Nicaragua/Wisconsin Wesleyan Partnership
Medical Ministry Team Report
August 10-18, 2011
Medical Team Ministry Report #20
USA Team Members: Cynthia Terry (translator, logistics, balloons), Richard Lynch (MD), Suzanne Ulmer (RN), Patti Patefield (RN), Kelly Bagely (RN), Hannah Peterson (RN)
Nicaraguan Team Members: Included 3 medical students and 2 college students who worked as translators, 2 MDs, 2 Dentists, local church pastors and members of the congregations who assisted with clinic set-up, missionaries Mike & Amy Knox
The Nicaragua/Wisconsin Wesleyan medical teams have been working in a long-term partnership with Wesleyan churches in resource-poor areas of Nicaragua. The community health clinics provided by the teams promote primary health care while supporting both physical and spiritual health of people from the congregations and their communities.
Medicines and supplies were purchased in Nicaragua through the ACCION organization. The team members along with people from the churches where clinics were to be held then prepared and packed the medications for distribution at the clinic sites.
Five days of community health clinics were held at five different churches in Managua, Masaya, and Tipitapa. Hundreds of people were treated each day with health consults that included a health assessment, education, and medication. Suzie Ulmer provided in-depth and individualized assessments and education for people with the chronic health problems of diabetes, hypertension, and weight control. The dentists provided dental education and treatment for 123 people, mostly children. Each family group received a beautiful cloth bag (mostly sewn by Wisconsin women) with toothbrushes, a beanie baby, the Gospel of John, and Family & Adult Health Information Booklets. Each child also received a balloon creation from balloon artist Cindy Terry.
On Sunday the team participated in Sunday School at Amigos del Rey #3 church plant in the community of San Juan. Richard Lynch taught the adult class, Suzie Ulmer taught the youth class, and Patti Patefield with Cindy Terry assisting taught the children's class. The classes were a good time of intercultural worship and learning for all.
Donation ideas for future teams include eyeglasses, toothbrushes, beaniebabies, wrist bands for youth, and cloth tote bags (view suggested pattern directions).
Dates for upcoming teams are:
February 8 – 16, 2012
September 12 – 20, 2012
May the grace of our Lord Jesus be with God's people everywhere.
Submitted by Hannah Peterson
August 21, 2011