Two separate teams of health science students are in Guatemala over Spring Break this year. One team consists of nursing and pharmacy students. The other includes OT and PT students. Both team are writing about their experiences.
Team Nursing/Pharmacy
from Rachel Searfoss
Yesterday was lift off! A group of 20 students and faculty from the College of Health Sciences and Pharmacy ventured from Nashville to embark on the Immersion Mission trip over spring break 2015. The Immersion mission trip to Antigua, Guatemala connects students and faculty with local workers and families in Guatemala, hoping to reach others’ physical needs through the skills we have learned thus far and also their spiritual needs, giving our hearts and our testimony to others wherever they need it.
After flying in and staying overnight in Guatemala City, the group finally made it to our destination here in Antigua. Picture this: blue skies interspersed with fluffy clouds, lazily making their way around an active volcano seen rising in the midst of the beaming sunshine, all while steadying oneself upon the historic cobblestone streets, touching the stone walls of a church built in years past. This is Antigua. A city bustling around statuesque churches with street vendors selling anything from candies to tapestries comes alive in the afternoon to meet our eager and excited group. Our first stop – the local grocery store.
We made our way around a local food market, breaking in teams to seek out all the local foods and commodities needed for the week of meals ahead. Much of the day was spent gathering food in the market, organizing the supplies, and meandering through the booths of the street vendors, selling their creations with heartfelt pride. After bonding through our first team dinner together, we happened to run across a religious process, slowly making its way down the weathered streets. The scent of incense strongly filled the air, as did sounds from the marching band passing by. Residents of Antigua watched on with our group, wide-eyed and fascinated by the religious statues and floats filling the streets. This religious procession occurs every Sunday evening until Lent begins. It was an incredible way to experience the religious background of this tiny town.
The evening has been spent planning activities for our medical screenings occurring in the days to come. We will be traveling to a local coffee plantation, connecting with the workers and their families about personal health and wellness. Our teams met together and addressed how to perform these screenings, speak to the patients in Spanish, and really try to build a sense of camaraderie among team members. Following our meeting, the individual groups created a prayer list to close out the day. Standing in a circle and holding hands, we spoke to how our goal is to touch those around us in a meaningful way, even when all the details are not evident at this moment in time. Our fears were lifted up to God in faith that He can give us the guidance needed to accomplish not our mission for us, but His mission for us, while we are here.
In the midst of this exquisite city, the towering churches on streets glittered with history and hardship, it becomes easy to fall back into oneself in awe at all the beautiful sights around. However, looking a little closer shows the true grit of the city and for us, foreshadows the needs of its people. Walking the streets of Antigua, I saw a woman crouching on the ground, attempting to conceal herself modestly as she breastfed her child in one arm, all while the other arm was raised towards those who passed by, offering a cup for any who might be so warmed to help her state of need. All at once, the moment of awe crashes to the ground and guilt takes its place. Even though on the outside the city is stunning and is just gorgeous, looking a little deeper exposes a need that isn’t always observed by those who visit the city.
While we came on this trip to provide medical screenings and teaching for the people of Antigua that we touch, our goal is to also reach beyond that and see those needs that are often unseen at first sight. What we see on the outside is not always what needs to be healed. Our team is here, full hearts and all, to give to those people exactly what they need, however they need it. We pray that God will guide and shape us to make our own selves vulnerable in the midst of their vulnerability, reaching through whatever is weighing down to provide healing and comfort.
Our team is so thankful for the thoughts and prayers of everyone who has supported us on this journey, and we cannot wait to share with you what this next week has in store! It is an adventure that we are so energized to write and ask for the continued prayers and support for endurance, strength, and genuine love.
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