GroshLink

What's the value of investing in the lives of college students? I liken the campus minister's role to that of the Sower of the seeds. One faithfully casts the Gospel through (and to) head, heart and hands via a variety of special conversations, moments, and activities, but does not know the fruit of one's labors for years to come. One prays through the process of offering one's best, waiting upon the Lord and the response of those who receive.

In 2001, Bill graduated with a Biology degree from Carnegie Mellon University. He had been blessed by rich set of interwoven relationships across campus fellowships while maintaining an active role in InterVarsity Christian Fellowship's undergraduate chapter, an acapella singing group (Joyful Noise), and a men's fellowship/ministry house. As with many alumni, I lost track of Bill after graduation and periodically wondered about/prayed regarding what next steps he took in faith and vocation. By God's grace, we recently reconnected via Facebook and I found out he was back in Pittsburgh for residency. Our relationships and journeys in Christ once again overlap. Although I'm no longer in Pittsburgh, I'm actively a part of Christian Medical & Dental Associations (CMDA) AND his family is too.

Picking up the story of more families in medical missions ...

Yesterday, Bill and his family (after a long delay/flight cancellation and re-routed baggage) landed in Nairobi for a month of medical missions at AIC Kijabe Hospital, Kijabe, Kenya in partnership with the Pan African Academy of Christian Surgeons (PAACS). What's PAACS mission? It is to train and disciple African physicians to work in their home countries as surgeons. Today's Bill's first day at the hospital.

How rich are the relationships of the members of the Body of Christ and interwoven the ministries which seek to share the Gospel through head, heart and hands! You may remember friends of the Bridgemans who are part of PAACS (the Davis family) shared with Penn State - Hershey Christian Medical Society (CMS)/CMDA. The slide show of their hands on healing work with patients was incredible, particularly over lunch! While at CMS, Rich's wife personally shared with me her deep appreciation for the envisioning and equiping for ministry which she received from InterVarsity Christian Fellowship. Her words came as a great encouragement at that time (and continues to be such). To God be the glory! Turns out Rich Davis, MD is the program director Bill will be working with while in Kijabe (see picture of hospital below). Bill met him and his wife last November at CMDA's Global Missions Health Conference. Wow!

How can we come alongside Bill and his family (wife & 2 kids -- 3 and 5 year old) in prayer? I've culled some prayer requests from their various emails and blog posts, Nelsons in Kenya. Please join me in prayer.

• Praise God for the financial support, medical placement, and familial arrangements necessary for the trip to come together!

• Safe travels - Despite travel complications, they arrived in Nairobi. Praise God!
  • Praise God for a good day of shopping in Nairobi before the safe trip to AIC Kijabe Hospital, Kijabe, Kenya and finding a 'wonderful' apartment at Kijabe!
  • They return to Pittsburgh on September 4th  (start flying home on the 3rd). Pray the kids will do as well as can be expected on long flights and passing through customs will be easy :)
• Adjusting:
  
  • Pray the whole family will bounce back quickly from jet lag and adjust to the different time zone.
  • Pray the kids will be able to sleep well in a new place, adjust to new foods, and receive from the trip even though they are so young.
  • Pray the kids and Bill's wife are purposeful about exploring the community while Bill is working. Starts today.
  • Pray Bill's knowledge and skill set will enable him to be more "a help than a hindrance" to the staff and residents as he begins today.
• Vision: Pray through their trip God will provide clarity and a future vision about where He would have them working after Bill's residency is completed in 2 years. AND what role God has for his wife in this work.
• Illness: Pray for God's protection. Pray if they are unfortunate enough to become ill, that they will not let it dampen their trip. Note: Pray for the kids - an email update shared that the kids have had upset stomachs and both been sick once. They request prayer that it is just exhaustion from travel and not actual illness. In the most recent email, they report the kids have 'improved.' Praise God!

What a joy to personally witness Bill's growth as an undergraduate at Carnegie Mellon University and reconnect with him via Facebook after several years of being 'out of touch' to see how what was watered on campus has continued to grow, even flourish :)

I'm rejoicing in the privilege to serve many others who not only have similar passions/longings, but also are taking next steps in sharing the love of Christ with the gifts/skills they've been given by their Creator -- more good reports coming :) Can't wait to meet new students and connect with returning students at next week's launch of the CMS through a Tuesday noon lunch and a Friday campus social. Pray for students as they learn about CMS and meet students involved with CMS throughout this week's orientation.

Thank-you to the many who are standing as we step into the full and rich season of fall outreach. God's provision through the people of God, enabling our family to be dedicated to serving the Lord in campus ministry, is humbling. To whom much is given, much is required. And we have received much for our labors among future health care professionals. To God be the glory!

Updated: 8/4/2011, 10:13 AM.