The Miele's Journey to Know Christ More Fully

Maybe... Maybe too many Gospel-believing Christians avoided jobs in the political realm for too long.  Maybe sometimes they took the jobs, but people-pleasing became their god.  Maybe money and wealth destroyed, leaving the image-bearer poorer than ever. Maybe they took their eyes off the cross and let their gaze shift to the flag.  Maybe this place is too far gone, the vulnerable so flattened by the trampling of our feet over them. Maybe we logged on to social media frequently while our Bibles became dusty on the bedside table. Maybe we trusted the word of the 'authentic' blogger instead of knowing God's word within our hearts. Maybe we stared at our phones while we walked, instead of locking eyes with the homeless and the abused on the streets. Maybe we lorded titles and party allegiance over the actual Lord of all who died for us to see we need no other allegiance beside Him. Maybe we no longer worship the Creator on His rightful throne, but the created in his oval o...

On the very same weekend that Kristen and I usually attend one of our favorite conferences in the states, there was a conference here in Siguatepeque, just 10 minutes from our house! Many of you know about our involvement in Greek Intervarsity, a Christian ministry for students in Greek houses while attending university (It is also the organization in which we met each other). Every year thousands of students from across the country meet in February to encounter Jesus Christ, and learn to depend on their faith with brothers and sisters in the greek system. The lives of students are transformed at 'Greek Conference.' We have been praying for this conference in joyful expectation of what God would do, but also in sadness that we couldn't be there for the first time since college (we also volunteer there every year). BUT GOD (one of our favorite phrases in the Bible) provided for us to attend a different conference this year. This past weekend North American missionaries f...

After two short plane rides and a two-hour car ride to Siguatepeque for language school -we are settling in at our new home! Emma traveled so well-and  this  we attribute to your prayers (she has not flown well in the past on shorter trips).We will be in Siguatepeque until July, studying Spanish every weekday for 4 hours each. Anthony studies in the morning, and Kristen studies in the afternoon.  The owners of the language school graciously took us shopping and out to eat the day after we arrived. We went to the local Chinese/pizza restaurant for a delicious dinner (yes, a combination restaurant) after we went to the grocery stores. Everything we saw in stores were very similar to American grocery stores, albeit many items are more expensive here. We think our diet will consist of simple meals-like the bean, pepper, and cheese tacos Anthony made for dinner tonight! The town of Siguatepeque has 60,000 people and is surrounded by mountains. It is in the Comayagua dis...

Happy Fall! Cool temperatures descend, leaves change color, pumpkins adorn front porches, and the Miele house in Columbus is emptying. In preparation for our departure, we are selling and giving away most of our belongings. It is a bittersweet process, for we know the Bible says: Luke 12:15b "...for one's life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions" and yet we still feel the loss of earthly comforts. Our goal is to move back to Chicago with what we can fit in our cars, no moving truck or storage pod required. We are living in the present yet actively preparing for the future. We both continue to work our regular jobs and also seek to gather supporters for our ministry. It is essential to have friends and family lift us up in prayer to God and contribute financially to this work of serving the underserved. We are thankful for our friendships, those who support and love us, and we trust ultimately in God's sovereignty and generosity. Nevertheless,...

Today marks the first day in which I am no longer a resident. For the past 8 years I have been a trainee at Ohio State University (medical school and residency); but no longer. I am officially finished with my Internal Medicine-Pediatrics residency program. I now transition to work for an Ohio based primary care network called COPC (Central Ohio Primary Care) for the next 6 months. I will work with adults and children in an urgent care setting. This new job will allow me to have flexible hours so  I can spend time with Emma at home and study for my upcoming board certification exams. As I reflect on the past 8 years I am reminded time and time again how God has been so faithful to me. Initially, I wasn't sure what He had in store for me by coming to Columbus for med school, but now I can look back in awe and thanksgiving for all He has provided. I have received excellent medical training, found a gospel-centered church family, and have many godly friends. Psalm 13:6 says,  ...

As you might know, we have recently had one of the biggest changes in our home. That change is teaching us a lot about who we are as the frequent cries ring out in our home. We named that change 'Emma Joy' when she arrived April 19th. The word joy is often defined as happiness or 'a good feeling.' As Christians, we know that true joy is produced by the Holy Spirit, as he reminds us of our eternal salvation in the Lord (Galatians 5:22). Christian joy is not simply a feeling or emotion, but a lasting truth for our soul to be assured of. In the Bible, we are even commanded to rejoice. As I went through the ups and downs of pregnancy (and there were more downs than ups as I experienced it), I was frequently reminded of Nehemiah 8:10. Nehemiah tell us, " Don’t be dejected and sad, for the joy of the  Lord  is your strength!” I was never strong enough, but my God is! How fitting was it, then, when Anthony suggested we 'choose joy' as a middle name for our daughte...

I just returned to the US after visiting Honduras for the 5th time. I made the annual trip to Tegucigalpa (the capital) with my home church from Chicago. This trip was extra special because my mom was able to attend for the first time and see what a short term medical mission trip is like. After a week spent in Tegucigalpa, I traveled to the other side of Honduras, to visit Loma De Luz hospital. This is the clinic Kristen and I will serve in for our two-year commitment. As always, God was faithful and set His blessing upon the entire trip. My travels plans were delayed due to bad weather in Columbus, but I arrived safely to Tegucigalpa only a day later than expected. Our team spent a terrific week together serving the Honduran people by giving them much needed medical care. Most importantly, we shared the love of Christ and His gospel with every patient. Many Hondurans came to faith for the first time and were added to Jesus's family. Praise be to God alone. On Friday, I fl...