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 Dr Joute, Medical Superintendent and SAO of Prem Sewa Hospital Utraula, passed away after a short illness yesterday (June 17) at Lucknow. He had an acute renal failure and while on dialysis had a cardiac arrest and could not be revived.
Mrs. Joute, and their three daughters and son have lost their dearly loved husband, father and mentor. The funeral will be at Churachandpur, Manipur tomorrow (19th June 2009) in the evening.
With Dr Joute passing away, we in EHA family have lost a close friend and a colleague. We will miss his passionate and jovial comments in our meetings and of course the leadership and the work at Prem Sewa Hospital Utraula.
[caption from L-R]
1. With Prem Sewa's Nursing Supt. Kamla Ram and Administrator Mr. Neeti Raj - 2007photo
2. EHA-RGB Meeting 2008 | Registration
3. With Mr. T. Kaithang at EHA-RGB Meeting 2008
4. With colleagues & Friends at EHA-RGB Meeting 2008 (6th from right-first row)
5. Refreshing at a swimming pool I met Mrs. Joute this morning. She was remembering last Sunday’s morning event: “He had severe joint pain but was expected to preach in the church in the hospital campus. Since he did not have breakfast he requested the nurse to give him a pain killer injection, so that he could stand and preach. In his preaching he shared ““This world is not our home, we are passing through this place. Our job is to work well and prepare for what is ahead of us””. In the evening he took another injection and went to do a surgery. While lying in the hospital bed, he shared ““there is much more work to be finished and I want to get back as soon as possible.””Given below is a poem written by Dr Langkham, EHA Director HIV/AIDS, a colleague and a close friend of Dr. Joute: An Eulogy to (L) Dr Ronghaklien Joute
A sturdy frame that would be about 5’ 4’’ tall
An ever smiling face always with a very warm greeting
A man of wit and a sense of humour
Everywhere he goes he brings laughter to the people around
Hard-working and ever ready to face challenges
His mind would not rest till he comes up with possible solutions
He would not care if the final solutions are his or others’
Justice and fairness are always his hallmarks
He died a missionary death in a distant mission field
The end came in a hot and dusty heartland of India
Where the normal temperature is no less than 40 degree Centigrade in June and July
In Uttar Pradesh, where Christian presence is less than 2 percent among the 200 million
Prem Sewa Hospital – a tiny mission hospital in an unknown Utraula in Balrampur district
Always brimming with patients coming from the neighbouring Muslim and Hindu villages
Women with babies in arms or expectant mothers ready to deliver any time
Doctors, nurses and all hospital staff toiled day after days to provide ‘Services of Love’
Many of your friends won’t know where you were born
Tuolbung village, near Parbung block headquarters in Manipur
Not too far from Senvon where the Gospel first came in the beginning of the 20th century
Like me, you must have walked barefooted 4 days or so to go to school in the nearest town
Missionary fire was there in your churches back home
Endless prayers and sacrificial giving are made for missionary work
Missionaries have been sent out in large numbers in areas all around
No too many professionals like you responded to the missionary call
Your calling gave you an opportunity of a different sort
Witnessing through caring, loving and caring, caring and loving
Caring by being available for anyone, any time depending on the need
Caring through late night calls and endless hours in ops theatre
I saw you in my dream last night
The worn out hospital gowns have now become spotless gowns that dazzle
Your swarthy dark skin have turned so amazingly fair
Your abode in Jesus’ presence looks so peaceful and calm
Did your heart break for Lalhrietpui and the kids as you knew your end was coming
Or were you overwhelmed with the glory of Heaven that beckoned you
Did Jesus quietly whisper to you “Leave it to me, I will take care!”
At the devotion we remembered them and sang “What a friend we have in Jesus”
Your voice is stilled today and we miss your presence in EHA
We pray that your ‘service till death’ will stir us for a lifelong commitment
We pray that your earthly body taken back to your home land will raise a call
And challenge many in our homeland to follow your footsteps in missions!
Revelation 7: 15-17
They are before the throne of God
And serve Him day and night in His temple
And He who sits on the throne will spread his tent over them.
Never again will they hunger;
Never again will they thirst.
The sun will not beat upon them,
Nor any scorching heat.
For the Lamb at the centre of the throne will be their shepherd
He will lead them to springs of living water.
And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes. - Dr. Mathew Santhosh Thomas
Executive Director
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