North Indiana mission volunteers give sight and faith to Brazilians

Ten volunteers in mission from North Indiana and two from Ohio made a trip in October to northeast Brazil to bring healthcare to the people of Recife, many of whom had never seen a physician.

Volunteers included Ray and Janet Auman, Randy and Janet Suttor, Charles and Penny Krug, Evelyn Taylor, Geoff Hemmick, Sue Baumann, Jean Morrison, Pam Andrews and Kristi Buyesse.

The team joined eight medical missionaries from Evangemed, a group of Brazilian United Methodists who travel on a medical outreach boat who predominantly minister to the people of Rio de Janeiro and to those living along the Amazon River.

Penny Krug commented that the team bonded well and "it was obvious that God was present in every little detail." Not sure how they would get all of their supplies, like eyeglasses from Project 20/20 (for project information, log on to (project2020.phpwebhosting.com)), to the people who so desperately needed them

Local people heard of the eye clinics through the daycare their children attended at United Methodist churches and made appointments for medical and optometric care. One clinic even offered free haircuts, compliments of a beauty school. Hundreds benefited from the generosity of our and the Evangemed teams, but not all who needed care could be seen because of time constraints.

Volunteers met one man whom they helped to literally see his family for the first time in a long time. He grabbed the hands of team members and praised God for his gift of sight. Or a woman with an eye problem who walked to the clinic's second location after not being seen at the first clinic she visited. She received treatment for her condition along with a pair of needed glasses.

There was even a bus driver who overheard Penny Krug reading from Isaiah. As Evelyn Taylor translated, he rejoiced and expressed a desire to be part of a future team.

Although actual numbers seen have not been calculated, Krug says many who came to the clinics accepted Jesus as Savior. No doubt the team members who had no medical expertise played a major role in that success, for they ministered the Gospel to the children waiting to see the medical professionals. Krug said they had no translators and did what they could to tell the anxious audience about Jesus without words.

Words probably fail to express the deep emotions experienced by the team of 12 who went to Brazil. My guess is that any one of them would gladly go again, answering God's call with a loud "Here am I! Send me."

Last updated on 01/14/2004

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