Preparing for Brazil

As some of you know, I am getting ready to embark on an exciting adventure...in a couple days I will be headed to Brazil for a medical missions trip with HealthCare Ministries! It may only be for 10 days, but I couldn't be more excited. From the first moment I decided to become a Physical Therapist, I dreamed of going on a trip like this. However, I assumed organizations really only wanted Doctors and Nurses. A dear friend and mentor made me realize that wasn't the case! She, being a Nurse, had gone on a trip some time back with HealthCare Ministries and stated there had been a therapist on her trip!! I really can't describe my excitement at that moment. As soon as I got home, I searched the web for HealthCare Ministries and pursued the upcoming trips. For some reason the Brazil trip really stood out to me...but there were so many great options! I decided to email the organization and ask if they could use a PT on any of the trips this year. You guessed it, the response I received was Brazil! After prayer and counsel I decided to take the plunge.....and now it's only a couple days away!!

But why a medical missions trip? Why not just an ordinary missions trip? Good question. Graduate school (PT school) was very hard for me...there were many times I honestly did not believe I would get through it. But each time God would reassure me that He was carrying me through; that I had nothing to worry about. I learned to rely on God in a way I never had and He kept His promises to me. Not only did I survive grad school, but I passed my boards my first try and got a great job before I even graduated! Thank you Jesus! He gave me so much during that time that I did not deserve; I know I could never repay Him for all He did. However, I wanted to be able to use my skills in a way to bring Him joy; do something to say thank you. What better way than through medical missions? I am so thankful for this opportunity to use the skills He has given me to give back to Him! To touch the lives of His people...to be His hands and feet. It is only by His grace and provision that I am able to offer these skills, I want to use them for His glory.