Monday, 21 November 2011
A couple of weeks ago, Areli and I attended the medical missions conference in Louisville, Kentucky. What!? That's right. We are still in Mexico City but God opened the door for us to go for four days (see below).
I have been to this conference a few times over the years but it was Areli's first time. It is the largest medical missions conference in the world (2500 people). Check out the website for more details.
It was a filling time as well as a learning time. I got some continuing medical education credits to keep my license going. God was definitely the center of event. We left more encouraged and excited for what God has for us in the coming years.
We also got to surprise Jessica the COO of Agape in Action. We were able to keep our attendance on the down-low so she had no idea! Also, I unexpectedly ran into some old friends. Areli and I even made it into someone else's newsletter! (check it out)
Bottom line: it was worth the investment.
How did we end up deciding to go last minute? Keep reading and I'll tell you as an example of how God often leads in our lives...
Two weeks before the conference, I was running in park and listening to a missions message. Through this God planted in me the desire to go to the conference. When I got back, I told Areli about it and she wasn't convinced because of the cost. But, she had been hearing from God, during our time in Mexico that we were going to make a trip to somewhere in the U.S. How is it worth the cost of travel to go there for 4 days? But I think God is telling us to go and He will provide the money.
I did some travel agent work (which I am pretty good at). Any flights arriving near Louisville were at least $650. I was still considering using my miles or something to make it possible. I then expanded my radius and found a roundtrip flight to Chicago for $268 direct with a free checked bag. Over the years, I have made several trips from Mexico City to Chicago and paid as much as $750. Praise God for opening the door. We rented a car, booked some cheap hotels, got the missionary rate for registration at the conference, and did the whole trip for a lot less than what just the flights alone typically would have cost. Praise God for His faithfulness.
The lesson is that if God wants you to do something, He will provide.
(If you are still reading) Another special reason that I wanted to take Areli to this conference was that it was at this same place, in 2005, that God told me to marry her and that we would serve Him together. Looking back, at the many, many, many, many, many (I could keep going) things that had to take place in order for this to happen, only God could have done this. I took advantage of the special situation to propose once again. She said "yes"!
Our desire is to have the heart and mind of David and to live in reliance on God's faithfulness.
Test me, LORD, and try me,
examine my heart and my mind;
for I have always been mindful of your unfailing love
and have lived in reliance on your faithfulness.
--Psalm 26:2-3