Not the most exciting update for all of you blog readers out there...but today is the first day of orientation for my new job! I am excited to work for an agency that truly seems to care for their employees and patients! And to top it all off - benefits! Come November 1st, I can visit the doctor, get contacts, and do reckless things without too much fear of putting us in the poorhouse.
Praise God for answered prayer! No more nights for me!
In Christ Alone,
Lau
Tuesday, July 6, 2010
Monday, June 28, 2010
Stuck...
In two ways. Since my last blog post, we have been stuck as far as what to say when it comes to all that was promised. Also, right now I am stuck in our tiny convertible with Zoe and Sage (our pups) during a CRAZY lightning and thunderstorm while on vacation on Assateague Island. So I will use my being stuck to unstick some thoughts about SMI.
I have put a lot of thought into urban ministry. I took several classes about urban min, went through an awesome summer of training and ministry at the Pittsburgh project, and we live in a neighborhood that has made more than a few people cringe - including some residents of the neighborhood SMI was in. But the LORD never ceases to teach me new things about Him, His people, and His purposes.
My intention going to SMI was probably more about learning than doing. SMI is supposed to be about experience - and it certainly was. But what I really wanted to get from it was some concrete thoughts about urban healthcare ministry (my husband will be a doctor goodness knows how many years, after all). And the LORD exceeded anything I could have imagined.
Firstly, I had the chance to read the book about the story of Esperanza "Prescription for Hope" by Dr. Carolyn Kraus. I had been wanting to read it but could only find it on amazon.com and couldn't justify buying it. But it was made available to me as soon ad we arrived to the house. Reading about the start of the ministry has been so encouraging. It took 7 years from conception of the idea to opening of the clinic. That fact helps me a lot on days when I feel like our life is out of control and any sort of concrete future is far off. It's hard to remember, to know, that our lives are stable in Christ and that His plans will come to pass.
I am also being given the great privilege of reading a document by Esperanza's current director, Susan Post. It's called Incarnational Healthcare Ministry Esperanza Health Center as Model for Missions in North Philadelphia. I am so excited to dig in! Susan is a great example for us of someone who has chosen to her neighborhood intentionally and has committed to it. I'm sure that I will learn so much from this reading!
But of course, there are things that happened at SMI that changed me that are more subtle. For example, I never understood how influential medical personnel are. I have minimal medical training - but put me in scrubs and give me a stethoscope and the community open their doors for this group of 'doctoras'. This encourages me toward our goal of a low-cost healthcare facility because it helped me to see how eager people are to receive good, sound advice - in an age where doctors are often frustrated with the lack of response they get from their patients when it comes to making life changes. And while I don't know if our advice or encouragement to seek the excellent care provided at Esperanza will be heeded, they received our advice nonetheless.
One last thing I'll mention before I stop this super long post...SMI taught me a boldness that I didn't know I had when it came to talking to strangers, and also to praying. I saw the LORD answer prayers these two weeks and got so many chances to pray for and with others. It was renewed to me.
So...there's some wrap up thoughts...more to come, I'm sure. But the storm has passed and there's a beautiful rainbow over the Atlantic Ocean so I am no longer stuck in this car.
I have put a lot of thought into urban ministry. I took several classes about urban min, went through an awesome summer of training and ministry at the Pittsburgh project, and we live in a neighborhood that has made more than a few people cringe - including some residents of the neighborhood SMI was in. But the LORD never ceases to teach me new things about Him, His people, and His purposes.
My intention going to SMI was probably more about learning than doing. SMI is supposed to be about experience - and it certainly was. But what I really wanted to get from it was some concrete thoughts about urban healthcare ministry (my husband will be a doctor goodness knows how many years, after all). And the LORD exceeded anything I could have imagined.
Firstly, I had the chance to read the book about the story of Esperanza "Prescription for Hope" by Dr. Carolyn Kraus. I had been wanting to read it but could only find it on amazon.com and couldn't justify buying it. But it was made available to me as soon ad we arrived to the house. Reading about the start of the ministry has been so encouraging. It took 7 years from conception of the idea to opening of the clinic. That fact helps me a lot on days when I feel like our life is out of control and any sort of concrete future is far off. It's hard to remember, to know, that our lives are stable in Christ and that His plans will come to pass.
I am also being given the great privilege of reading a document by Esperanza's current director, Susan Post. It's called Incarnational Healthcare Ministry Esperanza Health Center as Model for Missions in North Philadelphia. I am so excited to dig in! Susan is a great example for us of someone who has chosen to her neighborhood intentionally and has committed to it. I'm sure that I will learn so much from this reading!
