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Project Discussions:  Sharing my Community Service Project  |
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AussieChick
True Blue Farmgirl
73 Posts
Cindy
Esk
Queensland
Australia
73 Posts |
 Posted - Dec 14 2024 : 3:22:45 PM
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When contemplating a way that I could give back to the community, I wanted to find an organisation that could utilize my talents in the healthcare domain. I had always been interested in doing an overseas medical mission after heading a nurse speak at a conference about her experience in Nepal.
The first organisation that I researched was Australian Lutheran World Service (ALWS). As a member of the Lutheran church, I would often hear about the projects they were engaged in. “ALWS envisages a world where love comes to life; a world where all people live in just societies; where we are all empowered to achieve our full potential, uphold our rights & the rights of others for a life with peace & dignity; where we are all inspired to remember, welcome & support those who suffer from poverty & injustice.” I had enquired about joining their medical mission team to perform eye surgeries in Cambodia. I went through the application process & joined the team at the end of 2019, only for our mission trip to be cancelled due to the COVID pandemic.
Shortly thereafter, my husband & I moved to the U.S., so I started researching other organisations with a similar vision. I had heard a lot about Medecins sans Frontieres (Doctors without Borders). They are an organisation that brings medical care to people affected by conflict, disasters, epidemics, & social exclusion. I looked at the application process but, unfortunately, they required a minimum commitment of 9-12 months &, at this stage, I couldn’t afford the time or financial commitment required.
It was then that a good friend & work colleague told me about Health Talents International (HTI). HTI’s mission statement is “to proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ through teaching & healing ministries”. Their goal is a restoration of health, described biblically as wholeness in mind, spirit, body & social relationships. The work is focused on Guatemala, with outreach to Nicaragua. I joined their surgical mission team for the October 2024 trip to Clinica Ezell. The focus of our trip was gynaecological & general abdominal surgeries. Over the course of the week, we performed 53 surgeries for the rural Mayan & ladino population living in the area. I journalled each day of the trip in a book I had purchased before I left called “A Treasure Seeker’s Travel Guide: A Training, 30-day Acts Devotional, Travel Journal & Debrief Guide” designed for individuals as they embark on missionary work. I had the most incredible experience. We stayed in accommodation on-site, did 8 hour shifts each day, shared meals in a common dining area (we had an amazing team of local cooks & kitchen hands – some who even taught us how to make tortillas on the grill). My journal includes stories of the beautiful people I met each day; the stories of their long suffering with what we might consider a simple medical condition; the stories of their journeys to get to the clinic – usually hours on the back of a motorcycle; & the stories of their lives in this Indigenous community. On the final day of our mission, 10 members of our group joined Rita & Carey (U.S missionaries who now live full time in Guatemala), and we went to help serve meals in a feeding centre for local children. For some of these children, it’s the only meal they will get for the day. Others bring their younger infant siblings swaddled on their backs. They were so grateful for our presence.
This community service opportunity was so incredibly fulfilling. My patients were so affectionate – bestowing us with hugs & blessings as they left the ward. I went to serve & share God’s love with the people of Guatemala, but received so much more in return. So much so that I look forward to returning again in 2025.
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Farmgirl #6058
Farmgirl Sister of the Year 2021
"The happiest people don't have the best of everything, they just make the best of everything they have". |
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Blessed in Colorado
True Blue Farmgirl
4457 Posts
Debbie Fischer
Coos Bay
OR
4457 Posts |
Posted - Dec 14 2024 : 4:20:35 PM
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Oh Cindy thank you for sharing with us your journey to Guatemala and the help you and your team gave to the Women there. What a wonderful cause and the work you do so fulfilling. Your Medical Mission makes you so happy. I see it on your face with the photo you shared and the faces of the woman. And I hear the happiness and joy in the words you have written. Thank you so much for the work you do as my heart tells me you are appreciated by all those Women.
Please continue to share with us as I personally want to hear more.
Glad to have you in the HH. |
Big Hugs,
Debbie
Farmgirl if the Month for:
September 2012, February 2018 and September 2022
“My altars are My Mountains and the Ocean.” Lord Bryon
When I am old I am wearing Purple. I am Old!!
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Dreamer42
True Blue Farmgirl
223 Posts
April
Central
Oregon
USA
223 Posts |
Posted - Dec 16 2024 : 09:39:06 AM
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| You are an amazing soul in this world, so much light just radiates from you. I'm so proud of you for making one of your dreams come true and making a difference in the lives of those 53 patients. You are truly inspiring. Love you BIG! |
Dreamer42
Farmgirl Sister #7038 |
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nndairy
True Blue Farmgirl
1486 Posts
Heather
Wapakoneta
Ohio
USA
1486 Posts |
Posted - Dec 17 2024 : 1:25:30 PM
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| Kind of hard to follow what April said LOL! What an amazing story. Thank you so much for sharing with us. |
~Heather
“I would rather be on my farm than be emperor of the world.” — George Washington |
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debbieklann
True Blue Farmgirl
2867 Posts
Debbie
Madras
OR
USA
2867 Posts |
Posted - Dec 17 2024 : 2:09:39 PM
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| I am just in awe!!! |
Debbie Klann
Farmgirl Sister #770
2018 Farmgirl Sister of the Year
January 2020 FGOTM
"Well behaved women seldom make history"...
Laurel Thatcher Ulrich |
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AussieChick
True Blue Farmgirl
73 Posts
Cindy
Esk
Queensland
Australia
73 Posts |
Posted - Dec 17 2024 : 2:42:18 PM
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Thank you so much for your encouraging words, Ladies! I really feel so blessed to be part of this Sisterhood.
I am looking forward to returning to Guatemala again in 2025. If anyone out there has a similar opportunity, I totally encourage you to embrace it! You will be so glad you did. |
Farmgirl #6058
Farmgirl Sister of the Year 2021
"The happiest people don't have the best of everything, they just make the best of everything they have". |
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Project Discussions: Sharing my Community Service Project |
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Sharing my Community Service Project
