CHM helps missionaries with medical bills, Ai-Lin Eng, Singapore

*Editor’s note: This information was published in the May 2021 issue of Heartfelt Magazine, CHM’s monthly magazine that provides CHM membership-related tips and tricks, medical advice from doctors, testimonies from CHM members, and more. Please refer to the CHM Guidelines and applicable web pages for the most up-to-date information regarding CHM membership, sharing eligibility, and ministry news.*

Clement, my husband, and I left the U.S. for Singapore in October 2019 where we live 40 percent of the year. While there, I had severe lower back pain.

The X-ray showed lumbar spondylosis. My physician, Dr. Ting, diagnosed me with left sciatica. He said I was unfit to fly. After two months of intensive physiotherapy sessions, I thought I was better.

Before we were supposed to come back to the U.S., I again experienced sharp pain. An MRI showed a prolapsed disc.

It was the peak of the COVID-19 crisis in Singapore, and non-critical procedures and surgeries were shelved. When my surgery was finally scheduled, I couldn’t have been more thankful.

It went very well, but I wasn’t allowed to sit for longer than 30 minutes. The long flight from Singapore to the U.S. wouldn’t be possible for a few more months.

Throughout this experience, I learned we should not waste our pain or suffering but rather seize every opportunity to proclaim the goodness and faithfulness of our heavenly Father.

During my months of recuperation, I helped coordinate the delivery of essential food to migrant workers from Bangladesh and India. They were isolated in their dormitories with no way to buy food or cook. It gave us a chance to explain that we loved them unconditionally as Christ loved us.

As we used our own resources, we felt fatigued and discouraged—the pandemic seemed to worsen each day. However, it also opened the door to witness to the migrant workers as they became curious why we were helping them. It gave us a chance to explain that we loved them unconditionally as Christ has loved us and our prayer for each one of them to acknowledge Jesus as their Lord and Savior.

I’m doing much better now. Though I still experience pain now and then, I’m mindful not to waste it, but to use such moments to draw closer to God, be prayerful and share with my friends the good news of God’s faithfulness.

From submitting my bills to our follow-up phone call, it was a very smooth and easy process. The staff member Clement spoke with was very assuring and helpful. We never felt more at home speaking with someone regarding the medical reimbursement process.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, I worried CHM might have too many critical sharing requests to handle. I was prepared to wait for a long time before getting a reply from CHM and reimbursement for my eligible medical bills; however, this was not the case. When Clement showed me the check from CHM, I broke out in tears of gratefulness.

As a member of CHM, I belong to the family of Christians who come together to bear one another’s medical burdens. This was evident through members’ sharing of 100 percent of our eligible medical bills. God is glorified when all His children come together in unity, integrity, and generosity by sharing one another’s burdens. I am a grateful beneficiary of CHM’s valuable help.

God is glorified when all His children come together in unity, integrity and generosity sharing one another’s burdens—If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it. (1 Corinthians 12:26).

CHM is great for missionaries

If you’re wondering whether CHM is a good option for missionaries, we have a resource for you! With a U.S. Missionaries are welcome to join CHM and participate in the blessing of sharing fellow believers’ healthcare costs. To learn more about and/or share CHM with your missionary friends, visit the CHM Guidelines.

We’re blessed at CHM to serve missionaries that are serving God all around the world. If you’re a missionary and CHM member serving overseas, we’d love to see you! Please share a photo of your service on social media and tag CHM (@iheartchm). You can find us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and LinkedIn.