SMI Student Blog
Browse the SMI Student Blog Posts
The blog entries below were submitted by past participants of the SMI program during their time in Philadelphia. There are also some yearly recaps from our Summer Program Director.
Kensington and Samaria
I graduated nursing school in May of 2021. During the covid pandemic. That didn’t matter, I was going to be a medical missionary and was ready to go to whatever country the Lord wanted to send me to, pandemic or not. Or so I thought. I applied to Samaritan’s Purse to...
Knowing God without Knowing Jesus
On our first afternoon of door-to-door health screenings, the heat was relentless. It was the middle of a heat wave, and I could feel my energy fading fast. As Daniel and I made our way through the neighborhood, we came across three women sitting outside their home,...
To Linger
I can hear a dog howling its small head off as we are invited into the house. Hesitantly, I enter the house, which reeks of weed. Two small children are racing around and around the house, also screaming their small heads off. A woman sits in the corner of the house...
Unwasted Opportunity
I spoke to a man today who could barely look me in the eye. He looked up once to ask, “Could I have another cup of water?” as if he thought I might say no. He spoke so softly that I struggled to...
Do You Have a Dentist?
“Do you have a dentist?” That simple question lies in the middle of our health screen. Assuming you go through the items in the screen in order, you ask about the dentist somewhere between diabetes...
The First Weeks of SMI
“But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” (Matthew 6:33) The past two weeks have been quite eventful, but I feel blessed because God has...
Reflections
Reflecting back on my time on SMI, this past month or so has genuinely been both such a blessing and also a humbling experience for me in the best way possible. Prior to this experience in...
Finding a Home Far Away From Home
Coming into SMI, I didn’t really know what to expect. All I knew was that God opened the doors for me to spend three weeks serving in Kensington, and I was praying that my heart would be softened...
Their Eyes
Their eyes are always the first thing I notice. I learned to read their eyes. I learned to communicate with their eyes. Knock, Knock. Their eyes peek out of the window and quickly disappear,...
Lessons Learned
by Katie Y.Coming out to SMI, I didn’t know what to expect AND I am a last-minute packer! So here are some insights that I thought would be helpful for future SMI-ers! I didn’t realize I would be...
Jesus the Great Physician
by Caleb H.In high school, I had the opportunity to evangelize to a lot of good people. People who were kind, compassionate, and made few mistakes. However, nearly none of them were receptive to the...
The Power of the Gospel
by Ashley A.Hey everyone! My name is Ashley and I am in nursing school in Birmingham! Coming into SMI, I had no idea what to expect. Being from out of town, I assumed everyone would already know...
Listening to the Whole Story
by Yeju K.SMI was the first time I had ever done my laundry at a laundromat. I have to say, it’s kind of a vibe, you know?—sharing Bible stories as we wait for our clothes to dry and spending...
Seeing God at Work
by Isaac L.Howdy folks! This is Isaac reporting from SMI 2023 and the first week of SMI has finally come to an end! This week may have been one of the longest weeks of my life! No exaggeration. The...
Renewed Connection to Jesus
by Caroline E.My biggest takeaway from SMI has been relearning the power of prayer. I grew up in a Christian household so I have always been surrounded by prayer. However, in recent years, I feel...
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Medical Campus Outreach Philadelphia exists to glorify God in the medical campus community by equipping students to love and serve Jesus Christ in healthcare. MCO Philadelphia and the Summer Medical Institute Philadelphia are now part of the Christian Community Health Fellowship (CCHF) family.
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