Since I don't have any adventurous stories to tell like Mer and Justin's survival of Tennessee's white water and the river guy or Kent's leap out of a flying machine several thousand feet in the air, I thought today's post would just be a collection of stream-of-consciousness ramblings.
1. How to Save Money on Gas
In case you haven't noticed, the price of food for our beloved four-wheeled (or six-wheeled if your an East TN country bumpkin or two-wheeled if you're my old motorcycle-riding oboe teacher) vehicles has increased to an unheard of amount. In fact, I think I could go on a date (not that I have a date but that's irrelevant to this conversation) and eat at a nice restaurant, maybe even two dates but not at the same time, for less than it would cost to fill up my car. The situation being as it is, I propose that we all bike to class. It's really not that far and it makes for some great exercise. As an added benefit, once you arrive at class you don't have to worry about the creepy pathologist-wannabe student sitting next to you; you've already worked up a sweat with a stench that would even scare away the neighbor's dog.
Since you're already on your bike, you don't have to worry about mounting your bike rack on your beloved 4, 6, or 2 wheeled vehicle or spending money on fuel that you were going to spend on your date to go exercise. You could just ride your bike straight from school to the trails. Fortunately, the powers at be at ETSU or maybe just the Baptist Student Union had the foresight to realize this efficient means of exercise and installed a set of lovely trails right behind the BSU and down the street from school. Problem solved.
2. Books
When my parents were in town the other day, it was decided that all my reading material was inadequately stored in the few meager shelves and boxes I had in my possession. So after a few hours shopping and some hard labor, we erected a bookcase in my living room. In honor of this momentous occasion I thought I'd share a few of my favorite (but not all of my favorite) reads.
The Cat in the Hat: You can't go wrong with such a children's classic. They tried to make a sequel to it, but the second is never as good as the first.
Old College Notes: Admit it You saved every set of notes from every class you took in college (I didn't). If you read through at least one lecture a night you'll never forget what you learned and you'll be able to impress all your friends with the significance of dates such as 1066 and 1492.
The Diary of Maria Carolina de Jesus: With a name this long, it must be worth reading.
Let us Now Praise Famous Men: A book I had to read for class that I actually liked.
The Call of Service: Yet another book I actually liked that was mandatory reading.
Emma: No I actually haven't read this one in its entirety. I just think it looks cool to have it sitting on my shelf.
The Color Atlas of Human Anatomy: For those of you who are illiterate. It also is a great means to scare away unwanted house guests.
3. New Spanish Words I've Learned
Taking a medical Spanish class and being around Hispanics has offered me the opportunity to expand my vocabulary.
Yeyuno
Raite
Carsit
Microweiv
Omoplato
Manzo
Puchaca
Perone
To sound really cool, you should approach a random Spanish-speaking person and say to them. "Disculpe, parece que se me perdieron todo los perones y omoplatos. Usted puede hacerme el favor de buscarlos?"
And that's the way the cookie crumbles. Happy Wednesday to all and to all a good night!
8.31.2005
8.25.2005
Public Service Announcement
This is just a friendly Public Service Announcement to let you know that...
The 16th Annual Medical Missions Seminar is less than a month away!!
Who's going to be there? Everyone (including you right?)
Lots of great organizations will be represented including:
Health Talents International
Predisan
Mision Para Cristo
The Malawi Project
International Health Care Foundation
and more!
It's a great experience to learn more about medical missions and what you can do to get involved (even if you're not a "medical" person). Such an event would cost several dollars but we're offering it to you at a special price: FREE.
So.....
If you have nothing better to do September 16-18th or any one of those days (weddings, studying for tests, or walking your dog do not count as "better things to do"), come make the short trip to Johnson City, Tennessee.
This has been a friendly service announcement from your over-studied, under-slept medical student friend :o)
The 16th Annual Medical Missions Seminar is less than a month away!!
Who's going to be there? Everyone (including you right?)
Lots of great organizations will be represented including:
Health Talents International
Predisan
Mision Para Cristo
The Malawi Project
International Health Care Foundation
and more!
It's a great experience to learn more about medical missions and what you can do to get involved (even if you're not a "medical" person). Such an event would cost several dollars but we're offering it to you at a special price: FREE.
So.....
If you have nothing better to do September 16-18th or any one of those days (weddings, studying for tests, or walking your dog do not count as "better things to do"), come make the short trip to Johnson City, Tennessee.
This has been a friendly service announcement from your over-studied, under-slept medical student friend :o)
8.23.2005
Prayer Request
If you guys would, please keep my dad in your prayers. After returning to Smyrna from visiting me this weekend, my dad had to be taken to the ER due to high fever, headache, malaise, etc.. They performed a series of tests on him and gave him some medicine, but they were unable to determine the cause of his illness. He has continued to suffer from headache and fever, and if his condition doesn't improve within the next few hours, they are readmitting him to the hospital for further evaluation and treatment.
I'd appreciate your prayers. Thank you.
Exodus 15:26
I'd appreciate your prayers. Thank you.
Exodus 15:26
8.18.2005
Que Locura!
What a crazy week it has been!!!
I guess I should start from the beginning: Saturday.
Some of us from Central decided to drive up to Damascus (Virginia) to bike part of the Creeper Trail. I was hesitant about going seeing as how I had my first Immunology exam coming up, but the ride was a welcome stress relief and a nice serendipitous moment in the form of encountering some friends from Ktown on the trail. Just as it's hard to tell what lies around the next bend of the Creeper Trail, it's hard to tell what the next bend in life holds. Little did I know that 8 hours of my planned study day would be spent in the JCMC ER. Thanks to the nice bug I caught in Guatemala, I became dehydrated. A trip next door to the hospital, several tests, a liter of saline solution, and 8 hours and I don't want to know how many dollars later, they concluded that the only conclusion they could make was that my intestines are healing.
Thanks to the wonderful faculty at Quillen, I was able to take my test a little later than expected, and everything's going well now (except for a "slight" bruise on my arm that looks like someone slugged me with a hammer :o) and a stomach that still hasn't forgiven me). Asi es la vida.
