“The Gift Nobody Wants” is another favorite. I especially liked the section about Dr. Brand visiting Stanley Stein in the later years of his life. I also have an audio tape of Dr. Brand’s speech to a medical school. He explains how he was experimenting with making shoes for mice. I remember my Mom wearing special shoes that Dr. Brand had the cobblers at Carville make for her.

It may sound silly but I have a scrap of wood taken off a tree at Carville. A local physician gave it to me. He said that Dr. Brand was lecturing at the hospital when a huge thunderstorm erupted and lightning struck a tree. After the storm subsided, all the doctors went out and inspected the damage. Dr. Brand picked up the scrap of wood and handed it to the doctor. My doctor friend thought I should have it. It sits on my desk next to the photo of my Dad. The hands of one of the most incredible doctors that ever lived touched that scrap of wood.

My father wrote his memoirs about Carville which I have made into a book. I dedicate the book to Drs. Paul and Margaret Brand. Although it is a simple little book, I would like to send you a copy. It may bring back some great memories.

Actually, I did a blog about Ruth Pfau in October 2017: https://philipyancey.com/pakistans-mother-teresa

There are more Christians serving these populations than most of us realize, though. Remember the movie “A Day Without a Mexican,” from 2004? I’d like to see someone make “A Day Without a Christian.” How many services to the suffering would shut down for that day? How many eyes would be opened to the humble sacrifices being made without any recognition? The popular media tend to show the ugliest side of every group, including Christians, while neglecting the good that they do.

But I agree that we could and should do so much more. I pray for our eyes to be opened to ways to love society’s outcasts with God’s love, and for the revival that could bring to our country.