 |
Outward Bound
|
|
The Mission is Launched
Conceived in 2003, the medical mission trip to Senegal became a reality in January 2005. The United Methodist Church mission, based in the capital city of Dakar, includes a Wellness Program that works to improve diet and nutrition practices in over a dozen villages in western Senegal. Dr. Carol Meynen envisioned a medical mission to assist this program by bringing medical expertise and medical technology to assess the health of the villagers and refine the nutrition program for individuals. This would be particularly valuable to detect diabetes and anemia - two endemic problems in the population.
The volunteers paid their own expenses for the trip and raised over $6,000 US as a direct grant to the mission for its general use. Additional funds were raised to purchase medical equipment and supplies that were given to the Wellness Program. Several drug companies and practicing physicians also contributed supplies that were distributed to villagers under this mission.
The mission team is commissioned by Trinity United Methodist Church on Sunday, January 2nd.
Trinity United Methodist Church of Wilmette Illinois has a long-standing relationship with the UMC Senegal mission. The congregation has funded improvements in buildings, supported missionary salaries, and recently sent two pre-fabricated buildings that will be assembled to serve as local churches. The congregation was enthusiastic about the medical mission and very generous with its financial support.
From the denominational level, this medical mission was supported under the General Board of Global Ministries of the United Methodist Church through its Volunteers-In-Mission initiative.