Divine Appointment II

The second "Divine Appointment" occured the same day, but was being orchestrated beforehand. A few nights eariler, the girls were walking downtown and Meriden spotted a hearing aid clinic called "Gaes." Frances, again, took the initiative to walk right in. Meriden was able to learn about the field of audiology, which is fairly limited. The technician proposed we meet with an Ear, Nose and Throat (ENT**) doctor because they pracitce more of what Meriden is trained to do. He also thought the ENT would provide helpful information for me in regards to speech pathology.

Kelley and Frances took Meriden and I to the ENT clinic to schedule an appointment. The ENT we were referred to was out of the office for the rest of the week; however, there was another ENT we could meet with the next day. We excitedly scheduled the appointment and planned on Kelley attending with us to translate. We had no idea that God had something so special in store for us.

Well, doctor offices in Chile are the same to those here in terms of having to wait for a long, long time after your scheduled appointment to actually see the doctor. We didn't care though - our nervous energy made time fly. Doctor Pablo Roja invited us in, fortunately speaking English. Meriden shared with him our future plans of moving to Chile and our desire to learn about compensated or volunteer opportunities for our professions in Concepcion. Doctor Roja professionally explained the current profession of audiology and what opportunities he could envision. He emphasized that Meriden's doctorate will be eagerly accepted and respected.

Dr. Roja then turned to me, and asked that I explain my profession and credentials. He immediately refered to patient cards that he had seen previously. One patient was diagnosed with a swallowing disorder. He had referred that patient to the hospital to see a speech pathologist. He emphasized that my skills in swallowing and interpreting x-ray swallow studies would be valued, as well as in voice disorders. Dr. Roja welcomed the idea of Meriden and me working alongside this clinic to gain experience and/or through compensation (he was careful to add that we would need to investigate mal-practice and licensure for us in Chile).

By the end of our appointment, Dr. Roja felt connected with our desire to help those in need. He shared with us, "I can relate to wanting to help people. When I was in school, I lived in small villages among the poor and gave them what they could not give. I feel very special about what you are coming here to do."

Kelley transitioned the conversation to learn about Concepcion. Dr. Roja explained that he did not have enough time to discuss these things, due to his next and last appointment. Then, truly uncharacteristic of Chileans, he invited Meriden and me, along with Wes and Reid, over to his home to meet his wife and discuss Concepcion over coffee. We were taken back! Chileans aren't this trusting and welcoming after one visit. In the 10 years Kelley has lived in Chile, he has not seen a Chilean open his or her home this quickly before. We left the appointment knowing that God was at work. We were so giddy!

That evening, Kelley, Meriden, Reid, Wes, and I went to Dr. Roja's home. We drank coffee and discussed the life of Concepcion, good and bad places to live, and discussed nothing professionally. It was as if we were already good friends. We were able to connect so easily with Pablo (now on a 1st name basis) and his wife, Maria Jose. As we were leaving, Maria Jose repeated over and over that her home was ours, that we could call on her for anything. She genuinely anticipated our arrival...and taking Meriden and me to the mall! Pablo walked us out and gave such a sentimental good-bye. He told Kelley, "The pleasure was mine in hosting this group tonight. There is something special about you, something radiates from your faces. I was the one to be thankful."

God was the only one who orchestrated this "Divine Appointment." Our time with Pablo and his wife affirmed God's guiding to Concepcion and the unique ways he has gifted us to help advance His Kingdom. This was a precious gift from God, one that I didn't deserve, but that he knew would bless me and ultimately draw me closer to Him.

**Side note: the Spanish word for Ear, Nose and Throat doctor is this: otorrinolaringologo. This is extremely difficult to say! There is an intense tongue rolling 'r' in the word! Dr. Roja had to break the word into segments for us several times until we could say it perfectly. He kindly suggested to us that it would be helpful for us to learn Spanish before moving to Concepcion. Good thing we have language school in the plans!