Hospital Visits Crucial to Recovery – Lenten Appeal 2023

Hospital Visits Crucial to Recovery – Lenten Appeal 2023

When Dell Sippel packed for her stay in hospital, she never expected a nine month stay.

So when the friendly face of Lutheran Hospital Chaplain Graeme Huf appeared at her hospital door, the visit was more than welcome.

“I left the farm and within two days I was admitted into the Mater Private. I had to adjust so quickly,” she said.

The year was 2005 and Dell was delivered a shock diagnosis of non-Hodgkins lymphoma . Dell and husband Wayne are members at Peace Lutheran Church, Gatton.

“It is worth noting that it was such a sudden diagnoses. We were at the end of a 10-year drought, we were struggling. We owned an irrigation farm and within a few days we had to organise workers to keep what was left, growing on our Lockyer Valley farm,” she said.

“After about a week in hospital Mr Huf knocked on the door and asked if I’d like a visit. It was really welcome!

“Thereafter every Thursday he would pop in and we would chat and he would do a bible reading for me. He was never intrusive, the chat was great. If I ever needed to talk something over, something serious, he was there to listen.”

Lutheran hospital chaplaincy ministry is run by Lutheran Services for the LCAQD. Unlike some other states, chaplaincy in hospitals receive no financial support from Queensland Health.

The important work is supported by Lenten Appeal donations. You can read more of Dell’s story here, and donate by clicking on the image below.