Below are testimonies of folks who were with us on the Med Teams in previous years.
"I had gone with ECR in 1996, 97, 98, 2000, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2008. I filled different role depending on the needs at that particular time. Most of the time, I filled the translator role for either the nurse or the doctor. I worked in the pharmacy as needed. Basically, I counted the medication, put it into plastic ziplock bag, explained to the patient how to take the drug. Sometime I acted as spoke person for the team when we talk to the local government or to the local medical team. In some instances, I represent ECR in the Board of Director capacity. I always had the blessing of meeting so many wonderful Christians from all walk of life and had a wonderful time with these brother and sister in Christ. We also met all kind of local people with all kind of needs which gave us a chance to show the love of Christ to them.
It is always a blessing and a privilege for me to go the trip. I got more blessing than the little sacrify that I made.
I would strongly recommend everyone to go on these trip if he or she can afford to go."
Hoang Bui
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"In October of 1988 I decided to try to do SOMETHING helpful in Vietnam, something that would help people who were as needy as any I knew of then. My first trip back to Vietnam was in June of 1989, and I have been back more than 30 times since then. What began as a mission action program of my church eventually became a Hawaii non-profit corporation, then a 501c3 humanitarian aid program. We continue in that status now.
Our first volunteer medical team was in December 1994. Now, after l4 of those teams, I find that the satisfaction is just as strong as ever, the joy of helping truly needy people as deep as the first time. The friendships that come out of these groups are deep and lasting - I have a wonderful extended family. I'm the one who recruits the teams and organizes the projects, so I am lucky to have a personal friendship with every team member, and there are over 120 of them now. These are doctors, nurses, pharmacists, translators, dentists, assistants - and they all work closely to make the projects effective. The cooperation is incredible, year after year. The act of giving of yourself, without expecting anything in return, is life-changing.
The people we treat in the clinics are quite needy, and always very grateful for what we do to help. The children are of course the ones who touch you the most deeply, but we help everyone with equal care. We can't fix everything, but people know we try hard to help them. As for the team members, I honestly do not know of a single person who has ever regretted going, and many have gone multiple times. The teams demonstrate a servant heart, which is what we believe our faith should show. Being part of these groups is a wonderful experience."
Bruce Harless
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