"Whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him to God the Father."

Colossians 3:17

In everything we do and say we are called to do it for the glory of the Lord. As I sat out in a village in a barrio of Santo Domingo, hot and tired, I was reminded of this. Whether we are uncomfortable or love what we are doing, we must do it for the glory of the Lord.

"For who are you doing this, yourself or the LORD?"

Arturo (One of the missionaries with MMI)

I have been working in the barrios of Santo Domingo over the past week, serving those in the area that I have called home over the past two months. It has been amazing to see inside their homes and their lives as we bring medical and dental care to those around the mission hospital in Los Alcarrizos. Our dentist pulled many abscessed teeth and cavities that were eating through their teeth. What a blessing to have them taken out before they cause infection to the rest of their mouth and face. Fluoride treatments were also given to the children as they came through along with teaching on washing hands and fingernails!!! They were also given a treatment of Vitamin A for their eyes. Two family physicians examined our patients and the health education department taught our patients how to brush their teeth well and take the medications correctly. My experience from the two previous trips earned me the position of organizing and running the pharmacy. Another nurse and I put together prescriptions for every patient that came through the medical clinic. There have not been any prescription errors yet!

The kids in the villages are amazing and so adorable. While the pharmacy was slow one day in August, I had the opportunity to talk with a few of the kids. We began to sing "We are walking in the light of the Lord" in Spanish and a whole group came over. They were singing and doing motions and having so much fun. We then sang other Christian Spanish songs together and gave lots of hugs and kisses! They are precious and beautiful in the eyes of the LORD.

In the last two weeks of July, I stayed in Sabana Grande de Boya, three hours north of Santo Domingo. This was the second trip with Medical Missions International. We had a much smaller group, but were very fruitful! Over those two weeks we served 1129 people in the medical clinic and 134 people in surgery. Surgery included hysterectomies, cyst removals and perineal repairs. Once again, I served in the surgical area, this time in charge of pre-op and post-op. Promotions come quickly here!!! The other nurses working with me were wonderful and we put together the experiences that we have had to keep our patients well taken care of and laughing from hand motions to wrong words. We also had an optometrist and a dental hygienist along with us. Through them 171 optical consults were done, 83 glasses were given and 344 fluoride treatments were given. Not only did we reach people medically, but 32 people made decisions to become Christians over these two weeks. Praise the LORD!

"Whatever you do, do your work from the soul, as for the Lord rather than for men."

Colossians 3:24

Brianna Esswein, RN, BSN