1. When and how did you become a member, and what were your impressions of the Christian Medical Mutual Aid Society? Which church do you attend? Why did you choose to join the Christian Medical Mutual Aid Society instead of purchasing regular insurance?
– We currently attend Lakeview Korean United Presbyterian Church and became members in December 2001. We felt that health insurance was essential for living in the United States, so we had been enrolled with various insurance companies over the years. Premiums started out low when we signed up, but within a few years, they would increase by $500 to $600 a month, so we would end up switching to a new plan. Since we run our own business, the constantly rising premiums became too much for us to handle. Around that time, a fellow church member recommended the Christian Medical Mutual Aid Society to me, but since it was different from standard health insurance, I didn’t trust it at first. Although the membership fees were much lower than standard health insurance premiums, I was worried whether medical expenses would actually be handled properly. However, I joined with a sincere heart, believing in the principle that Christians help one another through modest contributions.
2. What kind of support did you receive through the Christian Medical Mutual Aid Association? Please describe your symptoms and the course of treatment.
– My wife and I undergo annual checkups. We’ve generally been healthy, but in 2004, I received treatment for a leg condition and gastritis, and my wife underwent surgery for a retinal detachment. This year, my wife’s routine checkup revealed abnormalities in her intestines and liver, and while undergoing further testing, doctors discovered an issue with her ovaries as well. Worried that it might be ovarian cancer, she underwent surgery last August. During the procedure, a dangerous condition—a twisted small intestine—was discovered, so she also had to undergo surgery on her small intestine. Fortunately, it wasn’t cancer, but after undergoing two major surgeries that took a long time, she received several morphine injections for pain during her 4-night, 5-day hospital stay. Perhaps due to the strong painkillers, she couldn’t even recognize visitors and even experienced hallucinations. She was also suffering from various forms of mental distress, including extreme anxiety, fear, and feelings of self-blame. Concerned, I consulted with her attending physician and a neurologist, but their opinions differed. Just as I was growing increasingly worried, I met a psychiatrist who had previously attended our church. He assured me it was a temporary condition and prescribed several medications, including a sedative. Thanks to the prayers of the pastor and many others, as well as the members of our funeral association, he gradually regained his composure. I later found out that while he had taken all the other medications, he had not taken the sedatives. When I told the doctor this, he said there was no longer any need for them. I am simply so grateful.
3. Please share your thoughts on having received support on multiple occasions.
– I would like to express my gratitude to the members of the Christian Medical Mutual Aid Society for praying for us, and to the ministry staff of the Society for handling all our medical expenses so well on multiple occasions. Since my wife was sick for several days, watching her suffer was mentally and physically exhausting for me as well. For the first time, I realized that without health, neither wealth, nor children, nor anything else in this world has any meaning. Now, by God’s grace, she has made a full recovery, and we are living happily.
4. The Christian Medical Mutual Aid Society is doing its utmost to put into practice the words of Galatians 6:2—“Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ”—and 2 Corinthians 8:14—“Now, as you have abundance, supply their lack, so that their abundance may also supply your lack, and there may be equality.” Is there a message you would like to share with our members and with believers who are still hesitating to join?
– Those who have already received medical expense assistance know just how wonderful this program is. Even if you haven’t received assistance, I believe you’re already familiar with this ministry through the Christian Journal. I understand that some of you may be hesitant because the Christian Medical Mutual Aid Society is not a health insurance plan. To those of you who feel this way, I’d like to say this:We agreed to this interview because we simply couldn’t find the words to express our gratitude for how wonderfully they handled all of our medical expenses on five separate occasions.I hope you’ll set aside any doubts, become members of the Christian Medical Mutual Aid Society by faith, and join us in this ministry of putting love into action.
5. Thanks to Deacon Kim and his wife, several families have joined as members. We would appreciate it if they could serve as ambassadors for our Christian Medical Mutual Aid Society whenever the opportunity arises.
– I would like to express my sincere gratitude to the many members of the Christian Medical Mutual Aid Society and the staff who carry out its operations as they put the Lord’s love into practice. Going forward, I will actively encourage fellow believers around me to participate in the ministry of the Christian Medical Mutual Aid Society, and I will pray for and comfort our members who are suffering physically.
(Member Kim Yong-kyu agreed to be interviewed to express his gratitude for the medical expense assistance he has received on several occasions. Thank you. The total amount of medical expenses received to date was $56,714.38.)