Dear Theophilus:: September 2003
Summer Medical Institute (SMI)
by Shikata Mudakha
Description: It was twenty health professional students, eighteen sites, five weeks, two countries and one purpose. In Texas, we went door-to-door in underserved Hispanic communities offering: the knowledge of the one living Savior, bike helmets and screenings for high blood pressure and Diabetes. We were invited into homes and given opportunities to be God's visible representatives of the truth. In Mexico, we established temporary clinics in churches. These were comprised of several stations: pharmacy, pastoral, and doctor. We were all able to rotate through the majority of these stations having opportunities to evangelize, encourage, help, and pray for others.
We lived in a very hot place: Harlingen, TX. This facilitated more than just close relationships with our AC. Along with close quarters, much prayer, the support and prayer of local churches, and sharing of our lives we were able to function as a powerful community of Christ exacting change inwardly and outwardly.
One Perspective: This was my second time at Summer Medical Institute and this time I was a leader of one of the discipleship (D) groups. All participants are allocated to a D-group usually according to school. These groups of 3- 5 persons are similar to a bible study; only you never really leave one another when the bible study part is over. You live with them, you eat with them, and you socialize with them. This of course is not to say you only spend time with them, you also get to know the other participants pretty well because they are only a 10 second walk from your doorway. The medical schools represented this year were: Jefferson, Temple, Drexel, UPENN, PCOM, UAB, Mount Sinai and NYMC.
There were many great experiences at SMI. It seems everyone takes home lessons of an entirely different nature. This year I was overjoyed and blown away at how God worked through the lives of the women in my D-group. In a matter of five weeks I was able to see God answer our prayers, build faith, expose false beliefs, and establish transparent and honest friendships. I also learned that by forgiving and repenting before one another, you can experience God's healing of relationship with your brothers and sisters in Christ. As you read my words you can see it was not a single lesson but a multitude of truths that God re-emphasized. Because I saw these things take place before my very eyes I came away with a new appreciation of the REALITY of Christ and His power. This has resulted in me being more confident in the God that I serve. Remembering these experiences erodes the doubt and fear that attempt to undermine my trust in my God and his word. I pray this has caused you to remember those times God has reminded you of Himself.
