Common Threads

Do you ever find yourself encompassed in themes?  Not fairy tale or drama themes, but perhaps lessons that seem to envelope your life, over and over and over again?

Three weeks ago I hit a painful wall.  After almost two years of being a medical missionary with summer in full swing; my community clinics thriving as well as personal patients I became numb from exhaustion.  Sometimes this seemingly relaxed culture in which I dwell can play tricks on my mind and make me feel like I am getting enough rest or time off from being the "on-call" doc when in reality I'm not.

Ok, so that made me step back and talk with some wise people in my life about how I can draw some boundaries (gosh I hate that word).

And find some silence.  And spend more time with the Lord.

Then our next team arrived.  And life was busy again, but in a good way.  Once again I was finding it difficult to have time for myself, but that's ok, I love what I do!

On Sunday at church our Pastor preached on the importance of resting in the presence of the Lord and how easy it is to become so busy serving Him that we don't have time for Him.

That same day I began reading the bible study my roommate Chelsie and I will be leading our interns in this week....on the spiritual disciplines of Silence and Solitude.

And just to re-enforce the wake up call I needed for rest and rejuvenation in the presence of the Lord...this week I have been completely disabled with a gastrointestinal amoeba.  Yuck.  With a 103 fever and 6 lb weightless in 2 days, I have had no choice but to be humbled and spend time curled up in the fetal position in silence, solitude and the presence of the Lord.  Por fin.

Don't worry.  I'm on the mend and tomorrow I'm planning on going back to work.  I have been more than appreciative of the way people have served me in my time of illness :)

But, clearly the Lord wants my attention and is trying teach me what I need.

How often we ignore those early signs or messages He is sending us.  He always knows what is best for us, yet why do we let the busyness of life get in the way?  Even if that busyness is serving Him?

"The Lord YOUR God is with you

He is mighty to save

He will take great delight in you

He will quiet you with His love

He will rejoice over you with singing."

Zephaniah 3:17

So, my challenge for this summer is to find rest in His presence amidst teams, patients, studying for my boards and mentoring interns.  To find quietness amidst the chaos.   Because it's there, and I know so is He.

Summer is Here!

DoRe Interns 2014

We are officially a month into teams....I have welcomed 7 students into the community health site on a one week and then a two week outreach.

One of the biggest blessings of the summer are the 12 interns who work within each of our sites.  My roommate Chelsie and I have the opportunity to lead the intern bible study on spiritual disciplines and get to know them on a more intimate level. 

Kacie Johnson (front row, fourth from the left) is my medical intern!  She is a fourth year nursing student who has spent the last three summers serving at the Christian camp Hume Lake in California.  She has a passion for students and children with disabilities.  After serving together for several weeks, I know we're in for an awesome summer of ministry together!

Please keep us in your prayers as we continue to welcome groups, take care of patients and prepare for an "eye" outreach in July complete with an ophthalmologist!

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Please also keep "Miguel" in your prayers.  We had a valuable meeting with a psychiatrist and infectious disease doctor last week in La Vega.  We're hoping "Miguel" will make his next visit on his own.  A huge answer to prayers came when "Miguel" was able to find a job.  Jim and I will continue to work with him on a weekly basis and set life goals.  Next step- finding housing. 

My biggest prayer for "Miguel" as he starts treatment is that he will remain compliant.  He is currently feeling great and asymptomatic, this will probably change as he continues with treatment as we don't have accessibility to the better tolerated HIV meds found in the states.  But, I continue to believe in miracles and that "Miguel's" heart changed for Christ will allow him to prevail.

I hope all of you stateside are enjoying warmer weather. :)