Drew Young
Executive Editor of New Media
Andrew Shafer, Crowder Alumni, poses for pictures outisde of an orphanage in Gressier, Haiti during a winter break mission trip with the Baptist Student Union.
Students take medical mission
A group of 15 Crowder Students & Alumni from the Baptist Student Union (BSU) recently traveled to the island nation of Haiti for a weeklong mission trip.
The group stayed at the Joy House in Gressier, Haiti just outside the Haitian capital of Port-Au-Prince.
The trip served primarily for medical missions, as they set up multiple walking and walk-in clinics throughout the week.
“Our mobile clinics met a woman one morning who had a very severe infection. She would have more than likely died if she hadn’t received our help.” – Aaron Werner, Baptist Student Union Director.
Antibiotics, medicines, and First Aid Supplies were among the many items packed for the trip. The group, bolstered with several Crowder nursing students & alumni, treated hundreds of patients for infections and gave first aid throughout the week.
Many who were treated were in near critical condition and had fevers of 105+. Expecting mothers heard their children’s heartbeats, many for the first time.
Those on the trip also had the opportunity to visit the local schools. They were able to give wellness check-ups to students and treat minor illnesses.
Haley Perkins, a sophomore Criminal Justice major, laughs with a Haitian student in Port-Au-Prince, Haiti.
Sharing faith and teaching English
When not attending to medical needs, the group was able to interact with the Haitian people, share their faith and engage in English as a Second Language (ESL) training.
The week provided a time of spiritual reflection for both the Haitian people and trip-goers alike.
“God reminded me that I should constantly stay humble to the needs that are around me. Too often I get calloused and selfish with the blessings I’ve been given”, said Andrew Shafer, Crowder Alumni.
“The Gospel of Christ was presented to each person who walked through our clinics. After our first full day of ministry, we had seen six salvations, God is good,” said Werner.
Plans for the future
The group is currently stateside until March 15th when many will be traveling on a spring break mission trip in Memphis, Tenn. through Street Reach Ministries.
They currently plan to return to Haiti next winter break, with the possibility of moving to a different region of the country.
For more information on the Crowder College BSU, readers may visit them on the web at www.crowderbsu.com or fb.com/crowderbsu
Leave a Reply