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Sister Karen Ripp, M.D. Sister-Doctor Karin Ripp is one of 650 Medical Mission Sisters in 19 nations trying to be present to others in the spirit of Jesus the Healer. German Sister Karin Ripp joined the Medical Mission Sisters in 1983, at age 26. She worked as a physician in Nangina, Kenya, and made her final vows in Africa. She returned to Germany just over 10 years ago, and became certified in surgery. "As a surgeon, I have direct contact with people with physical sickness," she says. "I experience how people can grow in times of sickness, and are changed through this." Sister Karin, who is now in mission in Duisburg, Germany, reflects that her understanding of health and healing has deepened. "Healing essentially is a gift given by God, not a man-made event," she explains. "I see myself only as someone who can support a process of healing, but the deepest healing is a gift to which people need to open themselves. I can pray for them that they open themselves, and I experience that people change."
Remembering a young nun from Kenya who was diagnosed with primary liver cancer and did not have long to live, Sister Karin recalls, "I found it very difficult to tell her this, but she replied to me: 'I am not afraid of dying. I come from God and I return to God.' She gave me a great gift of faith witness, which I will never forget, and she died soon afterwards." "As a wounded healer, I can see myself as a companion on the way with others, trying to encourage them on their way and showing them that fear, anxiety or whatever comes up in times of crisis is normal and understandable. I myself had similar experiences," Sister Karin shares. "At the same time, as a woman of faith I hope to convey to them also the message that at the end of a process of dying will be new life." "I often pray for my patients, besides the thinking, reading, and working I do, and I hope that the combination of all will finally help the patients."
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