REFLECTIONS ON 2024 & 2023 MEDICAL MISSION TRIPS TO PUCALLPA, PERU
Elizabeth Williams, PhD, MDiv
Mission Trip 2024 Day 1 Reflection
We landed in Pucallpa, Peru and are headed to our home away from home, Casa Shea. Surrounded by blue skies and warmth, both from the sun and the people who take care of Casa Shea, we know the week will be a beautiful experience.
After eating lunch, we got to work counting meds and preparing for the first clinic day. Once the sun sets and we have dinner, it is time to go to bed. We will be up bright and early the next day to start clinic. God, thank you for safe travels and the blessings in store for us.
Mission Trip 2024 Day 2 Reflection
Today we had clinic in a community called San Salvador. Located along the banks of the Amazon River, San Salvador is a community we visited last year.
In my devotional this morning, the dynamic scripture was Joshua 1:9, which in The Message Bible says, “Haven’t I commanded you? Strength! Courage! Don’t be timid; don’t get discouraged. God, your God, is with you every step you take.” God commands Joshua and the Israelites to take heart and trust God, especially in challenging situations.
Clinic generally starts at 8:00am and runs until 5:00pm. Most of those being seen are Shipibo people who speak Spanish. Some are from other groups that live along the Amazon River. Given the lack of access to clean water, people deal with chronic parasitic conditions, especially intestinal worms.
One of the medications frequently distributed is Albendazole, which is an antiparasitic medication.
Mission Trip 2024
Day 3 Reflection
Today we hosted clinic in the community of La Victoria, which is about 30 minutes outside of Pucallpa. When we arrived, we were greeted by Shipibo men and women who greeted us with song. Along with presenting us with presents, we were invited to join in a celebratory dance. These gestures of thanks happened before we even set up for clinic. What a blessing to be appreciated before you even do anything.
After we danced, hugged, and were prayed for, we started setting up for the day’s clinic. My devotional this morning focused on Romans 8:28 (The Message Bible), which says, “That’s why we can be so sure that every detail in our lives of love for God is worked into something good.”
Mission Trip 2024 Day 5 Reflection
Today’s clinic was in the community of LaBuena Tierra. This community is about 40 minutes outside of Pucallpa. As more and more people move from rural areas and the jungle closer to urban centers like Pucallpa for work or access to better education, opportunities, and a way of life for themselves and their children, they establish what some call squatter communities in places that were previously undeveloped. The movement of people all over the world from rural areas to urban areas is a global phenomenon and a major demographic shift happening in the world. LaBuena Tierra is one of those communities reflecting this change.
At the same time the Shipibo people are dealing with issues like parasitic infections, they are also dealing more frequently with chronic conditions, like cancer and diabetes. These chronic conditions are the consequences of people moving to more urban areas, access to increased incomes, more sedentary lifestyles, and changes in diet.
At times serving in the clinic can feel overwhelming because there are so many people with health needs. Yet, God provides.
One
of the things I enjoy most about participating in medical missions is the opportunity to see how deeply the Shipibo people believe in God. God is in Peru, just as God is in all the places we are called to.
Over the course of four clinic days, in four different communities, we were able to serve 1,624 people.
We also had the opportunity to provide public health education to teachers at the Refuge of Hope School about using a two bucket water filtration system to provide clean water in their classrooms.
“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world: indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has.”
Margaret Mead
Where we choose to put our attention changes our brain, which in time can change how we see and interact with the world.
Margaret Mead