My trip to the Dominican Republic was quite the adventure. I decided to go a month before the trip. I had my doubts about going but we were able to go, God willing.
I remember being really nervous. This was going to be our first day at the clinic. My heart was beating faster the more we got closer. As we arrived, there was a crowd of about 70 people waiting in line behind a fence. It was a scorching hot day and the roads were made of dirt. We brought lots of boxes and suitcases to situate the pharmacy. Once the patients started coming in, it started to get crazy. We had to memorize where all the drugs were and package them correctly. It was even more difficult not being able to understand the doctors writing. I didn’t get a chance to appreciate what I was a part of. Finishing our first day at the clinic was exhausting. My feet hurt and I was tired. After this first day, I wasn’t so sure if it was worth it.
The next morning, I woke up early not really wanting to go to the clinic. When we worshiped and had a sermon this day, I had a change of heart. Dr. Boden said something that stuck in my mind. He said that we shouldn’t work for or through the Lord, but IN the Lord. From this, I was able to understand that even thought I wasn’t able to get close with the patients, I know that we each had a role to accomplish something greater than us. And that was to bring these people closer to Jesus while treating any physical problems they had. It was amazing to see all these God fearing physicians on our team. Talking with each of them, I learned that there is a serious flaw with the health care system. They are able to treat a patient physically, and that may last for weeks/months/years. Yet they are not focused on their spiritual health which is much more important. It was truly amazing to see the face of patients light up when asked about Jesus. This day went much smoother. I knew what to expect and I had fun doing my job in the pharmacy.
The rest of the week felt like it went by so fast. I was having so much fun I didn’t want it to end. I wasn’t always in the pharmacy. I got to walk around and observe different small surgeries. I was able to see tooth extractions, maggots removed from a patient’s ear and a penile obstruction. Each patient that was treated was able to take away with them something much more than physical wellness, but also spiritual strength to build a relationship to Jesus. We were able to help to help 1,190 adults and 378 children. Even if only a few people were touched by the Lord, it is a blessing. It was an honor to serve in the Dominican Republic. It truly changed my perspective on life. I plan to go back in the future. Going through this I was able to be thankful for everything that I have. Things like food, clothes and water we often take for granted. Now I truly appreciate all that I have.
On three different occasions, we encountered the passage Psalm 133 which explains how pleasant it is for God’s people to work/live in unity. God really made it a point that we all know and apply this passage to our lives. I went on this trip thinking that I was going to be helping others, but in actuality, they helped me more. They helped show me what it means to appreciate the things we have. It was also amazing the witness the way God works in different areas in the world. This trip really changed me. I now have a stronger desire to worship and study the Bible. I admit I don’t know everything and I am a sinner. Only Jesus could make my life worth living. And I plan to honor Him through my future endeavors. I feel that God really wanted me to experience this. I will now use it to continue to grow in my relationship with the Lord.
I remember being really nervous. This was going to be our first day at the clinic. My heart was beating faster the more we got closer. As we arrived, there was a crowd of about 70 people waiting in line behind a fence. It was a scorching hot day and the roads were made of dirt. We brought lots of boxes and suitcases to situate the pharmacy. Once the patients started coming in, it started to get crazy. We had to memorize where all the drugs were and package them correctly. It was even more difficult not being able to understand the doctors writing. I didn’t get a chance to appreciate what I was a part of. Finishing our first day at the clinic was exhausting. My feet hurt and I was tired. After this first day, I wasn’t so sure if it was worth it.
The next morning, I woke up early not really wanting to go to the clinic. When we worshiped and had a sermon this day, I had a change of heart. Dr. Boden said something that stuck in my mind. He said that we shouldn’t work for or through the Lord, but IN the Lord. From this, I was able to understand that even thought I wasn’t able to get close with the patients, I know that we each had a role to accomplish something greater than us. And that was to bring these people closer to Jesus while treating any physical problems they had. It was amazing to see all these God fearing physicians on our team. Talking with each of them, I learned that there is a serious flaw with the health care system. They are able to treat a patient physically, and that may last for weeks/months/years. Yet they are not focused on their spiritual health which is much more important. It was truly amazing to see the face of patients light up when asked about Jesus. This day went much smoother. I knew what to expect and I had fun doing my job in the pharmacy.
The rest of the week felt like it went by so fast. I was having so much fun I didn’t want it to end. I wasn’t always in the pharmacy. I got to walk around and observe different small surgeries. I was able to see tooth extractions, maggots removed from a patient’s ear and a penile obstruction. Each patient that was treated was able to take away with them something much more than physical wellness, but also spiritual strength to build a relationship to Jesus. We were able to help to help 1,190 adults and 378 children. Even if only a few people were touched by the Lord, it is a blessing. It was an honor to serve in the Dominican Republic. It truly changed my perspective on life. I plan to go back in the future. Going through this I was able to be thankful for everything that I have. Things like food, clothes and water we often take for granted. Now I truly appreciate all that I have.
On three different occasions, we encountered the passage Psalm 133 which explains how pleasant it is for God’s people to work/live in unity. God really made it a point that we all know and apply this passage to our lives. I went on this trip thinking that I was going to be helping others, but in actuality, they helped me more. They helped show me what it means to appreciate the things we have. It was also amazing the witness the way God works in different areas in the world. This trip really changed me. I now have a stronger desire to worship and study the Bible. I admit I don’t know everything and I am a sinner. Only Jesus could make my life worth living. And I plan to honor Him through my future endeavors. I feel that God really wanted me to experience this. I will now use it to continue to grow in my relationship with the Lord.
