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GCHope Supports Medical Missions Trip in Philippines
In March of this year, Giving Children Hope helped a short term mission team, from Calvary Chapel Costa Mesa that traveled to the Philippines. GCHope supplied varies medical supplies to the team.
GCHope Helps ROCKHARBOR Church with Monthly Mexico Trips
The last Saturday of every month, Rojo Gomez, Mexico, receives medical care from ROCKHARBOR Community Church’s team of 25-35 people. With team members ranging from volunteers and medical students to seasoned physicians, they focus on showing compassion to the village which is home to about 2500 people, many who are in need of medical attention. Living on privately owned property instead of government land, the conditions of the area lack the attention that is given to other villages because it is privately owned. This can be seen in the run-down roads and lack of medical facilities that leave the residents without adequate medical coverage.
“This outreach is such a blessing because a lot of the people are sick or have kids that are sick. They don’t have any medical coverage or means to get their medicine. When [the team] comes you bless them and help them with consultations, medicines and hygiene products,” said Pastor Daniel of Iglesia Church.
Each trip, the team sees about 30-35 patients in an all day clinic where tooth extractions, vaccines, check-ups and other various procedures are performed. The most common ailments are respiratory and dental problems. Skin care is also an issue. In addition to medical check-ups, the team plays with the local children, picks up trash and holds a pharmacy. Garrett from ROCKHARBOR volunteers with the kids by making balloon animals. “There are lots of smiles in here,” he said. ROCKHARBOR has been partnering with Giving Children Hope who has provided medical supplies for this trip and other ROCKHARBOR outreach trips such as to Uganda.
“We are so blessed by what Giving Children Hope gave us and continue to be blessed. The vitamins are awesome; we give them to all the children. We also got a nebulizer and received various items… you have no idea how much this blesses our ministry. We love to partner with Giving Children Hope,” said Sarah Atchison of ROCKHARBOR.
Ken Hicks, who works procurement at GCHope, has participated in the trip from the start with his wife, Nancy, who is a trip leader. Though they do not speak much Spanish, the couple has found that love is a language understood by all. Ken recalls a time when he walked past all the patients lined up waiting and a little five year old boy rushed up to him. Without any hesitation, he threw his arms around Ken’s legs. Knowing how much the child trusted him to show such an act of thanks has been a vivid memory that has stayed with Ken.
Apart from holding a medical clinic, the team has established a trusting relationship with the village. The kids have gotten to know the team over the last year and can remember them from visit to visit. Part of showing a genuine interest in their lives comes from praying over patients which has led to strengthening relationships. One of the most important factors of the trip is the deep commitment on the part of the volunteers and the compassion they are able to show people in need.
*photos courtesy of Aaron Young of the Rockharbor Medical Missions team
