Calvin Kim – Washington, USA
Being a dentist can be stressful! Don’t get me wrong, I love my job. But between managing a business and navigating through difficult cases, stress can build quickly.
That’s why after work I head straight for a run or to the gym. Before long, my endorphins are flowing, and the stress starts melting away. I exercise almost every day, because I love how it makes me feel and what it does for my mind and body.
Some people struggle to exercise. One way to make it fun is to set a goal or challenge. This helps motivate me. In April I had a chance to run the Boston Marathon. This summer I’ll be climbing Mount Rainier. I’ve always believed that the best exercise is whatever you enjoy doing the most. It doesn’t matter if that’s an Ironman race or a simple walk in the park.
My friends and I love organizing Sabbath afternoon hikes and other activities for our church. These simple gatherings have helped our church grow, as people crave community and fellowship. Every church needs healthy, active members who are inviting others to join in on the fun and fellowship.
I’m passionate about health and fitness, so promoting it comes very easily for me. It brings me a lot of joy when someone tells me that I’ve inspired them to start exercising or to shoot for a new health goal. Having a positive influence in the lives of others is one of the greatest blessings we Christians can have.
Linda Spady – Idaho, USA
In many ways my childhood was filled with laughter, love, and an awareness of God’s goodness. At the same time, several things happened to me that were scary and painful. As a result I began to struggle with anxiety.
To cope with my fear, I became a perfectionist. I had an unconscious belief that if I could do everything perfectly and please the people around me, then I would be loved. I was terrified of failing and constantly afraid that I wasn’t measuring up.
But God has been setting me free from fear by teaching me that He loves me and values me no matter what. If I mess up, God still loves me. If someone criticizes me, God still loves me. If I can’t meet my own expectations, God still loves me. God doesn’t love me because of what I do—He loves me because of who He is. I’m very grateful for friends and family who help remind me of this.
Our God is loving and gentle. He wants to quiet our fears and make us brave. Anxiety can be powerful, but God is always near to calm and comfort us. I’m grateful for the hope of His promises and the peace of His presence.
Errone Kemp – New York, USA
Rheumatoid arthritis can be crippling. I still remember how scared I felt when I was first diagnosed. I was suffering from major fatigue and joint pain. Medication helped a little, but I was still exhausted and in pain. So I decided to experiment with my diet to see if that might also help.
I started eating more fruits, vegetables, and beans, and avoiding refined grains, dairy products, and fish. Fish was the only meat I had allowed myself to eat, but I found it made my pain a lot worse.
All of a sudden I had enough energy to study again. I could walk around without feeling 60 years older than I am.
Graduate school is very busy, and sometimes it’s difficult to do meal preparation or plan ahead for eating out. But I’m finding that if I talk to God about what to eat and how to plan ahead, He helps me find ways to work it into my schedule. When I go to the grocery store, I ask God to help me shop.
There’s a story in the Bible about how God helped Daniel and his friends make good food choices. I know He’s helping me, too. The foods God created have so much healing potential. I feel loved knowing that God cares about the little things and wants me to be well.
Sarah de
Almeida e Silva – Chad, Africa
I was terrified to come to Chad. I had witnessed several missionary doctors (especially in Africa) who were overworked, lonely, and discouraged. “God, can’t You send someone else?” I prayed. “Don’t You care about my needs too?”
When I finally obeyed God’s calling and made plans to serve at Bere Adventist Hospital, I thought I was destined to be miserable, lonely, and single for the rest of my life. But I was wrong.
I won’t lie. Serving in Chad has been very difficult. From blistering hot weather, to a strike at the hospital when I was the only doctor, to my numerous bouts with malaria, there have been many moments I’ve wanted to give up. It’s painful to watch the tremendous suffering of many around me: children dying from malaria treated too late, mothers burying newborn babies, and girls sexually abused who don’t even realize they’re being mistreated. But God has sustained and provided for me in more ways than I can count.
I wish mission life were easier. It could be easier if more people would serve. But in the meantime, I try to remind myself that I want to be an agent of healing more than I want to have an easy life.
Jesus poured out His life to bring us healing. He promises in Isaiah 58 that if we pour out our lives for others, we will find healing too. I’ve gotten a taste of that healing in Africa. Until God calls me elsewhere, I’m staying here for more!
