Here is a brief look into how The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has been helping those in need in seven countries this spring — Mexico, El Salvador, Honduras, Peru, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Cameroon and Ecuador.
Mexico
A station used for early detection and treatment of cancer-related diseases was donated by the Church to the Breast Cancer Foundation in Mexico City on April 13. For over 20 years the foundation has offered treatments and follow-up visits for patients with breast cancer or similar diseases, reported the Church’s Mexico Newsroom.
At the donation event was President Marco P. Hinojosa Perez of the Mexico City Mexico Villa Coapa Stake. “The purpose … is to look for the poor and the needy,” he said. “We collaborate with institutions like the foundation because [they] know better than anyone how to channel these resources.”
Ruth Rocha, president of the Mexico City Villa Coapa Stake Relief Society, said at the event: “The donations [made by the Church] are the product of the love of many people. God loves all of his daughters who are here.”
El Salvador
Cardiography equipment was donated by the Church to the pediatric unit of the National Regional Hospital–San Juan de Dios, in Santa Ana, El Salvador, May 26, reported the Church’s El Salvador Newsroom.
Before the donation, patients traveled to the capital city of San Salvador. With a closer location, costs are less.
“I sympathize with the pain of these parents,” said Santa Ana El Salvador Molino Stake President David H. Abarca Marroquin. “Together with my wife we live with one of our little children with ailments in his heart. We sought that same medical help but at that time there was no such equipment.”
President Abarca continued, “Today this new team represents the hands of Christ here on earth.” He gave gratitude for the effort and donations of Church members who “emulate following in the footsteps of Christ by loving and caring for the children of God.”
Also at the event with President Abarca was Dr. Nohemy de Castillo, a pediatric cardiologist. “Thanks to this equipment we … can give real diagnoses for your treatments. We will seek to save lives; without a doubt it is the hand of God through the Church,” said Castillo.
She expressed her gratitude to “all those people who, with their contributions, make it possible for this love for their fellow men to become physical [and] tangible, as is the donation of this equipment.”
Honduras
Members of the Church in Danlí, Honduras, partnered with hospital staff from the Gabriela Alvarado Hospital on June 18 to provide free care for people living in the eastern part of Honduras.
These volunteers and medical staff assisted nearly 500 people receive help with general medicine, gynecology, nutrition, dentistry and psychological care, reported the Church’s Honduras Newsroom.
Peru and Democratic Republic of the Congo
The Church sponsored a “missionary brigade” in Cusco, Peru, on June 17. With the support of medical professionals, 132 future missionaries were given, among other important services, medical and dental examinations, according to the Church’s Peru Newsroom.
The future missionaries were also invited to a devotional with Elder Enrique Manuel Loo Córdova, Area Seventy.
“This day has been very special for me,” Elder Córdova said, “because it has not only meant accompanying the stakes of the Cusco Coordinating Council in this wonderful activity for the youth, but also in view of my profession, as a dentist.”
Elder Córdova continued: “I have been able to care for more than a hundred young people and help them in their efforts to have everything ready [for] their missions. I have feelings of gratitude to the Lord, for seeing so many wonderful youth here. And with all my heart I am sure that they will be very successful and will bring many souls to the restored gospel of Jesus Christ.”
Future missionaries in Kinshasa, in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, were also able to benefit from free comprehensive physicals. So far, 22 individuals have been able to take advantage of the program started in May, with an expected 165 in coming weeks, according to the Church’s Africa Newsroom.
Cameroon
From June 12 to June 16, the Church organized free dental care for residents of Yaoundé, Cameroon.
Cameroon Yaoundé Mission President Todd Miner said, “We are here as missionaries to help people know the Church better and to bring them physical relief.”
With the help of dentists from the United States and France, individuals were able to receive scaling, extractions and fitting prostheses.
Dr. Gervais Zang, the Cameroonian coordinator of the project, said of the event: “I am more than satisfied that our colleagues from the United States have come to fill a huge need.”
Adding his sentiments, Dr. Kurt Christensen, one of the overseas dentists, said of the participants, “People here have a feeling that I can’t explain. For me it is love. I would love to come back here one day.”
Ecuador
Wooden benches were delivered to the Sacred Heart of Jesus Hospital on June 12. The hospital, in Quevedo, Ecuador, was in need of better places for patients and families of patients to sit throughout the hospital.
The donated benches from the Church will “be of great help to the patients,” said Mariuxi Zurita, director of the hospital. The furniture was placed in various areas throughout the hospital, including the auditorium and outpatient clinic, reported the Church’s Peru Newsroom.
