Pictured above: The Christian Medical Ministry of South Alabama's 2009 mission team pose for a group shot in Honduras
Twenty first and second year medical students at the University of South Alabama will be traveling to Honduras with the Christian Medical Ministry of South Alabama (CMMSA) from June 12-25, 2010.
The medical mission team will be serving Hospital Escuela in the capitol city of Tegucigalpa, Honduras.
“We will perform orthopaedic operations, and we will provide some much-needed surgical equipment,” said Duane Baxter, director of the Christian Medical Ministry. “We will also host free clinics to the poor in the outlying areas of the capitol city by partnering with Honduran physicians. While helping the needy with physical needs, our hope is to also share the gospel and the love of Christ to help meet spiritual and emotional needs.”
This is the fourth year that CMMSA has made the trip to Honduras. The trips began when Mobile orthopaedic surgeon Dr. Robert McGinley and his wife Kelly saw a need to help mentor the students at the USA College of Medicine by spending time with them outside of the states.
“The McGinley’s wanted the students to see the needs of the world,” Baxter said. “Their passion is to share the love of Christ through medicine and mentoring.”
Baxter, who serves as the stateside coordinator and team director while in the country, said that it is important for students to become involved in this type of experience.
“Students will see the importance of charity,” he said. “It builds character and teamwork skills, and it gives them a world vision, allowing them to see the great needs of people not far from our country. It also gives them the opportunity to learn alongside great mentors.”
The students participating in the mission trip will work with six physicians, including Dr. Albert W. Pearsall, professor of orthopaedic surgery at USA.
So far, CMMSA has raised over $35,000 in gifts, grants and donations for this year’s trip. The team would still like to raise over $15,000.
If you wish to support a student or make a monetary donation to pay for medicines and supplies for the trip, send a tax-deductible gift to Christian Medical Ministry of South Alabama, P.O. Box 851898, Mobile, Ala., 36685. Surgical supplies can be accepted on a case-by-case basis.
Contact the CMMSA office at (251) 517-0536 or e-mail office@cmmsa.org if you would like to become involved in CMMSA.
