The Story Behind Bolivia

Most of you who are visiting this blog are probably seeking more information about my trip to Bolivia that will take place in Summer, 2011. First, I wanted to take some time to tell you all the story of how the opportunity to go to Bolivia came about. As most of you probably already know, I am a Sociology and Pre-Med major at Carson Newman College in Jefferson City, Tennessee, so I have many friends at Carson Newman who are interested in the medical field. One of my friends went to a missions fair in Urbana, Illinois in the Spring, and she told me about her experience back at school. She was particularly interested in working in a hospital in Bolivia over the Summer and thought I might be interested in going too. I had already decided to work for a Christian camp and shadow doctors in Hickory over the Summer between my Freshman and Sophomore years, so I had initially ruled the idea out.  However, I continued to think about the idea and decided to look into it further. Thus, I visited the website for an organization called Hospitals of Hope toward the end of the Spring semester in 2010. I noticed the Hospitals of Hope not only accepted but welcomed help from students, and their main site of operation was located in a region of the world that I think I might serve in some day(South America). I continued to pray about the possibility, but the more I looked into it the better it looked. As I left Carson Newman for the Summer the idea of going to Bolivia was on my mind, but I knew I had to shadow doctors first and be certain that I was going to continue pursuing a career in Medicine. As the Summer went on I found that I was enjoying Medicine more and more, so I cotninued to pray and sought a clear answer from God. Next, I started asking questions to members of my church to see what it would take to get some support. I was encouraged to find that many people were open and willing to support me in going to Bolivia. I could see things falling into place and decided that God must want me to go on this trip. Now, I am currently trying to raise the 4,000 dollars required for airfare and living expenses and am trusting God to provide. The rest is history. Lastly, in this blog it is my hope to tell others about my time in Bolivia and to share the things that God is teaching me while I'm there. I will be a part of a team of 4 students from Carson Newman who are going to Bolivia, so you also may hear of them and see posts from them from time to time. I hope that you will follow this blog as I am away this Summer and will enjoy the adventures that I hope to share with you. Thank you for your time, your prayers, and(hopefully) your financial support. I hope you'll enjoy this journey as much as I do.

Kevin Quinby 

Fortified City?

Greetings everyone! I thought I'd start this blog by explaining why I named it "Fortified City." This particular phrase is found in Jeremiah 1:18. In the entire first chapter of Jeremiah, God urges Jeremiah to go prophesy to the people, but Jeremiah claims that he is too young for such a task and is afraid. At the end of the chapter God rebukes Jeremiah, saying "Get yourself ready! Stand up and say to them whatever I command you. Do not be terrified by them, or I will terrify you before them. Today I have made you a fortified city, an iron pillar and bronze wall to stand against the whole land. They will fight against you but will not overcome you, for I am with you and will rescue you, declares the Lord." I chose this passage to remind me that God made Jeremiah, a young man in the Bible, a fortified city to stand against anyone or anything who may oppose him and his message for the people. As disciples and followers of Christ, Christians are called to bring the gospel message to the world, but I have found that we are often afraid to do so. Our biggest reason for not telling others of God's mercy and grace is our fear, in my opinion. Thus, it was my hope to remind you, readers, and me that God has called us to stand firm, and to remind us both that he is with us. Lastly, Jesus said to his disciples in Matthew 10:27 "What I tell you in the dark, speak in the daylight; what is whispered in your ear, proclaim from the roofs!" It is my hope that we(Christians) will no longer be afraid to take the Gospel to the world and that we will stand firm as fortified cities, strengthened by Christ. Let us proclaim his word from the roofs.....