Welcome to our guest blogger....Sydney Butikofer from Iowa! Sydney, a college student, was one of the U.S. volunteers on the Evangelistic Medical Mission Crusade (EMMC) to Catemaco, Veracruz during the first week of June. It is always refreshing hearing from a "first-timer" about their experience in Mexico with Fishers of Men! I believe you will be refreshed and, Lord willing, even challenged to follow in Jesus' footsteps, just as Sydney did!
I had an incredible and
life-changing time in Mexico serving on this medical mission crusade,
as it was my first time being out of the country and working on the
team. We went to Catemaco, Veracruz, a city known as the capitol of
witchcraft in Mexico. Included on our team were family doctors,
dentists, nurses, evangelists, and a surgeon. I had the opportunity
of assisting the surgeon. We even got our own operating room, which
was very cool!
Each morning started out with a time
of worship for the team followed by a message and breakfast. After
breakfast, everyone set off to their own tasks. I, along with two
other college girls, got to assist Dr. Karkow with the surgeries he
performed. We removed many moles and cysts, along with other minor
skin operations. Once we were done working for the day, we would go
back to the church and hang out with the people there. I absolutely
loved spending time with the children (even though they liked to make
fun of my poor Spanish).
During our time there, over 1,100
medical services were provided for the people. Everyone who was seen
then sat with a member of the team and had the Gospel message shared
with them. Even with witchcraft being so prevalent, God worked in the
hearts of the people as over 250 people accepted Christ, including
some witches. It was so humbling for me to see how grateful the
people were, especially since most of them had never had this kind of
medical treatment before.
My favorite story is of one girl
who, after surgery, told Dr. Karkow he was the best, to which he
replied, “I’m just a sinner. It’s God who’s the best.” This
is so true! God really used this trip, others on the crusade, and the
people of Catemaco to open up my heart to a whole world of His
people.
Below, I have include a couple of pictures.
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| Our surgical team: me (Sydney), Devin, Dr. Karkow, Katie, and our amazing translator Diana |
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| Katie, Devin, and me spending time with some of the children of Catemaco. |
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