Students for International Mission Service (SIMS)

Peru
by David Moller, sophomore, School of Medicine

For my summer break, I spent six weeks in Iquitos, Peru. Iquitos is at the headwaters of the Amazon River, where the jungle is thick and abundant with fruit and the river is teaming with fish.

The streets are full of motorcars (motorcycles converted to a type of carriage) and the open markets are crowded with people.

Initially, I followed the physicians on rounds and watched surgeries, but soon that lost its excitement. With the aide of a book and a pig's foot from the market, I learned how to suture. I was very nervous to start, but my first patient was a brave and cute little Peruvian girl. Soon all the suturing in the emergency room was channeled to me, and I felt quite useful.

At a very memorable youth retreat with the church I was able to teach worship songs to the youth. Once while playing my guitar for some youth, a big insect from the jungle attacked and stung me below the right eye.

Within and hour my eye was swollen shut, so they took me to the clinic and gave me an injection, and by morning I could open my eye.

My most valuable experience was when I came into contact with a medical mission team that was going about an hour down river to a small village.

I accompanied them for the last two days of their stay, and at this time they were just completing building a church in the village. I had the opportunity to go around the village and speak to the people about their spirituality and pray with them.

That day I found my religious vocabulary to be weak, since I had focused most of my learning on medical Spanish.

That night I went home and learned many new words. The next day the first service of the new church was held. During the service I translated for the medical mission team.

At the end of the service the Peruvian pastor invited people to follow Christ. At least eight people raised their hands in response to his invitation. This was very encouraging and exciting.

This last summer the Holy Spirit taught me a lot about compassion. I learned that this compassion will come as fruit of the Spirit when I make myself available to God.

Peru
by Thao Phan, School of Nursing

I had a great opportunity this summer of going to Iquitos, Peru, for one month. I can say it was definitely one of those great cornerstone experiences of life.

Working as a student nurse at the Clinica Adventista Ana Stahl and Hospital Essalaud, I received valuable clinical experience while reaching out to the Peruvians.

They are the most amazing people. Although their lives are very simple and the economy is very poor, they live with gratitude. They are happy and satisfied with their way of living.

The many people I worked with and met were very kind to me and the other SIMS volunteers. This characteristic of my new Peruvian friends really touched me and, in such a short period of time, influenced my life in a positive way.

Before I arrived in Peru I was fearful of not knowing the Spanish language and thought that communication was going to be a challenge. But after my third day I realized that there was no obstacle. I felt accepted immediately and I in return accepted their culture.

We were able to communicate in many different ways and to learn from each other. Then I realized that no matter how different we were we still had the bond of the human spirit, and it gave me a humble feeling.

I will never forget this opportunity given to me by SIMS; Iquitos, Peru; and God. Thank you so much for everything.

[SIMS Outlook contents]

[SIMS homepage]