Healing the World

Gustavo Parajï½n, Public Health and Peacemaking Pioneer

By: Daniel Buttry, Dámaris Albuquerque

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Hardcover | 24 January 2023

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Hardcover
244 Pages

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22.86 x 15.24 x 1.75

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In a world ravaged by crises, this inspiring biography of Nicaraguan public health pioneer and peacemaker Gustavo Paraj³n encourages readers to courageously reach out to the world's neediest people. From his family, Paraj³n inherited a deep Christian faith that made him a fearless example of how to navigate dangerous conflicts and public health crises.

Gustavo described his mission as simply following the example of Jesus, but he did so in such a unique, tireless and effective way that his admirers included former President Jimmy Carter and U2's Bono.

This doctor, pastor, health care visionary, prophetic voice and peacemaker was a leader in developing disaster-relief and development programs. His work lives on through organizations he founded. Those who follow his example now circle the world.

Gustavo Adolfo Paraj³n Domnguez was born November 22, 1935, in Managua, Nicaragua. He often shortened his name to initials GAPD in the voluminous letters and messages he sent to colleagues around the globe. This book is so important because Gustavo always downplayed his own achievements. ââA London media personality interviewing him before a live audience was unable to get much about his personal life, only about current news from Nicaragua. The interviewer turned to the audience and said, "It's difficult to interview the most humble man in the world." Now, you can learn about Gustavo's life and work.

Those who knew Gustavo understood the importance of his life, his teachings and the programs he established. He was nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize by former President Carter. He also was awarded the Francisco Moraz¡n Medallion from the Central American Parliament in a special ceremony held at his church, First Baptist of Managua, an unprecedented action in this predominantly Catholic region of the world.

Among his core missions was training and sending ordinary people to become health promoters and vaccine providers in poor communities beyond regular health systems, setting up the structures and trainers to provide that care.

This man with a limp from a childhood bout of polio launched a massive campaign to eliminate the disease from his country. In the ruins of a massive earthquake that shattered his city, he gathered church leaders under a mango tree to initiate an organization that would have a deep and lasting impact on the poor of Nicaragua. As a reconciliation effort during a war turned into a riot, he formed a ring of church leaders to protect the political leaders and led them through the hostile crowd to safety. He went unarmed into front-line regions to meet with insurgent leaders to explore paths to peace. The global rock star Bono of U2 once put on a disguise so he could slip into a British Christian rock and justice festival to hear this man speak.

Now, you can read Gustavo's inspiring story. The book is also ideal for small-group discussions in your congregation or community.

Industry Reviews

"Gustavo Paraj³n, a true Christian peacemaker, dedicated his life to putting his faith into action with intelligence and compassion."

President Jimmy Carter

"While other members of Nicaragua's National Reconciliation Commission, afraid of being captured, remained safely in the capital city, Gustavo Paraj³n went into his country's conflict zones, explaining, 'I was afraid of not doing what God asked of me.' I'm grateful for this detailed chronicle that preserves and spreads his remarkable legacy."

Joyce Hollyday, author, pastor, and co-founder of Witness for Peace in Nicaragua

"Gustavo Paraj³n exemplified the famous Micah text perhaps more than anyone I ever knew -- to 'do justice, love kindness, and walk humbly with your God.' This doctor who could heal a nation, this pastor who could lovingly shape all who came near him, and this prophet who always, eloquently, and consistently spoke the truth to power; was one of the greatest unsung heroes of faith and justice on a global scale while transforming countless local communities. This book is a must read if you want to know what it really means to follow Jesus in times just like we are in right now!"

Jim Wallis, Inaugural Chair and Director of the Center for Faith and Justice at Georgetown University

"Dr. Gustavo Paraj³n was caring, compassionate, and brilliant. He was a peacemaker, a miracle healer, and an educator. He transformed people's lives for the better."

Dr. Lidya Ruth Zamora, Director of the School of Nursing and former President of the Polytechnic University, Managua, Nicaragua

"Whenever I travelled with Dr. Gustavo Paraj³n, in both Nicaragua and the UK -- which I was privileged to do over a period of 24 years of friendship and work -- I saw the same thing. He found the most unassuming person in the room and engaged with them. Then he would tell the rest of us what he had learned from them and how we could all respond to it. He just loved being part of a community -- of family, friends, or strangers -- and gently bringing us together to achieve something remarkable. This book shows how much was achieved as a result. It's a fascinating read; a true record of an amazing life, very well lived (and full of fun and laughter)."

Sue Plater, former Chair, Greenbelt Festivals

"If Baptists had saints, Gustavo Paraj³n would be among that elect. And like all genuine saints, he would complain loudly at being so named. In this biography, Dan Buttry and D¡maris Albuquerque provide a vivid account of Paraj³n's array of visionary and organizational skills, along with his underlying spirituality. He is proof perfect that saintliness is not an honor but an anointment: Drawing forth the godliness (and exorcising the demons) in all life's intersections."

Ken Sehested, founding director of the Baptist Peace Fellowship of North America and writer at prayerandpolitiks.org

"We exclaim in paraphrase, what has been said of the martyr Monsignor Oscar Arnulfo Romero: With Dr. Gustavo Adolfo Paraj³n Dominguez, God passed through Nicaragua."

Rev. Carlos I. Sanchez, Pastor of First Baptist Church in San Salvador, El Salvador

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