April 25, 2009
Paul Gutmann just returned with the Dominican Republic Mission
Team (early March 2009), where he personally delved into solutions for safe drinking
water for the residents there. The following is Paul's report.
Prescribing Prevention
An Enhancement to the St.
Eustace Medical Mission
to the Dominican Republic
2009 Update
Why do you go? The generalists, the nurses, the physician’s assistants, and the medical
doctors are all asked this question,and they all struggle a bit to answer it. My job is to
advocate prevention through practicing good hygiene, through eating nutritious,
healthy food, and, mainly, through drinking safe pure water, but I have also struggled to
answer this question. We discussed this question at some length and contemplated it
during quiet downtime on the beautiful Dominican beaches. I have decided to answer this
question in the following way: I go to help the people that we minister to - the people of
Gautier and the people of Buen Pastor - for the same reason that I married my wife,
Linda, in 1968. We HAD to get married. You see we were head over heels in love! When
you marry, sickness or health does not matter, for your love perseveres. If your spouse
is sick, your love does not falter. Well, love is at the crux of the trip to the Dominican
Republic. “Now by chance a priest was going down that road; and when he saw him [who
was lying beaten, naked and half dead] he passed by on the other side. So likewise a
Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. But a
Samaritan, as he journeyed, came to where he was; and when he saw him, he had
compassion, and went to him and bound up his wounds, pouring on oil and wine; then he set
him on his own beast and brought him to an inn, and took care of him.” Luke 10:31-34
Everyone on the medical team has a love that extends beyond him/herself, beyond
spouses, beyond sons and daughters, and extends to all of mankind. I have to go to the
Dominican Republic because the people need me – they need safe water. I cannot
pass by on the other side; I have to go to them to help; I cannot not care. I really do
not “want” to go. I wish fervently that I did not have to go, as the trip is long, arduous,
expensive, and the work is very hard and always leaves me drained. However, the
plight of the people that we serve touches my heart, and I HAVE TO GO.
Paul Gutmann just returned with the Dominican Republic Mission
Team (early March 2009), where he personally delved into solutions for safe drinking
water for the residents there. The following is Paul's report.
Prescribing Prevention
An Enhancement to the St.
Eustace Medical Mission
to the Dominican Republic
2009 Update
Why do you go? The generalists, the nurses, the physician’s assistants, and the medical
doctors are all asked this question,and they all struggle a bit to answer it. My job is to
advocate prevention through practicing good hygiene, through eating nutritious,
healthy food, and, mainly, through drinking safe pure water, but I have also struggled to
answer this question. We discussed this question at some length and contemplated it
during quiet downtime on the beautiful Dominican beaches. I have decided to answer this
question in the following way: I go to help the people that we minister to - the people of
Gautier and the people of Buen Pastor - for the same reason that I married my wife,
Linda, in 1968. We HAD to get married. You see we were head over heels in love! When
you marry, sickness or health does not matter, for your love perseveres. If your spouse
is sick, your love does not falter. Well, love is at the crux of the trip to the Dominican
Republic. “Now by chance a priest was going down that road; and when he saw him [who
was lying beaten, naked and half dead] he passed by on the other side. So likewise a
Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. But a
Samaritan, as he journeyed, came to where he was; and when he saw him, he had
compassion, and went to him and bound up his wounds, pouring on oil and wine; then he set
him on his own beast and brought him to an inn, and took care of him.” Luke 10:31-34
Everyone on the medical team has a love that extends beyond him/herself, beyond
spouses, beyond sons and daughters, and extends to all of mankind. I have to go to the
Dominican Republic because the people need me – they need safe water. I cannot
pass by on the other side; I have to go to them to help; I cannot not care. I really do
not “want” to go. I wish fervently that I did not have to go, as the trip is long, arduous,
expensive, and the work is very hard and always leaves me drained. However, the
plight of the people that we serve touches my heart, and I HAVE TO GO.
Home
Pg 2-History &
Mission
Pg 3-Report
2009
Pg 4-Mission
Details
Pg 5-Human
Interest
Pg 7-Pure
Water-Cont;d
Pg 8-PW Cont'd
Pg 9-PW Cont'd
Pg 10-PW Cont'd
Pg 2-History &
Mission
Pg 3-Report
2009
Pg 4-Mission
Details
Pg 5-Human
Interest
Pg 7-Pure
Water-Cont;d
Pg 8-PW Cont'd
Pg 9-PW Cont'd
Pg 10-PW Cont'd
