Kelsie Elder completes mission in Guatemala

2012 Jun 13

Kelsie Elder of Denver, Colo., completed a medical mission trip to Guatemala May 22-30 as part of a 16-member team from Concordia University, Nebraska.

The mission team held medical clinics in two cities, El Progreso and Quebrada de Agua, providing health assessments and medicine for the villagers. Additionally, team members taught children hand washing and other hygiene techniques.

The team also built stoves in seven homes with the aim of providing safer methods for cooking. According to Dr. Jennifer Janousek, director of Concordia's public health program and leader of the trip, most people in the villages cook over open fires, which causes respiratory problems and takes a toll on the environment.

"What a blessing it was to share my heart and passion of mission work in Guatemala with these amazing students. I pray the people of Guatemala felt God's love as we served in this capacity," said Janousek.

Team members shared Bible stories, songs and books with the villagers and spent some time hiking Pacaya Volcano in the mountains of Antigua.

The mission team was made up of students from Concordia's Global Health class as well as two professors and a local doctor.

Concordia University, Nebraska, founded in 1894, is a fully accredited, coeducational university located in Seward, Neb. that currently serves over 2,200 students. Concordia offers more than 50 professional and liberal arts programs in an excellent academic and Christ-centered community that equips men and women for lives of learning, service and leadership in the church and world. For more information, visit www.cune.edu.