Concordia students travel to Belize for medical mission trip

Eight students in a global health class at Concordia visited Belize on a nine-day medical mission trip May 26-June 3. The group was led by Dr. Joseph Gubanyi, professor of biology and chair of the natural sciences department at Concordia as well as his wife Heidi, director of the RN to BSN program at Concordia and alumna Julie Banning, a physical therapist in Lincoln.  

The group taught elementary students in Belize about hand washing, performed experiments to show people the dangers of contaminated water and talked to village women about women’s health. 

“This is a great opportunity for our students because it will open their eyes to opportunities to serve our Lord not just in this country but throughout the world,” Joseph Gubanyi said. “The reality is that the impact we will have on Belize will be minuscule compared to the impact the experience will have on us. Everyone who is going is excited at the opportunity to serve. It is our hope and prayer that people we encounter see Jesus, not us, through our words and actions.”

Besides medical work, the group also interacted with Belizean children and taught them games, songs and Bible verses.

The trip also included a day to explore sights around Belize including the waterfalls of Big Rock Falls and Xunantunich, an ancient Mayan ruin.

Students participating in the trip included:

Devin Burmeister, junior, St. Charles, Mo.

Erica Ellis, junior, Plain City, Utah

Naomi Iltis, junior, Le Claire, Iowa

Kayla James, junior, Kearney, Neb.

Katelyn Peterson, junior, Ord, Neb.

Allie Schieffer, junior, Fordyce, Neb.

Courtney Upmann, junior, Cedar Rapids, Iowa

Kendra Vanness, junior, Latimer, Iowa