School is going well so far, and I ask for your prayers for all the exciting work that is happening here in Johnson City. Classes are difficult but quite interesting. I am constantly amazed at the structure and design with which God crafted us, and I refuse to believe the foolish statement that one of my neuroanatomy teachers stated,"Though this points to intelligent design, don't let them fool you into believing that stuff." Though I may not like studying, every day I have to praise God for his care, craftsmanship, and the wonderful blessing it is to have the opportunity to study such a creation as man.
I have been just as amazed as I have watched His word come to life with the new Hispanic ministry at church. It is wonderful to see the zeal of the new Hispanic preacher and to watch people hear the "buenas nuevas" for the first time. The Hispanic women's Bible study should be starting in a few weeks and I'm excited to see God at work in those women's lives. It's a blessing to use such a blessing as another language to minister to others and to know that God's love and Word surpass any perceived barriers of language and culture.
It's time to go learn some more gyri and sulci of our noggins. Have a great week and God bless!!
I guess I should start from the beginning: Saturday.
Some of us from Central decided to drive up to Damascus (Virginia) to bike part of the Creeper Trail. I was hesitant about going seeing as how I had my first Immunology exam coming up, but the ride was a welcome stress relief and a nice serendipitous moment in the form of encountering some friends from Ktown on the trail. Just as it's hard to tell what lies around the next bend of the Creeper Trail, it's hard to tell what the next bend in life holds. Little did I know that 8 hours of my planned study day would be spent in the JCMC ER. Thanks to the nice bug I caught in Guatemala, I became dehydrated. A trip next door to the hospital, several tests, a liter of saline solution, and 8 hours and I don't want to know how many dollars later, they concluded that the only conclusion they could make was that my intestines are healing.
Thanks to the wonderful faculty at Quillen, I was able to take my test a little later than expected, and everything's going well now (except for a "slight" bruise on my arm that looks like someone slugged me with a hammer :o) and a stomach that still hasn't forgiven me). Asi es la vida.
School is going well so far, and I ask for your prayers for all the exciting work that is happening here in Johnson City. Classes are difficult but quite interesting. I am constantly amazed at the structure and design with which God crafted us, and I refuse to believe the foolish statement that one of my neuroanatomy teachers stated,"Though this points to intelligent design, don't let them fool you into believing that stuff." Though I may not like studying, every day I have to praise God for his care, craftsmanship, and the wonderful blessing it is to have the opportunity to study such a creation as man.
I have been just as amazed as I have watched His word come to life with the new Hispanic ministry at church. It is wonderful to see the zeal of the new Hispanic preacher and to watch people hear the "buenas nuevas" for the first time. The Hispanic women's Bible study should be starting in a few weeks and I'm excited to see God at work in those women's lives. It's a blessing to use such a blessing as another language to minister to others and to know that God's love and Word surpass any perceived barriers of language and culture.
It's time to go learn some more gyri and sulci of our noggins. Have a great week and God bless!!
8.09.2005
A Day Off
I should be in Rogersville right now with my Rural Track colleagues. Instead, I'm "enjoying" the benefits of a day off. It seems that I brought back more than the cool shirt and tapestry I bought in Chichi from Guatemala. According to the doctor's visit yesterday, it appears that some little "critters" (not you Mer) have decided that my gut is a lovely place to build a starter home. The results won't be in for another week; in the meantime, it's back to taking lovely medicine and being a gracious host to my guests. Oh well. I suppose if I want to be a missionary it's necessary to learn to cope with all aspects of being a missionary, including the unpleasant ones.
On the bright side, God's allowing the missionary experience to continue here in the States. God's blessed me with the opportunity to start a women's Bible study for the Spanish-speaking women of the community. It's an exciting yet somewhat nerve-racking opportunity considering I've never led a study entirely in Spanish. After speaking to some of the women who have been coming to church and realizing that they have no idea what it means to be a daughter of God and haven't even heard of passages such as Proverbs 31, I can't get it out of my head how much these women need to know about how valuable they are and what it means to be God's precious daughter. I ask for your prayers for this opportunity and study.
It's time to hit the books again. I'm only a week and a half into school and already behind in my studies. It's definitely going to be an exciting and busy semester!
On the bright side, God's allowing the missionary experience to continue here in the States. God's blessed me with the opportunity to start a women's Bible study for the Spanish-speaking women of the community. It's an exciting yet somewhat nerve-racking opportunity considering I've never led a study entirely in Spanish. After speaking to some of the women who have been coming to church and realizing that they have no idea what it means to be a daughter of God and haven't even heard of passages such as Proverbs 31, I can't get it out of my head how much these women need to know about how valuable they are and what it means to be God's precious daughter. I ask for your prayers for this opportunity and study.
It's time to hit the books again. I'm only a week and a half into school and already behind in my studies. It's definitely going to be an exciting and busy semester!
8.06.2005
Cooking with Michele
I don't think the title of this post would work well as a TV show. I've discovered the past few days that I'm definitely no Martha Stewart. The other day I had the bright idea of buying lots of fresh vegetables, healthy food, staples, etc.. cooking them, and freezing them. This way I would have great-tasting, inexpensive, healthy food to eat when I didn't have time to cook and I wouldn't have to spend money eating junk from some fried-food place.
With my bright idea in mind and money in my wallet I set off to the grocery store and to the local produce market to purchase ingredients. I bought fresh herbs, onions, vegetables in a myriad of colors and shapes, organic pasta, milk, and fruit pops (not for cooking-I'm just addicted to them.) The cooking went fine at first: a dish of squash, zucchini, and peppers, honey glazed carrots, strawberry wheat muffins, and lime cilantro chicken. I was beginning to feel confident in my cooking abilities....until this morning.
If you ever decide to make homemade spaghetti sauce-don't do it. Don't give in to the pressure of having your very own signature sauce anytime you want it. Cough up the extra three dollars and buy a jar of your favorite brand at the store. I had all the ingredients this morning: Grainger Co. tomatoes, Vidalia onions, fresh garlic, and basil. What I didn't realize is the amount of time it would take to create such a delectable pasta topping. I can see why homemakers consider themselves self-employed. After two and a half hours and lots of unnecessary labor, my sauce was done, except I forgot to take the seeds out of the tomatoes. The recipe never said to do so, and spaghetti sauce is never advertised as "seedless" so the thought never occurred to me to remove the seeds. Sitting in my freezer are two containers of "seeded" spaghetti sauce. If you ever have the urge to try some of my soon-to-be-famous-never-to-be-made-again spaghetti sauce, feel free to visit me. I might just let you eat it with some organic pasta!
