Assisting earthquake survivors in Pakistan is one of hundreds of ways in which Medical Mission Sisters around the world try to be a healing presence to those in need today.

When the October earthquake devastated mountainous areas of Pakistan, our Sisters were among many who joined the relief efforts. Pakistani Sister Iginia John, American Sister Sylvia Strahler, and Filipina Sister Jean Amar went from their areas of mission in Pakistan to offer assistance.

At the Ayub Medical Complex in Abbotabad, 500 to 600 patients were being brought in daily. Many had major injuries, and were referred to hospitals throughout Pakistan after they had initial treatment to stabilize their conditions. Our Sisters helped to care for postoperative patients in the tents, distribute supplies, and visit hospital patients.

Sister Jean Amar, who just arrived in Pakistan in June, 2005, reflects that the experience was deeply sacramental for her. "It was a sacrament of love, a sign of unity and a bond of charity … that in the midst of so much pain, sorrow, helplessness, and despair, people from different countries, cultures, races, and religions were there helping, consoling, comforting, healing, and sharing," she recalls. "I've never seen such generosity and concern … for me, it was a sign of God's presence in the midst of this tragic human experience."

Sister Jean's own father had passed away in July, 2005. "While I was visiting and dressing the wounds of some victims, and listening to their stories … I could resonate with their feelings of loss and separation," she explains. "This was a concrete sharing of bread broken … not only sharing of my time and talents with them, but most especially sharing our pain, our hopes, our stories as we journeyed towards healing."

"My heart kept pleading to God to give His people strength and courage, so they could continue to hope with trust and faith," she shares. "They hope to recuperate, wait for rehabilitation, and go back to their homes and start a new life … we are indeed in solidarity with them!"

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