In January 2018, Sharon Eubank gave a forum at BYU titled "Turning Enemies into Friends". In this speech, there is a section called "You are the Gift". During my time in Portugal so far, I have tried to be the 'humanitarian organization' Sister Eubank talked about. I tried to give kindness, friendship, and respect to everyone I interacted with at the hospital and in the city. While I was in the hospital, I was respectful to the doctors and patients. I didn't want to interrupt them while they were speaking with the patients or each other. I am normally a quiet person, so I don't like to voice my opinion or ask questions while other people are talking. There were multiple times in the hospital where I thought I was being respectful, but to the doctors, I was just timid and scared. Portuguese people are very opinionated and very loud. They like to talk and let you know what they think. This is why my respectful behavior may not have been perceived as being respectful. I still believe that even though our cultural differences made us perceive things differently, I was able to be an example to them. There were many doctors who didn't know much about America or our health care. Thankfully, I knew enough to be able to teach them more about it. In our study abroad, we didn't really do any humanitarian work. When I read this forum address, I wasn't sure how it would apply to me because we weren't doing much service. Now that I am a few weeks into my study abroad, I realize that is does apply to me. Just by being in the hospital and by being in Portugal, I am a gift to the locals. I opened their eyes to a different culture and it helped us both appreciate each other. In the forum address, Sister Eubank shared a quote by Elder Robert D. Hales. It says,
"To truly understand [young peoples'] hearts, we must do more than just be in the same room or attend the same family and Church activities. We must plan and take advantage of teaching moments that make a deep and lasting impression upon their minds and hearts..."
It wasn't enough for me to just be among the people of Portugal and observe them. I had to interact with them and get to know them as people. Everyone is different and each person made an impact on my experience. There were many moments for me that I was able to teach them about my culture and my religious views. I would like to think that this made an impact on their hearts and minds for the better.
As mentioned in my last post, I had a moment in the operating room where I was able to teach the surgeons about my beliefs on polygamy. I was in an area where the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is not common religious practice. I was grateful that I had the opportunity to share apart of myself with them. I didn't bring any special gift to give them. The gift I was able to give the doctors and people of Portugal was my kindness, respect, insights, and positive example. I tried to be the best person I could be. I tried to be Christ-like to everyone I met.
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