February 23, 2012
International Mission
Peru Medical Mission
Water is life. The World Health Organization states that every year more than 3.4 million people die as a result of water related diseases making it a leading cause of death around the world. The vast majority of water borne illnesses are caused by organisms that are found in a water source that has been contaminated by sewage.
The residents of Tamshiyacu live in a remote village along the Amazon River. Their main water source is the back tributaries of the Amazon River, which is contaminated by human waste and trash dumping. The majority of the patients we saw were treated for water-borne parasitic infections that are preventable. Most patients did not understand that drinking river water was making them ill.
Jesus Christ is the living water! John 7:37 “Let anyone who is thirsty come to me and let the one who believes in me drink. As the scripture has said,"Out of the believer's heart shall flow streams of living water”.
Medical Mission: To provide primary medical care, water purifying systems, public health education, and spiritual inspiration to our Peruvian brothers and sisters. Together, we can make an immeasurable impact in the daily lives of our neighbors in Tamshiyacu, Peru.
From your family for their family: Opportunities will be given for us to purchase water-purifying systems for a Peruvian family as a symbol of Christ's compassion.
Members of our congregation joined our friends from the Middle Octorara Presbyterian Church to continue our mission activity with our sister church in Tamshiyacu this past summer. Our mission involved making tables and chairs for the children's classrooms in the church, re-varnishing windows and doors on the church and SCOTA School, and leading Bible School for the children of Tamshiyacu each afternoon. This year we stayed a second week to conduct a Medical Clinic for four days in Tamshiyacu, and Nauta.
We saw over 800 patients, most complaining of stomach pain, most likely caused by parasites from drinking water from the Amazon. In addition, through donations from the Middle Octorara congregation, we distributed water filtration systems to the church, SCOTA School, other schools in town, the hospital, police station, municipality building, and the homes of 15 families! Additional water filtration systems will be distributed this Fall by Pam McAbee, our missionary in Peru – with the hope that those using the systems will experience improvement in their health.
It was another amazing trip as our lives were impacted by the love and grace of God as we shared that love and grace with our brothers and sisters in Peru! We continue to build strong relationships with Pastor Ricardo and the congregation, SCOTA School & hospital in Tamshiyacu.
A Mission Trip to the Amazon is scheduled for June 15-22, 2012. See Pastor Dave for information.
Learn more at Amazon Mission Fellowship.
