Can you do more to help those less fortunate?

Stacy treating one of the many in need of medical care

Have you ever felt like you can do more to help those who are less fortunate? I have always wanted to do a missionary trip. However, there was always an excuse preventing me from volunteering such as school, work, family, or expenses. I heard about Commissioned by Christ (CBC) from my neighbor’s son who went to Banica in 2017. Michelle Haworth is my neighbor and executive director for CBC, so I asked her if there was a need for a family nurse practitioner on any of the trips. I learned that there is a Parish clinic at the Peru mission site, Santisimo Sacramento. The Parish clinic staff also supports a long term care facility and home healthcare visits.

The outpatient clinic at Santisimo Sacramento is a non-profit charity clinic that caters to pregnant women. I spent one day working in the clinic catching up on my OB/GYN skills. The nurse that runs the clinic is quite knowledgeable and seems to really enjoy her job. The women are referred to a physician only if there’s a complication or when the mother is ready to give birth. The long-term care facility is also a charity facility with three residents currently. It was a facility donated by an American named Mark who was terminally ill himself and knew how important a facility like his is for end of life patients. We made home visits to several ill patients without health insurance or money for much needed medications. Thanks to Santisimo Sacramento staff and missionaries who donate medications and medical supplies, the patients receive healthcare and help not ordinarily available to them.

My mission trip to Piura was an incredible experience. I was impressed by the Peruvian pride in country, family, and faith. It may look like they don’t have much from an outsider, but after spending a week in Peru it seemed that they have more connections to their Catholic faith and community than most of us in other parts of the world. I was blessed to travel with a nice group of missionaries who made the experience even better. Not to mention the pre-med students Julia and Megan from St Louis who assisted me with medical care and interpreting. I highly recommend a trip with CBC. But next time I’m bringing my family with me!

by Stacy, CBC Missionary to Piura, Peru, June 2018