When her marriage of 35 years ended in divorce, Karen lost her home, her community, and her job. She and her previous husband had been in ministry in Latin America. But all that had ended two years ago when her marriage ended. Now she often wondered if God would ever be able to use her again.

Recently, Karen was asked to serve as an administrator for a yet to be developed Christian clinic. METS faculty physicians Dave Tellez and Paul Liu have long dreamed of starting an inner-city clinic which would meet both the physical and spiritual needs of patients. Medical evangelism would be a vital component of the clinic and the staff who served there.

When Dr. Tellez hired Karen, one of her first assignments was to attend a METS Conference. Though Karen longed to again be involved in ministry, she continued to wonder if God would be able to use a divorced woman.

Having served in ministry in Latin America, Karen had become fluent in Spanish. During the METS field time, this opened a unique opportunity of service. At the hospital, one of the patients only spoke Spanish. The patient had become agitated. None of the hospital staff spoke Spanish. The METS coordinator approached Karen. "Would you help?" Within minutes, Karen was at the bedside of an anxious 32-year-old woman from Guatemala. Karen was able to translate for the staff, help answer the woman's questions, and brush up on her Spanish! As the tension level diminished, Karen continued visiting with the lady. "Has this been a difficult time for you?" asked Karen. "Yes," replied the lady. "Has God been here to help you?" continued Karen. "No." Karen continued "Would you like to know how you could have God help you?" This time the lady answered "Yes."

With that Karen read through a Spanish version of "Would You Like to Know God Personally?" Soon, this lady invited Jesus into her life. Karen then asked "If you were to die tonight, would you go to heaven?" The woman answered "Yes, because God says I would."

The lady told Karen she would soon be returning to Guatemala. Karen suggested that she take the booklet and tell her friends and family what had happened to her. And again the lady said, "Yes, I will do that." Karen notes that this lady will now be able to be an ambassador for Christ in towns and villages that would be difficult for any missionary to reach.

For Karen, the METS Conference and the field time was a time of needed affirmation. After two years of questioning her usefulness to God, Karen says "Leading this lady to Christ was a significant event in my life. I felt like I benefited from this as much as anyone. It was as if God were saying 'This is what you are supposed to be doing - working at the inner-city clinic and telling people about Jesus. I can use you.'"

But I'm So Nervous!

Every time Dennis had previously talked with someone about a personal relationship with God, he was nervous. Yet today would be different. During the field time at a recent METS Conference, Dennis and Bob went in to interview an elderly male cancer patient. The patient had been given pain medication which clouded his mind. Dennis turned to the patient's adult son and asked if it was difficult to see his father in such a condition. "Yes, it is," replied the son. Dennis explained that he would like to leave a booklet for the patient. Dennis noted the booklet explains how one may know God personally. "Well," the man said, "I would like to know that myself." Dennis then asked if he might be able to read through the booklet "Would You Like to Know God Personally?" with the man and his wife. Both agreed. For the next few minutes, Dennis explained how they could trust Christ. Dennis then asked if either of them would like to invite Christ into their lives to become their Lord and Savior. Both said they would. And with that, they all bowed their heads and trusted Christ.

Later that afternoon, Dennis mentioned to Bob that though he had shared his faith with numerous people, this was the first time that he had been at peace. It was also the first time anyone had become a Christian through his sharing. "I guess it's different this time because I was trusting the Holy Spirit to work through me."