This spring break, Cedarville had the opportunity to partner with Medical Ministries International (MMI) in Peru. Through this partnership, around 11 Cedarville team members and local nurses were able to travel and offer primary care, ophthalmology, dental, and physiotherapy to 537 patients and families. After receiving medical care, patients would go to an integrative health station to receive health education, spiritual encouragement, resources, and an opportunity to accept Jesus as their personal Savior. The best news I get to share is that 143 people made the life-changing decision to accept Christ. Throughout our trip, we visited the city of Arequipa in the province of Camaná.
The Lord is doing miraculous works in those in Peru, and our team had the beautiful opportunity to walk alongside the MMI team to serve this community. One resounding theme that we noticed on our trip is the consistent joy of the Peruvians had. Many of them came from situations we couldn’t imagine. However, they found their joy not in where they lived or what they had, but in the truth that Jesus was greater still. Many of them had not received proper medical care their whole lives and had been experiencing chronic pain, disabilities, parasites, and chronic infections. Their pain was also not a limitation in the way they expressed gratitude and the way they loved people.
The first three and a half clinic days were spent in Camaná, the province of Arequipa. There, we established three clinics across various soccer fields. Before starting clinic, our team would have a daily devotional led by one of the team members. Then, we would head to the clinic and pray with our team and those in line, followed by singing Alabaré, a song of praise, before we would begin our clinic day. These days consisted of meaningful events like fitting families for wheelchairs, treating chronic and painful conditions, and giving each patient hope. So many of the patients coming to receive physiotherapy were in wheelchairs that were broken and unfit for them to use. Thankfully, the MMI team was able to fit them to custom wheelchairs so they could leave feeling more comfortable and confident. It also consisted of really challenging moments like confirming a terminal cancer diagnosis and supporting those families throughout that time. Through all of it, we were given the unique opportunity to care for their physical needs while also learning how to navigate emotional, mental, and spiritual struggles.
We traveled to Arequipa on the final clinic day and provided home care in various locations. Our four teams consisted of physicians, nurses, students, general helpers, and pharmacists, all of whom contributed to the success of these visits. We had the opportunity to review the scans patients had received and give them accurate counseling on their conditions, offer reassurance to families with children about their health status, and witness the state of poverty they were experiencing. This day was emotionally challenging. We had been given so many opportunities in our lives, and seeing the lack elsewhere is eye-opening. We often take many aspects of life for granted, while the people we witnessed to are just happy to be alive and in community with others. The homes of these families were filled with dirt. Chickens and guinea pigs wandered around, and their houses’ structures were usually unstable. These living conditions and the deep poverty they faced made it difficult for them to access healthcare.
One story that stands out to me is from our third clinic day. A man named Andres walked miles to reach our clinic, and it was so far that he was unable to walk back for lunch. He came to triage with tears in his eyes but maintained a joyful spirit. He shared that he lived alone and had no support. Gradually losing his sight was a source of deep concern for him. One powerful statement shifted our perspective. He said, “Father, may I only be able to see to read Your Word.” This was a profound testament to what the Lord had done in his life and how he had learned to rely on the Lord in every aspect of his life. Throughout this hardship, his only complaint was not being able to read the Word of God. The Bible had filled his life with joy despite his circumstances, and he did not want to lose that ability. Afterward, he was seen by ophthalmology and diagnosed with macular degeneration, cataracts, and glaucoma in both eyes, and he is fortunate to be a candidate for surgery in the July campaign! He left feeling hopeful, thankful, and rejoicing in the faithfulness of God.
All in all, through every experience, every person, and every treatment provided, we saw the hand of God. He was gracious and kind enough to let us meet these Peruvians and to let us help them in any small way. We came to serve, but the invaluable lessons they provided will never be able to be replaced: contentment and rejoicing in all things, gratitude for who Jesus is, and a heart to serve. Our team was blessed to be able to serve this community, and our hearts towards others and towards our Savior only grew.
Major: Nursing
Year of Graduation: Class of 2025
Tags: #experience, #globaloutreach, #GO, #missions, #personal, #student, #studentlife, #testimony
Posted in: Experience, Global Outreach, Student Life