Students for International Mission Service (SIMS)

Lory Giddings says farewell to SIMS. During her time with SIMS, she helped organize many programs and events.

As I sat in my international health orientation meeting, I was tired of hearing about all the services and details necessary to start at a new school.

I had been in orientation all day and just wanted to finish and leave to unpack my boxes, open a new bank account, find a part-time job, shop for odds and ends for my apartment, and get settled in my new life in Loma Linda!

I was listening to the professors introduce themselves, and tell about their classes and other activities.

J.C. Belliard, director of SIMS, who also sits on the faculty for the international health department, was telling about SIMS, who it serves, and what goes on in his office.

As I listened, I suddenly thought, "hmmm, I wonder if he needs a student worker in his office?"

After the meeting was over I approached him to find out. He told me he had just hired a student and wouldnât be needing anyone in the near future.
I thought, "Oh well, there are other jobs around, right?"

Later that week, I was walking toward the rotunda in Nichol Hall and J.C. was walking the other direction. He stopped me and asked if I still needed a job.

I said yes, and promptly asked about the other student he had hired. He replied, "his work study status didnât clear and I really need a worker as soon as possible."

I followed J.C. back to the SIMS office, and thus began my time at SIMS.

What is SIMS? You all know it stands for Students for International Mission Service, but what is it really?

From the eyes and mind of an employee, I will state what it is and has been to me during the past year.

For awhile it was just a job. J.C. had many secretarial duties that needed to be done, and I spent the first month trying to make sense of where I fit into the office.

In October of 1997, we had the annual SIMS fall vespers. I was given the responsibility of putting together a program with the help of returned volunteers and other SIMS supporters.

It was at that vespers that I really got a picture of the powerful role the SIMS office plays in the lives of those it servesöthe students, community, and people around the world.

SIMS provides an easily accessible link between people who want to serve and those who are in need.

This may sound simple, but it is actually a difficult task. However, when accomplished, it provides great satisfaction to all who are involved.

It has been my pleasure to aid in the process of planning such programs as the Adopt-a-Kid Christmas Party, vespers, food fair/garage sales, SIMS retreats, and many more.

Each of these programs and events helps to connect the students and faculty of Loma Linda University with the community and the world.

Every activity that is planned from the SIMS office is a collective effort of the SIMS staff, officers, and friends of SIMS.

I would like to thank the SIMS staff, J.C. Belliard, Stafford Ormsby, and Lorna Bell for all the help, laughs, and fun. I have really enjoyed working with each one of you and am proud to have worked for SIMS.


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