One of the first things Dr. Erin Meier did when she arrived in Papua New Guinea was start to learn Pidgin, the local language. As the new physician at Kudjip Nazarene Hospital, she needed to be able to communicate with her patients about their medical concerns, but just as important, she wanted to be able to share the Gospel.

“With the help of my language tutor and her son, Marvin, I have been learning how to share Jesus in Pidgin,” Erin wrote in one of the first online blogs she posted after arriving at Kudjip in 2007. She is now fluent in the language.

Erin’s twin passions for medicine and evangelism made her a perfect candidate for World Medical Mission’s Post-Residency Program. Through the program, gifted Christian physicians are given an opportunity to serve for two years at a mission hospital overseas. The goal of the program is to prepare young physicians for lifetime careers in missionary medicine.

Erin helped fill a critical need for a family practice physician in Papua New Guinea. She also discovered a mission field among her many patients.

“I believe that medicine and evangelism go hand in hand,” Erin said. “As a physician, not only do I care about patients’ physical health, but I also take care of their spiritual health, too. It’s part of the whole person.”

Whenever Erin treats a patient for a physical need, she also makes sure she gives them a spiritual check up as well.

“If I don’t talk with a patient about Jesus or pray with a patient it can be considered medical malpractice because I’m withholding something that could really help a patient,” Erin said with conviction. “I’m not going to be able to treat and cure everyone’s physical ailments, but spiritually, if they believe in Christ, we know where they’re going.”

Sadly, many patients arrive at the hospital with diseases in advanced stages that require emergency attention. Some conditions are beyond treatment, but there are also many victories.

“Almost every day here at the hospital someone dies,” Erin shared. “At times, the amount of death and disease is overwhelming. While on call yesterday, two babies, one child, and one adult passed away. So, amidst all that, it was good to have a bright spot. Baby Abraham Lincoln filled that spot recently.”

“His parents had already lost two babies,” Erin continued. “When the baby initially came out he looked like he might have a syndrome of some sort. Praise God, he now looks great! His mom, Lydia, is a teacher who once read a book about Abraham Lincoln, so she decided to name her son Abraham.”

Erin went to Papua New Guinea in answer to God’s call and recently felt the Lord tug on her heart again.

“Through ways only the Lord can work, He has revealed to me that I am to continue to be a missionary doctor,” Erin said. “It is exciting to think about where and how God will use me, but also painful, knowing it will take me away from my family again.”

As she contemplates the future, Erin is encouraged by a recent study she did on the life of Moses. “I was really challenged by Exodus 3 where Moses initially responds, ‘Here I am,’ but then comes up with many reasons why God should find someone else,” Erin said. “I pray that as I continue to pray and seek Him for my future, that I will be obedient to Him and not find excuses.”

About the Physician: Erin Meier, D.O.
Dr. Meier is a graduate of Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine and Valley Baptist Family Practice residency program. She served at Kudjip Nazarene Hospital for two years through the Post-Residency Program and remained at the hospital as a full-time medical missionary.

Samaritan's Purse , Papua New Guinea , Serve with World Medical Mission , Following God Without Excuses