Written by: Amy Mejias
This past Spring Break, students traveled to several destinations as part of short-term mission trips organized by Southern Adventist University. Two separate Vision Trips included 24 people who volunteered at Familia Feliz in Rurrenabaque, Bolivia, and 23 people who served at AMOR Projects in Pucallpa, Peru.
Additionally, the Evangelistic Resource Center (ERC) sponsored 33 people who held public meetings in Chetumal, Mexico, and 16 people who preached in Ponce, Puerto Rico.
The Vision Trip to Peru was medical-focused, according to Cheryl Craven, Christian Service director. She said AMOR Projects has been a well-loved location for years, and this was Vision Trips’ first opportunity to return since the outbreak of COVID-19 and the unstable political environment in Peru last year.
“I know many lives in Bolivia were changed, and I know the lives of our team were equally impacted by God’s work and mercy through the experience.”
Craven stated that the trip sponsor, School of Nursing professor Tony Lazcano, shared that “there was a medical focus with six days of mobile medical clinics. Four medical providers saw 100 patients in all but one day. One day they saw 150. There were dental tooth extractions and a family practice primary care, which included ultrasounds.”
Students shadowed the medical providers and connected with the patients, Lazcano shared. They saw up close the humanitarian focus, the needs of an underserved population and what it takes to care for others in a challenging environment. People came from far away. A few shared that they hadn’t seen a doctor in 20 years due to lack of access. One lady traveled by boat 4-5 hours and then by car 4-5 hours, according to Lazcano.
The work in Bolivia focused on assisting long-term missionaries at the Familia Feliz orphanage, Craven said. Volunteers assisted with maintenance, such as helping with plumbing and electrical issues, as well as installing a new ceiling and helping with dental cleanings and medical checkups for children at the orphanage.
Sierra Anderson, senior nursing major who was the student leader for the trip to Familia Feliz, added: “Not only were many projects completed, but students led an evening Vacation Bible School and were divided into houses of children for the week.”
Anderson said even through some difficult situations they encountered, God’s timing was perfect.
“Our 24 volunteers jumped in and helped take care of every house and child when it was needed,”she said. ”Their dedication to working from the wee hours of the morning until nearly midnight truly showed the caring hand of Jesus.”
Anderson also reflected on how long she had to wait to be able to join one of these mission trips.
“When COVID-19 was declared a pandemic, I was boarding a plane to India for [one of the 2020 Spring Break Vision Trips,” she said. “We were distraught as we were sent away from the gate and back to Southern. Since then, I have wanted to go on [one of the university’s] Vision Trips. I am so grateful to see that the program is growing once again and that I had the privilege to lead this trip. I know many lives in Bolivia were changed, and I know the lives of our Vision team were equally impacted by God’s work and mercy through the experience.”
Raul Rivero, associate director of the R. H. Pierson Institute of Evangelism and World Missions, shared that the ERC mission trips were mostly focused on evangelistic meetings.
“In Mexico, the team held evangelistic meetings in 25 churches. In addition, a team of eight went to film a documentary based on what ERC does, led by [School of Journalism and Communication Professor] Pablo Fernandez,” Rivero said. “In Puerto Rico, the team held evangelistic meetings in 15 churches.”
Romany Moussa, a junior biochemistry major, was part of the team that flew to Puerto Rico. Moussa said the trip was a blessing and helped him to grow in God’s love and share His gospel with others.
“It is a memory that I will forever cherish,” Moussa said. “I learned a lot about people and how we can [be] such a blessing to others. God has created us as creatures to be more like Him.”
Moussa said he got to preach while in Puerto Rico but was disappointed when Friday came and no baptisms had occurred.
“I was really praying to bring more people closer to God, and just as God answered prayers, there were two people who decided to be baptized on Sabbath morning,” he explained.
“I was blessed with my group, and everyone else was blessed to bring a revival to the churches there, where we [could] bring a seed of hope, a seed of faith, a seed of optimism and joy in Jesus of His coming and His return,” Moussa said. “The Holy Spirit has been with each one of us and directed with knowledge and wisdom to be a blessing to His people. I was extremely thankful to be used [by] God and to let Him lead me wherever and to let His will be done in my life!”
Nathalie Jacome, a junior clinical psychology major, said it was her third mission trip with ERC Missions. One thing she loved about this trip to Chetumal, Mexico, was that it brought her back to using her talents such as preaching.
“Something different from this trip was that I got to preach outside a house, in the street,” Jacome said. “And that was very different from my experiences before. That also allowed me to mingle with more people and get closer to my church.”
Jacome continued to share, “There are so many people in need in this world. …When I discovered the need, I understood the purpose of this mission trip.
“ … Everything brought me back to Jesus and his way of living,” she added. “He was always looking to help others and understand their needs. Jesus was a giver, and during this mission trip, I was able to give all that I had.”