But of course, there are things that happened at SMI that changed me that are more subtle. For example, I never understood how influential medical personnel are. I have minimal medical training - but put me in scrubs and give me a stethoscope and the community open their doors for this group of 'doctoras'. This encourages me toward our goal of a low-cost healthcare facility because it helped me to see how eager people are to receive good, sound advice - in an age where doctors are often frustrated with the lack of response they get from their patients when it comes to making life changes. And while I don't know if our advice or encouragement to seek the excellent care provided at Esperanza will be heeded, they received our advice nonetheless.
One last thing I'll mention before I stop this super long post...SMI taught me a boldness that I didn't know I had when it came to talking to strangers, and also to praying. I saw the LORD answer prayers these two weeks and got so many chances to pray for and with others. It was renewed to me.
So...there's some wrap up thoughts...more to come, I'm sure. But the storm has passed and there's a beautiful rainbow over the Atlantic Ocean so I am no longer stuck in this car.
Thursday, June 24, 2010
When we have time...
Definitely have a lot to say...but no time to say it. Thoughts to come on our last few days here, Dave's shadowing, and how to take all of this back into our "real lives". Stay tuned!!!!
Monday, June 21, 2010
Special Request
I (Lauren)recieved an email from my wonderful mom requesting a little more info on the specific medical things we are doing. So here is the Stretched Blog's first ever special request entry.
We go door to door, or sometimes porch to porch. When someone consents to a health screening, we begin asking them some questions while our other team members get out the blood pressure cuff and stethoscope. We take their blood pressure while asking questions about their lifestyle. Based on the information they give us and their pressure, we give them feedback. For example, if they admit they are a heavy smoker but trying to quit, we offer what advice we can. Same with weight loss. Then we take their blood glucose reading and do similar things. We also asses their risk for diabetes through some questions about family history of diabetes or other medical conditions often associated with diabetes, like polycystic ovary disease, high cholesterol, etc.
Fortunately, there have only been a few instances in which someone's readings were dangerouslu abnormal. In those instances, we recommend they see a doctor within a certain time period, based upon the abnormality of the reading. This allows us to refer them to Esperanza.
So... There you have it! Our medical procedures!!! Any other special requests???
We go door to door, or sometimes porch to porch. When someone consents to a health screening, we begin asking them some questions while our other team members get out the blood pressure cuff and stethoscope. We take their blood pressure while asking questions about their lifestyle. Based on the information they give us and their pressure, we give them feedback. For example, if they admit they are a heavy smoker but trying to quit, we offer what advice we can. Same with weight loss. Then we take their blood glucose reading and do similar things. We also asses their risk for diabetes through some questions about family history of diabetes or other medical conditions often associated with diabetes, like polycystic ovary disease, high cholesterol, etc.
Fortunately, there have only been a few instances in which someone's readings were dangerouslu abnormal. In those instances, we recommend they see a doctor within a certain time period, based upon the abnormality of the reading. This allows us to refer them to Esperanza.
So... There you have it! Our medical procedures!!! Any other special requests???
Saturday, June 19, 2010
Catch Up
I have been very busy for the past few days, so it has been difficult to find time to write. That said, this will be a long post, so be prepared!! The past few days have been both difficult and incredible. I can literally see and feel God working in me and changing my heart, and even though it is difficult, I love it. There are a few events which stood out to me that I will reflect on: Speaking with physicians working at Esparanza health clinic, Ministry in the community, tension among the ministry team, and shadowing at Esparanza.
I love to plan for the future. Not the immediate future, but the long term future. It soothes me to think about what I will be doing ten or fifteen years from now, and it is how I get excited about life. I have been planning on taking 3-5 years after residency to work in a regular wealthy setting and pay off my 200-300K in loans. This idea was shaken after my discussions with various physicians working at
Esparanza. I always assumed that working at Esparanza would not pay enough to allow me to pay off my loans, but I was told by numerous physicians that the pay is about half I would be making elsewhere, but that there are loan repayment programs that can be used in conjunction with working at Esparanza. This way I could be gaining experience, working in a Christian environment, and LOVING my job while paying my loans off and still making more than enough to survive. I am not entirely sure that I want to work at Esparanza, but after speaking with physicians, it is certainly an awesome option!!
