RHCC has a vision to share Christ’s compassion for those who are economically poor, realizing that we ourselves, without Christ, are not only economically poor, but also spiritually and/or relationally poor. In an effort to touch the working poor who may be uninsured or underinsured for various reasons, the Local Outreach Commission took the initiative to spearhead an event to meet medical, dental and vision needs. Under the leadership of Anne Dokko and Marcia Trani, the Local Outreach Commission conducted an event on December 6, from 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., where RHCC hosted Medical Mission Adventures (MMA) and Torrance Outreach for United Community Health (T O.U.C.H.), to serve people in the South Bay community with medical, dental, and vision services. MMA was founded in 1972 and have served more than one million people in 18 countries. T.O.U.C.H. , founded in 2011 as a community service ministry of Christ Our Savior Anglican Church in Torrance, is dedicated to provided preventative medical services and screening. T.O.U.C.H. targets those who have no healthcare or who are under insured and is comprised of health care entities, professionals and concerned citizens who are concerned about the healthcare in their community. Marcia Trani explained, “We want people to feel welcome here, that they belong here and there is hope for them. For us to invite people to come here to our campus to get their physical needs met gave them a sense of being loved and cared for.” Praise the Lord, a total of 200 documented encounters were completed, including: • 49 eye visits, to provide reading glasses, • 51 medical appointments, and • 36 dental appointments. The event also provided educational services and instruction regarding use of medicines, diabetes care, follow up needs, and others consultations. Pastor Byron remarked, “What struck me Saturday was the welcoming love, the quiet efficiency, and how people were treated with dignity and respect. It was a picture of how Jesus ministered to people. Some went around gently talking with and praying for people. Children who were waiting with family members had a special place where they were welcomed, loved, and had Jesus shared with them. Many who came found, beyond the medical or dental issues, the power of being loved and touched by people who cared for them.” Congregants from RHCC provided the following: • In partnership with TOUCH, RHCC staffed the clinic with doctors, dentists, nurses and pharmacists; • Cooked breakfast and lunch for all patients, family members and workers; • Provided intake to document medical needs; • Played with the children while they waited for their parents or their own appointments and gave them Christmas toys from the Toy Drive; • Served as interpreters to help translate medical information into Spanish; and, • Shared Spanish language Bibles and shared the gospel with those who needed encouragement. Several people came to the Lord that day, at least four that we are aware of. One was Luis Vallentan, Supervisor for the Day Laborer Program at the Harbor City Community Job Center, who gave his life to Christ at the event. Several Rooted groups had previously gone to serve at the facility, to bring food and fellowship in God’s love to the Day Workers. Dan Charlin, RHCC’s church chairman, used a “Steps to Peace with God” booklet which was distributed at Vergil Best’s memorial service to lead Luis to salvation in Christ. Luis had previously been highly suspicious of Christians and was resistant to Rooted groups coming to serve, and now, having experienced God’s love and having received salvation, Luis’ life and perspective has been changed. Please pray for him that his faith in Christ will continue to grow and that he will be an influence in serving the many people associated with the Day Worker programs in our area. In years past, RHCC sent medical/dental staff to serve at the Center Shalom Mission in Alamar, to provide services to the uninsured in Mexico. Due to changing border crossing restrictions, RHCC hasn’t been able to return for the past several years. However, the Lord has brought those in need to our campus at RHCC. RHCC is currently evaluating how frequently to host similar medical events on our campus. If you would like to be involved and/or if you are a medical, dental, vision professional, please contact Marcia Trani at 310-521-5286.
Posted on: Wed, 10 Dec 2014 19:18:11 +0000
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