Sunday, January 22, was a very special day in the life of St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church in Hurst. Rarely does the whole congregation have the opportunity to witness the results of one of its Outreach Projects, but that’s just what happened. Amanda Frimpong, a medical student, was sponsored on a Medical Mission trip to Nicaragua in December-January, and she was at St. Stephen’s to talk about her trip and share photos of her experiences there. Fr. Vernon also helped defray the cost by adding discretionary funds. The Medical Mission is sponsored by an organization that takes medical students from the US and sends them to impoverished countries. These students work with other medical teams for 12 days. The conditions are not so great. God blessed St. Stephen’s enough in 2011 that an extra $500 was sent to help with additional expenses Amanda may have. She, in turn, donated those funds to the Village Hospital in St. Stephen’s name. Talk about planting seeds! In Amanda’s own words…
Ever since I was a child, I have always been interested in the medical field. But my interest sparked when many people around me began to have serious medical conditions. On the 15th of September 2004 my dad was diagnosed with a medical condition. The doctors explained this complication as Transient Ischemic Attack – commonly known as “mini stroke.” Through the love and care the doctors and nurses gave him, he recovered and is doing well. My grandmother had a condition with her joints and had to undergo surgery. In 2009 my mother had a form of cancer. There was a huge ball like object in her throat. She had been to numerous doctors until she found one that could treat her. This phase in my life was almost like the great awakening. At the museum, the glass mosaic reminded me of the pieces in my life – a microcosmic replica of the events happening and was a major turning point in my life. I began to read medical books, journals, research online and articles. I wanted to understand the causes and prevention of some of these illnesses. As I read all these materials I began to develop a passion for health care. These experiences have made me come to a realization that health care professionals are really needed.
This winter, with the help of St Stephens’s church I had the opportunity to go on a medical mission trip to Nicaragua-Managua. I had always thought of this but never had the funds. By the grace of God I had the chance to serve the people of San Quaquinn for 12 days (December 27th 2011 to Jan 7th 2012). I learned a lot (example: how to take blood pressure the old fashioned way, how to take vitals and information from a patient in Spanish!). I had the chance to also see a C-section, toured the major hospital in Managua and took a public health survey of about 25 houses.
Originally from West Africa, Ghana, I have seen and lived with a lot of problems the people in Nicaragua are facing in terms of health care. It was really an honor to share with the people my little knowledge of healthy living and health promotion. All this would not have been possible without of Rob and the great people of St Stephens. May the Lord Richly bless you all and thank you very much.