Family Physician Gives Checklist to Samaritan Ministries for Parents as Schools Reopen

September 2, 2021

PEORIA, Ill. — Amid an ongoing pandemic fueled by the COVID-19 Delta variant, it’s more important than ever for parents to use healthy practices for their children. 

In Samaritan Ministries International’s August 2021 newsletter, Dr. Deborah Chisholm offers a checklist for parents to use for their school-age children (and for themselves). A Samaritan Ministries member, Dr. Chisholm, is a board-certified family medicine physician who established Chisholm Center for Health in Le Roy, Illinois, in 2014. She and her husband, David, have six children and are well aware of what it takes to better protect family members from health challenges in many environments including a pandemic.

Here are brief summaries of the more detailed tips she offers to strengthen immune systems:

• Vitamins C and D are important nutrients that support immune health and healing.
• Practice effective handwashing several times a day, lathering soap all over both sides of your hands and beneath the nails for a total of 20 seconds, then rinsing well.
• Stay well-hydrated. Sufficient intake of water will allow the body to keep its defenses up since cells are better oxygenated and function well in a state of adequate hydration.
• Simple, whole foods are a better fuel for the body than sugary or processed foods. If possible, learn to make homemade meat stock and bone broth and incorporate these into your meals.
• Laugh often together as a family! Wake up your immune system with a healthy dose of humor. Numerous studies have pointed out the immune-boosting benefits of laughter, and it’s even biblical. Proverbs 17:22 says, “A joyful heart is good medicine, but a broken spirit dries up the bones.”
• Make time for adequate rest. Sleep deprivation suppresses the immune system. School-aged children typically need nine to 11 hours of sleep, and parents can set a good example (and stay healthier themselves) by keeping regular sleep hours.
• Finally, seek the Lord. Ask God for wisdom in caring for your children. James 1:5 says, “But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him.”

“Part of Samaritan’s desire is to point our members to solid, up-to-date information about ways to stay healthy,” said Ted Pittenger, founder and president of Samaritan Ministries International. “Our Biblical approach to health care facilitates our members sharing their knowledge, their prayers and their finances to aid other members and help fulfill their needs.

“One way that parents can become more confident about their family’s health and safety is to get involved with Samaritan and become part of the health care sharing Christian community.”

With thousands of members, Samaritan Ministries International has been able to come alongside many people who are deeply grateful for the extra care that fellow members provide.

Here are a few comments from members:

John & Vivian from Indiana said:

“We really appreciate and gain much from your newsletter. We recognize your staff’s commitment, expertise, diligence, and compassion. We see in them the power of the Holy Spirit at work.”

Paul and Bridgett from Texas said:

“We’re grateful for the newsletter, which is theologically solid and unapologetically orthodox.”

Joshua & Kimberly from Tennessee shared this:

“We are incredibly impressed with your organization and the genuine care for the members. We refer people to Samaritan frequently. It’s an honor to do so.”

Unlike health insurance, Samaritan Ministries has no limited enrollment period.  Health insurance requires signups to occur only during open enrollment periods, unless one qualifies for a special enrollment period due to a “life event,” such as losing other coverage, getting married, moving or having a baby.  

Samaritan Ministries health care sharingoffers several advantages:  

• No network restrictions. When medical care is needed, Samaritan members choose the health care provider, hospital, and pharmacy that work best for them.  
• The direct-sharing approach allows members to not only help fellow believers with their medical financial needs but to pray for and connect with them on a regular basis. 
• The monthly share has never exceeded $530 for a family of up to seven people or $555 for a family of eight or more. This contrasts with the average cost of health insurance in 2020, which was $623 per month for an individual and $1,779 for a family. 

Samaritan Ministries gives people of Biblical faith an effective, Bible-driven health care community in which approximately $30 million in medical needs is shared person to person every month. Over the past 26 years, Samaritan Ministries members have shared more than $3 billion in needs while also praying for and encouraging fellow members through personal notes, cards and letters. 

Learn more about Samaritan Ministries International here; visit the Samaritan website at www.samaritanministries.org, or follow the ministry on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter. 

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To interview a representative from Samaritan Ministries International, contact Media@HamiltonStrategies.com, Beth Harrison, 610.584.1096, ext. 105, or Deborah Hamilton, ext. 102.