Sue Johnson-Phillippe highlighted a surgical mission trip to Belize with Heart and Hands For Christ during Tuesday's Buckhannon Rotary meeting.
While it was a surgical mission to the southern region of Belize, residents from all over the country were served. There also was a dental component of the trip, allowing youth to have much-needed dental care, Johnson-Phillippe said.
She used pictures taken by her son Andrew to illustrate the scope of the mission, including photos of children, mission participants, scenery from the country and other types of things related to their work there.
Residents were treated for numerous health issues, with many people traveling four hours or longer to be seen by medical professionals, Johnson-Phillippe said. She said the trip was challenging but the team effort really paid off.
There was limited access to surgical spaces, with the group operating from an open field on one occasion. A surgical suite was available for use by the medical personnel for only three days.
The group took 60 boxes of medical supplies to use as part of the mission, and started each day with devotions.
Belize is located on the northeastern coast of Central America, with a diverse society, comprising many cultures and languages. Belize is the only country in Central America where English is the official language. Kriol and Spanish are more commonly spoken.
Belize is bordered to the north by Mexico, south and west by Guatemala, and to the east by the Caribbean Sea. Belize's mainland is approximately 180 miles long and 110 miles wide. It has a population of just a little more than 330,000 people.
Belize gained its independence from Great Britain on Sept. 21, 1981.
The Buckhannon Rotary club is contributing $5,000 to the next mission trip the group takes.
In other Rotary news, President Steve Foster encouraged members to attend the upcoming district conference in April in Morgantown.
The group is also looking for a member to take over the Adopt-a Highway program that has been under the eye of Rotarian Burl Smith.
