Poverty-stricken Dominican Republic residents needing surgery attracted a volunteer medical team from First Baptist Church, Sylacauga, to the missions field.
They were drawn to San Juan De Maguania, Dominican Republic, for eight days last fall — not because of its rugged mountain terrain, tropical temperatures and fertile valleys but because of grassroots needs of the people.
The team included First, Sylacauga, members Jim Jones, a certified registered nurse anesthetist; his wife, Linda Jones, a registered nurse (RN); General Surgeon Dr. Jim Crook and Judy Williams, RN, along with six other medical professionals from Columbus, Ohio.
First, Sylacauga, Pastor Keith Pugh said, “It’s changed them and our church. We talk about giving and that’s important, but these people gave their time and talents to missions.”
The trip was organized by Solid Rock Missions, a Wauseon, Ohio-based organization that seeks to evangelize the people of the Dominican Republic through educational and medical missions.
According to Jim Jones, the medical team started each day at 6:30 a.m. and ended around 8 p.m. so they could perform as many surgeries as possible during their visit. Assisted by recent graduates of the school supported by Solid Rock Missions who served as translators, they were able to do 37 surgical procedures, including hernia, gallbladder, tonsillectomy and thyroid tumor at the Clinica Cristiana de Salude Integral.
Jones has no complaints of the long days. “I get an instant reward by seeing any patient awaken following the care that we have provided. The smiles even in painful times are a great reward. Each person for whom we care may have waited months or years for the simplest of surgical procedures,” he said.
The wait is long because the government-owned hospital in San Juan De Maguania is overwhelmed with emergency procedures and has no funds for elective surgeries. Jones has seen patients walk miles to the clinic to receive medical care. It makes him feel blessed to serve the people. “It is a great reward to use my God-given talents for such a purpose as to support the poorest people in the Dominican Republic.”
The Dominican Republic, which shares an island with Haiti, is primarily Catholic but Jim Jones said many people do not claim the Catholic faith.
“The poor are open to hearing the name ‘Jesus Cristos’ and they are extremely open to hearing the good news about salvation and grace. We have had no problem in sharing and believe that many come to know about Jesus each time we go out to share the good news,” he said.
Medical need is all that is required to receive care and though the team has daily devotionals and an evening Bible study together, no participation is required. Crook performed 15 of the 37 surgeries during the trip, which was his fourth to the region. He also has seen patients go to great lengths for medical care. “I have seen people walk eight miles to the clinic,” Crook said. “They start walking at 2 or 3 in the morning or possibly ride a moped, which is the only form of transportation. We are so fortunate in this country.”
Crook said his interest in missions dates back to his college years when he participated in a few Home Mission Board trips to New Mexico and Arizona. He even considered a career teaching theology on the missions field.
When his brother, also a surgeon, introduced Crook to Solid Rock Missions where he was a member of the board of directors, Crook was intrigued and once again felt a call to the missions field. “I enjoy it. They will make you feel like you are a part of the place and are a very accepting group of people with the help that you offer them.” The team hopes to return to the Dominican Republic for more medical missions. They are collecting medical supplies and outdated equipment. Crook said what is outdated in the United States is considered prime equipment in the Dominican Republic.
On this trip, Baptist Coosa Valley Medical Center in Sylacauga provided many needed supplies.
Share with others: