“Mission trips mean something special to me. Ever since my first trip in the summer of 2015, I have fallen in love with going on mission trips. The need in other countries for resources, medication and health information is so great that I feel I need to take every opportunity I have to give my time and service to others,” Shawn Smith, a student in the school of pharmacy shared when she returend from a recent Students for International Mission Service (SIMS) trip to Belize.
In addition to traveling to Belize after Christmas and through the new year, SIMS also went to Honduras. Nichole Valdivia, a student in the School of Nursing, was a part of this trip and also shared her experience.
“Tears were brought to my eyes seeing how each of the team members united to bring the best service possible to the community. There were nurses, physical therapists, dental hygienists, dentists, counselors, and many students from the School of Public Health. It was amazing to see how working together as a team made things easier. We shared our knowledge with each other while we all learned new skills.”
These two students went on different SIMS trips to two very different locations, but the results were the same. Lives changed. Impact made. Lasting working relationships and friendships formed. Health care information, ideas and techniques shared. All these things were applied as two teams of students and staff from Loma Linda University Health joined together to travel to Honduras and Belize over the New Year’s holiday.
February is well underway and as you take on this new year, why not make volunteering with SIMS a part of your plan? This year SIMS will be traveling to new locations and connecting people as we continue to serve those in need around the world.
Please visit lluglobal.com/SIMS to learn about upcoming trips.