Jon, in the midst of my cooking I found the perfect salsa recipe you were looking for:
1 Friday or Saturday night
1 drive to Asheville, NC
1 pair of dancing shoes (preferably with heels)
2-4 friends (the more the better)
1 restaurant with dance floor
1 good salsa instructor
A touch of rhythm
Other people who know how to dance
Mix well and watch for two or three hours. Enjoy. Repeat every two weeks or month as necessary.
With my bright idea in mind and money in my wallet I set off to the grocery store and to the local produce market to purchase ingredients. I bought fresh herbs, onions, vegetables in a myriad of colors and shapes, organic pasta, milk, and fruit pops (not for cooking-I'm just addicted to them.) The cooking went fine at first: a dish of squash, zucchini, and peppers, honey glazed carrots, strawberry wheat muffins, and lime cilantro chicken. I was beginning to feel confident in my cooking abilities....until this morning.
If you ever decide to make homemade spaghetti sauce-don't do it. Don't give in to the pressure of having your very own signature sauce anytime you want it. Cough up the extra three dollars and buy a jar of your favorite brand at the store. I had all the ingredients this morning: Grainger Co. tomatoes, Vidalia onions, fresh garlic, and basil. What I didn't realize is the amount of time it would take to create such a delectable pasta topping. I can see why homemakers consider themselves self-employed. After two and a half hours and lots of unnecessary labor, my sauce was done, except I forgot to take the seeds out of the tomatoes. The recipe never said to do so, and spaghetti sauce is never advertised as "seedless" so the thought never occurred to me to remove the seeds. Sitting in my freezer are two containers of "seeded" spaghetti sauce. If you ever have the urge to try some of my soon-to-be-famous-never-to-be-made-again spaghetti sauce, feel free to visit me. I might just let you eat it with some organic pasta!
Jon, in the midst of my cooking I found the perfect salsa recipe you were looking for:
1 Friday or Saturday night
1 drive to Asheville, NC
1 pair of dancing shoes (preferably with heels)
2-4 friends (the more the better)
1 restaurant with dance floor
1 good salsa instructor
A touch of rhythm
Other people who know how to dance
Mix well and watch for two or three hours. Enjoy. Repeat every two weeks or month as necessary.
8.01.2005
Blessed
Blessed.
Not exactly the word that would readily come to mind to describe the first day of medical school, but I can think of no other word that aptly describes my sentiments at this present moment.
Blessed because God guided me into the career where I can best serve Him and perform a job that I love.
Blessed because I have such a rare opportunity to attempt to understand the inner workings of God's greatest creation.
Blessed because I am part of a loving church family both at home and away.
Blessed because of an answered prayer in the form of the new Hispanic minister at Central and an opportunity to continue working in bringing "el evangelio" to new ears even here in the United States.
Blessed to have such a wonderful Savior who reached out to the lost sheep like myself.
It's going to be a blessed year, a year of hard work and long hours, but a joyful year.
Not exactly the word that would readily come to mind to describe the first day of medical school, but I can think of no other word that aptly describes my sentiments at this present moment.
Blessed because God guided me into the career where I can best serve Him and perform a job that I love.
Blessed because I have such a rare opportunity to attempt to understand the inner workings of God's greatest creation.
Blessed because I am part of a loving church family both at home and away.
Blessed because of an answered prayer in the form of the new Hispanic minister at Central and an opportunity to continue working in bringing "el evangelio" to new ears even here in the United States.
Blessed to have such a wonderful Savior who reached out to the lost sheep like myself.
It's going to be a blessed year, a year of hard work and long hours, but a joyful year.
7.29.2005
On the Road Again
Tomorrow I hit road again-this time to drive to Johnson City for school. It has been a crazy and wonderful summer, but it's time to get back to work. Kinda weird to think that less than a week ago I was in some mountain village where the majority of the people couldn't read, and in less than a week I'll be in a classroom full of well-read intellectuals.
I heard a great piece of advice the other day: Though the harvest may be full and white and the workers few, you can't harvest with a dull sickle. My sickle needs sharpening which means I will be focusing most of my energy in the ministry of the study of medicine, working with the new Hispanic ministry at Central, and wherever else God leads me. As a result, my blog posting and subsequent blog reading will greatly diminish (not that I'm sure that more than 1-2 of you actually read this.) My phone is always available (don't worry about my minutes) and I do return emails on a more regular basis so feel free to contact me "sin pena."
I hope you all have a great rest of the summer and think about your friend hitting the books this week :o) !
"And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus." -Philippians 4:19
I heard a great piece of advice the other day: Though the harvest may be full and white and the workers few, you can't harvest with a dull sickle. My sickle needs sharpening which means I will be focusing most of my energy in the ministry of the study of medicine, working with the new Hispanic ministry at Central, and wherever else God leads me. As a result, my blog posting and subsequent blog reading will greatly diminish (not that I'm sure that more than 1-2 of you actually read this.) My phone is always available (don't worry about my minutes) and I do return emails on a more regular basis so feel free to contact me "sin pena."
I hope you all have a great rest of the summer and think about your friend hitting the books this week :o) !
"And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus." -Philippians 4:19
7.27.2005
Saludos desde Smyrna
3 weeks, 3 months or 3 years. I still don't think I would have been ready to leave such a beautiful people and the work God is doing there, but all good things must come to an end and there's a time and a place for everything.
The following is something I wanted to post a few weeks ago but between being sick and being in the middle of nowhere, I never posted it. I'll be writing a missions report about my trip so just let me know if you want a copy.
"The body is a unit, though it is made up of many parts: and though its parts are many, they form one body. So it is with Christ. Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it." -I Corinthians 12:12,27
The following is something I wanted to post a few weeks ago but between being sick and being in the middle of nowhere, I never posted it. I'll be writing a missions report about my trip so just let me know if you want a copy.
