Women’s Ministry: Blessings of Serving in Iquitos
“Like good stewards of the manifold grace of God, serve one another with whatever gift each of you has received. Whoever speaks must do so as one speaking the very words of God; whoever serves must do so with the strength that God supplies, so that God may be glorified in all things thru Jesus Christ. To him belong the glory and the power forever and ever. Amen”
1 Peter 4: 10-11
Being the hands and feet of Jesus, speaking God’s truth, showing others God’s love, being humbled by the joy in others, smiling faces, tears, fear, healing hands, hugs, handshakes, heat, exhaustion, heartfelt gratitude, patience, and grace. All of these are ways in which I saw God while living out my calling and serving in Iquitos, Peru.
In March I had the privilege of serving on a Medical Mission trip with the Global Health Nursing class at Union College with a combination of 19 other nursing students, faculty and alumni. We were able to see approximately 500 patients in the 5 days we provided medical clinics. We served individuals ages 3 months to 96 years of age. We provided education, medications, treatments, prayer and even made a home visit to a young man who had a severe infection from a previous surgery. During this trip, it was truly miraculous to see how God was working in us all. Each night, we would gather to discuss our day and hearing how God was present in our work was overwhelming at times. Some of the ways in which I saw God at work on this journey included seeing the smiling faces of the sweet children as we used our broken Spanish to talk with them, watching our students interact with individuals who were very different from themselves, holding the hand of a young woman whose life was in danger at home, praying with the gentleman who had cancer but unable to pay for the chemo treatment he needed, and learning that the young man with the post-surgical infection was healing because he was able to get the care he so desperately needed; playing games with the young girls at POPPYS house, an orphanage for girls whose lives have been put in danger, providing education on how to operate a new water filter, and holding a crying infant so a mother could receive care. Each individual on this trip brought with them different gifts and talents and were able to demonstrate Gods love in a multitude of ways. Reflecting each day, and seeing ways in which God was working in us and thru us made serving in Iquitos one of the most humbling experiences of my life. Thank you for your support and prayers.
I pray for the people of Iquitos daily, that they continue to find joy in their lives, amidst the hardships they face. I pray that we always continue to look for God sightings in our lives, and know that we are loved by Him. I pray that we continue to bring joy and goodness into this world. I especially pray that as stewards of God we work to use our gifts to make this world a better place, and use our words to share the love of Jesus Christ.
This month’s devotion was written by Jill Weyers. Jill has been a member of Sheridan her entire life and a member of the Women’s Ministry team for 8 years. She and Jeff have been married for 20 years and have three children – Hadley, Mason, and Burke. Jill works as an Assistant Professor for Union College Nursing Program and in her free time enjoys spending time with her family, attending the farmers market with a good cup of coffee in hand, and gardening.