Oct 5, 2022 To Be a Light

One of the fundamental things we are taught as Christians is that what we have is not ours to keep, everything we have is God’s. Therefore, we must use what we have to glorify Him and be a light in the people’s lives we come across.

It is easy to focus on what you don’t have when you’re surrounded by people that have a lot, or you live in a society that is constantly bombarding us with physical things that will make us happy when the things that will really make us happy are spiritual.

That’s one of the many blessings that come from going on a mission trip, the scale on which you view things flips upside down.

Sometimes we complain [about our lives back home], but we have to realize, we have it all. We have it all. I am here to serve God, and I am here to give my knowledge to try to help the people here. said Nurse Yesmer Tarazona.

Many people have come very far to our clinics, some maybe 8, 9, 10 hours from here, explains Yesmer. No matter how long it takes, they [the people from Mitú] are waiting for you. It doesn’t matter how long it takes.

We have seen the lack of health care here in Mitú, Yesmer continues. The need is gigantic, especially with the children. Even though they’re small, they do not have good teeth. And in the adults, we have noticed that they look older than they should in the environment that they live. It shocked me, we have to help them.

Over five days, we hosted five medical clinics around Mitú. With a section for the doctor/dentist, the blood pressure and blood sugar group, the psychologist, the healthy life seminar, and fitting for reading glasses, we saw more than 1000 people. 

In Colombia, it is challenging for people to access public health care because of how remote some areas are. Due to access, some people wait months to see a doctor. Some don’t have doctors nearby, so they travel to outside communities and pop-up clinics like ours.

This trip has inspired me to do more, to become a missionary in Africa and other countries. In my profession, I have done a lot of good things, but I have never done anything like what I did here, said Yesmer. 

Mission trips are a great way to help, but not the only way. We don’t have to travel to Colombia or Africa to be a light to others, your light shines from within and goes wherever you are. Just remember, You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh; rather, serve one another humbly in love. Galatians 5:13

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