Concordia group works with Guatemalan people

A group from Concordia University, Nebraska has returned to Seward after successfully completing medical mission work in Amatitlan and La Avanzada, Guatemala. The twelve individuals who made the March trip hosted health clinics and shared their Christian faith.

“I was overwhelmed by the kindness and welcoming of the people,” said junior Zach Schnell, Lincoln, Neb. This was Schnell’s first mission trip. “Trips such as this one are great opportunities to get to help improve the lives of others along with improving your own life.”

Assistant Professor in Health and Human Performance Dr. Jen Janousek, who co-led the group with Dr. Sarah Matthias, echoes Schnell’s reaction. “I know we were blessed abundantly by our experience in Guatemala and pray that we were also a blessing to others.”

While in Guatemala, the group held several health clinics. At the clinic health information would be gathered from each patient, including information about any problem and symptoms. The patients would then see a physician who might perform additional tests as needed and prescribe medications. A hygiene kit then was given to each with instructions on its use, and a Concordia visitor would offer to pray with the patient.

In addition to Janousek, Matthias and Schnell, physician assistant Heidi Solano, Carol Dettmer, seniors Aaron Hanneman, Omaha, Neb., Lauren Awe, Tilden, Neb., and Mia Pauluhn, St. Louis, Mo. and juniors Megan Schmidt, Seward, Neb., Adam Strohschein, Annandale, Minn., and Timothy von Behren, Falls City, Neb., were part of the group.

Janousek plans on offering the mission trip experience in conjunction with Concordia’s Global Health course on a yearly basis.