass through hospitals and healthcare institutions constantly, patient’s visitors, relatives, employees, volunteers, sales representatives, pastors, Chaplains and others.

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The healing team does not just consist of doctors, nurses and technicians. The clergy, relatives and friends are also important”. The author continues stating that, Christians involved in HCF work around the globe include, besides those mentioned above, paramedics, pharmacists, dentists, private duty nurses, doctors, office and clinic workers, students, church group, those in medical research and psychiatry. The author asserts that the need of all kinds extends from hospitals in the acute institutions to the rest homes, mental hospitals, rehabilitation centres and many others. It has been realized that, because the ministry of Jesus Christ was directed to the whole man: body, soul and spirit, Jesus commissioned his disciples to continue this ministry in his name. The author states that Christ-like medical care touches the well spring of human response as few things can. It has also been noticed that Christians in the Health field have unequalled opportunities for witness and service through a compassionate ministry to the whole.

The HCF Magazine titled,’ RX for Eternity’ illustrates how hospital staff can be dedicated to their work with a profound courtesy and gentleness as well as respect to their patients but missing a very important aspect (Spiritual Aspect). The scenario is told that all the members Mr. Smith pass through and attended by and the friendly manner he was handled is recorded from page 28-30. The members and departments Mr. Smith passed through were, “The young lab technician, the clerk, the radiographer, the admitting department, the ward, the electrocardiogram department, the

cardiology technician, a dietician, the recovery room nurse, the anaesthetist, and aid bringing his tray, the hospital Chaplain, the doctor, an orderly, the head nurse in operating theatre and all the postoperative procedures were carried out successful. A visit from the wife and the daughter bringing flowers to cheer him up was enjoyed”. A week later his wound is healed, sutures are removed, he tolerates his diet well, his bowels move well and he ambulates all by himself, so he is discharged from the hospital. He leaves the hospital seated in a wheelchair accompanied by his wife, holding a pot of flowers and a suitcase, while a volunteer pushes him through the halls to the

waiting car.’ It’s done ‘Everything went on well and is home again. But a month later the Sheriff finds him dead in his car with a bullet through his head and a note on his seat. The note says: “Sorry, I had to do this. I see no other way out”. The narrator of the scenario is wondering if there was nothing more that would have been done to prevent this tragic end. It is the narrators concern that among all the dozens of people Mr. Smith met, no one managed to drop some spiritual vitamins on him. He then realizes that not one person can offer this vital Spiritual Service alone, even the hospital Chaplain as he is continually interrupted in his visit. He equally believes that the entire staff,

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their share of total patient care whenever the opportunity arises. The excuse of staff to say that there is no time is ruled out; as offering spiritual service does not necessary take hours of time.

According to the researcher of this study the concern for this missed opportunity is triple folded. Firstly, if Mr. Smith had been introduced to the redeeming power of Christ he would have not killed himself. Secondly, the question arises where did he end up spiritually and who should account for the missed reconciliation if it is missed as nobody can be definite, only the Almighty God. Thirdly, if he had funeral insurances all the funds he had been paying had gone to the drain.

The scenario warns us to be vigilant to offer more and above our spiritual service if we take reconciliation serious. In the light of this scenario, the researcher is reminded of the missed

opportunity she experienced while she was a student nurse at Livingstone hospital in Port Elizabeth. She once witnessed for the Lord to the patient who was not ready to listen to her until the patient was discharged from the hospital. Next time the patient was admitted, he found her very busy in a hectic situation preparing patients preoperatively and observing them post operatively. It was during that hectic moment that the patient desperately wanted to talk to her and she was unable to give him an ear. When she was determined to share spiritual vitamins with the patient the following day, it was too late as he had passed on. This brought about profound guilt feelings to the researcher for a long time and resulted in her trying to be vigilant not only in serving patients but also in

ministering to them whenever opportunity arises.

In addition to her Chaplain Service in the military and the church, she gives sermons addressing commuters in the metropolitan bus from Johannesburg to Pretoria in most of Monday mornings when she is heading to work. However without prayer, our service will not be effective. Let us now then look closely at the subject of prayer.