During this year volunteering with CMF I helped organise the International Medical Students Conference, which took place at the beginning of February 2014. 26 delegates from 23 countries were invited to be equipped and enthused for leadership among Christian medical students in their own countries. Each morning started off with a study from 2 Timothy, with a focus on being a young leader. Throughout the week we had seminars on evangelism, medical ethics, mission, worldviews, discipleship and apologetics. These were fantastic sessions, and the delegates really engaged with one another and the topics.
On Wednesday we went on a tour of the British Museum looking at all the evidence for the Old Testament. We were able to see evidence of kings, dates, places and events described in the Bible. We were told that to date no archaeological discovery has ever controverted a single properly understood biblical statement. It was hugely encouraging to be reminded that the Bible is a historical book, not a fairy tale. We then went to the British Library and saw the Codex Sinaiticus, written c.330-360, making it one of the two earliest copies of the Bible in existence.
The week was a frenzy of jobs to do, problems to overcome and people to get to know. I was surprised by how much joy I felt in serving and got to see God do some amazing things. Financially he provided for us all completely, and even supplied an anonymous donation for exactly the right amount when we were in need! He provided a team made up of students and doctors who gave up their valuable time and energy to help make the week run smoothly.
On Friday we headed up to Swanwick for the CMF Student Conference. There we joined over 300 UK medical students for a weekend of talks, seminars, praise, fun and food! This was my fifth year in a row at conference and it was great to see it from the other side, having worked with many of the organising team. I certainly appreciated it much more knowing how hard they have worked. On the return to London on Sunday night the delegates immediately went to the piano and we all sat around, singing and worshipping. It was quite moving, and such a privilege to be part of. The week had been such a blessing, I have personally seen God at work and am so grateful to have been a part of organising it. The delegates have now returned to their home countries, to put into practice what they have learnt, having been encouraged to serve Jesus through medicine.