The Body of Christ
I think anatomy was one of the hardest classes I've taken but the one that strengthened my faith the most. It seems odd to think that working with a cadaver for a semester has anything to do with spiritual growth, yet through such study I understand how the body works. I've seen how each and every part is connected together and works with every other part to sustain life. Just as we are all different on the outside, we are all different on the inside as well. Every body has its abnormality, its imperfection, yet the body learns to cope and adapt to those eccentricities. There are thousands of different parts of our body: nerves, tissues, vessels, muscles, etc. yet each one has a special place and function. Each part of the body communicates to keep everything running. When there is a weakness in the system-an infection-the immune system sends out special cells and the whole body works to help restore the damaged part-often at the expense of other parts.
And so it should be with the body of Christ. We all have our flaws, our weaknesses, and our different roles and talents that we've been given. At the same time, we each have those abnormalites and functions for a specific God-designed purpose that is meant to be communicated throughout the body so that the body of Christ might be built up and strengthened. Unfortunately, I think oftentimes our communication is blocked by fear of going past the skin-deep "How are you?" and seeing the infection or damage among certain parts of the body. Just as our own body sacrifices for one part when damaged, so we should also supprt our weaker members in love so that the whole body might be strengthened.
"The body is a unit, though it is made up of many parts: and though its parts are many, they form one body. So it is with Christ. Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it." -I Corinthians 12:12,27
7.24.2005
How to Lose 5 Pounds...
..in 5 Days!!!
No I haven't disappeared. I just got attacked by amebic dysentery and Shigellosis all at once last Monday and am just getting over it. I was so excited when I got to eat breakfast this morning without the fear I'd regret it later. Its definitely not an experience I want to repeat and I don't recommend driving to Tikal while sick (but if you do there's a good doctor in Rio Dulce). I guess God is just getting me over any fear of being sick abroad and teaching me to perservere through any situation.
Its been an amazing experience the past few weeks and I know I will dearly miss all the friends I had and the I made here. It's been such a wonderful experience to be a part of God's work, sharing Christ, not religion, with those who need Him most, truly enjoying the presence of my brothers and sisters in Christ and the common love of God.
Since Friday I've been with Health Talents and a group of 50 working in the villages around ChiChicastenango. The poverty here is astounding but the people are so precious and pure, true sheep in need of a shepard. What a blessing it has been to spend three weeks serving our Lord in Guatemala.
No I haven't disappeared. I just got attacked by amebic dysentery and Shigellosis all at once last Monday and am just getting over it. I was so excited when I got to eat breakfast this morning without the fear I'd regret it later. Its definitely not an experience I want to repeat and I don't recommend driving to Tikal while sick (but if you do there's a good doctor in Rio Dulce). I guess God is just getting me over any fear of being sick abroad and teaching me to perservere through any situation.
Its been an amazing experience the past few weeks and I know I will dearly miss all the friends I had and the I made here. It's been such a wonderful experience to be a part of God's work, sharing Christ, not religion, with those who need Him most, truly enjoying the presence of my brothers and sisters in Christ and the common love of God.
Since Friday I've been with Health Talents and a group of 50 working in the villages around ChiChicastenango. The poverty here is astounding but the people are so precious and pure, true sheep in need of a shepard. What a blessing it has been to spend three weeks serving our Lord in Guatemala.
7.13.2005
A Letter from Guatemala
Hola!
It´s been a week since I last wrote and so much has happened since then. I've written and rewritten this trying to capture the wonder and marvel of what God has done, but I simply can´t put it all into a few paragraphs so I'll try to do what I can.
What an awesome God we serve!
The past few days were spent in La Union, Zacapa, one of the poorest departments in an already poor country. How do I begin to describe the incredible love and compassion of God that I have witnessed during the past few days? How do I describe seeing a man with leprosy and thinking about the compassion Christ must have had to reach out and touch this hideous disease and the person suffering from it? How do I describe the love of my friends and brothers and La Union and the hospitality they showed me? How do I describe the wonderful feeling it is to work with people who give 110% to serving the Lord and whose only desire is to be the vessels through which God works to save his people?
Monday Raul, Eybi (the preacher and his wife,) and I woke early and went to the community of Tasharte. For those of you have been to such places as Montaña Izopo and Montaña de la Flor in Honduras, Tasharte is very similar. Since the doctor who was with us Saturday and Sunday had to work Monday, he had already left. Wanting to help the people in some way even though I couldn´t give them medicine, I decided to give them something that would last longer than anything received from a doctor´s visit: education. With Eybi´s help, I taught a class about handwashing and how to make a simple drink that will keep their children from dying of dehydration. I´m a firm believer that an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure and that educating and empowering people does more than any handout could. To make a long story short, the rest of the day was spent in a devotional, handing out food and clothing, and breaking piñatas with the children.
To look at it, it wasn´t much: an elementary lesson in health, some candy in a couple of piñatas and a few pieces of worn clothing. Yet to these people, it meant so much. It was if it were Christmas and they had just opened the best present in the world. It was all I could do not to cry as I saw the look on the faces of our brothers and sisters in Christ. All I could do was offer a million thanks to God and his infinite love and compassion he has for ¨the least of these¨¨and of all the things that He put into place to allow this wonderful event to occur.
Tomorrow I leave for another campaign, 1-2 days of evangelism and 2 days of clinic. I can´t wait. I think I'm beginning to have an inkling of how truly great and immeasurable is the love God has for us.
Por la causa de la cruz,
Michele
¨Praise the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits
who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases,
who redeems your life from the pit
and crowns you with love and compassion.¨ -Psalms 103:2-4
It´s been a week since I last wrote and so much has happened since then. I've written and rewritten this trying to capture the wonder and marvel of what God has done, but I simply can´t put it all into a few paragraphs so I'll try to do what I can.
What an awesome God we serve!
The past few days were spent in La Union, Zacapa, one of the poorest departments in an already poor country. How do I begin to describe the incredible love and compassion of God that I have witnessed during the past few days? How do I describe seeing a man with leprosy and thinking about the compassion Christ must have had to reach out and touch this hideous disease and the person suffering from it? How do I describe the love of my friends and brothers and La Union and the hospitality they showed me? How do I describe the wonderful feeling it is to work with people who give 110% to serving the Lord and whose only desire is to be the vessels through which God works to save his people?
