Serving One Another, Society, & the Church
One of the Franciscan values at the university is to serve one another, society, and the Church. Registered nurse and USF faculty member, Dawn Mabry does exactly that when she takes part in medical mission trips to Haiti. This year’s trip at the end of February takes on even more significance due to the recent earthquake.
"I've taught a class at my church that helps people discover their God given talents and use them to serve others. I believe God used that preparation and arranged my first trip to Haiti in the summer of 2002. After that eye-opening, heart wrenching adventure, I've had a desire to return to Haiti. While there, I am able to work with a team to provide basic medical care to people who desperately need it. I get to visit the young boy that I sponsor in the school at Mission of Hope. I've developed friendships with the ever hopeful and polite Haitians that work as interpreters."
During these trips, a medical clinic is set up and a team provides care for as many Haitians as they can for one week. Care ranges from physical examinations, basic first aid, setting fractures and placing sutures, to delivering babies.
"I assisted in a difficult delivery of an infant girl who was not breathing. We did CPR and she took her first breaths. I cared for the new mother and child that day and later made a home visit to check on them. They named the baby after me. I gave them my middle name, Michelle, since it sounds better than Dawn in the French-based Creole language. Michelle is 3 years old now," states Mabry.
Coming back from a trip, along with feeling completely exhausted and overwhelmed, Dawn says there is a fullness of experiencing something truly meaningful and real.
"Serving one another is of course an opportunity that short term mission trips provide. But bringing the message of eternal salvation through Jesus Christ that is offered to all humanity regardless of nationality, condition, race or gender is the best we can offer."
If you would like additional information on how to get involved or contribute, please contact The Chapel.
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Previously Featured
- Students on Pilgrimage to Assisi and Rome
- The Birthplace of an Ocean
- Serving One Another, Society, & the Church
- Our students try to give of themselves, “from head to toe.”
- Hands-on Learning with a Professional Artist
- Health and hunger: USF students give on two fronts
- USF unites local educators, students for Better Together Day of Service
- We the People