Border Crossings

Border Crossings is the compelling story of Dr. David Beyda's medical mission trips to Cambodia, Kenya, the Dominican Republic, Swaziland, and Gaza-to give aid to the forgotten children and adults who receive little or no medical attention or nutrition. The book contains dozens of moving stories that put faces on those desperate for healing, as well as recognition of their basic human rights. Meet Samnang, a young Cambodian girl who fell from a motorbike and sustained broken wrists, only to have her arms amputated because her family had no money for routine medical care. And there is Pastor, a minister in the Dominican Republic who dies just moments before a taxi ride to the hospital for treatment of the leg pain and heart condition he endured for years. Each story provides an intimate portrait of people like Samnang and Pastor, together with Dr. Beyda's reflections on the lessons he has learned about caring for the most wretched among us. Dr. Beyda also provides more than medical attention on these mission trips. He and his team give "covenant care," ministering to the needs of the entire person and his or her quality of life. In Dr. Beyda's faith-based ministry, he offers counseling and prayer for every man, woman, and child he sees, entrusting his patients to the love and compassion of the God who has directed his own steps since he was a young child. It's not what we bring... It's what we leave behind. About the Author: Dr. David H. Beyda is Division Chief of Critical Care Medicine at Phoenix Children's Hospital and serves as Chairman of the Bioethics Committee. He is Chair and Professor of the Department of Bioethics and Medical Humanism at the University of Arizona College of Medicine - Phoenix and Professor of Pediatrics. He has received the Society of Critical Care Medicine's Annual Scientific Award, the J. Kipp Charlton Humanitarian Award for Community Service, and a Rocky Mountain Emmy Award. He received Humanitarian Awards from the Arizona Business Journal and the Arizona Business Magazine, as well as the Humanitarian Award from the Arizona American.