Monday Raul, Eybi (the preacher and his wife,) and I woke early and went to the community of Tasharte. For those of you have been to such places as Montaña Izopo and Montaña de la Flor in Honduras, Tasharte is very similar. Since the doctor who was with us Saturday and Sunday had to work Monday, he had already left. Wanting to help the people in some way even though I couldn´t give them medicine, I decided to give them something that would last longer than anything received from a doctor´s visit: education. With Eybi´s help, I taught a class about handwashing and how to make a simple drink that will keep their children from dying of dehydration. I´m a firm believer that an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure and that educating and empowering people does more than any handout could. To make a long story short, the rest of the day was spent in a devotional, handing out food and clothing, and breaking piñatas with the children.
To look at it, it wasn´t much: an elementary lesson in health, some candy in a couple of piñatas and a few pieces of worn clothing. Yet to these people, it meant so much. It was if it were Christmas and they had just opened the best present in the world. It was all I could do not to cry as I saw the look on the faces of our brothers and sisters in Christ. All I could do was offer a million thanks to God and his infinite love and compassion he has for ¨the least of these¨¨and of all the things that He put into place to allow this wonderful event to occur.
Tomorrow I leave for another campaign, 1-2 days of evangelism and 2 days of clinic. I can´t wait. I think I'm beginning to have an inkling of how truly great and immeasurable is the love God has for us.
Por la causa de la cruz,
Michele
¨Praise the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits
who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases,
who redeems your life from the pit
and crowns you with love and compassion.¨ -Psalms 103:2-4
7.06.2005
Greetings desde Guatemala
Good afternoon from Guatemala!
I am currently sitting in one of the infamous internet cafes trying to figure out the keyboard.
I arrived here yesterday without problems and have enjoyed every moment since. I cannot express to you what a joy it is to be here and to spend time with such wonderful Christian brothers and sisters such as Nancy and Manuel, two special friends whose great faith and willingness to allow God to use them is such an encouragement to me. It is such a blessing God has given us to have "family" in all parts of the world and to know that though we may be different in our language, culture, or location, we are all united in Christ.
Yesterday Nancy and I attended a women´s Bible study where the topic was the plagues of Egypt and how we each have our own plagues in our life. It reminded me of my own plagues that exist in my life, and how we are, myself included, so concerned about our physical bodies but seem to forget the "plagues" inside each of us.
It is interesting how we´re "religious" when it comes to things to keep our physical body healthy, spending money and time at the gym or on the latest diet, yet we are undisciplined in our spiritual training. Why is it that we don´t hesitate to ask for prayers for someone dying of an infection; however, if that same person were dying from whatever sin is infecting them, we would be so hesitant to petition prayer?
The next few weeks I will see many people suffering from illness as we hold campaigns in Jutiapa and La Union, Guatemala. I ask for your prayers that God not only opens our eyes to the physical needs of the people we encounter, but also that He shows us their spiritual needs as well and gives us strength to overcome any barrier of language, culture, or fear that may keep us from ministering to God´s precious children.
It´s going to be a busy but wonderful three weeks!!!
"Surely he took up our infirmities and carried our sorrows." -Isaiah 53:4
I am currently sitting in one of the infamous internet cafes trying to figure out the keyboard.
I arrived here yesterday without problems and have enjoyed every moment since. I cannot express to you what a joy it is to be here and to spend time with such wonderful Christian brothers and sisters such as Nancy and Manuel, two special friends whose great faith and willingness to allow God to use them is such an encouragement to me. It is such a blessing God has given us to have "family" in all parts of the world and to know that though we may be different in our language, culture, or location, we are all united in Christ.
Yesterday Nancy and I attended a women´s Bible study where the topic was the plagues of Egypt and how we each have our own plagues in our life. It reminded me of my own plagues that exist in my life, and how we are, myself included, so concerned about our physical bodies but seem to forget the "plagues" inside each of us.
It is interesting how we´re "religious" when it comes to things to keep our physical body healthy, spending money and time at the gym or on the latest diet, yet we are undisciplined in our spiritual training. Why is it that we don´t hesitate to ask for prayers for someone dying of an infection; however, if that same person were dying from whatever sin is infecting them, we would be so hesitant to petition prayer?
The next few weeks I will see many people suffering from illness as we hold campaigns in Jutiapa and La Union, Guatemala. I ask for your prayers that God not only opens our eyes to the physical needs of the people we encounter, but also that He shows us their spiritual needs as well and gives us strength to overcome any barrier of language, culture, or fear that may keep us from ministering to God´s precious children.
It´s going to be a busy but wonderful three weeks!!!
"Surely he took up our infirmities and carried our sorrows." -Isaiah 53:4
7.03.2005
Pictures!
Cammie and I somewhere in the Grand Canyon.
Sunset at Hopi Point.
That's all for now. Disfrutenlas!
7.02.2005
Just a Song...
..I've been listening to a lot lately.
I could travel over oceans, cross the deserts, climb the mountains
Just to share Your story, bring You glory, and win souls for You.
I could sing like an angel, songs so humble and so thankful
Full of drama and emotion, so the world would know Your truth.
I could give away my money and my clothes and my food
To restore those people who are poor, and lost, and down-and-out.
I could succeed at all these things,
Find favor with peasants and kings,
But if I do not love, I am nothing.
I could live a flawless life,
Never cheat or steal or lie,
And always speak so kindly, smile warmly, and go about doing good.
I could dedicate myself to do what everyone else wants me to-
Listen to them, compliment them, say the things I should.
I could show up every Sunday, lead the choir and Bible study
And they all might come to know me as a leader and a friend.
Oh, I could achieve success on Earth, but success cannot define my worth
And all these actions, all these words, will not matter in the end-
Songs will fade to silence,
Stories, they will cease.
The dust will settle, covering all my selfless deeds.
So as I strive to serve You,
Won't you make it clear to me,
That if I do not love, I am nothing.
And if I cannot live my life loving my brother,
Then how can I love the One who lived His life for me?
Sent to Earth from Heaven,
Humble Servant, Holy King,
Come to share a story, get no glory, and save my searching soul,
You knew that I'd deny You, crucify You, but nothing could stop You
from living for me, dying for me,
so that I would know-
That songs will fade to silence,
Stories they will cease,
The dust will settle covering all my selfless deeds.
But Your life here has made it clear enough for me to see
That if I do not love, I am nothing.
