Weekend Sacrifice
I was little prepared for what my weekend would entail. Immediately after my last class on Friday afternoon, I crammed into a car with four other students from Loma Linda University and began the 8 hour road-trip to San Francisco, California. We were on our way to join 90 other volunteers for a free two-day clinic hosted by the Adventist Medical Evangelism Network (AMEN). The mission: to provide free medical and dental treatment for the uninsured people of San Francisco. Arriving after 9 o’clock and exhausted from the drive, a sense of nervous anticipation filled me as I thought about the long weekend ahead. The clinic would be opened from 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday, and immediately after the end of the clinic we would be driving back to Loma Linda just in time for classes, Monday morning. Reality hit me as I questioned my choice to sacrifice a full weekend for missionary work.
For the next two days, more than 250 people walked through the doors of the basement of the San Francisco Chinese Seventh-day Adventist Church. In addition to the medical and dental professionals, bible workers, cross trainers, and church members from the Northern California region filled the room. While patients waited hours for treatment, non-medical volunteers offered prayer and free chair massages to individuals. Every hour or so a young group of volunteers stood in front of the crowded waiting area and sang heart-felt hymns. As patients left, free Ellen G. White literature was placed in their hands for further spiritual nurturing.
As the last hour of the clinic approached, I stepped back to take in the scene. Medical and dental professionals are treating the outcasts of society. Young children are passing instruments to dental hygienists. A lady is playing the piano next to a station of sterilization equipment. Smiles of joy, from people in dental chairs! A doctor is praying with her homeless patient. The high-pitch ringing of drills are accompanied by soft piano melodies. It was a room full of the unconventional. And yet in the midst of it all, I had a surreal sense of peace that we had got it right. This was Christ’s ministry: physical healing for spiritual restoration. We were practicing health as “the right arm of the Gospel.”
As students and professionals, weekends are precious. You carefully pick and choose what is worthy of your time. Fellowshipping with loved ones, catching up on sleep, and cramming for exams are on top of my list. But this past weekend in San Francisco—my time was priceless. I experienced the fullness of our purpose on Earth as Christians—to serve God’s people just as Jesus did. I challenge you: practice this model in your daily life. You won’t regret it.
Ashley Kim is currently pursuing a Master's in Public Health and Registered Dietitian certificate at Loma Linda University. She has a burden to bring revival in the Korean American SDA community and loves to integrate ministry in every part of her life.