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.