I could travel over oceans, cross the deserts, climb the mountains
Just to share Your story, bring You glory, and win souls for You.
I could sing like an angel, songs so humble and so thankful
Full of drama and emotion, so the world would know Your truth.
I could give away my money and my clothes and my food
To restore those people who are poor, and lost, and down-and-out.
I could succeed at all these things,
Find favor with peasants and kings,
But if I do not love, I am nothing.
I could live a flawless life,
Never cheat or steal or lie,
And always speak so kindly, smile warmly, and go about doing good.
I could dedicate myself to do what everyone else wants me to-
Listen to them, compliment them, say the things I should.
I could show up every Sunday, lead the choir and Bible study
And they all might come to know me as a leader and a friend.
Oh, I could achieve success on Earth, but success cannot define my worth
And all these actions, all these words, will not matter in the end-
Songs will fade to silence,
Stories, they will cease.
The dust will settle, covering all my selfless deeds.
So as I strive to serve You,
Won't you make it clear to me,
That if I do not love, I am nothing.
And if I cannot live my life loving my brother,
Then how can I love the One who lived His life for me?
Sent to Earth from Heaven,
Humble Servant, Holy King,
Come to share a story, get no glory, and save my searching soul,
You knew that I'd deny You, crucify You, but nothing could stop You
from living for me, dying for me,
so that I would know-
That songs will fade to silence,
Stories they will cease,
The dust will settle covering all my selfless deeds.
But Your life here has made it clear enough for me to see
That if I do not love, I am nothing.
-Ginny Owens
6.28.2005
One Week
One week until I leave for Guatemala. One week until I begin the journey that I have been looking forward to, though didn't know it, since the day I stepped off the plane last July. Many things have changed in that year and my glasses aren't so rose-tinted; I just hope my heart for the work and the people haven't changed. It will be a bittersweet trip-no trip to Honduras for the first time in years. My friends have been emailing me asking when I will return; I have to answer them "I don't know." It was my brothers/sisters/friends in Honduras that truly taught me what it was to live the life of a Christian and what it means to be a part of the family of God. Their unwilling devotion to the causes of Christ taught me it's not about saying "I'm a Christian. A member of the (insert favorite political party here) and actively involved in my community and church committees." Rather, it's about living a pure life of sacrificial love and a life whose purpose is to show Christ to everyone, taking that next step even when one doesn't know where that next step leads.
But I'm rambling as usual. I'm looking forward to Guatemala and what it holds whatever and wherever in Guatemala that may be. You could say I don't exactly know my itinerary but then do I ever know? I suppose this will be a week of preparation and prayer for me. I ask for your prayers too:
That I am open and willing to do whatever God asks of me
That he will open the hearts of the people we encounter
That language and cultural values will not be a barrier in sharing God's love with others
That He gives us all strength and courage to face whatever we encounter
Thanks for your prayers. I know the previous trips would have not been what they were without them. More to come later...
But I'm rambling as usual. I'm looking forward to Guatemala and what it holds whatever and wherever in Guatemala that may be. You could say I don't exactly know my itinerary but then do I ever know? I suppose this will be a week of preparation and prayer for me. I ask for your prayers too:
That I am open and willing to do whatever God asks of me
That he will open the hearts of the people we encounter
That language and cultural values will not be a barrier in sharing God's love with others
That He gives us all strength and courage to face whatever we encounter
Thanks for your prayers. I know the previous trips would have not been what they were without them. More to come later...
6.24.2005
Kingman, Arizona
So I'm finally back from my epic roadtrip that ended a few days early (long story.) Let's just say that Southern Utah and Colorado will have to be seen on another trip (spring break anyone?) If given the chance, I think everyone should hit the road for a few days and explore a part of our country they haven't seen. It gives one an appreciation for the vastness and diversity that exists under the stars and stripes.
It was an amazing to camp in the Grand Canyon for three nights and days. I remember waking up one night and peeping my head out of our tent door like some little kid spying on mom putting "Santa's gifts" under the Christmas tree. What I saw were stars-thousands of tiny scintillations decorating the night-blackened sky. Do we even have that many stars in the sky here in Tennessee? I must have sat there in awe just gazing into the blackness until I realized that my tentmate might not like drafts of 40 degree night air joining us in our tent. Then there was the experience of Cammie and I watching the sun set at Hopi point with people from all around the world, each of us unsuccessfully in our own language trying to describe the transformation of the canyon's colors as each butte paid homage to the dying golden light before fading into the obscurity of evening.
Of course, anyone knows that a roadtrip is just as much about the journey as it is about the destination which leads me to an interesting story that happened to us in Kingman, Arizona:
The incident would have never happened except that I'm allergic to the Grand Canyon or to my tent or maybe just to the state of Arizona in general. Sunday morning Cammie and I awoke early and packed up our tent so that we could make it to Las Vegas in time to check into our hotel at go to church. Yes, I'm quite aware of the irony of the previous statement, but we had plans to go to church in Vegas that night. We ate breakfast at a local coffee shop and started our drive to Las Vegas.
As we descended in altitude, the pressure in my ears correspondingly increased. My left ear adjusted to the pressure changes but my right ear just wouldn't "pop." I tried everything to make it pop: Swallowing, chewing gum, taking Sudafed, holding my nose and blowing, saying the names of all my relatives 5 times backwards (ok so maybe not this one.) Nothing worked. Two hours later we were on one of those stretches of interstate that have the sign "No services for the next 65 miles" and my ear felt like someone was jabbing an ice pick into the canal. I've never experienced an ice pick being jabbed into my ear nor do I think that such a device would fit; however, I am certain that if such a thing could happen, it would feel just like the pain I was experiencing. Something had to be done.
About this time, we arrived at Kingman, Arizona and Cammie stopped for gas. The only time I had ever heard of Kingman, Arizona was in the famous song about the mother road, Route 66. While Cammie was trying to pump gas into the car, I ran in and asked the attendant where the nearest walk-in clinic or hospital was. Looking at me like I was slightly retarded the attendant replied that the nearest hospital was across the street. I walked out of the gas station and beheld a wonderful sight: on the other side of the street the large sign saying "Emergency Department." We drove across the street where I checked myself in. I must say, I felt somewhat silly signing my chief complaint as "right ear won't pop." It was if I had written "nasal laceration from hot dog injury." Fortunately, un-popping of right ears is high on the triage list because I was in and out of the busy ER within an hour and a half. Unfortunately, it wasn't high enough on the triage list to be seen by a physician, rather by a PA. We had a somewhat interesting and not so productive visit as shared below (my thoughts interjected):
PA: So how are you today?
