I first learned about Ethiopia—aside from the Ethiopian eunuch in the Bible—through my parents. My father was an anesthesiologist who, for the last six years of his life, traveled to different mission hospitals, mostly Baptist, to assist with anesthesia techniques and introduce new medications. Unfortunately, he passed away at the young age of 47, so I never had the opportunity to travel with him. After his death, my mother, who was also deeply interested in missions, went to Ethiopia to contribute to various projects.

In June 1986, as I was completing my final year of residency in internal medicine in Oklahoma City, I was considering pursuing a fellowship in endocrinology. However, I learned about an urgent need for a Medical Relief Coordinator in Ethiopia due to a devastating famine. The famine, which began around 1983, was one of the worst in the country’s history. While Ethiopia had experienced famines before, this one was extreme, with nearly 50 percent of children under five years old dying from starvation.

The organization I worked with, IMB, had established five feeding stations, providing wheat, oil and milk powder. Each ration supplied about 1,200 calories per person per day, approximately 300 calories less than the recommended daily intake. However, people were often able to supplement their food from other sources. The clinics were situated in high plateaus between 7,000 and 11,000 feet, in areas previously inaccessible due to the lack of roads. The severity of the famine and the high mortality rate prompted the World Health Organization, the United Nations and the Ethiopian government to fund bulldozers to construct roads, enabling the transport of essential resources.

Medical Challenges in Ethiopia

Beyond starvation, the famine led to numerous health issues, particularly among children. The most common ailments included pneumonia, ear infections, meningococcal meningitis and complications from pregnancy, such as bladder fistulas.

Each of the five feeding stations had a small clinic, usually housed in a tin building that was sufficient for storing medical supplies and treating patients. On clinic days, we would see between 50 to 100 patients, most of whom could be treated and sent home. However, more severe cases—such as children with extreme malnutrition, women with urinary incontinence due to pregnancy-related injuries and patients suffering from pneumonia, ear infections or meningitis—required specialized care.

As part of my role, I compiled a monthly report detailing the total number of patients treated, their ages and their weight trends, especially among children. I also documented the prevalence of specific diseases. These reports were shared with local community leaders and Ethiopian government health officials in Addis Ababa, where they were greatly appreciated. The reports helped us assess our strengths and weaknesses in providing aid.

One of the most impactful areas of our work was helping women with bladder fistulas, a condition that caused continuous urine leakage, making them social outcasts. Fortunately, an Australian OB/Gyn team had opened a specialized fistula hospital in Ethiopia. We referred many women there for surgery, and once they had recovered, we ensured they could safely return home—free from the stigma they previously endured.

Another significant challenge we encountered was a meningitis outbreak. We first identified it based on symptoms such as headaches, stiff necks and fever. Fortunately, a group of Ethiopian doctors visited one of our clinics and recommended performing spinal taps to confirm the presence of meningococcal bacteria. The test results were positive. However, we had little Penicillin, the most effective treatment. The Ethiopian Health Officer advised us to administer just one or two tablets, which seemed insufficient by normal medical standards; yet, surprisingly, it worked. With some additional preventative measures, the outbreak subsided within weeks, despite the lack of vaccines.

Through our efforts in food distribution and medical care, we were able to reduce the child mortality rate from 50 percent at the peak of the famine in 1984 to just 5 percent by the end of 1988, which was likely the normal baseline.

Spiritual Impact in Ethiopia

Spiritually, our time in Ethiopia was both challenging and rewarding. Missionary work in the country had deep roots—Swedish and SIM missionaries arrived in the 1890s, while the IMB made efforts to reach the highlands north of Addis Ababa by the 1960s. However, a government coup forced them out within a decade, preventing the establishment of churches.

When the famine began and we set up five feeding stations, Ethiopian believers from Addis Ababa volunteered as translators for English speakers. All of them were Christians, and for five years, they shared the gospel with the local people. As a result, many Ethiopians came to faith in Christ and churches were planted in these regions. Today, it is believed there are up to 70 churches in the areas where our five feeding stations once operated—a testament to how God worked in His time.

Transition to China

In August 1997, a doctor friend who had been working in China for four years invited me to give lectures so he could maintain his visa. The lectures took place in Yan’an, a city 12 hours north of Xi’an by train. Over the course of a week, I taught basic medical topics such as hypertension, diabetes, atrial fibrillation, strokes and heart attacks. After returning to the United States, my wife and I prayerfully considered whether God was leading us to serve in China. By late November 1997, we both felt called to move there permanently.

In August 1999, we relocated to Qingdao, a coastal city in northeastern China along the Yellow Sea.

After a few months, I connected with one of the main government hospitals. Over time, this hospital—Eastern Hospital of Qingdao—built a new branch just a five-minute walk from our apartment, which was a God-given opportunity. Through my work there, I was able to invite faculty members to our home for dinner. One particular clinic had several doctors whom we regularly hosted, allowing us to share the gospel with them. Some of them came to faith in Christ, and I am grateful that many of them continue to believe today.

Leaving China and Continuing Ministry

In 2005, we had to leave China due to family health issues that required our attention in the United States. We had hoped to return in 2020, but the COVID-19 pandemic and government restrictions made it impossible.

Since then, we have been involved in Chinese ministry at our church. When we first started, there were only a few Chinese believers, but over time, a Chinese church was planted. It has been growing consistently, with new believers coming to faith and getting baptized. This ministry has been a tremendous blessing and continues to impact lives.