As I wrote earlier, the evangelism/health screenings have been going very well. I have gotten to work with Lauren a lot, which has been an enormous blessing. Sharing the Gospel alongside her is quite possibly my favorite experience of our marriage. I trust her completely, and our gifts really seem to complement each other. Some days have been more difficult than others though. A few days ago, we were doing health screenings in a hair salon, and many people came to get the screening. The manager even devoted a chair for us to give screenings in. While we saw many people, it was not intimate enough to get into the specifics of the Gospel. We felt rushed, and had to leave with only having invited everyone to the church. I felt like a failure, and did not want to go to another hair salon. God, however reminded me through His word that salvation is not up to me, and He could use us any way He wanted. The next day I was coincidentally assigned to the neighborhood with lots of businesses. Inevitably we ended up at another hair salon. I asked God for boldness and that His Will would be done. At first we were working through health screenings like there was no tomorrow with no real discussions, and then it was almost as if a window was opened and a breeze passed though the room. Conversation had begun and the Gospel was being preached. It was not forced though, and the women were very receptive. They were talking to each other about it, and we were having real conversations. I found myself taking a blood pressure and teaching someone about Jesus at the same time!! I was entirely different from the day before, and it had nothing to do with our actions or tactics.
God has been working in awesome ways, but the project has not been without its indications of the Fall. There has been an slight attitude of argument, and sarcasm, and competition growing among the group. I do not know how it found its way in, but I feel it has been detrimental to our sense of unity. I was very upset about this at first, and attempted to remedy it on my own. This only made me bitter because I was internalizing the whole thing, and I could not handle it on my own. I withdrew from the group, and was very upset, but then I remembered the song “What a friend we have in Jesus”. The song repeats over and over that we should take everything to God in prayer. Have we trials and temptations? Take it to the Lord in prayer!! I decided to do this, and it made an incredible difference. I was able to let go of these things and focus on the real reason I am here.
The final thing that shook me was my shadowing experience at Esparanza. It was my favorite experience thus far!! I was able to see five patients with the DO I was shadowing, and one of them I was able to treat with OMM on my own. OMM is about the only thing I am proficient with, and I was very excited to use it and speak with the patient. After having shadowed at Esparanza, I realized that I would love working there! There were plenty of interesting medical situations and procedures, but it also had the primary care aspect. My favorite part of the day was praying with the patients. We prayed with almost every patient!! I was able to lead the prayer for a few of them. One that stood out was a young girl who was going through a traumatic experience. There was not much medically we could do, but the girl and her mother were extremely upset about the event. We cried some with them, and as the encounter was coming to an end, I mentally marked the point where our help would come to a halt in a secular medical office. We, however, were able to treat her even further with prayer, and I believe that this was more important than anything else we said. Dr. Wisecup asked me to pray, and I could tell that the Holy Spirit was giving me the right words to comfort this mother and daughter. I realized in that moment that not only could we offer people greater spiritual guidance as Christian healthcare providers, but also more thorough medical care.
I love to plan for the future. Not the immediate future, but the long term future. It soothes me to think about what I will be doing ten or fifteen years from now, and it is how I get excited about life. I have been planning on taking 3-5 years after residency to work in a regular wealthy setting and pay off my 200-300K in loans. This idea was shaken after my discussions with various physicians working at
Esparanza. I always assumed that working at Esparanza would not pay enough to allow me to pay off my loans, but I was told by numerous physicians that the pay is about half I would be making elsewhere, but that there are loan repayment programs that can be used in conjunction with working at Esparanza. This way I could be gaining experience, working in a Christian environment, and LOVING my job while paying my loans off and still making more than enough to survive. I am not entirely sure that I want to work at Esparanza, but after speaking with physicians, it is certainly an awesome option!!
As I wrote earlier, the evangelism/health screenings have been going very well. I have gotten to work with Lauren a lot, which has been an enormous blessing. Sharing the Gospel alongside her is quite possibly my favorite experience of our marriage. I trust her completely, and our gifts really seem to complement each other. Some days have been more difficult than others though. A few days ago, we were doing health screenings in a hair salon, and many people came to get the screening. The manager even devoted a chair for us to give screenings in. While we saw many people, it was not intimate enough to get into the specifics of the Gospel. We felt rushed, and had to leave with only having invited everyone to the church. I felt like a failure, and did not want to go to another hair salon. God, however reminded me through His word that salvation is not up to me, and He could use us any way He wanted. The next day I was coincidentally assigned to the neighborhood with lots of businesses. Inevitably we ended up at another hair salon. I asked God for boldness and that His Will would be done. At first we were working through health screenings like there was no tomorrow with no real discussions, and then it was almost as if a window was opened and a breeze passed though the room. Conversation had begun and the Gospel was being preached. It was not forced though, and the women were very receptive. They were talking to each other about it, and we were having real conversations. I found myself taking a blood pressure and teaching someone about Jesus at the same time!! I was entirely different from the day before, and it had nothing to do with our actions or tactics.