Me: I should respond with fine, but if I were fine then I wouldn't be spending time visiting the ER. Good...I guess...
PA: So I see your "right ear won't pop?"
Me: Actually, my friend and I have been camping in the Grand Canyon for a few days, and my sinuses have been bothering me. This morning...
PA: (interrupting) Let me just look in your ear (looks in ear.) You seem to have a slight infection in your right ear. I'm going to give you a prescription for an antibiotic and a nasal spray.
Me: Ok. Thanks.....and what should I do for the pain and to make my right ear pop?
PA: You can try some Sudafed. You can purchase it at the drugstore.
Me: Are you kidding me? So you're telling me I could have saved lots of time and money by picking up another box of Sudafed? Tried it.
PA: Well...Sudafed's not a magic pill. It may take it a few times to work... I'm just going to listen to your heart and lungs before you go. If you have any further problems, I'd see your regular doctor.
Me: Apparently she didn't take Dr.Eason's physical exam course. I think the exam is supposed to come before the diagnosis. Does she realize that my primary care doctor is 2000 miles away? Ok. Well, thanks for your help.
I went to Walgreen's nearby and picked up my prescriptions (another long story) my right ear still unpopped. An hour and a half later and almost 6 hours since the initial pain, my ear finally popped about the time we were stuck in traffic driving over one of the engineering wonders of the world. I guess I shouldn't complain too much. The little girl in the room next door had (no joke) rocks in her ears.
So that's my experience with the famed Kingman, Arizona. Sometimes the journey is just as interesting as the destination.
It was an amazing to camp in the Grand Canyon for three nights and days. I remember waking up one night and peeping my head out of our tent door like some little kid spying on mom putting "Santa's gifts" under the Christmas tree. What I saw were stars-thousands of tiny scintillations decorating the night-blackened sky. Do we even have that many stars in the sky here in Tennessee? I must have sat there in awe just gazing into the blackness until I realized that my tentmate might not like drafts of 40 degree night air joining us in our tent. Then there was the experience of Cammie and I watching the sun set at Hopi point with people from all around the world, each of us unsuccessfully in our own language trying to describe the transformation of the canyon's colors as each butte paid homage to the dying golden light before fading into the obscurity of evening.
Of course, anyone knows that a roadtrip is just as much about the journey as it is about the destination which leads me to an interesting story that happened to us in Kingman, Arizona:
The incident would have never happened except that I'm allergic to the Grand Canyon or to my tent or maybe just to the state of Arizona in general. Sunday morning Cammie and I awoke early and packed up our tent so that we could make it to Las Vegas in time to check into our hotel at go to church. Yes, I'm quite aware of the irony of the previous statement, but we had plans to go to church in Vegas that night. We ate breakfast at a local coffee shop and started our drive to Las Vegas.
As we descended in altitude, the pressure in my ears correspondingly increased. My left ear adjusted to the pressure changes but my right ear just wouldn't "pop." I tried everything to make it pop: Swallowing, chewing gum, taking Sudafed, holding my nose and blowing, saying the names of all my relatives 5 times backwards (ok so maybe not this one.) Nothing worked. Two hours later we were on one of those stretches of interstate that have the sign "No services for the next 65 miles" and my ear felt like someone was jabbing an ice pick into the canal. I've never experienced an ice pick being jabbed into my ear nor do I think that such a device would fit; however, I am certain that if such a thing could happen, it would feel just like the pain I was experiencing. Something had to be done.
About this time, we arrived at Kingman, Arizona and Cammie stopped for gas. The only time I had ever heard of Kingman, Arizona was in the famous song about the mother road, Route 66. While Cammie was trying to pump gas into the car, I ran in and asked the attendant where the nearest walk-in clinic or hospital was. Looking at me like I was slightly retarded the attendant replied that the nearest hospital was across the street. I walked out of the gas station and beheld a wonderful sight: on the other side of the street the large sign saying "Emergency Department." We drove across the street where I checked myself in. I must say, I felt somewhat silly signing my chief complaint as "right ear won't pop." It was if I had written "nasal laceration from hot dog injury." Fortunately, un-popping of right ears is high on the triage list because I was in and out of the busy ER within an hour and a half. Unfortunately, it wasn't high enough on the triage list to be seen by a physician, rather by a PA. We had a somewhat interesting and not so productive visit as shared below (my thoughts interjected):
PA: So how are you today?
Me: I should respond with fine, but if I were fine then I wouldn't be spending time visiting the ER. Good...I guess...
PA: So I see your "right ear won't pop?"
Me: Actually, my friend and I have been camping in the Grand Canyon for a few days, and my sinuses have been bothering me. This morning...
PA: (interrupting) Let me just look in your ear (looks in ear.) You seem to have a slight infection in your right ear. I'm going to give you a prescription for an antibiotic and a nasal spray.
Me: Ok. Thanks.....and what should I do for the pain and to make my right ear pop?
PA: You can try some Sudafed. You can purchase it at the drugstore.
Me: Are you kidding me? So you're telling me I could have saved lots of time and money by picking up another box of Sudafed? Tried it.
PA: Well...Sudafed's not a magic pill. It may take it a few times to work... I'm just going to listen to your heart and lungs before you go. If you have any further problems, I'd see your regular doctor.
Me: Apparently she didn't take Dr.Eason's physical exam course. I think the exam is supposed to come before the diagnosis. Does she realize that my primary care doctor is 2000 miles away? Ok. Well, thanks for your help.
I went to Walgreen's nearby and picked up my prescriptions (another long story) my right ear still unpopped. An hour and a half later and almost 6 hours since the initial pain, my ear finally popped about the time we were stuck in traffic driving over one of the engineering wonders of the world. I guess I shouldn't complain too much. The little girl in the room next door had (no joke) rocks in her ears.
So that's my experience with the famed Kingman, Arizona. Sometimes the journey is just as interesting as the destination.
