*page under construction*
(taken from interview with Grace Church Culturally Engaged team)
1. A little bit of our missions background.
Larry: Although I did a summer missions project to Central Asia in college, I had little interest in long-term missions, especially in Africa. Then God brought Laura into my life and grew my desire to serve overseas and even consider Africa. God has given me a love of serving and caring for medical students and residents. Little did I realize God was preparing me for such a big adventure!
Laura: My parents and grandparents were missionaries in Africa, and I think it was always on my mind to go back one day. God brought me to Greenville for my Internal Medicine – Pediatrics residency, and that’s when I met Larry. It was a slow process from dreaming and praying to taking our first vision trip, but looking back we can see in how many ways God has been shaping and preparing us.
2. What led us to work or serve at Myungsung Medical College?
Short answer: God made the way for us.
Laura: Towards the end of my residency training, I really fell in love with teaching medicine, and the opportunity that it gives for real mentoring relationships. Then working at USC-Greenville School of Medicine and in the GHS Family Medicine Program, I was able to continue to grow and develop as a teacher. Looking for missions opportunities, serving at a medical school in Ethiopia seemed like a good fit. When we first talked to the mission representatives at the Global Missions Health Conference, however, they were almost more excited about Larry and all the skills he could bring to help serve the students! During a vision trip in April 2017, God impressed on both of us a strong desire to join this work and serve. Then God opened so many doors, first with World Medical Mission, in the support from our family and community,, then in selling our house in Greenville, and here we are!
3. What is Myungsung Medical College?
Myungsung Medical College (MMC) is a part of MCM General Hospital in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, and is the only evangelical Christian medical school on the continent. Currently, there are 167 students in the 6-year program, and many of them do not know Jesus personally. In chapel services and classrooms we get to share the gospel, and by mentoring and teaching and walking with them through their medical education, we hope to disciple them and make mature believers – as well as excellent doctors!
JohnsonsInEthiopia.com 