“Do as I say, not as I did.” Drs. Priscilla Benner and Herman Sagastume spoke in chapel today on something that is vital to high school students: choosing a career. Both have chosen a path that tied in their passion for Christ with their passion for medicine. They both responded to God’s call despite the internal conflicts that tethered them to their own goals.
Dr. Benner spoke about her lifelong journey to the position she has now. From childhood she knew what she wanted to do. She was one of the kids who ran to see what they could do for the injured kid on the playground instead of one who fled the thought of blood. In high school she had a concrete plan, but then her boyfriend caused her to question her goal. After asking God for an obtuse sign for what or who she should choose failed, God slammed the door on her conflict via the closing of the nursing program at her chosen school. God gave her all the signs; she just needed to read them sooner. She advised us students to look for the God-given talents we have and to discern how to serve him best in the world.
Another piece of advice Dr. Benner gave us was about whose passion we follow. She told us we need to make sure our goals are in sync with God. She was reluctant to go to Honduras in a turbulent time and said her response was, “Here I am, Lord, send my sister.” She was comfortable with her circumstances, but was ultimately rewarded by the MAMA project and all it has accomplished since its beginnings.
Dr. Sagastume’s story began in Honduras long before Dr. Benner ever set foot there. He grew up in a poor family, and had some unimaginable experiences as a youth. He had to see his mother on fire and watch her die shortly after. The comparison of cultures between Honduras and the United States was brought up multiple times. Americans want to get out of the house as young as high school, whereas Dr. Sagastume said Hondurans wanted to life with their parents much beyond.
With some financial assistance Dr. Sagastume made it through medical school. He was then approached to do a mission project in Africa. After thinking it over, he had myriad excuses to get out of it. All of his excuses proved useless, and God provided a way for him to serve. Now Dr. Sagastume uses his gift of medicine to serve with the MAMA project.
-- Monica Roth
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
No comments:
Post a Comment