The Beginning of our Journey with World Medical Mission
2017 was a year full of blessings, and 2018 is sure to bring more excitement. For many years, the both of us have desired to serve in overseas mission work. Kristen often likes to recount how she made this an important point of conversation on our first dating conversation! She had personally felt the call to go abroad in public health, and made sure Anthony knew this before they began dating. Anthony agreed that he too had felt the call to serve abroad in a medical capacity. God was already at work in our relationship before it officially began!
For several years in our marriage, we have prayerfully considered where God might lead us and with whom we would partner with. Our prayers gradually were answered as we were pointed (again and again) to Samaritan's Purse by faithful missionary men and women whom we networked with. We interviewed with Samaritan's Purse for the post-residency program in August with other young doctors and spouses in Charlotte, NC. God answered our prayers and confirmed our calling when we were accepted into this program. After acceptance, we were given the choice of serving in either Honduras or Gabon. After much prayer and thought (we are very thankful to many of you for praying during that period of decision making) we decided on Honduras! Beginning in early 2019 we will venture into Central America for several months of language school (hablas espanol?) followed by 2 years of commitment in Honduras. The rural mission hospital is called "Loma De Luz" (which means "Hill of Light") in a poor area of northern Honduras- 'Belfate.' Anthony will be working as a medical doctor in both Internal Medicine and Pediatrics. Kristen will be using her public health degree and passion for education with the local people.
Anthony has served on 4 (about to be 5 in January 2018) mission trips to this country, so Honduras is very dear to his heart. He is reminded of how Jesus promises to be close to the poor, and how all people are loved by God and accepted into His family through faith in Jesus's sacrificial death and resurrection. We are excited to be used by God to share His love and share His gospel with the people of Honduras. Please pray for us: that we would grow in our love of Jesus, that we would learn Spanish well, and most of all-that we would serve Christ faithfully in the interim period before we leave. If you feel led, you can help support us financially through our Samaritan's Purse account (below).
Help Send the Miele's to Honduras
To add to the excitement, we learned Kristen was pregnant in August, just 4 days after we interviewed with Samaritan's Purse! We have since learned we are having a girl. We were able to share the cake-cutting with our families over Thanksgiving via a gender-reveal party. Kristen has had some rough days, but all of her check-ups have gone well and everyone is healthy. Our due date is April 11th. It continues to blow our minds (particularly Anthony's) how God is forming our little girl in His own image at this very moment!
Anthony will finish residency June 2018. Then, he will study for his board exams to become certified in both Internal Medicine and Pediatrics. He will also look to get a part-time job to support our family of 3 during the latter half of 2018. Kristen will likely resume teaching after her maternity leave in the summer. We plan to remain in Columbus, OH until the end of 2018 before our adventure continues in Central America.
For several years in our marriage, we have prayerfully considered where God might lead us and with whom we would partner with. Our prayers gradually were answered as we were pointed (again and again) to Samaritan's Purse by faithful missionary men and women whom we networked with. We interviewed with Samaritan's Purse for the post-residency program in August with other young doctors and spouses in Charlotte, NC. God answered our prayers and confirmed our calling when we were accepted into this program. After acceptance, we were given the choice of serving in either Honduras or Gabon. After much prayer and thought (we are very thankful to many of you for praying during that period of decision making) we decided on Honduras! Beginning in early 2019 we will venture into Central America for several months of language school (hablas espanol?) followed by 2 years of commitment in Honduras. The rural mission hospital is called "Loma De Luz" (which means "Hill of Light") in a poor area of northern Honduras- 'Belfate.' Anthony will be working as a medical doctor in both Internal Medicine and Pediatrics. Kristen will be using her public health degree and passion for education with the local people.
Anthony has served on 4 (about to be 5 in January 2018) mission trips to this country, so Honduras is very dear to his heart. He is reminded of how Jesus promises to be close to the poor, and how all people are loved by God and accepted into His family through faith in Jesus's sacrificial death and resurrection. We are excited to be used by God to share His love and share His gospel with the people of Honduras. Please pray for us: that we would grow in our love of Jesus, that we would learn Spanish well, and most of all-that we would serve Christ faithfully in the interim period before we leave. If you feel led, you can help support us financially through our Samaritan's Purse account (below).
Help Send the Miele's to Honduras
To add to the excitement, we learned Kristen was pregnant in August, just 4 days after we interviewed with Samaritan's Purse! We have since learned we are having a girl. We were able to share the cake-cutting with our families over Thanksgiving via a gender-reveal party. Kristen has had some rough days, but all of her check-ups have gone well and everyone is healthy. Our due date is April 11th. It continues to blow our minds (particularly Anthony's) how God is forming our little girl in His own image at this very moment!
Anthony will finish residency June 2018. Then, he will study for his board exams to become certified in both Internal Medicine and Pediatrics. He will also look to get a part-time job to support our family of 3 during the latter half of 2018. Kristen will likely resume teaching after her maternity leave in the summer. We plan to remain in Columbus, OH until the end of 2018 before our adventure continues in Central America.
So exciting! Should I only talk to you in Spanish when I see you? haha
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