I wasn’t expecting anything untoward when suddenly, about 90 minutes into our journey, we were stopped by a gang of men pointing guns at us. Their faces were blackened by war paint and they were shouting in a language I didn’t understand.

I was making the trip from Kompiam District Hospital to the nearest town for the first time, five months into my short-term trip to Papua New Guinea. It was four hours’ drive on a bumpy road and I knew the journey was sometimes dangerous. There could be roadblocks, but these had never affected the hospital before, as they respected our neutrality.

Now we were being forced out of the car and our possessions stolen. I had managed to quickly hide my small bag and phone under the car seats so none of my items were taken, but this left me with a strong feeling of guilt later.  It was a challenging time, but God was kind and faithful. Our community grew closer through it all, and I felt so upheld in love and prayer from those near and far.

Five months earlier, I had been settled in my home city of Sheffield working as a junior doctor, serving in my local church. However, growing up reading mission biographies had instilled in me a deep awareness of the gospel need and how God is working around the world. This shaped my faith and dreams for my life. I had gone into medicine with mission in mind, so I took the first opportunity for a short-term trip. 

She could still take her machete and pay back eye for eye …

The mission hospital in Kompiam is a small, 55-bed hospital in the highlands, offering maternity, paediatric, medical, surgical and outpatient care. I loved the variety, from delivering babies to reviewing emergency patients, learning basic surgery and managing chronic health problems. One highlight was visiting rural villages on MAF planes to support health workers.

There is a close community in Kompiam which I was accepted into immediately. These friendships were a huge gift; however it was challenging adjusting to the lack of resources and the difference in medicine. I felt the weight of the expectation of patients, that after having walked for days to get to the hospital, we would save them. Sadly, this wasn’t always the case. This broke my heart, especially as many died from preventable illnesses.

During my time there, we started a weekly Bible study. Many patients were from church backgrounds and were so open and honest. After reading about loving our enemies, one lady who had been attacked with a machete, shared how she had been planning her revenge. Her left hand had been chopped off, but she still had her right. She could still take her machete and pay back – eye for eye, tooth for tooth. She lives in a violent culture where revenge is expected. However, God moved her heart to see that this is not his way and she was able to forgive. Tears streamed down my face as I saw God change this lady’s heart in this remote corner of the world. He is the God who sees, cares and changes lives.

The past year, I have known the presence of God on a deeper level and seen his faithfulness in joys and sorrows. I am now praying about how best to be equipped to go back long-term.

Dr Rachel Hopkins spent 10 months with UFM in Papua New Guinea.