After three missions, 'epic' for Christa Czer to go as RN

By Christa Czer

Usually when I go on an Africa trip with Lighthouse Medical Missions, I take time to sit down and write a reflection in my journal. But Tanzania was different.

Perhaps it was because I’m now a registered nurse, so more was demanded of me. As a recent graduate, this clinic was a “nursing boot camp” for me.

But the 5-day clinic zoomed by. We breakfasted at 6:00 a.m., drove to the clinic, set up, took an unending flow of patients, shut down the clinic around 5:00 p.m. to go to church service by 6:00 p.m.

I don’t feel overworked though. That is how it is supposed to be because we really are on a mission when we go on these trips. We go into these countries to serve God and serve others. This involves the whole team having to be very efficient with their time.

This was my fourth trip to Africa on a medical mission. Each time I go to Africa, I gain a new appreciation and admiration for my father. He is so busy with being the direct of the heart transplant department at Cedars Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles, that when we go to Africa it’s the most time I get to spend with him all year.

Secondly, I get to witness his golden heart, gentleness, and true patience in action.

As we were sitting in the plane, returning from London, I glanced over at my dad and saw him reading the Book of Proverbs in the Bible. How truly blessed I am to grow up with the parents I have. I have never heard my dad complain about anything or talk negatively of someone else. He gives everything he does his ALL, including his character. What an example for me!

I have always admired my father for how smart he is mentally. But it is because of how smart he is spiritually. He is what I like to call “character smart.” He knows that fearing God is the beginning of wisdom. This explains his humility, courage, calm demeanor, strength and love for others.

Prior to this trip, I had spent a weekend getting “Limited Obstetric” ultrasound certified in San Diego. My father brought his ultrasound machine, and we were able to do, not only some obstetric ultrasounds, but also some cardiac ultrasounds and even a kidney ultrasound. These ultrasounds were really a blessing for the Tanzanian people. We were able to rule out many things, including heart defects, and nonviable pregnancies.

Going to Africa as a registered nurse was truly an epic feeling. I had the opportunity to give injections, perform some intense wound care, give malaria tests, perform ultrasounds and much more. However, the greatest blessing was being able to work alongside my heroes: my father, Dr. Lawrence Czer, and the founder of Lighthouse Medical Missions, Dr. Robert Hamilton. I will forever admire and aspire to have the love for God and others that they attain.

Editor’s Note: Since I was unable to go on this medical mission, I asked Christa Czer to report on her experiences. She landed at LAX Sunday evening with the 26 other volunteers who comprised Mission Tanzania 2015.