Like an already powerful river with seemingly endless numbers of converging tributaries, life has been pushing my modest raft forward at an ever increasing rate. I am already finding fewer and fewer opportunities to paddle towards the widening banks to gain prolonged relief from life’s strong currents. I can only imagine that this is a trend for the future! Today, however, marks the first day of one of those rare calms: two precious weeks of vacation following an end-of-the semester preceptorship at a local family practitioner’s office.
Don’t get me wrong! It’s not that these rushing currents are undesired.
In fact, God has blessed me greatly with many wonderful things that have kept me continually learning and growing. In the 6+ months since I left Nauela and Mozambique, I’ve knowingly paddled back out into the river’s center and its push has really picked up. So much has changed and yet almost all of it has been amazing!
Since I last posted on this blog, my first semester in medical school has already come and gone. In that time, I was voted by my classmates to be our Class President and between those responsibilities, school, family, friends, Amanda, and church, I’ve been pressed at times to simply stay afloat. That said, I performed extremely well in all my classes, made new friendships and strengthen old ones, delved into a new church family and made a lasting commitment to the love of my life – that’s right! Amanda and I finally got engaged on December 16th. We don’t know the date of our wedding yet, but we’ll keep you all updated :-)
One of our biggest considerations when choosing our wedding date was a mission trip to Angola that both Amanda and I know God has been calling us to go on. Some of you avid blog followers may remember the birth of this trip back during our time in Mozambique when we became good friends with the Fosters, a missionary couple that has been in Mozambique for over 25 years, whose brother has been a surgeon running a mission hospital in rural Angola for the past 11 years (http://www.ceml.net/). Even before our arrival back in the States we started an internet correspondence with him about the possibility of our visit and it has bloomed into a conversation about simply working out the monetary payments and travel logistics. While my role at the hospital will mainly be surrounding the medical treatment, Amanda is planning on being an auxiliary component for the hospital’s evangelical mission. We know that this will be an incredibly shaping experience for us, centering our marriage on God and towards the service of others.
If you are reading this blog now and feel compelled, we are currently asking all our friends and family for both monetary and prayerful support. The current expected cost of the month long trip for the two of us is $8000 including airfare, visas, and our daily costs of living. Checks can be made out to Michael Tudeen and mailed to 1210 NW 36th Rd. Gainesville, FL 32609 or if you want to receive a tax receipt, please let me know in advance and I can work with an associated mission to get you the tax deduction. If neither of those options work for you, please contact me and I’ll get back to you ASAP to talk with you.
If you have any questions for me or would ever like to catch up, please contact me at 352-278-5194 or drop me a line at mtudeen@gmail.com.
One Love,
Michael Tudeen
P.S. - Below are some pictures post-Mozambique
Amanda with Tricia (my brother's fiance), my mom, and my sister, Mariah.
Amanda and I at Mariah's wedding before the reception.
Amanda and I at her first Gator game! Go Gators!
