Dear Friends of DCF,
As we all deal with this unusual season in our lives, I want to take time to pass along a greeting and to thank you for your interest in the mission of DCF. God has blessed me with a long life, but none of us have ever experienced a time like this one where we daily face an unseen enemy. I trust that each of you are doing ok and somehow managing in this new normal for our daily lives.
Like most of you, there has been more time for rest and reflection these past few weeks. What comes to mind from my perspective is the certainty (known) that “God is good” in contrast with the unpredictability (unknown) of life. James, the brother of Jesus put it clearly in his letter, James 4:14. “Yet you do not know what tomorrow will bring. What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes.” I don’t think that James is being fatalist. Rather that he is confronting the fact that we think that we are in charge of our lives, when in reality we are not in control.
After serving in Peru in January and Nicaragua in February, DCF cancelled our largest international mission trip ever due to the travel ban associate with coronavirus. It was a huge loss both to our team as well as to those who were awaiting our visit to Ecuador. This was a perfect reminder of what I am referring to in the above paragraph. We make our plans, but God directs our steps.
In spite of the unusual circumstances and the disappointments associated with a cancellation of graduation, we wish the class of 2020 our best as they transition from MUSC into residencies, the military, or private practice. DCF regrets not being able to celebrate their accomplishments in person.
We are in hopes of continuing our Fall mission trip schedule beginning in August, Lord willing. Please consider participating on one of the Fall trips, or perhaps in 2021. In addition, the DCF Student Leadership team is making plans for the time when we return to campus. We are looking forward to welcoming the new class of entering dental students which we typically do the first week of classes, but this year orientation will be online so our connection with them will be delayed.
Everyone understands the need to isolate, but most are awaiting when we can return to our normal activities. Until then, let’s make the best of the time. There are 134 references to ‘trust’ in the Bible. That seems to be a good word to describe God’s call to each of us every day, but especially now.
Trusting,
Bill
