Miracle at Tenwek: The Life of Dr. Ernie Steury

by Gregg Lewis

Ernie Steury's remarkable life and ministry as a medical missionary in Tenwek, Kenya, is recounted in this compelling biography. A humble Indiana farm boy, Ernie built one of the most successful medical mission facilities in the world. Ernie's influence, however, went beyond tending to physical needs. Not content merely to heal bodies, Ernie sought to change lives as well through the ministry of the Gospel. Through the story of Ernie Steury, readers will be inspired to follow his example as dedicated servants of a loving, living God who is anxious to show the world what great things He can accomplish with an individual totally committed to Him.

Genres: Christian, Africa, Nonfiction, Biography, Medical

336 pages, Paperback

First published June 1, 2007

About the author

Gregg Lewis is an award winning author or coauthor of 40 books, including Tom Landry: An Autobiography, The Big Picture with Dr. Ben Carson, Forgiving the Dead Man Walking with Debbie Morris, Jesus M.D. and Safe at Home.

Reviews

[Sarah Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing book! One of my favorite lines, at the end of his life: “He would challenge them to ‘be faithful. Stay true to the Lord. Because He’s coming back.’”

[Jeffrey McDowell · Rating 5 out of 5]

When asked if I liked the book, my response was "Like is not a strong enough word to describe how much I enjoyed this book." I am always drawn to medical biographies, but this book is so much more than that. Dr. Ernie Steury is a picture of what God can do in the life of an individual completely surrendered to Him. His humility, commitment, gentleness, compassion, endurance, and surrendered heart to God are unparalleled. In short, this is one of the best books which I have read.

[Amos Dasari · Rating 5 out of 5]

Arguably the most inspiring missionary doctor book I have read thus far.

[Brittany · Rating 5 out of 5]

4 star writing. 5 star man/story. Made more impactful by reading in Africa. It's amazing what God can do with surrendered talents and lives.

[Megan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Having never read a missionary book before, I wasn't sure what to expect. Also, my brother and sister-law are currently working as medical missionaries in Tenwek at this very hospital. So I have a bias as this book gave me a glimpse into their daily lives. I loved this book! It started a bit slowly, but by the end I couldn't put it down and I was reading through my tears.

Dr. Ernie Stuery served in Kenya as a surgeon for over 30 years. When he arrived, there were 12 beds at a dispensary. When he left, there was a 350 bed hospital, nursing school, hydro-electric dam and community health programs. He shared some amazing stories.

[Curtis Seaman · Rating 3 out of 5]

This usually isn't my type of book, but I did enjoy it. This book is about the life of Doctor Ernie Steurt who goes to Tenwek, Kenya to be a missionary and a medical doctor at the hospital there. He saved thousands of lives both physically and spiritually, and set an example for many of the other doctors and nurses around as well. I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys inspiring books.

[Allison · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a book about my Great Uncle who was a missionary doctor in Kenya. I didn't know a lot of the details about his work there so I really enjoyed this book. It was easy to read and the stories that are told are amazing.

[Judith · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is my favorite type of book ~ a can't-put-it-down account of an ordinary person who obeyed God throughout years' worth of regular days in a cross-cultural setting, resulting in a life of service and lives changed for eternity. I'm always looking for more books like this!!

[Brian Williams · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dr. Ernie Steury was truly a compassionate doctor; he always prayed with his African patients in Tenwek. He led many of them to Christ. They have a sign up at Tenwek Hospital that reads, "We treat, Jesus Heals".

[Jeanie Roberson · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an inspirational book! I highly recommend it.

[Anita Schweppe · Rating 4 out of 5]

How many more unsung heros of the mission field are out there? This book is an inspiration to support or write a missionary.

[Taylor Diehl · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was such an inspiration to me... What an example of a life lived for Christ.

[Shirley · Rating 5 out of 5]

The life work of this humble man is truly inspiring. 1930-2002
Graduated from IU med school, married, moved to Kenya. The hospital at his point was little more than a dispensary. His education was lacking in surgery, so he taught himself with a book, becoming an impressive surgeon.

Back home on leave he worked at Caylor-Nickel Clinic, Berne IN to upgrade his skills, but they were very impressed with what he could do.

We treat, God heals was the hospital motto. The hospital capacity gradually increased, although even floor space was always full.
To increase power, a dam 150 feet long, 40 feet tall, 20 feet wide was built using a 1/2 cubit yard cement mixer and local men chopping stones.
A community health program was established that became a world model.

This book is very inspiring.

[Pamela]

inspiring

[Drake Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great book about what takes place on the mission place in many places. Encouraging.

[Kendra Frieden · Rating 5 out of 5]

A powerful story, and especially amazing to read it while at Tenwek.

[Jacob Cody · Rating 5 out of 5]

Phenomenal story about a physician who goes above and beyond the call. Would recommend for any doctor or anyone interested in mission or abroad work.

[Debbie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is an interesting, engaging biography of Ernie Steury. The author is an excellent storyteller, vividly portraying Ernie Steury's life and personality through dramatic, amazing, and funny stories. The book does cover some of his childhood and early adulthood, but mainly focuses on his work in Kenya.

Much information is included about the local culture and the problems local customs created during medical treatment, like the superstitions about death, blood, and spirits and the practices of female circumcision and infanticide. However, the living conditions at the hospital weren't as primitive as in some missionary books.

Most of the surgery scenes are not highly graphic, but the few that are might make people queasy if they get queasy watching TV surgery scenes.

The book quotes letters and articles written by Dr. Steury to show the emotional stresses and ups and downs of missionary work. It also includes quotes from family, friends, and staff. I'd highly recommend this book to anyone interested in medical missions or in rural Kenya.

[Madelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the true story of Dr. Ernie Steury, who went to Tenwek Hospital in Kenya is the 1950's when it was just 12 beds. He retired from there in 1994 with the hospital at 350 beds because of his leadership. I loved the story of this humble man and his family who sacrificed so much of their personal lives to better the physical and spiritual lives of the people of Kenya. His stories of many miracles there, of surgeries performed without proper equipment, of rebel uprisings and so much more showed evidence of God's hand on his life over the almost 40 years he spent there. The ending is very sad, but I will leave that for you to read. I highly recommend this book. Our son Malin and his wife Sara with our granddaughters, Amelia and Meredith, are serving there with Samaritan's Purse for two years. He is a dentist and Sara is an OB. Reading this gave me a glimpse into their daily lives so far away.

[Roger Md · Rating 5 out of 5]

Inspirational and informative.
This Doctor of Medicine did what I thought I was "called" to do in missionary medicine at one time. This man was in Medical School at the same time I was finishing my own medical training at the University of Illinois in Chicago. My ultimate path was less dramatic and effectual than one might consider compared to his!
How differently our individual lives unfold as we look back on our journey through life!

[Sue · Rating 4 out of 5]

I bought this book for my daughter who is in nursing school and hopes someday to use her skills in difficult places. I, of course, read it before wrapping it as a Christmas gift. I found the story a little syrupy in places, as many Christian themed books tend to be, but nevertheless found it to be interesting and inspiring.

[Stephanie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Well written biography of a lifelong missionary doctor in Kenya and his work at what became a leading mission hospital.

[Kelley Burch · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fascinating story of the life of a missionary doctor and the building of one of the largest missionary hospital's in the world.