Some pictures from my trip.
Pray for the Wheels for the World team in Ghana
as they demonstrate the love of Jesus
through wheelchair distribution, teaching, and construction
October 6-20, 2007
Catherine Larsen from FPC
will be serving on this mission with 9 other people.
I was blessed to grow up at Fairfax Presbyterian Church. I have been at Fairfax since I was baptized at 1 month of age. I grew up singing in the choir, ringing bells, and leading the high school youth group. I was confirmed at age 15 and have been a member ever since. Growing up at Fairfax gave me the foundation of my faith which I took with me to Richmond where I got my Doctorate of Physical Therapy.
For many years I went on mission trips with Fairfax from Maine to Mexico as a high schooler and college student. I think all together I can count 7 or more! I also served for a year as the Mission Coordinator on Youth Council and planned local mission opportunities throughout the year including serving as the youth representative to the Mission Outreach Ministry at FPC. These experiences have only fueled my desire to continue mission work professionally. I feel deeply called to medical missions to share both my clinical skills as well as my faith to the underserved children of God throughout the world.
For those of you who don't know, I am a pediatric physical therapist. I have worked in Washington D.C. for the past two years at Children's National Medical Center treating children from birth through around 25 years of age, but often older! I work primarily with developmental delay, congenital disabilities, trauma as well as the physical effects of all types of illness and disease. I see it as more than my job, but as my calling and only an extension of my faith.
I work with both injured and sick children as well as healthy children with special needs. I am licensed as a physical therapist to evaluate physical disability and injury and provide interventions necessary to rehabilitate, relieve pain, and maximize functional mobility. I love being able to improve people's mobility if even in the smallest way.
I have seen amazing changes in quality of life and functional independence through the use of a wheelchair or assistive device. At work I often encounter very poor families who struggle with the effects of disease, trauma, and violence, and yet even in the worst case scenario, these people are blessed with the resources that America can provide. Now that I have served in DC for 2 years, I want to explore what else God may have for me.
Now I am writing to share with you about my upcoming adventure! In October, I will be traveling to Ghana in West Africa, on a medical mission trip with Wheels for the World. WFTW is an international project with a non-profit organization called Joni and Friends that provides restored and refurbished previously-used wheelchairs.
This project takes donated wheelchairs, walkers, and canes donated by people in the U.S. and refurbishes them to be sent to countries all over the world with trained volunteers to custom fit them for people with disabilities. Joni and Friends was started by Joni Eareckson Tada who became quadriplegic after a diving accident as a teenager. She is now an artist and paints with a paintbrush in her mouth in addition to running a large disability center. Some of you may have even seen the movie about her life!
Joni and Friends is a Christian organization whose mission is to show God's love to everyone including and especially those with special needs. I am really excited about sharing my faith and meeting spiritual needs as well as meeting the physical needs of those we meet.
On this trip I will serve as an Assistant Seating Specialist in Africa for 2 weeks (October 6-20th 2007) where I will work with a team running clinics in both rural villages and urban areas of Ghana to evaluate individuals and fit them with wheelchairs.
We will also be teaching and speaking about disability awareness and inclusion of individuals with special needs into the community, as well as doing construction to adapt houses and churches for handicap accessibility. However I will also have the opportunity to speak about the gospel and about inclusion of individuals with disabilities.
In many countries individuals with disabilities are denied education and medical care and are left with no choice but to beg. One of the main goals of WFTW is to share the message of John 9:1-3, in which Christ expressed the value He placed on people with disabilities when he healed a blind man and said, "Neither hath this man sinned, nor his parents: but that the works of God should be made manifest in him."
Many of you prayed for me as I returned home and started my job at Children's Hospital. I can’t tell you how much your faithful support has meant to me. I ask now that you would support me spiritually as I encounter the next hurdle God has for me. As you pray for me, you can be a part of this experience. I take my faith from FPC through the doors of the hospital everyday and I plan on taking you around the world with me as well. Thank you in advance for your prayers on this trip. I can't wait to tell you about it and share my pictures with you!
Catherine Larsen
Here's where I'm going.
I'll share more pictures when I return.
