By Jennifer Myers, Back2Back Monterrey Staff
This fall, we were excited to host a medical missions team from Calvary Industries which included medical and non-medical personnel. The team enjoyed time with the children here as well as offering a medical brigade at two of the impoverished communities that we serve alongside, Rio 3 and Cadereyta.
This was my first brigade and I was so blessed to be a part of it and to see how God brought together a team from many different areas with many different talents to meet the physical needs of His children. We were blessed to have an amazing team which included a doctor, an optometrist, a local dentist, who is now part time staff with Back2Back, as well as two of her friends who are also dentists, two nurse practitioners, multiple nurses, a dental assistant, as well as other group members who assisted with set up, tear down, running the pharmacy and playing with the children. Many on the team have been coming for as many as 7 or 8 years and for others this was their first experience.
Over the two days we saw close to 200 people for various reasons, from colds, strep throat, blurry vision, teeth cleanings and extracting infected teeth, as well as more serious illnesses. Providing relief to these communities is one of my favorite parts about Back2Back. Coming alongside parents, grandparents, and other family members in these communities can mean the difference between the children staying with them or being sent to live at a children’s home. If we can help to keep that major tear from happening to even one child’s heart then all efforts would be worth it.
The medical team also blessed us with an audiometer so we can check children’s hearing to see if there is a problem that we need to have checked out. The doctor was also kind enough to have a training session with us so we will know how to use the machine. It is so exciting to see so many people invested in the lives of the children here not only on this trip, but also providing help for their aftercare. The optometrist will ensure that all of the children and adults that needed glasses will receive them, and the doctor is willing to consult with us anytime a medical need arises.
If you or someone you know are interested in bringing a medical group to serve alongside us, please contact Chelsie Puterbaugh at cputerbaugh@back2back.org for more information.