Dr. Jim Schlesinger, an ER doctor at Mary Washington Hospital, treats a Peruvian woman at the team's clinic in Huamanguilla. View More Images from this story Visit the Photo Place

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Medical mission changes lives

Faith journey: Members of Wilderness Community Church go on medical mission in Peru

Date published: 11/7/2009

MY LIFE HAS BEEN changed forever by a calling from God.

My journey started when I contacted the Rev. Keith Boyette, pastor of Wilderness Community Church in Spotsylvania County, earlier this year about fundraising ideas for mission trips. He mentioned an upcoming mission to Ayacucho, Peru, in five weeks.

I asked him how I could help with the trip to South America, and he told me to contact Becky Van Renan, a registered nurse in Spotsylvania and Wilderness Community Church's medical mission leader.

When I reached her, she told me she has been trying for six years to get an optometrist for the mission trip, and that she could use any donations that I could arrange.

Well, three days later I told her I had arranged through National Vision Inc. to get 600 reading glasses and 400 pairs of sunglasses for her to take on the trip. I also offered to take personal leave and go with the team.

All I needed now was a passport, so I sent the documentation in. Two weeks went by and I did not hear anything. Time was of the essence. I contacted Sen. Jim Webb's office and told his staff about the planned trip and asked for help. That same afternoon, I received a call from the National Passport Agency and they told me if I would send to them my original birth certificate instead of a copy, they would get it out overnight. Two days later, it was in my hands.

I also contacted pharmaceutical and vision-care companies for medications and equipment to use on our trip.

They were gracious enough to donate more than $200,000 in medications, including implants for cataract surgeries as well as vision-care equipment. These companies included: AmeriCares, Blessings International, Crosslink International, Heart to Heart, Kingsway Charities, Project Hope, Allergan Pharmaceuticals, AMO-Abbott Pharmaceuticals, PediaVision, Alcon Pharmaceuticals, Hub Pharmaceuticals, Bausch&Lomb Inc., Haag Streit Inc., Texas Lions Club Recycling Center, Dr. Robert Searle and Reade Fahs, CEO of National Vision Inc., to whom I extend special thanks. Last but not least, I want to thank my wife, Greta Press, for allowing me to be part of this medical mission.

Dr. Miles Press, an optometrist from Lake of the Woods, went on a medical mission trip in early October to Peru. The trip included members of Wilderness Community Church and Ebenezer Church and area doctors and nurses. Others who went on the trip include: Dr. Dina Sharps, Jeanette Mabie, Bill Iwabuchi, Shannon McCartney, Dr. Jim Schlesinger, Dr. Vicki Farthing, Dr. Elsa Reimer, Becky Van Renan, Kelly Schlesinger, Caitlyn Rodgers, Mary Beth Rodgers and Carol Chudoba. FAITH JOURNEY is an occasional column on experiences from mission trips, pilgrimages and conferences.

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Date published: 11/7/2009