Category: Christian Life
Trip Video From The Dominican Republic Medical Mission 2017
Update from the March 2017 Dominican Republic Medical Mission
Hey everyone! I published a video sharing a brief update regarding the recent Dominican Republic medical mission I attended with Global Health Outreach. I will be posting a trip video soon, but until that time, here is a video update.
Reflections from the Dominican Republic Medical Mission
When I initially signed up to attend the medical mission trip to the Dominican Republic, I knew that God would use the experience to work in my life and in the lives of others around me. However, I did not expect the lessons I learned from so many people. Although traveling to a foreign country is exciting alone, the medical experience, spiritual influence and guidance, and lifelong connections I gained from the trip are what made it one of the best experiences of my life.
As I was boarding the plane to fly from Jacksonville, Florida to New York City to meet the team, I was excited, but I also thought about all the ways I was not prepared for the trip. I immediately began to think that my Spanish was not fluent enough to communicate effectively with the people in the clinics and that I was just a hopeful future physician. When I met the team members at the airport to board the plane for Santo Domingo, we all instantly connected. I felt as if I had known these people most of my life. I was reminded that God brings together His people and equips each person to accomplish His perfect mission.
Medical Mission to the Dominican Republic Team Video
It has now been a week since I returned from the trip to the Dominican Republic. Settling back into normal life was difficult at first, but I soon realized that my new normal was different. The experience and life perspectives I gained from the trip are things I will take with me throughout the rest of my life. This will certainly not be my last trip.
I know that I could not have served without the support of so many people. You all know who you are! 🙂
In return, I wanted to create a video for all of you showcasing some of the highlights from the trip.
I’m Back In The United States!
Hey everyone!
I just wanted to provide a quick update that I’m now back in the United States from the medical mission trip with GHO to the Dominican Republic. I’ve posted a few pictures from the trip on my Instagram, so please check those out if you haven’t yet.
I will be posting more details about what happened during the trip soon. I am waiting until I have all pictures organized from the rest of the team, and I would also like to make a video. I’ll continue to keep everyone posted about it.
Thanks again for the prayers, and I can honestly say that it was one of the best experiences of my life.
-Brandon Gilliland
God Doesn’t Need You
This morning, I was listening to a well-known song from Phil Wickham called “Glory”. I have listened to this song many times, but today I realized a few things in the song.
It got me to think about the glory of God, and how all of creation points directly to the creator. It is awesome how the God who created the universe wants to connect with us. He is not too busy, and you will never receive a voicemail when you call on Him.
God has a specific plan for your life, and He wants to use you to make His name known. In other words, God wants to use you to amplify His kingdom.
As you go through the day, realize that God does not need you. He does not need to use you to do amazing things; however, He does because of His love for humanity.
The Waiting Room
Life is a journey. The past few months for me have been a learning process. Maybe it is because real life is has hit me. Being out on your own a few hours away from home really allows one to rely on God. Throughout the past few months, my journey has been anything but easy.
Every day presents an opportunity for you to be refined by God or to be broken. It is a decision that each one of us have to make daily: will I follow God’s journey? Or will I decide to forge my own path for what I know is “best”?
Often times, the journey that God has you on will leave you confused, frustrated, and tired. I like to view these times as the waiting room period. If you are at a point in your life right now where you are not receiving any answers or clarity on anything, you are simply in God’s waiting room. It is important to recognize that these are the times God uses to prepare you for something amazing.