Brazil, finally

Well, here it is the end of July. I've been back from Brazil for about a month and a half, and I still miss it. I'm sorry to all my readers (the few of you who are left) for not writing on this for about 2 months. I've actually had a lot going on and lots to tell, but it got to the point where how much I needed to tell all added up and I didn't want to type it all out. SO hopefully I'll have a few posts over the next week or so to talk about my summer adventures.

First off, let me say a BIG thank you for all of you who supported me--financially or prayerfully or both--with Brazil.

This trip was different than all trips I have been on. I've left the country 3 times now. Since the first 2 times were to Europe, the cultural differences were less noticeable (at first, at least). Arriving in Brazil, I got a big WHAM! of cultural differences that made sure I knew I was no longer in the U.S. Things like "don't flush your toilet paper" or "don't drink the tap water." Sometimes even things like "here's a chicken heart; try it." In the end, I loved the differences in their culture and mine. Reaching that point is something I think most Americans find difficult. I could be wrong and just speaking for myself, but sometimes one gets a bit defensive of his or her own culture and doesn't want to live in someone else's. We Americans are a bit prideful (not that we don't have reason to be a lot of the time). It's taken me some time, but I finally arrived at that wonderful realization.

Brazil opened my eyes to medical missions. I didn't necessarily get to do a lot when it came to actually practicing medicine, but I did get to see how much doctors are needed there... and how much health care is lacking. People there came to see the docs for anything you could imagine. There weren't exactly any emergencies (thank goodness), but the people there are still sick. Every child came in with worms and lice. Most of the adults had them as well. Low blood pressures and high heart rates were common--mostly due to dehydration.

As far as the evangelism aspect goes, every person who saw a doctor was given the opportunity to hear about Jesus and why we were there. Over half of the ~700 people seen by the doctors claimed Jesus Christ as their Savior by the end of the week. There were several other outreach programs--with kids, with the neighborhood--so the word of God was spread all around.

I would love to make the trip there again next year and the next, but I'm pretty sure my school schedule won't allow it. I could be wrong, but in this instance, I'm about 90% positive I am right. One of the few times someone hates to be right. All in all, Brazil took a little piece of my heart, and I can't wait to go back one day to find it.

The Medical Team

A few of the children who liked the camera :)

All of the translators (oh yeah, plus me)

The translator I worked with the most, Denise, asking a patient about her complaints

Most of the MS volunteers

Some of the kids who came to see the doc :)

What would you give up?

Tonight I've been thinking a lot about the question, "What would you give up in order for someone to know Christ?"

Ideally, we'd all answer, "Everything." That's easy enough to say out loud (or in your head), but when you get down to naming things in particular, it gets really hard. I did this once while I was in Germany, and it really makes your wheels turn. Here are a few things that I'd be willing to give up if it meant that someone would come to know my Savior. Some may seem silly--but they're all things that, in the end, are very close to me.

Some simple things like...
Being able to wear make-up
Watching movies
Eating Peanut Butter
The Internet
My cell phone
Hot showers
Contacts

Some more serious things like..
My worldly happiness (for I, like everyone else, seek happiness on this earth)
My vision
My ability to walk
Being able to see my family or friends
My language--or comprehension of any language
My reputation
My pride
...and ultimately, my life

Some of these things I did give up for awhile. It was hard--really hard. But, if it helped someone, it was worth it. It's an interesting thought, isn't it? Hope I've given you something to think about...

Donations

Hey Everyone!

I'm currently trying to raise money for the Brazil trip I wrote about previously (click here to read it). I haven't had much time to get the word out, so I'm using all my resources now that school is out. I would absolutely love it if you would be willing to help me out financially. I honestly don't think I'd be able to thank you enough. If you read this and would like to donate (anything you're willing to give--be it $5 or $500), you can mail a check to my church. The donation is tax deductible, and my gratitude is everlasting.

If you choose to donate, checks can be made payable to First Baptist Church, and please write Day Smith on the memo line so they will know its a donation for me. We fly out on June 2, but it's ok if you still would like to send money after that. Here is my church's address:

First Baptist Church
P.O. Box 829
Columbus, MS 39701

Also, for those who would like to know more about what is going on, here is an excerpt from my support letter:

"First Baptist Church of Columbus is sending a mission team to the Pantanal, the world’s largest wetlands in Brazil, to minister to people living in very difficult and challenging areas. Our mission team efforts will involve medical, VBS Bible studies and ministry to children both at VBS and in the schools, evangelism and the construction of a new church for a congregation that does not have one. We will be working in conjunction with a Brazilian Baptist Church and its pastor, Carlos Alberto da Silva, who is a missionary pastor and part of the local Baptist Association."

Thank you for taking the time to read :)

less than 72 hours..

Another short blog....

Just asking for prayers, prayers, and more prayers. Classes are finished, 1 test done (which went really well for us all!! Praise Jesus), but we have 4 left. The ones tomorrow will be the most difficult so I ask that you remember my classmates and me when talking to our Dad! Thank you so much. When we're done, we'll all be pros when it comes to the human brain/spinal cord. Freedom is so close that I can smell it...

So Close...

Just barely a week left of classes. My last one is next Wednesday at 11. Naturally, there are plenty between now and then, but knowing I have a mere 8 days of classes left is amazing! Then 1 test on Thursday, 2 on Friday.... drum roll please.... and I'M DONE! My first year of medical school will be complete (Lord willing I pass Neuro).

I ask for your prayers for my classmates and me. We're all very worn out from studying and very, very tired.. and, for me at least, I've become very unmotivated. Please pray for strength to finish this last leg of the race!

Hope everyone is enjoying this grand Tuesday. Summer is almost here!



This is a picture of the buildings next to Wrigley Field in Chicago. There are stands on top of them. Crazy, right?

Brazil

So, I have some exciting news. I've been waiting to tell people because I wanted to make sure that it would work out, and after Monday, I saw that it would. It is now official--From June 2 to June 13 I'll have the opportunity to serve our Lord with my home church in Columbus in Corumba, Brazil.

Brazil. South America. New continent. New Adventures.

I don't even know what to think about this all. I am not new to the "mission" trip scene--after all, I did have the opportunity to serve overseas for 5 months in Germany (anyone who has met me or read this blog knows about that, haha). So that also shows that I'm not new to leaving the country, nor doing it for reasons that are beyond my understanding. What IS new is the fact that I'm going to a continent that isn't Europe, that isn't westernized, that speaks a language I know nothing of... and will be completely out of my comfort zone.

Oddly enough, I know nothing about this city I will be visiting. What I do know is that a helping hand, mind, voice, etc. is always needed and my summer was oddly vacant. What better way to spend some of it than going somewhere that could need me? God has shown his hand in all of this and how it has worked out. I just so happened to call the week before everyone was getting their visas. Even though the deadline to sign up for this trip was about 2 months ago, they still were able to work me in and just at the last minute. Talk about perfect timing, right? Now comes the most daunting task--raising the money to go on the trip. I have to raise ~$2,500. Almost the same amount I needed for Germany (which shows me how much the IMB paid on behalf of me).

To see a video of previous years, click here and scroll to the bottom.

I would like to ask for your prayers in all areas of this trip. For our hearts, for the people we will encounter, for financial aid. More news to come later. Happy Thursday!

No time for writing

don't really have a chance to write much.. but here are a few more pics of Chicago :)