Journal of Sacred Work

Caregivers have superpowers! Radical Loving Care illuminates the divine truth that caregiving is not just a job. It is Sacred Work.

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Former President & CEO of multiple hospital systems and founding president & CEO of 20-hospital OhioHealth, best selling author, film artist, ordained minister, composer, published poet, syndicated T.V. host, trial attorney, federal prosecutor and Municipal Court Judge. Erie is internationally known as the founder of the Radical Loving Care(R)movement. He also heads Erie Chapman Foundation, Dane Dakota Productions, LLC, and Chapman Health International, Inc.

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Day 71 – A Clinic Called Hope

March 12, 2008

We all find energy and courage in different places. The best energy comes from the same sacred source.

A fascinating little band of eight women (and one man) gathered at the Baptist Healing Trust recently for a retreat and a well-deserved day of rest. They call themselves the Hope Clinic and they began their ministry about three years ago. They give mostly free care to mostly poor people in a mostly poor rural county.
Most of them are financially stressed themselves. They take care of people without insurance and many of them also have no insurance.
Their Tennessee county, Macon, became famous recently for the wrong reason…

A ferocious tornado savaged the community killing dozens, injuring hundreds more and destroying thousands of homes, businesses and churches. In a small country like Macon, the impact is hard to imagine. Even the Red Cross was overwhelmed.
Many weeks later, the Hope Clinic is still there, offering healing to anyone who enters. And the courageous and loving group of caregivers who staff this center are truly a band of angels. For example, receptionists double as counselors, spending hours talking with people about such horrors as a mother listening to her son dying beneath wreckage, unable to do anything but weep. Their compassionate listening is a deep comfort to patients.
It takes courage to absorb other people’s tragedies. And although the Hope Clinic offers medical care and medications, their most important service is the way they act as channels of God’s Love.
The Clinic was founded by nurse practitioner Jennifer Dittes and a friend who has since been sidelined by illness. Jennifer founded the clinic on a shoestring, borrowing money she didn’t have, risking everything on the simple idea that a clinic that offered Love, quality care and hope was what people in Macon Country really needed.
Jennifer’s idea, and her courage, have given birth to a beautiful vision and a remarkable place where a small band of women (and one man) perform the work of angels. A tornado, even a savage one, is no match for these folks. Perhaps this is because they draw their healing energy from the only source that can truly provide it.

-Erie Chapman

Posted in Meditations

6 responses to “Day 71 – A Clinic Called Hope”

Tom Knowles-Bagwell

March 12, 2008

This is a very inspirational story, Erie. Thank you for sharing it with us.

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Karen York

March 12, 2008

Thank you Hope Clinic for your loving and selfless work.

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Diana Gallaher

March 12, 2008

Thanks for writing about the Hope Clinic and the wonderful people there. I’m thankful for their loving presence and their courage to absorb other people’s pain. I’m thankful too for the Baptist Healing Trust offering the 8 women and 1 man sacred refuge for a day.

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~liz Wessel

March 12, 2008

I appreciate learning of the extraordinary efforts of eight courageous women (and one man.) It seems to me, these kind souls have turned towards the suffering of others so that it is personal and their compassionate response has spurred heroic action. When suffering is nameless and faceless, we can become, numb, callous, and to slip into an abyss of apathetic complacency. How much easier it is to turn away from suffering, so I applaud these caregivers who are doing God’s work. I like Diana wish to extend my thanks to the Baptist Healing Trust for supporting the efforts of these fine people, for nourishing their souls, and encouraging them in their mission of Love.

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Wanda Roberson

April 15, 2008

I would just like to say that I Have known Jennifer Dittis for approx.5 yrs. and her great staff for several yrs. and all of my family are patients of Hope Clinic, one of my Brothers, Jerry, died ab. 2yrs. ago, he loved Jenny and all her staff very much, he was mentally chalenged, but was treated with the upmost respect, and the day he went to be with Jesus, I called the clinic, and within minutes, Jenny was at our house to comfort and pray with us, she said Jerry was her special friend and Jerry always loved it when it was time to go see Jenny, even though he usually was very sick, Jenny and her Angels always made him smile, I know their will be a special in Heaven for you Jenny, and all your hard working staff, you are truly “Angels” are earth doing God’s calling! Great will be your Rewards! Thanks For all you do for everyone in the community! May God Bless your Daily Efforts and supply all your needs! A Patient and Friend, Wanda R.

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Tim Parrish

May 8, 2008

Better late than never, huh? I have been meaning to post a comment for some time and kept forgetting. I am “the 1 man” who is privileged to work with an incredible group of women at Hope Clinic. We all work hard. There are days that bring a multitude of God’s blessings to us, and in many different ways. And, there are days that bring tears to our eyes because of what we see, hear, treat, and try our best to make better. There are many hurting souls in the world and we have our share in Macon County and the other counties we serve. Our mission will always be to serve God and serve those in need, to make their lives better, to help them heal, to help them better manage their lives, and we do this under the great umbrella called “God’s Love.” We are faith-based and make no apology for it! We’re not tied to a denomination – we are connected to and with the love of God, the compassion of Jesus Christ, and the determination and strength of the Holy Spirit.

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