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.
Do not pass me by…
We were coming to the close of the opening set of praise when the pastor of the local church I had been assigned to for the course of SMI called out to those who were in desperate need of Jesus. He asked those who felt called to come to the front of the altar, kneel...
SMI 2012: A Year Later
As I finish my second year of medical school, I have come to appreciate the lessons and experiences that I gained from the Summer Medical Institute (SMI). I initially applied to SMI because I felt that my medical education did not address how I would be able to...
Divine Appointments
While walking around today, I felt God calling our team to go into a local restaurant. Once there, we were able to set up at a table and do several health screenings. But more importantly, we were able to talk to the customers and restaurant owners about spiritual...
Jesus is Lord
When I approached Ms. X yesterday she seemed quite withdrawn and nervous. As I began speaking to her my spirit lead me to ask her "Is Jesus your Lord and Savior?" She responded by saying something like "There is a Lord." I asked "Who?" and she didn't really reply....
Another SMI Philly Complete!
Today marked the end of SMI Philly 2012 - and we miss it already! On Friday (July 27), we held our banquet at the beautiful Hunting Park site of Esperanza Health Center. In addition to reflecting on our experiences, we were grateful to be able to acknowledge and...
The Power of Jesus
On our first Sunday in Philly, the pastor of our church here (In the Light Ministries) reminded us in his sermon that “the kingdom of God is not a matter of talk but of power” (1 Corinthians 4:20). This has been a theme for me these three weeks as I have been...
Spirituality & Medicine: A Family Doctor’s Perspective
Should we share our faith with our patients? I returned from SMI to the "real world" of 15-minute overbooked appointments, 2 weeks' worth of mail and a bit of culture shock. During SMI we diligently worked to broach spiritual topics with everyone we met. Yet, in the...
Breakthrough
This morning was a very "watery" morning. It wasn't raining or anything. But, my medical forms were all spotted with droplets of water that kept coming down from my eyes. I was uncontrollable, and streams of tears kept flowing. I was touched today. Touched by the Holy...
Importance of Community
This is completely unfamiliar territory for me. For my entire life, I don’t think I’ve ever been in a strong community truly united under Christ. My home church was/is dead and is slowly being revived by the grace of God and my university is a wicked house of Satan....
The Lord Provides
We're working at top speed, and by the beginning of this week we had screened more than 300 people for hypertension and diabetes, prayed with more than 200 people, and helped lead more than 10 people to accept Jesus as Lord and Savior. Hallelujah! We didn't expect to...
God Does Not Forget the Forgotten
We knocked and waited in front of the last house of the day. It was almost 4 o' clock but the sun was still beating down on us with force. A few doors down someone was blasting Spanish music on loudspeakers. According to the translator, the lyrics were: Dad, please...
Step in Faith
“Sometimes God doesn’t give us the means to do something until we’ve taken that step in faith.” – Pastor Fred EstradaI am part of the team we have based at Bethel Temple Church. As part of the worship service, the pastor asks the congregation to share prayer requests...
SMI Philly 2012 D2D Outreach Video!
One of our fearless Medical Directors, Dan, created a short video during our first day of Door-to-Door (D2D) Outreach. Enjoy! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_vXnPjWhP2o - Brian
Love
I'll admit it - I am being selfish. The truth is that I am happy to admit that I am. I am hungry to know more about God my Father. I am thirsty for the Holy Spirit and His personal touch and His revelation. I desire to know and remain in passionate love for Jesus...
When People Pray
Not only are we doing outreach in the North Philly neighborhood,but we are also attending church services here. Along with three other teammates, I have been going to Urban Hope, a church that also serves as our home. The church is going through the sermon series...