“A little girl woke up one night to an unfamiliar sound in her bedroom. It sounded like the alien she’d seen in a movie earlier with her big brother, she thought, still half asleep. For a few minutes she was scared to leave her bed and felt trapped, holding tight to her blankets; she was afraid the alien would hear her. She finally mustered up the courage to lean across her bed and reach for her lamp. As she strained her arm to twist the knob the light quickly flickered on as the darkness darted under her bed and in the corners of the room. As soon as her eyes adjusted, she realized that the alien was just her cat scratching at something he saw on the floor.

Light. It dissipates fear. It allows us to see things for what they really are. It lets us see one another for who we really are. It’s easy to understand that children are afraid of the dark. But even many of us as adults get scared in the midst of darkness.  Perhaps it is because the darkness represents the unknown. The unclear. The misunderstood. And it temporarily blinds us so we feel out of control.

Tonight we gather in darkness. Our eyes had to adjust as we left that room to come out here. I have been referring literally to the absence of visible light. But let’s delve further into this imagery. Let’s think about the people in our very community who are left in the dark. Or our neighbors whose part-time job does not provide them with medical insurance. What about our friends who are not sure if they will be able to pay their next electric bill?

Like the little girl who couldn’t figure out the noise in her dark room, we often have trouble seeing the people in our community who cannot make ends meet, but we know they are there. And often like the girl, we label them as alien or foreign. But when the lights come on, our eyes adjust, and we see the familiar faces of our next-door neighbors, our friends, the people in our church who don’t say anything, and the people behind us in the grocery store check out line.

The light that illuminates our hearts to help our neighbor is ignited by Christ whose life was the light of all people and whose light shines on in the darkness, and the darkness does not overcome it.

The prophet Isaiah knew something about the needs of his neighbors. Listen to his challenge to his people while they fasted and let it become ours to our neighbors:

“Is not this the fast that I choose: to loose the bonds of injustice, to undo the thongs of the yoke, to let the oppressed go free, and to break every yoke?  Is it not to share your bread with the hungry, and bring the homeless poor into your house; when you see the naked, to cover them, and not to hide yourself from your own kin? Then your light shall break forth like the dawn, and your healing shall spring up quickly; your vindicator shall go before you, the glory of the Lord shall be your rearguard. Then you shall call, and the Lord will answer; you shall cry for help, and he will say, Here I am.” Isaiah 58: 6-9

So let us take on Christ’s light and shine as lights of our community here in Wake County to give all the honor and glory to God. In the name of the Father, Son, and Holy spirit, Amen.”

Check out the full story on the event on our Facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/notes/alliance-medical-ministry/illuminate-event/261387980601511

A look inside the bus

The Dental Bus made a stop at Alliance on Saturday June 18^th and was filled with volunteers and patients upon arrival. The North Carolina Baptist Men’s Dental Bus made a stop at Alliance in order to give patients the ability to receive dental care. With the help of volunteer dentists and their assistants the Dental Bus was able to see 21 patients on Saturday. These patients had procedures from filings to extractions, which will help with the underlying health issues, especially in the diabetic patient population. With the great need for dental care in the community and very few resources, programs like this are vital ministries. If you know anyone (dentists, dental assistants, sponsors or translators) who would like to help make more visits of the dental bus possible please let us know!

Checking blood sugar

Patients gathered at Alliance and heard a presentation from Jenny Koinis, a Certified Diabetes Educator, about nutrition, physical activity, and the best ways to control blood sugar. For lunch, a healthy cooking demonstration was provided by Registered Dietitian and Certified Diabetes Educator, Maria Tucker. Maria prepared a delicious Asian stir-fry served with brown rice and fruit salad with Greek yogurt. Not only did she cook a great lunch, she also gave participants in the class healthy cooking tips so they could continue to make wise food choices. The patients now have the knowledge on how to keep making healthy dishes that are quick, easy, and taste great!

Thank you to the Diabetes Center at Duke Raleigh for your continued partnership with Alliance Medical Ministry and for your investment in our patients!

Check out the cherry trees blooming!