Letters From Grandpa #233
LETTERS FROM GRANDPA # 233 Dearest grandchild,
Today’s letter will deal with a story told me by the late Dr. Garland Bare. Dr. Bare was born on the Thai-Tibetan border. His physician father was the Surgeon General of Tibet. Dr. Garland Bare was fluent in 5 languages and ran a hospital in Northern Thailand. I was writing a book on answers to prayer “Beyond the Veil”. I asked him to share something miraculous he had experienced in his ministry. He told me the following story and warned me about publishing it. For some reason people reject out of hand anything miraculous without even asking for or checking the evidence. The following story is in that book (pp. 106-108). You can read it for free via www.boycemouton.com
The miraculous event took place in Pua, Thailand in 1973. A young man named Ban Chong wanted to become a Christian. His father was a witch-doctor and forbade him to do so. In order to keep him away from the influence of the missionaries, Ban Chong was banished to the mountains for a year to care for their cattle. Here he was stricken with falciparum malaria and was brought to Dr. Bare’s hospital. For some forty eight hours Dr. Bare used every new medical treatment and technique available, but to no avail. Ban Chong only became worse. Finally, as a last resort, they began dripping quinine into his veins. At this point the patient began to hemorrhage in his digestive tract and bladder. This condition is known as “black water fever” as it causes the urine to turn black. Dr. Bare then gave Ban Chong a transfusion. In that remote area only one suitable donor could be found ...and he weighed but 90 Ibs. One unit of blood was given , , , but it did no good. By now Ban Chong's blood pressure was 80/20. His family was summoned to his bedside and informed that he was dying. His witch-doctor father came with his brother, Jur Sha, who was a Christian elder.
Father - “Can God heal my son”?
Dr. Bare - “God can do all things!”
Father - “If he becomes a Christian will that guarantee his healing?”
Dr. Bare - “No!”
Father - “One year ago I forbade him to become a Christian, but now I am willing if he wants to.”
Ban Chong - “It is too late ...I am dying.” (It is remarkable that he was still lucid at this point)
Dr. Bare - “You can give what is left of your life to God.” Ban Chong - “I can’t pray to God...I have on the spirit strings.” (Spirit strings are articles associated with demon worship). By now Ban Chong's blood pressure was 50/0. . . his extremities were cold and his eyes were glazed. Dr. Bare asked for scissors and removed the spirit strings.)
Ban Chong - “God, I am dying. If it is at all possible save me!”
At this point Dr. Bare said that immediately Ban Chong’s color returned to his face and his bloated stomach became flat. Dr. Bare asked for a blood pressure reading and the nurse said it was 120/70...his pulse was 80 and regular. He had no more fever or other symptoms of malaria. Since it was late Friday night Ban Chong remained in the hospital until morning and then was released a well man. On Sunday he was baptized into Christ along with his father and other members of the family.
Dr. Bare states that one of the interesting ironies of the story is that the miracle was recorded at the hospital by an unbelieving nurse. Not only was she not a Christian, she had been openly critical of Christianity. After witnessing this event, however, she did cease her vocal opposition to Christianity, but as far as we know never gave her heart to Christ.
I personally believe this story. I think all who know Dr. Garland Bare will believe it too. If you do not believe this story you ought to at least examine the motives for your unbelief. Is it a lack of evidence or mere prejudice against anything that is supernatural? Surely the rational mind must be willing to consider evidence.
On the web site mentioned earlier there is an entire link devoted to a series of lectures by Dr. Bare. After returning from Thailand he became a physician on campus at the University of Nebraska in Lincoln. He read an autobiographical book about his Tibetan Childhood to your cousin Josh for his approval. Dr Bare was willing to do what all of us should be willing to do. Follow the evidence!
I love you,
Grandpa Boyce