From the Farm to the Hospital Via Northern Rhodesia

By Ivan M. Jackson M.D.

This is an autobiography of a little farm boy who became a doctor and before practicing in Ontario, Canada, he spent two years as a Missionary Doctor in Northern Rhodesia. Dr. Ivan M. Jackson was born on a farm in Ontario, Canada. He graduated from University of Toronto in 1961 with an MD degree. After interning at Toronto East General Hospital he went to Northern Rhodesia with his wife Carol and son Gordon. They returned to Canada in 1964 and Ivan did General Practice in Owen Sound, ON. After 35 years they moved to Perth, ON and Ivan took over his son’s Family Practice. After three years he changed his practice to Biblical counseling and psychotherapy. He retired form practice in 2012 and He and Carol still live in Perth, ON.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Lulu Publishing Services
• Release date: Aug 10, 2017
• ISBN: 9781483472607

Book preview

M.D.

Copyright © 2017 Ivan M. Jackson M.D.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced, stored, or transmitted by any means—whether auditory, graphic, mechanical, or electronic—without written permission of the author, except in the case of brief excerpts used in critical articles and reviews. Unauthorized reproduction of any part of this work is illegal and is punishable by law.

Scripture taken from the King James Version of the Bible.

This book is a work of non-fiction. Unless otherwise noted, the author and the publisher make no explicit guarantees as to the accuracy of the information contained in this book and in some cases, names of people and places have been altered to protect their privacy.

ISBN: 978-1-4834-7259-1 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-4834-7260-7 (e)

Because of the dynamic nature of the Internet, any web addresses or links contained in this book may have changed since publication and may no longer be valid. The views expressed in this work are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher, and the publisher hereby disclaims any responsibility for them.

Any people depicted in stock imagery provided by Thinkstock are models, and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.

Certain stock imagery © Thinkstock.

Lulu Publishing Services rev. date: 9/11/2017

Reviews

It is difficult to talk about one’s spiritual life as a Christian. That is because our faith in Jesus as Lord is a very personal matter. For most people becoming a Christian is not easy. And remaining a Christian can be daunting. Therefore, who would want to open themselves up to scrutiny and allow access into one’s interior life? That is why Dr. Ivan Jackson’s autobiography is so remarkable. With honest and frankness, his story reveals how a life committed to Jesus can take a Christian from a humble background and thrust them into productive ministry. The trajectory of Dr. Jackson’s challenging life could not have been foreseen, yet the doctor’s testimony about God’s constant faithfulness throughout his career will rivet the reader’s attention. This is a story that had to be told.

John K. Warnica, M.D.

This booklet is a compelling, convincing and convicting testimony of a man who increasingly learned to trust God. More significantly, it is a cogent testament of God who trusted Ivan Jackson enough to do extraordinary deeds through and in him! This autobiography bears witness to a humility born of spiritual growth. Meister Eckhard once said, I may err but I may not be a heretic…for the first has to do with the mind and the second with the will. I have known Ivan for over fiftyyears and I may argue some of what he thinks but I have never doubted his will and heart. I believe God delights in Ivan Jackson and laughs and loves him.

Rev. Ray Chamberlain

Bishop Emeritus of The United Methodist Church USA

Acknowledgments

I dedicate this little book to my lovely and patient wife Carol for our fifty-seven plus years together, and to my children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

I especially want to thank my daughter Lynda for proof reading, correcting and helping me prepare this.

If any glory comes out of this endeavor I want it to go to my Blessed Savior, Jesus Christ whose guidance I could not do without.

Ivan M. Jackson M.D.

Introduction

I was born in a farmhouse, lot 54, concession 2, Holland Township, Grey County, near Williamsford, Ontario, on November 3 rd , 1935. My parents were James Russell Jackson and Alzina (Stewart) Jackson. I was the youngest of five, my oldest brother was Lloyd, next to him was my only sister Mae, then Alfred and Charles. When I was about twenty my parents adopted Ruth who was Mae’s daughter. When I was about one year old I developed pneumonia, and when my temperature reached 106 degrees F, my mother thought I was going to die and went over to the neighbors across the fields as she did not want to see me die. God had a different plan. I survived.

I enjoyed the freedom of life on the farm, and went to church (Gospel Workers) in Williamsford with my parents. By age nine, unfortunately I had become a religious sceptic, and even made fun of those who plodded their way to the altar to seek a closer relationship with God. Once again, God had a plan. At age nine on a Sunday night of August