Medical Missionary Work in Constantinople
By Aznive Inedjian
AFTER completing the nurses’ course in Basel in September, 1899, I returned to Constantinople. Although I had not been sent by any church, I had the assurance that the Lord had called me to his work, and that he would give me something to do. In the very beginning I was called to attend some serious cases. During the winter I was sent to visit the different churches in the provinces of Bithynia and Brusa. Going from village to village, I communicated to them the new light I had in regard to the proper diet of man, and the causes of disease and its proper treatment. I gave them practical lessons in water treatment for certain diseases. I held mothers’ meetings, and aided the sisters in preparing proper clothes for themselves. Everywhere people not of our faith attended the classes, and were much interested. Coming home after my trip, in May, 1900, I moved to Péra, the fashionable part of the city, where the popular doctors are located, hoping to have a larger practice in massage. I also was enrolled in the obstetrical school of the government, and attended classes twice a week. As I had few calls, it gave me some time to prepare a part of a cook book, translating from “The Natural Food of Man.” I went out also with tracts and journals, trying in all ways to make known our work among the people as a spiritual and physical help. Though the cases treated were few, they gave me much hope for the future, because the hand of the Lord was with me, and he gave me work in direct answer to my prayers. A little here and a little there, the seed was sown all summer. After this I took charge of an insane lady in my own house. She soon made remarkable improvement. All the neighborhood became acquainted with my work through this, as her relatives spread the news. After three months she was able to take the steamer, unattended, for Alexandria, Egypt. One day in May, 1901, I was called upon unexpectedly to see a young man who had suffered with acute rheumatism for thirty days. Two doctors had already spent their efforts on him in vain. With greatest confidence they committed him to my care. He was very weak and exhausted, but through our usual methods, in eight days he made a most remarkable recovery. He became a living witness for the efficiency of our methods. This case soon brought many others, and these, in turn, still others. At the end of 1901 I reaped the reward of my former labors. A woman of high class was suffering from rheumatism; she was helpless, bedridden, and not able to sleep, suffering day and night. She also chose our methods, and in seventeen days her hands could be closed. She was cured, to the surprise of many, by our simple means and correct diet. This made my work known in the higher classes. Above all, I believe that the Lord has helped. Elder Baharian and his wife have been of great help to me, giving me advice and talking with my patients. They also have helped the work in adopting health principles. They were a real comfort to me when there was no doctor of our own or any nurse to consult with in times of trouble. I am glad we have been promised a doctor. But that is not the whole need of the work. The last two months it was absolutely necessary that I should accompany Elder Krum and translate for him. We had been visiting our different churches in the provinces of Bithynia and Brusa. Like a dry and thirsty land, they drank in the refreshing showers of the message. Everywhere the brethren and sisters showed gratitude to God for having sent them Brother Krum. Many not of the faith, having also attended the meetings, gave him the hand of brotherly love, and thanked him. We have reason to believe that these labors will have their future harvest. May the Lord inspire love in all hearts for the medical missionary work. AZNIVE INEDJIAN.
Constantinople, Turkey.