I always knew I wanted to work in the medical field but seeing severe poverty changed my life. Like most young people, I didn’t realize how good I had it; I took a lot of things in life for granted.
Then, in 2016, I was accepted into a Medical Practicum program conducted by my university, where they send a team of medical professionals and volunteers into a remote region of Nicaragua. This kind of aide is much needed, as these remote regions lack the medical resources to care for their villagers. Our team made the long trip to Nicaragua. In less than a month, we traveled to three different villages, providing dental care, pain medication, and basic family medicine to the indigenous locals. We interacted with them, attended their church services, and saw firsthand the severity of their poverty.
Upon living in the same conditions, which the locals inhabited everyday, my outlook on life changed forever. A new passion grew in me to help and serve others as much as I can. Once I returned home–and after a nice long hot shower–I decided to change my career to Nurse Practitioner, so that I can work one-on-one with patients and do all I can to help them. I returned to Nicaragua, and it only deepened my desire to help those who need it the most.
The Bible says, “Share with the Lord’s people who are in need.” I live in the United States where I have access to clean, running water and modern facilities that provide medical care. But I know for certain that overseas medical missions are in my future. I plan to use my knowledge and my profession to help people in areas where they lack medical resources, knowing God is guiding my every step along the way.
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