{"id":2143,"date":"2015-06-18T08:25:52","date_gmt":"2015-06-18T14:25:52","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/baonline.cog7engage.net\/?p=2143"},"modified":"2023-08-29T11:19:11","modified_gmt":"2023-08-29T17:19:11","slug":"shine-completes-10th-mission","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/baonline.cog7engage.net\/shine-completes-10th-mission\/","title":{"rendered":"Shine Completes 10th Mission"},"content":{"rendered":"

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People generally need to know first that you care \u2014 before they care what you know. SHINE Medical & Dental missions first treat people\u2019s physical conditions, and then, Lord willing, spiritual needs are met.<\/p>\n

The missions follow James 1:22\u2019s advice: \u201cBut be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves\u201d (KJV). SHINE team members, always with prayer, become doers. Begun initially as a one-time mission, SHINE has conducted missions to CoG7 brethren (and others) in needy countries since 2006. The recent mission to Aguascalientes was a milestone: the tenth mission in a decade.<\/p>\n

Thirty-seven team members traveled to Aguascalientes, Mexico, carrying extra bags with medications and supplies to present five days of free clinics April 12-20 \u2014 a rare opportunity for needy people. An additional $30,000 of medications was purchased and shipped in advance to Aguascalientes. Free to patients, these medications prove invaluable. Prayer for patients \u2014another key component by the team and medical staff \u2014 offers God\u2019s love. Since early mission days, this love has multiplied. More than ten years ago, a small baby was born in dire need of heart surgery, and people responded with love \u2014 and the first mission.<\/p>\n

Be on time . . . be on time . . . be on time.<\/p>\n

The importance of these words lingered in the minds of SHINE team members as the gate was unlocked and they stepped onto the Aguascalientes mission site, around waiting people. The crowds attested to the fact that advance flyers advertising the clinics had reached people.<\/p>\n

Cleaned and arranged the day before, the open courtyard was now set up with tables and chairs. It functioned as an area for registration, for securing blood pressure and blood sugar levels and weight, and for performing ear lavages and hearing tests. People could also wait there to see dentists or doctors. Eye tests and glasses were given in an adjacent building.<\/p>\n

It soon filled up.<\/p>\n

Two bright pink medical buses \u2014 one for women\u2019s health and a second with dental stations \u2014 were parked in front of the clinics on the street, offering additional working stations for patients to receive care.<\/p>\n

Aguascalientes welcomed the 2015 SHINE Medical & Dental Mission to Mexico. By the end of the five clinic days, 3,346 patients were seen.<\/p>\n

Different segments of this mission came together well, thanks to the Lord (and the Aguascalientes governor\u2019s office). Mission facilities were obtained through the Aguascalientes\u2019 governor\u2019s wife, Mrs. Blanca Estela Rivera de Lozano. She also provided tables, chairs, transportation, local security, additional local medical personnel through the government\u2019s DIF (Integral Family Development), a part of the Mexican government\u2019s social services. Individuals enrolled in Mexico\u2019s many different educational career programs need to show that they have served so many hours (equaling one year of experience) before they can be certified in their fields. Thus SHINE, through DIF, was able to use the services of qualified nutritionists, optometrists, a nurse, two dental assistants, and an audiologist, enabling patients to benefit even more.<\/p>\n

Twelve dentists \u2014 most from the Aguascalientes area \u2014 treated nearly 700 patients, some for two to three days as prosthetic plates were made and fitted. Dental hygienists and medical assistants also worked to clean, drill, fill, and extract teeth. Additional procedures and surgeries were also performed or scheduled.<\/p>\n

Seven doctors and an experienced midwife (directing women\u2019s health) treated 1,345 patients, including the cases below:<\/p>\n