Mentor Resident Goes On Nicaraguan Medical Mission Trip

From Cedarville University: While many college students were spending spring break on a beach or relaxing vacation, Cedarville University student Hayley Venman of Mentor, OH, a sophomore nursing student, spent spring break seeing more than 2,500 patients in Nicaragua on a medical missions trip with Global Health Outreach (GHO). While there, Venman and the team saw more than 250 people give their lives to Jesus and witnessed the true meaning of unity in the church.

After landing in Nicaragua March 3,Venman attended meetings and orientation before helping run a weeklong medical and dental clinic at churches in the small village of Los Gutierrez Norte. Venman worked alongside OB/GYNs, surgeons, dentists, medical students, a physical therapist, an RN and other nursing students.

Between the medical and dental clinic, the team saw more than 2,500 patients and were able to share the gospel or pray with each one. Venman was able to work in the triage area with patients taking their vital signs and praying with them before they saw a doctor. The team also ran a children's program and pastor's conference for four days of the trip.

Venman chose Nicaragua as her first missions trip to experience ministry outside the United States. Her cousin, a medical student at Grace College in Indiana, chose this trip and invited Venman along.

"The Lord used my teammates to show me to be unashamedly brave in sharing the gospel even in everyday life here in the U.S.," said Venman. "I got to talk to a few doctors about different ways that they incorporate faith into their practices. These conversations have encouraged me to be bold in my daily gospel sharing opportunities. I also saw how powerful prayer is. A few of the people I got to pray with were very moved by my simple prayers. Despite the clunkiness of my prayer that had to go through a translator, God used it to touch the hearts of the people."

Located in southwest Ohio, Cedarville University is an accredited, Christ-centered, Baptist institution with an enrollment of 3,963 undergraduate, graduate and online students in more than 150 areas of study. Founded in 1887, Cedarville is recognized nationally for its authentic Christian community, rigorous academic programs, strong graduation and retention rates, accredited professional and health science offerings and leading student satisfaction ratings. For more information about the University, visit www.cedarville.edu.

Image courtesy of Cedarville University: Cedarville University student Hayley Venman spent spring break serving in Nicaragua on a medical missions trip.