TEAM MEMBER TESTIMONIES
“When thinking of all the years spent planning, leading, and serving on trips with The Great Commission team, one day sticks out among the rest as particularly impactful. Our team was serving in one of our medical clinics in Guatemala in a town called Ciudad Vieja. I was up front as usual, helping to check people in and facilitating the smooth operation of the clinic. A mother walked up with a small baby, named Geovany, who was whimpering, as he was unable to cry. His weak and frail appearance was utterly shocking. (I soon learned he was seven months old and only seven pounds.) I knew in that moment poor Geovany was dying of malnutrition and we had to do something to help him. We brought Geovany and his mother straight back to the doctor as I went on the search for any formula we had brought, as his mother explained breastfeeding was not going well for the pair. I went to our friend Reyna, one of Ciudad Vieja’s city officials, and explained the situation to her. The amount of formula we had brought with us was not enough and I needed someone to go to the store to find more. While some thought we should only buy a small amount of formula because of Geovany’s certainly terminal condition, I knew in my heart that he was going to live and I needed to do everything I could to set up a way to provide a long-term formula supply for this baby so he could be fed. And that’s exactly what we did. The next year, his mother brought now healthy and thriving Geovany back to our clinic where I got to see a miracle right before my eyes. There is no doubt in my mind that the Lord sent our team… to that town… on that day… for that baby. Every life, however little, is precious to our Lord and it amazes me just how He orchestrates these little miracles all the time through our team. However, this miracle was not “little” per say for Geovany, who is now nearly 11 years old. He has a future, one that I believe the Lord is going to bless every step of the way. Geovany now has a little sister who visits our clinics with his mom and him every year. Each trip I get to see him, it is such a sweet reminder of why we do what we do everyday here at The Great Commission.”
— Holly Stincer, BSN/RN (Director of Operations)
“I’m a nurse practitioner that has had the honor of serving with The Great Commission since 2007. Over the years, I’ve been to Mexico, the Dominican Republic, Haiti and Guatemala with this team. I will never forget the faces of changed lives… like the young child in Mexico that once given new glasses could see the face of his mother for the first time. Or the mother in Guatemala that thanked us for coming because the year before she gave her life to Christ. Someone once asked me why I go… what does going for a week accomplish? I explained that it wasn’t about providing long term care but about eternal investment… having kingdom vision. I challenge those reading this feeble attempt to explain the importance of work of The Great Commission to give. Give of your time, money and prayers…we are the hands and feet of Christ. Matthew 25:40”
— Susan McPherson Hines, Nurse Practitioner (Pediatrics Team)
“Unlike many people on this trip, I did not have a year to prepare, raise money, or make a plan for my family during the week that I would be gone. I received a phone call just a couple months before departure, telling me that the group needed one more person to fill an open spot. Looking back now, I know it was the Lord graciously providing this opportunity and allowing all of the little details work together perfectly. I am very Type A and like to have time to process and prepare for everything. Unfortunately, there wasn't much time to make a decision and it seemed almost impossible to renew my passport that was over 20 years old. After talking to our team leaders, I decided I would just go for it and see if it was even possible to get everything done in time. I could write pages about the little miracles God did. Phone calls to government offices that were answered on a Sunday afternoon, appointments that usually take months being scheduled within weeks, and a lot of other family scheduling that worked out perfectly. Within weeks, I was holding my new passport and was officially on the team to travel to Guatemala with The Great Commission. I boarded the bus early one morning, not knowing who would be on the team. Immediately, I was greeted by a few people I had known from my childhood and was quickly welcomed by the entire team. What a whirlwind to get there! And what an adventure it was! In just one week, I made friends and worked alongside people who love the Lord and have a heart to help others. It was so incredible to see people with various talents and gifts all come together to provide for others. There is something special about being a part of a team that comes from various churches, denominations, professions, and states all to glorify God and accept the calling of The Great Commission.”
— Alli Robinson, Team Member (Children’s Ministry)
“Why do you do it? A question I’ve received countless times over the past eleven years from friends, family, acquaintances, and strangers when I tell them of an upcoming trip or they see me working behind the scenes helping to prepare for the trip. Unfortunately most of the time, I utter some mundane answer that never fully encapsulates the real reason why I GO. So here’s my real answer: I do it because of the girl just 6 months older than me that cried in my arms after telling our team of the abuse she endured everyday at home. I do it for her. I do it because of the orphans that cling to my arms and legs, hoping to soak up any ounce of love they can in a short visit. I do it for them. I do it because Jesus utterly transformed my life and brought me through my darkest nights and I believe every single person on this planet deserves to feel the same love, peace, and hope that I do through Him. I do it because He said GO- to be stewards of His word throughout the world! This organization has changed my life in ways that are impossible to put into words. Everyday, I get the honor to bare witness to little miracles and to see God working in ways that sometimes are beyond comprehension. Jesus is at the very center of this organization and I know as long as His hand is here, I’ll continue to see Him do such great things.”
— Madison Weathersbee, Marketing and Administrative Assistant, Team Member (Children’s Ministry)
“The Great Commission has provided me the opportunity to fulfill my childhood dream – or perhaps fulfill God’s plan in my life! Since the age of 13, I knew I wanted to do medical missions. Having a sister who lived her life on the mission field gave me the opportunity firsthand to see the need to share Jesus far and wide.
I started my nursing career later in life. At the beginning of my career, I was working in an emergency department alongside some well-seasoned physicians who were trying to ‘encourage’ me to not be so enthusiastic about coming to the medical field. (I mean really it took me 30 years to get there.) They told me one day I would become cynical about the medical field.
Fast forward and cynicism is not hard to find in our health care system in the US– where everyone is always expecting something. On the mission field, I see genuine gratitude for the care they are given and it is so heartwarming. I love seeing the beautiful faces of the people we serve. Their smiles are so sincere. God uses those faces as a reminder for me – to be thankful for what I have and to not to take for granted what He has given me… my salvation, my family, my friends, my abilities. I am thankful the Great Commission uses me to serve alongside them. ”
— Alison Diamond, RN (Triage)