Women Who Inspire: Lina Abujamra: A pediatrician with a Heart for God
The world was on pause because of a relatively new and threatening virus. In one month our worlds turned from mundane and predictable, to threatening and uncertain. I suddenly had time on my hands to scroll through my Facebook feed; a luxury that my typical schedule had not allowed me to do. Someone I was connected to had shared a video that caught my eye. On my screen was a vivacious woman with a winning smile. I paused and put my earbuds on to hear what she had to say. Lina Abujamra, a medical doctor, took the time to carefully, systematically and calmly explain this new virus, COVID-19. She stripped away the hype and speculation and presented the facts in a calm and methodical way. She reassured her Facebook viewers that though we had to be careful, with logical precautions and responsible responses, we’d get through this mess of a pandemic together. Lina’s knowledge and confident demeanor was reassuring to me, so I clicked, “follow” on her Facebook profile. From that day forward, I found myself watching more and more of her content. She stripped away the non-sense, speculation and rumors and delivered facts about the virus. As time progressed, my admiration of this woman grew and that’s why I am pleased to introduce you to a woman who inspires me, Lina Abujamra.
Born in Beirut, Lebanon, Lina came to Christ at an early age. At the age of fifteen, her family moved to the United States. That year, Lina had her first real encounter with God at camp. Although she was aware of His presence before, that encounter redirected the course of her life and God became the center of her world.
Abujamra sought God in every area of her life, including her decision to attend the Medical College of Wisconsin. Abujamra was a pediatric ER Doctor at Edward Hospital in Chicago, but currently works in telemedicine. Not only does she show the love of the Lord to the patients in her care, but Lina is also the founder of Living with Power Ministry.
The main focus of her ministry, Living With Power, is to share hope with the world by connecting biblical answers to everyday life. Lina started this ministry shortly after God had called her to teach the Bible through books, podcasts, Morning Minutes daily audio devotionals and a radio show called Today’s Single Christian.
When the Syrian refugee crisis escalated in 2013, Lina knew that God was stirring something in her heart to help these people. Within a couple of years, her team had finished their first medical clinic in Lebanon. Since that time Lina and her crew have established two clinics in Lebanon that travel with medical teams throughout the areas. They have also expanded their work to assisting with humanitarian needs among Syrian and Lebanese refugees.
Being a medical doctor and Christ-follower equipped Lina to be used of God in specific ways. Lina stated that He has definitely “opened doors in a unique way.” Despite her initial focus on teaching the Bible and communicating hope to the world, it became evident that God wanted to use all aspects of her training to reach more people. “Being a doctor opens doors for me to go places that others can’t go and it also breaks down walls in peoples’ hearts to allow deep ministry in a much faster fashion. People trust me because of my job and I consider it an honor,” Abujamra said.
“I can think of multiple locations were God healed patients that I thought were dying. I have seen where God led me to the right diagnosis simply by the leading of His Holy Spirit.” stated Lina. “I’ve never felt that medicine and science are in competition. Truth reigns and since God is truth, He is always true . Being an ER doctor I have concerned myself less with philosophy and more with practical healing issues and in that context can clearly see God‘s hand touching people in ways that science never could.”
Recently, Lina took a trip from Chicago, to her home country to spread hope and healing to Syrian refugees. One of the advantages of being able to go into difficult areas of need is that the stories of miracles are always being shared. When asked about the miracles she has seen, Lina shared the following story: “The most recent one was an incident where a man needed money to buy a motorcycle to accept the job that was offered to him. He has three kids and a wife and a 40 day old baby. I happened to hear of the request and had been given $200 in cash to give to somebody in need prior to my leaving the United States. I could see the moment that God has intersected our paths. That day we went and bought the motorcycle and he was able to start his work. This family was saved because of that donation and God intervening to put us together.”
Lina’s heart for helping those who are sick or feel hopeless and powerless is truly something to be admired. Thank you, Lina for sharing your heart and skills with a needy world and more importantly, sharing the Good News to those who might not otherwise hear about the Lord.
Want to help support what Lina is doing with Syrian refugees? Check-out the merchandise at She Gives Hope. The proceeds go to the work that is being done with Syrian refugees and the Lebanese people. This is just one of the ways that Lina’s ministry team has developed to support the work In Lebanon, but, the primary source of support remains donor gifts. “We’re so thankful for our donors!” Lina said.
If you are interested in reading one of Lina Abujamra’s books or listening to her podcasts or radio show, you can go to her website, www.livingwithpower.org. Want to contact her? Use the contact link to reach her directly. Want to read Lina’s books? They can be purchased at Amazon.
