Missionaries: Pastor Brian Burkholder, Dr. Hugo Perez, Dr. Jorge W. Gomez, Nurses Jolie Lora, Elizabeth Greaves and Theresa Palmer.
The Preparation: One of the things I like most about going on a mission trip is the mental and spiritual preparation. Once the focus of the mission is clear, one begins to work for the Lord with great pleasure. Packaging the medications and coming together as a team was something we did with joy. I give thanks to my wife Elena and my children Lynette and Danny for the hours of counting and bagging the medications. Two weeks before departure the team came together for the final prayer and packing meeting. ( pics will be posted soon).
The Trip: We took an 8 hour flight to Buenos Aires, Argentina on which most of us did not sleep much. Once there, however, we forgot about the long flight as the reception by Pastor Claudio and Benjamin was warm and joyful. Imagine trying to fit 15 pieces of luggage into a Fiat and a Toyota. After checking in at our hotel, the girls bundled up for 30 degree weather and we lost no time heading for the empanadas. That was the beginning of a 5 day eating spree that was part of being well cared for. We thank the host church, La Iglesia Del Barrio, as well as Pastor Luis and his wife; Pastor Claudio and his wife Neomi, his children Debbie and Lucy, as well as all the students that made this mission possible.
The Mission: The next day we setup inside School #51 in the Fuerte Apache area just outside Buenos Aires. This is a very poor slum area riddled with crime, drugs and prostitution. Military police patrolled the streets. We were never in danger as we were under Divine protection. The people who came to the medical campaign were warm and friendly. They were highly appreciative of us being there to serve. We treated 200 patients over 3 days. Praise God, 56 souls accepted the Lord as their personal Savior.
The Gospel was given collectively and individually by members of the local church, the majority of them students who were on vacation. The outstanding service of these people to the Lord was truly admirable. These youngsters are the heart and soul of that church. Many of them run the music ministry as well.
Doctors In Christ acted in a highly organized fashion. Patients were given numbers and Nurse Elizabeth evaluated patients to Internal Medicine, Cardiology or Pediatrics. We were joined by two local doctors: Dr. Christian Catala (Internal Medicine) and Dr. Samuel (Surgery). It was great to see Dr. Perez witnessing and counseling patients.
Sister Jolie was a force to be reckoned with as she is on fire for the Lord. Beside being the pediatric nurse, she initiated a children ministry and shared the Gospel with young and old alike. She even shared the Gospel with the bathroom attendant at the airport. I was deeply touched by her heart for Christ and will always be an inspiration for me.
Sister Terry is a recent nurse graduate. She was the Pharmacy Supervisor. She was instrumental in the correct dispensation of medications, dose calculation for pediatric patients and providing breathing treatments to all.
Pastor Burkholder was brilliant in delivering powerful messages during consecutive night services which we used to invite those patients we had treated in the morning. The music ministry was beautiful. Debbie Gimenez played the keyboard for the first time in public. She had only been taking lessons for three months. These kids have a gigantic heart for the Lord.
On Friday, came the most difficult part which was to say goodbye to those who had poured out their heart to us for a week. Goodbye to a poverty stricken area we wish we could fix. Goodbye to 56 new brothers in Christ.
I was speaking with sister Elizabeth last night as she confessed that Terry and her had been deeply affected by this trip. She felt as if she had unfinished business back in Argentina. I think we all do. How can we be completely satisfied with the work what we do when there is so much yet to be done. As disciples of our Lord Jesus, we are always looking for the next opportunity to serve.
I glorify God the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit for the work He did in Argentina. His miracles were evident daily. I loved the time we spent together in prayer. I love to serve Him and to love Him each day more and more. I ca no longer live without my beautiful King, my friend and my Savior.
If you want to be part of this experience contact us and join us in Jamaica, November, 2008. May the Lord always bless you.
In His hands,
Jorge W. Gomez, MD
