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Mission team brings medical services to hundreds
By Jan Beezley

They had been waiting in line for hours. That day there would be no breaks for lunch or anything else. We would miss the late afternoon celebration of the Day of Resistance (Dia de la Resistancia”), a food and dance cultural experience, because we were so busy meeting the needs of the people we had come to serve.

During the clinics, we saw hundreds of people with all kinds of problems. Most of their medical issues were the same ones that we encounter in the U.S. However, many children suffer from intestinal parasites and worms. It felt good to be able to treat them with the medicines we brought with us. It is still difficult for most people to access medical services in Venezuela and even more difficult for those who live in rural areas. Most of the people we saw don’t have the money to pay for treatment in the public hospitals.

Many DOC and UCC churches in the Rocky Mountain area provided over the counter vitamins and medications. Prescription drug needs and medical supplies, provided by Project Help and International Map Kits, were purchased for $400, but had a value of $2000.

Venezuelans greeted us with hugs and kisses everywhere we went. They opened their homes and hearts to us. We were amazed at their strong human spirit and their faith in God. The life most of the people live is much harder than many of ours. In spite of this, they put so much energy into helping others and into their churches. The children are well behaved and love to sing. The adults also love to sing and laugh. They made us feel very welcome.

Venezuela is going through big changes in its government. Most of the people we met were anxious to talk about all the improvements that are being made for the poor. We saw a medical facility being built by the Chavez government for the Wayuu Indians and were told that the next medical mission team will probably not need to do a clinic in that area of Venezuela. When we conducted the clinic for the Wayuu, military people were there to help us and provided the bus that took us to this location.

The housing, the food, the bathrooms and the language provided many challenges and laughs for us. We all felt very blessed by the way we live in the U.S., sometimes at the expense of others. Our hosts from the Venezuelan Global Partnership showed us how people everywhere are working for justice in the world, and look to God for hope and guidance.

Jan Beezley is a member of First Congregational UCC in Boulder.

Published - December 2005/January 2006 - News of the Rocky Mountain Conference, United Church News