2008 Woodie Awards
Letter to the Editor:
Alumna thanks SBU
Naomi R. Evers
Issue date: 4/25/08 Section: Forum
My name is Naomi R. Evers. I graduated in May of 2004 with a B.A. in Spanish and a minor in English. I am writing this letter to express my sincere gratitude for all SBU has done for me.
Through SBU and the Coalition of Christian Colleges and Universities' Latin American Studies Program, I spent my last semester in Costa Rica, Nicaragua and Guatemala. It was an awesome experience, and I am still processing what I learned. After graduating, I was ready to conquer the world. The Lord, however, had other plans.
In June of 2004, a seizure disorder that I had endured in a controlled manner for most of my life went out of control. I was having up to 15 episodes a day and was no longer able to work.
After multiple tests and medications it was determined that my disorder was psychosomatic. Thankfully, my family doctor knew otherwise and sent me to the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn.
In March of 2006, after even more tests and more medications, two inches by four centimeters was removed from my brain. Since my surgery, I have yet to have another seizure. That is a miracle.
Someway, somehow in the spring of 2007, I felt like I was supposed to go with the SBU crew to Panama in January. It was definitely a calling of God since I had such a small income. Also, removing a small part of my brain removed a large part of my Spanish. However, I knew I was supposed to go.
And I did go. Thank you so much SBU. Your students with whom I traveled with are awesome!
It was an honor to be with people who work hard, play hard and actually practice their Christianity. I know your students were used by God in Panama and that God used Panama to influence their hearts as well.
I would also like to thank Abel Santos and Curtis Goss for their leadership. I have learned so much and am still learning from them.
After visiting Panama, I was able to revisit Nicaragua and Costa Rica. It healed a lot of my previous wounds. I now know that I am called to work in Central America.
So thank you, SBU, for all of the influence you have had in my life and world. And thanks be to God for all he has done.
Sincerely,
Naomi R. Evers
Class of 2004
Through SBU and the Coalition of Christian Colleges and Universities' Latin American Studies Program, I spent my last semester in Costa Rica, Nicaragua and Guatemala. It was an awesome experience, and I am still processing what I learned. After graduating, I was ready to conquer the world. The Lord, however, had other plans.
In June of 2004, a seizure disorder that I had endured in a controlled manner for most of my life went out of control. I was having up to 15 episodes a day and was no longer able to work.
After multiple tests and medications it was determined that my disorder was psychosomatic. Thankfully, my family doctor knew otherwise and sent me to the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn.
In March of 2006, after even more tests and more medications, two inches by four centimeters was removed from my brain. Since my surgery, I have yet to have another seizure. That is a miracle.
Someway, somehow in the spring of 2007, I felt like I was supposed to go with the SBU crew to Panama in January. It was definitely a calling of God since I had such a small income. Also, removing a small part of my brain removed a large part of my Spanish. However, I knew I was supposed to go.
And I did go. Thank you so much SBU. Your students with whom I traveled with are awesome!
It was an honor to be with people who work hard, play hard and actually practice their Christianity. I know your students were used by God in Panama and that God used Panama to influence their hearts as well.
I would also like to thank Abel Santos and Curtis Goss for their leadership. I have learned so much and am still learning from them.
After visiting Panama, I was able to revisit Nicaragua and Costa Rica. It healed a lot of my previous wounds. I now know that I am called to work in Central America.
So thank you, SBU, for all of the influence you have had in my life and world. And thanks be to God for all he has done.
Sincerely,
Naomi R. Evers
Class of 2004
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