(May 27, 2011 - by Jackie Benedict and Ralph Kurtenbach) Imagine … you are a Congolese patient recently diagnosed with HIV (referred to as "The Virus" in the Republic of Congo), and you've walked three hours to reach the hospital.

You finally arrive and wait. And wait. And wait. Noon comes, afternoon comes, and then evening comes. You had expected to meet with the nurse, "Papa David," so he could assess your progress since the last visit. You need a new supply of medications to keep "The Virus" in check.

No Papa David. Perhaps something happened to him along the way. Or maybe he is on a different schedule. You have no way of knowing, for this is Africa, and he was unable to call ahead with any schedule changes.

You face a choice-either go home and come back another day (meaning that you have to miss another day of vegetable sales at the market) or stay and hope he comes tomorrow.

A nurse at Pioneer Christian Hospital in Impfondo, Papa David also travels 50 miles (nearly two hours by car on the Congo roads) to treat HIV-infected people at another hospital. He performs checkups, delivers medication and treats other issues (including tuberculosis) that come as a result of "The Virus."

When the HCJB Global Technology Center sent a team of engineers to assist the Pioneer Christian Hospital with its communications and power generation issues earlier this year, Jackie Benedict accompanied Papa David to deliver medications to people at the hospital in Eepna.

Transportation issues delayed Papa David's trip by two days. Of the 15 or 20 "regulars" as well as those seeking diagnosis, only four or five showed up. The American nurse treated them and prayed with them, pointing them to Jesus.

For the patients he did not attend, he left the medications, labeled with the patients' names in hopes they'd be back later to pick them up-a slim chance, given the lack of communication systems and difficult transportation in that area of the country.

Never certain what medical problems he'll encounter, Papa David knows at least one thing-in every situation his job is to point people to Jesus.

Source: HCJB Global