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Medical mission journey to Peru planned for 2024

Mission team manages the pharmacy
Michigan volunteer Denise Schuitema (left) from Shelby UMC manages the mission pharmacy with Rudy Doria (right), a member of the Methodist church in Satipo. Rudy is a university student studying environmental law and has worked with the Michigan/Wisconsin VIM team twice. American medical professionals send prescriptions on to Denise to be filled and then Rudy translates them into Spanish. ~ photo courtesy Jody Pratt

STEP TWO: A UM Volunteers in Mission team is returning to Satipo, Peru, next year for their third medical mission journey and needs help filling their team.

A United Methodist Volunteers in Mission (VIM) team of health-care professionals and supporting staff are returning to Satipo, Peru, from August 31 to September 8, 2024, and they are looking to fill their team. Space is limited to twelve, so inquire if you are interested.

Mission work in Peru with children
Earlier this year, Jody Pratt (middle, sitting), VIM Coordinator for the Michigan Conference, served on a VIM team to Satipo, Peru. Annie Solis (front, sitting), the on-site Peruvian coordinator, has a degree in nutrition and partners with U.S. teams coming to Peru. Annie currently works for the Peruvian navy. Here, Jody and Annie play food bingo with the children in the community who wait to be seen by medical professionals. ~ photo courtesy Jody Pratt

Jody Pratt, the Michigan Conference’s VIM Coordinator, is co-leading this journey with Steve Blake from the Wisconsin Conference. The team will partner with The Methodist Church of Peru (Iglesia Metodista del Perú) to provide health care, pharmacy support, reading glasses, and bra distribution. Activities for children and nutrition have been requested.

Jody and Steve have worked to build a collaborative relationship with the Methodist church and the community, and they look forward to returning. This will be the team’s third visit to the Junín Region of Peru, which is considered an upland jungle.

“We’re excited to return to Satipo, working closely with the host church there. Our Peruvian contact, Annie Solis, is coordinating the Peruvian volunteers, and District Superintendent Mario Talpia will coordinate the area work with local churches.”

The VIM team seeks four or five medical professionals (nurse practitioners and registered nurses) and seven or eight supporting volunteers to assist with various tasks.

March 1, 2024, is the application deadline, but the application process will close once the twelve spots are filled.

The total cost is $1,500, plus roundtrip airfare to Lima, Peru, but this covers everything—food, lodging, internal transportation, additional insurance, one day of sightseeing, and the medical supplies needed for the journey. A $100 nonrefundable deposit is required to reserve your spot.

Limited scholarships are available. A person from a Michigan United Methodist congregation going on a VIM journey for the first time is eligible for a $150 scholarship from the Michigan Conference. Applications must be submitted at least 60 days before the trip begins. Click here to download the scholarship criteria.

Jody is also available to assist individuals with brainstorming ideas for raising money and encourages anyone interested in this mission journey to Peru to contact her. It takes many months of planning and fundraising, so please inquire soon if you want to learn more.

To apply, contact Jody at [email protected] or 616-292-4908, and she will send you the application details.

Churches or individuals wishing to assist the team but cannot go are welcome to donate gently used or new bras (sports bras are preferred as they are expandable), low-strength reading glasses, kids’ sunglasses, and over-the-counter vitamins for all ages. Contact Jody with questions about how your church can support this journey, affirming our United Methodist connections.

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The Michigan Conference