Inspire, Fall/Winter 2010

campus news your source for what ’ s new and exciting at C edarville U niversity Desiring to ease some of the suffering that Swazi people experience, Joanna Pyles ’11, a nursing major, and five other nursing students went on a missions trip to Swaziland, a country nestled against the top of South Africa with Mozambique on its eastern border. Poverty is the norm, and HIV runs rampant in this region. The group spent their first days acclimating to the area, getting to know their hosts, Harry ’96 and Echo (Tuinstra) VanderWal ’98, who are leaders with The Luke Commission. Once prepared, the team spent the rest of the month traveling throughout the country offering two or three health clinics per week and serving hundreds of patients. At the clinics, the nursing students assisted with HIV testing, blood pressure and glucose screening, drawing blood, starting IVs, cleaning wounds, giving eye exams, building wheelchairs, and checking children for worms, measles, and other common diseases. They also spent time praying and sharing the Gospel with the Swazi people. At the national hospital, the students assisted with baby deliveries and worked in the pediatric unit, emergency room, and female medical ward. Seeing the endless suffering in villages throughout the country caused Joanna to reflect on her own life and faith. “I do not understand our Lord’s purpose in this suffering except to know that He is a loving, sovereign God who deserves our utmost praise,” she said. “I am so thankful for the gift of Jesus Christ, who suffered more than any of His children to give us hope beyond this grave. The Swazis can find unprecedented joy in knowing that there will soon come a day when their tears, disease, poverty, and death will be no more. Jesus will overcome.” Toward the end of the trip, the team spent a day traveling to schools deep in the African bush to deliver Operation Christmas Child boxes to children. “With squeals of excitement, the children opened the only gift they may ever receive in their lifetime,” said Joanna. “The crowd of children roared with laughter, screams, and shouts: ‘Thank you, Jesus! Thank you, Jesus!’” Serving in Swaziland If you have a smart phone, scan this QR code to watch a video about Joanna’s trip to Swaziland. To download a free QR code scanner, visit cedarville.edu/QR . Or, to watch the video online, visit cedarville.edu/swaziland . Top: Joanna Pyles ’11 cares for patients in health clinics. Bottom: A Swazi child opens an Operation Christmas Child box that Joanna and her team delivered. 2 fall/winter 2010