Although 14 months old, Maria weighed less than nine pounds. And part of that weight was edema and parasites. Her tiny stature and sad eyes told the story of malnutrition caused by the extreme poverty rampant in rural Honduras.

Nutritional deficiencies nearly took the life of eight-year-old Wendy, who was so severely anemic and swollen she received a blood transfusion at a government hospital in Honduras. She is now recovering at a nutritional hospital/orphanage.

"There were so many kids there that just broke my heart," said John Rapp, regional vice president of ministries and mission at Adventist Midwest Health.

John was among 26 people who spent a week in Honduras in January for Adventist Midwest Health's 2008 international medical mission trip. Adventist Midwest Health sponsors an annual trip for a team of physicians, employees and guests. Participants were divided into a clinical team, a vacation Bible school team and a construction crew. Altogether the group helped about 1,500 patients through the Pan American Health Services, their host on the mission.

"These mission trips are natural extensions of our mission to extend the healing ministry of Christ," John said. "They remind us of the three dynamics that people took away from their interactions with Christ: compassion, healing and hope."

For Jim Today, administrative director of facilities at Adventist Hinsdale Hospital, this was his fourth—and best—mission trip with Adventist Midwest Health. Jim was in charge of the three-person construction team that built an addition which will serve as a boys dormitory.

"There was really a great spirit in the team that was different than any other mission trip I've taken," Jim said. "The spirit was [evidence] of what the healing ministry of Christ is all about."

Liz Hulford, a chaplain at Adventist Hinsdale Hospital, served as a Spanish interpreter, doing intake and translating for doctors at the clinic. She also offered pastoral care to domestic violence victims and others. A major part of the medical team's work was educating the patients to take proper care of themselves by drinking bottled water, taking time to rest during strenuous physical activity and avoiding fatty foods, Liz remarked.

"We really saw God working through us to touch the lives of people there and our lives as well," said Liz.

Lanny F. Wilson, an obstetrician/gynecologist who treats patients at Adventist Hinsdale Hospital, said the trip reminded him that God is in all human beings.

"I was worried about not understanding tropical diseases and being outside of my hospital comfort zone," Lanny said. "Then I realized this trip was not about me; it was about what God would do through our mission team and those whom we would serve."

Lisa Parro is a public relations specialist at Adventist Midwest Health.