By Emily Dillard
Class of 2021 | Biology Major with a Concentration in Health Professors
This past June God called me to go to a place of unknown.
I had the life changing opportunity to go to the Amazon River, in Manaus, Brazil. If it was not for my awesome biology teacher and advisor Dr. Peters, this opportunity would not have been there.
I spent eight days on the Amazon River going from village to village ministering and supplying a physical and spiritual needs to the villagers. Being that I want to become a nurse one day, this was an awesome experience for me. I worked alongside the doctors who were on our team, and I even was able to give my first vaccination. I was able to help evaluate the patients and saw an array of illnesses (some that were very fascinating). I was able learn what acute bronchitis sounds like from the lung, as well as identify ear infections.
Any person wanting to go into the medical field and has a heart for Jesus should go on a medical mission trip. I always knew that God had called to go international trips, but never thought it would be possible to bring my passion for physically helping others with the experience to spiritually help them as well. Having the opportunity to share Jesus through the physical need by giving the people medicines and vaccines and the spiritual need by sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ with them is the best of both worlds.
While on land in Manaus, the group I went with toured the Grande Opera house, ate at a Brazilian Steakhouse, was able to view the town markets, and we had to amazing opportunity to tour a part of the Amazon Rainforest. My group and I walked merely five miles through the Rainforest, seeing beautiful waterfalls and caves. We also saw monkeys swinging in the trees above us. There were many beautiful plants and mushrooms that I observed as I walked through the Amazon Rainforest.
God’s creation is breath-taking. We were able to swim in the waterfall. The rocks were so slick you could slide down them like a slip-n-slide. It is honestly one of the most beautiful places I have ever seen.
This trip changed how I view the world and people. I did not know a word of Portuguese, but actions and attitudes speak volumes. It is easy to get caught up in the “world” we live in, and not think about real problems others may deal with across the world.