I always knew I would go on a mission trip one day when I was growing up. However, I never imagined the impact it would have on my life. I prayed and God gave me a specific set of dates that I would be on a mission trip. Volunteers in Medical Missions (VIMM) had a trip that met those dates, so I applied and was accepted. I flew out and met the team the day of and we flew off to Honduras. Working with the rest of the team from all over the United States as well as locals from Honduras showed me that God’s love knows no borders or boundaries. I have some life long friendships from that trip.
The 1st trip had such an impact on my life that I returned six months later with my dad, to show him that I wanted to move to Honduras and serve God’s people long term.
I am currently working on moving to Honduras to serve with another organization for at least a year. And I also have continued a friendship with Victoria, one of the translators that I met on my first trip. Seeing the kids have so much joy and happiness from a simple sticker and just having a hug melted my heart each and everyday. I think about Honduras everyday and long to be back there.
- Amanda Metcalf
A friend asked me if I would be interested in being part volunteering in medical missions, I didn’t had experience, but I said yes... When the time arrived, I remember walking from home to the hotel where all the VIMM members were, on my way I said a little prayer asking God to help to be the best, to give the best, I prayed that all the Doctors and people working with VIMM could understand my English because it would have been my first time speaking with a native.
You introduced me to wonderful people, Dr Gary and Dr Clint, Dr Jack, Dr Charles, My friend Amanda, their soul are so bright and humble, I’ve learned the most valuable lessons from them, here are some pictures of me on my first trip to become the best interpreter, Human, Honduran. When I told my dad that I was going to a mission trip he said to me; "Do not only interpreter, move, work as hard as the Doctor, help the patient to walk, to speak, to figure the pain they might have, but more importantly, show the love between them". That’s what I did.
A few years have passed by, many memories we had made, a lot of people are now better because of you, Olanchito is forever grateful for the love, patience, acceptance you have given them, the most impacted person by you that I know? Me. There is not limit for the love God show through every Doctor, Nurse, interpreters. We all are becoming the best, taking our pain and transforming that into the most pure love we have, the love for others.
So thank you VIMM for open your heart to me, for helping me grow, for all the friends I have made, the tears, the joy, the laughs, the most delicious food, thanks because you have helped me to dream out of comfort zone, you are the reason I have been volunteering for 5 years with all the brigades that came to Olanchito, I’m better than yesterday and close to being the best version of myself everyday.
- Victoria Soledad