God has been working in awesome ways, but the project has not been without its indications of the Fall. There has been an slight attitude of argument, and sarcasm, and competition growing among the group. I do not know how it found its way in, but I feel it has been detrimental to our sense of unity. I was very upset about this at first, and attempted to remedy it on my own. This only made me bitter because I was internalizing the whole thing, and I could not handle it on my own. I withdrew from the group, and was very upset, but then I remembered the song “What a friend we have in Jesus”. The song repeats over and over that we should take everything to God in prayer. Have we trials and temptations? Take it to the Lord in prayer!! I decided to do this, and it made an incredible difference. I was able to let go of these things and focus on the real reason I am here.
The final thing that shook me was my shadowing experience at Esparanza. It was my favorite experience thus far!! I was able to see five patients with the DO I was shadowing, and one of them I was able to treat with OMM on my own. OMM is about the only thing I am proficient with, and I was very excited to use it and speak with the patient. After having shadowed at Esparanza, I realized that I would love working there! There were plenty of interesting medical situations and procedures, but it also had the primary care aspect. My favorite part of the day was praying with the patients. We prayed with almost every patient!! I was able to lead the prayer for a few of them. One that stood out was a young girl who was going through a traumatic experience. There was not much medically we could do, but the girl and her mother were extremely upset about the event. We cried some with them, and as the encounter was coming to an end, I mentally marked the point where our help would come to a halt in a secular medical office. We, however, were able to treat her even further with prayer, and I believe that this was more important than anything else we said. Dr. Wisecup asked me to pray, and I could tell that the Holy Spirit was giving me the right words to comfort this mother and daughter. I realized in that moment that not only could we offer people greater spiritual guidance as Christian healthcare providers, but also more thorough medical care.
Wednesday, June 16, 2010
Continuation
I was forced to discontinue my previous post because Lauren's iphone unexpectedly failed. Our first day of ministry was certainly a success in more ways than one. We performed many health screenings, and presented the Gospel to many people as well. I was surprised at how receptive the people were to hearing the Gospel!! Although no one wanted to "Make a decision" for Christ, they listened to and understood the Gospel almost every time. In my past evangelism experience, I found that most people were not willing to just talk about Jesus. They seemed to think that we were trying to sell them something. This time it was different though. The medical screenings seemed to provide the people with a sense of trust an even gratitude toward us. This allowed us to smoothly transition into spiritual conversations which were infinitely more valuable to the patients than were the basic medical tests. As I anticipated this project, I ashamedly admit that I was looking forward more to the medical aspects of it, but I have come to appreciate the urgency of preaching the Gospel to these people. Many of them have heard of God and even say they believe in Him, but have never actually heard the Gospel. My highest concern is that these people have the chance to hear the Gospel presented. Even though many of them are not ready to accept Christ, they understand and hear the good news. That is the reason we are here. I am now even more looking forward to opening a clinic in the city because I have discovered how EFFECTIVE medicine is as a ministry tool!! I have had some fear in sharing the Gospel, but God has thus far given me the words to speak in every occasion. Please keep me in prayer as I find my own style of naturally sharing.
To God be the Glory!!
Amen
To God be the Glory!!
Amen
First day of ministry
I have not been able to write because the Internet has been out at the house in which we are staying. I am posting from Lauren's iPhone so the typing is slow and tedious, but at least I can post!
Yesterday we had an entire day filled with orientation and training. We were refreshed on the medical screening tests that we would be doing as well as basic evangelim. This was a difficult day fore because I was so excited to start ministry that it was difficult for me to sit in a classroom and role-play. This training however proved to be very useful today.
We began our walk of the neighborhood today which was very exciting. I had been anticipating this experience for some time,but I found myself unexpectedly nervous as we approached the first home. I had run through the script so many times mentally that I could practically recite it, but I was still nervous for some reason. I was afraid of how the residents would recieve us,and I was afraid of rejection.
Overall the day was a great success. We were able to share/clarify the Gospel to 10 people and prayed with everyone. The medical aspect of the day was successful as well.
To be continued....
Yesterday we had an entire day filled with orientation and training. We were refreshed on the medical screening tests that we would be doing as well as basic evangelim. This was a difficult day fore because I was so excited to start ministry that it was difficult for me to sit in a classroom and role-play. This training however proved to be very useful today.
We began our walk of the neighborhood today which was very exciting. I had been anticipating this experience for some time,but I found myself unexpectedly nervous as we approached the first home. I had run through the script so many times mentally that I could practically recite it, but I was still nervous for some reason. I was afraid of how the residents would recieve us,and I was afraid of rejection.
Overall the day was a great success. We were able to share/clarify the Gospel to 10 people and prayed with everyone. The medical aspect of the day was successful as well.
To be continued....
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