6.23.2005
Thanks
I just wanted to thank you for your prayers the past few weeks. My grandfather has made remarkable improvement, from coding in the hospital a few weeks ago to sitting up in a chair and talking with my mom last night. He's in a nursing home right now, and I'm not sure when/if he'll be able to come home seeing as how my grandma isn't in much better health than he. I suppose all things will continue to work out the way the Lord wills them.
After 2000 miles and 3 days on the road I'm home a few days early from a crazy and interesting trip out west. More to come on that when I've had time to recover from spending the majority of the past few days in the seat of a car watching I-40 fly by. It's been a crazy few weeks for the Gourley household. Gotta love the crooks and curves of life's road!
After 2000 miles and 3 days on the road I'm home a few days early from a crazy and interesting trip out west. More to come on that when I've had time to recover from spending the majority of the past few days in the seat of a car watching I-40 fly by. It's been a crazy few weeks for the Gourley household. Gotta love the crooks and curves of life's road!
6.12.2005
Quick Request
If you could keep my 86 year old grandfather and my family (especially my mom) in your prayers, I'd appreciate it. My grandfather's been in and out of ICU at the hospital the past few days and I'm about to leave for a road trip out west for a few weeks though it looks like my trip may get cut short. I guess during times like these you just have to have faith that everything will work out the way it should. Thanks for your prayers.
6.09.2005
A Week Out West
I was supposed to go with Mom and Dad to hear the Mormon Tabernacle Choir rehearse tonight. Instead, I'm waiting in my hotel room for a phone call from Guatemala to finalize plans for next month's trip. I thought I'd post a summary of the past few days, but then I realized, "How do you summarize a week of memories and unforgettable moments?" How do you describe one of the best worship services on a Sunday morning in a small town in Idaho, the peaceful setting of an agrarian community, the feeling upon seeing those snow-covered rocky sentinels surrounding a placid mountain lake, the sounds of solitude when the only visible man-made thing is the trail in front of you, or the wonder of a myriad of different bubbling waters erupting from the ground?
There's something about being among such grandiose creations that calms the worries in your soul and causes you to realize that your problems and fears are trivial in the grand scheme of life. It has been a joyful week of picking up all those little pieces of my life that have gotten lost on the wayside the past few years and remembering to savor the small surprises found in every day.
I thought I'd share a few pictiures from the past week:
Magic Valley Christian College
The site of the building where my dad used to live at MVCC in the quaint and dying town of Albion, Idaho.
Caution: Slow Moving Vehicles
One of our many encounters with wildlife while at Yellowstone. At last count, we'd seen buffalo, elk, big horn sheep, buffalo, swans, bald eagles, buffalo, black bear, grizzly cubs, buffalo, geese, yellow-bellied marmots, ground squirrels, and numerous species of birds. Did I mention that we saw buffalo?
The Great Divide
Yes, that's snow in the background! It was freezing cold most of our visit which sent me scrambling to the store for a hat and wearing every bit of semi-warm clothing I'd brought (the weather man said it'd be 60 degrees-can't trust weathermen.)
Clepsydra Geyser
One of the many wonders of our nation's first national park.
Grand Tetons
This picture was taken from Jackson Lake. It certainly doesn't portray the imcomprable beauty of these lofty peaks.
What can I say? The West is a beautiful place. I wonder if they'll need an MD in a few years?
There's something about being among such grandiose creations that calms the worries in your soul and causes you to realize that your problems and fears are trivial in the grand scheme of life. It has been a joyful week of picking up all those little pieces of my life that have gotten lost on the wayside the past few years and remembering to savor the small surprises found in every day.
I thought I'd share a few pictiures from the past week:
Magic Valley Christian College
The site of the building where my dad used to live at MVCC in the quaint and dying town of Albion, Idaho.
Caution: Slow Moving Vehicles
One of our many encounters with wildlife while at Yellowstone. At last count, we'd seen buffalo, elk, big horn sheep, buffalo, swans, bald eagles, buffalo, black bear, grizzly cubs, buffalo, geese, yellow-bellied marmots, ground squirrels, and numerous species of birds. Did I mention that we saw buffalo?
The Great Divide
Yes, that's snow in the background! It was freezing cold most of our visit which sent me scrambling to the store for a hat and wearing every bit of semi-warm clothing I'd brought (the weather man said it'd be 60 degrees-can't trust weathermen.)
Clepsydra Geyser
One of the many wonders of our nation's first national park.
Grand Tetons
This picture was taken from Jackson Lake. It certainly doesn't portray the imcomprable beauty of these lofty peaks.
What can I say? The West is a beautiful place. I wonder if they'll need an MD in a few years?
6.02.2005
Blog on a Break
Last night was one of those deja vu moments. As we boarded the bus in the rain to traverse the city on our prayer campaign, I was sharply reminded of Tuesday nights in Honduras. You see, most Tuesday nights some of the Baxter students and myself would meet at the clinic to catch the church bus in the rain (it always rains at night in Honduras) to go to church. There we would spend the hour in small prayer groups praying for whatever was on our hearts or sharing how God answered our prayers the week before. It was a fond recollection as the church in Smyrna rode the bus(es) together last night and gathered in prayer.
Due to the overwhelming demands I have made on my blog, it has decided that it needs a vacation. Besides, I don't think that towns with populations of less than 300 people nor the vast wilderness of the national parks provide ready access to the internet. Therefore, it is unlikely that you'll be hearing from me for the next week or so. However, I will have my cell phone with me should it work or you can try to reach me by homing pigeon (I hear they find Old Faithful quite delightful.)
Trite as it may seem, I ask for your prayers for our safety and that everything goes smoothly the next week. I hope you all have a wonderful week wherever you may be!!!
Due to the overwhelming demands I have made on my blog, it has decided that it needs a vacation. Besides, I don't think that towns with populations of less than 300 people nor the vast wilderness of the national parks provide ready access to the internet. Therefore, it is unlikely that you'll be hearing from me for the next week or so. However, I will have my cell phone with me should it work or you can try to reach me by homing pigeon (I hear they find Old Faithful quite delightful.)
Trite as it may seem, I ask for your prayers for our safety and that everything goes smoothly the next week. I hope you all have a wonderful week wherever you may be!!!
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