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Jennifer Brady Lednum was part of a recent medical missions team that traveled to Barahona, Dominican Republic. Thank you Mrs. Lednum, for sharing your experience with us:
This past March, I was blessed to be a part of a medical missions team that traveled to Barahona, Dominican Republic. In this short article, I can’t possibly convey to you all the emotions and blessings that came along with such a trip.
While our team was in the Dominican, every night, after a long day’s work, a few of us ladies would gather by the pool to share our experiences with each other.
I thoroughly enjoyed these times of getting to know each other better, led by a fellow team member, Sue Cameron. Sue is one of those people who is just an awesome Christian and someone who makes you think!
One night by the pool, she asked us the question, “What made you want to come on this trip? Or, simply put, how did you get here?” Great question! So, here is my answer:
I was fortunate to grow up in a church that had a strong missions focus, and even more fortunate to have parents who value missions work greatly.
I always enjoyed hearing missionaries’ stories, about their travels and the stories about helping to change peoples’ lives, as only God can.
Ever since becoming a registered nurse in 1996, I have been interested in a medical missions trip. But, it seems like there is always some reason to let an opportunity to participate slip by, you know…family, kids, money, or something.
A friend of mine, upon hearing me wistfully talk about missions trips, said, “Well, just what are you waiting for?? God won’t always keep putting these great opportunities in front of you if you don’t grab a hold of one!”
So, when my good friend Cheryl Cribb, a nurse in the Operating Room at Randolph Hospital (and a co-worker) told me about her trip to the DR, I said – “I want to go too!”
Our team is based with the Western Conference of the United Methodist Church, a group called “Dream Ministries.”
The group has been ministering to the area in and around Barahona, DR for about 8 years or so. (Become a friend of DreamMinistries on Facebook!)
The team this year consisted of 40 people from around the Randolph County area.
Most members of the team have medical backgrounds; however, some do not – some doctors, surgeons, nurses, pharmacists, anesthesiologists and students, as well as others with little or no medical training.
The only requirement for this team is to have a servants’ heart! The team split into 2 teams for our week in the DR, one team focusing on surgeries in a local, government owned hospital.
Dr. Todd Williams, Dr. John Cameron, Dr. Larry Simpson, and Dr. Jim Kinlaw saw patients all week out in the villages with medical problems, mostly skin/dermatologic problems, parasites (due to unclean water), and various other aches and pains.
All of us on the team really enjoyed getting to know our patients a little while we were there – these people LOVE having their pictures made, and are always smiling!
The children are beautiful and although they might be afraid of our doctors initially, they have fun playing ball after being seen in the clinics.
After everyone sees the doctor, the kids know that there are presents coming – the kids get small gifts like flip-flops, crayons, and toothbrushes.
The doctors in the clinics saw over 600 patients in 5 short days.
I spent most of my week in the hospital with the surgical team.
Clinics in the outlying villages would identify patients with surgical needs, and send them to the hospital to have their surgery.
Hospital Jamie Mota, in Barahona, is a small hospital, with poor conditions for patients. Linen and food are not provided to patients by the hospital, and medicines are often in short supply also.
Our team shipped approximately 50 boxes of supplies ahead, so that we would be able to provide for our patients all week.
Most of our surgeries for the week were hysterectomies, gall bladder, and hernia repairs (with a few other interesting cases thrown in here and there!).
These patients may wit weeks or months for surgery that will improve their quality of life in unmeasurable ways.
It was my honor to work with my friend Cheryl, as well as Dr. Yates Lennon, Dr. Mike Lininger, Dr. Bill Burhman, Steve and Patricia Crane, and so many others.
Working conditions were less than ideal, and mighty hot, but we had a great week, completing more than 70 surgeries in 5 days.
I continue to be amazed by our fearless leader, Vickie Moss, who organizes the trip and keeps everything going smoothly!
The coordination of moving 40 people in an organized fashion is a staggering feat!!
Our team had several interpreters who traveled with us throughout the week, they were such a blessing to us also – we loved meeting Carlos, Chaggy, Franklin, Juan and all the others.
This missions trip is really a labor of love for all of those involved in the planning and reality of such a trip.
Pray for the people of Barahona, DR, as well as for our team. Our next trip back to the area is planned for March 2011. SUPER BIEN!!
Thanks to all my co-workers at Randolph Hospital for being so supportive, and for enduring all my stories about my trip!
I would not have been able to go if it had not been for the love and support of my family and my church, First Christian, Ramseur – their prayers and support are priceless to me, as well as to all the many missionaries they support.
So, how did I get there?? I have learned that God places opportunities in our path, and many, many blessings are in store if we just go where God leads us!
I know that no patient I saw the entire week could have received as much of a blessing as I and the entire team received by ministering to the people of Barahona.
Let God direct you path – whether it is to your local food pantry, a blood donation drive, a local boys & girls club, or a country far, far away. Peace be the journey!
Pattye Harris of Ramseur shares news of interest from N.C. 49, the Empire Charge area and beyond. She can be reached at (336) 824-8198 and invites readers to call her with information they would like to share.
