Last week, Brennan had a wonderful opportunity to serve as a translator on a medical missions trip with three of his classmates as they assisted a group from Medical Ministry International (mmi). For MANY years now Doulos has had a partnership with Medical Ministries International. Doulos has sent a group of students down every year to translate for their doctors and nurses. The process to go on this trip requires an application from students and a panel of staff members decides who would be the best fit to go.
For five days, the students translated for surgeons, providers, and pastors. The alarm went off at 6:00am, they ate at 6:30am, then they went to a rural area to set up a clinic. They worked long hours, sometimes 12 hour days, translating for those in need. The group learned and experienced the medical field and serving with this Dominican lead organization. Additionally, the organization focuses more on the SPIRITUAL health of their patients. Each patient after they are seen was introduced to the gospel and given the opportunity to accept Christ.
Here are some stats from the two weeks of the trip (Brennan was in the second week) – 601 adults and 292 children were seen in the mobile clinic that goes to rural areas of the southern part of the island. 3,355 prescriptions were given, 600 parasite treatments, 101 patients had surgery done, 1318 people heard about Jesus and received health education, and 86 made a decision to follow Christ. Brennan translated for the “bumps and lumps” team which performed minor surgeries. Brennan translated the doctor’s pre- operation instructions, the steps of the surgeries, and post- operation care. Below are his thoughts on the experience:
I had a great time on the medical mission trip for many reasons. It was fun to grow closer to a new group of friends that I might not normally hang out with that much. Another great experience I had was being able to help patients out by translating what was wrong with them so that the doctors were able to diagnose them and help them as needed. Going on this medical mission trip also helped me realize some very important things that most people in the world take for granted. There were hundreds of patients that had parasites and diseases from not drinking clean water. It wasn’t like they didn’t know that that was bad, but rather they didn’t have the money to afford bottled water. Many patients that I saw had multiple joint pains and arthritis. Since these people probably didn’t have access to education, they still have to work hard labor jobs at the ages of 65+ just to put food on the table.
I also noticed that there were a lot of teen pregnancies just showing that in their family cultures that it seems to be taught that it is fine to have children at the age of 14 / 15 as that was what their mothers did too. In the end, I think it is good for everyone to realize that there are so many blessings that God gives them that they may not realize are blessings.
Thanks again for all the prayers for our son during this week as well as for the continual prayers while we serve here. We feel so blessed to be able to serve here and to have all four of us serving in whatever way that the Lord calls us to.
Love,
Mike and Melissa