It has been said that music has the ability to transcend all languages, cultures, and many other barriers. No one can attest to that more than Elina Gaile. Recently, the bubbly and charming 15-year-old, whose fingers gracefully danced over the piano keys, communicated the deep gratitude she felt for the care she received at Adventist Hinsdale Hospital over a decade before. With beautiful music permeating the room, listeners who knew Elina’s story could only envision the events that began thousands of miles away.

In 1995, Walter Thomson, a family practice physician, was part of a team conducting evangelistic meetings and health lectures at the Kremlin in Moscow. Having participated in numerous mission trips and evangelistic teams throughout the world, he was accustomed to being approached for help.“There are so many hurting people all over the world, no matter what you do, it doesn’t seem enough,” said Thomson. “While I realize that we personally cannot help everyone, we still must do what we can to the best of our ability because that is our responsibility as Christians.”

When Ainars Gaile, a local pastor serving as an interpreter, approached Thomson about his daughter’s medical condition, Thomson promised to help. Ainars' five-year-old daughter had osteomylitis of the left hip, an orthopaedic condition that resulted in chronically dislocated joints. She underwent several surgeries, but due to lack of proper technology and practices, infections affected the development and growth of her left hip.

Upon returning to the United States, Thomson approached a colleague regarding Elina’s condition. Kamal Ibrahim, a pediatric orthopaedic surgeon, looked at Elina’s x-rays and agreed to donate his services. Ibrahim said, “It is extremely rewarding to help children from other countries where these types of services are not easily available. I have been so blessed. I simply believe that Christianity is key to the purpose of my profession.”

Within a few months Elina and her mother Gita traveled to the United States through the generosity of Adventist Hinsdale Hospital, the Hinsdale Seventh-day Adventist Church, and physicians donating their time and skills.

Upon seeing Elina, Ibrahim realized this was not a reconstructive procedure, but a salvage operation to make the best of the situation. “Our goal was to alleviate her pain and provide her with the best possible way to walk,” said Ibrahim.

The surgery was successful and after three months of rehabilitation in the United States, Elina and her mother returned home.

The story doesn’t end there … fast forward ten years to 2005. Victor Moreno, Hinsdale Adventist Church minister of music, envisioned local performances of various compositions, including one requiring eight pianos and 16 hands, only performed once in Prague. Not knowing where to find pianists with skills for the piece, Moreno offered up a prayer request during a prayer meeting at the church in January 2005. He was partnered with Thomson who, over the last ten years, kept contact with the Gaile family and knew of Elina’s development as an accomplished young pianist. Upon further discussion with Thomson, church leadership, and other musicians, plans were laid to bring Elina and other young musicians from Eastern Europe.

Through much generosity, hard work, and providence, Elina returned to Adventist Hinsdale Hospital where she was first enabled to walk pain-free. Performing at various venues throughout the Lake Union, including the hospital's Week of Spiritual Emphasis, Elina returned the gift and blessed those who had blessed her.

"I am glad I was able to come back to do this, I want to use the talent God gave me to bless other people the same way I was blessed by Dr. Thomson, Dr. Ibrahim, and the many other people who helped me," Elina stated. After two weeks performing and touring the United States, Elina returned to Latvia.

Moreno summed it up well when he said, "There is no coincidence in the life of a Christian. Music is one of the many ways that unites people, and only God can make it happen so beautifully."

Crister DelaCruz, Adventist Midwest Health public relations regional manager