Mission Trip - January, 2008
We would like to give a special thank you to everyone who participated in the vitamin drive. Providing vitamins to these patients is a simple thing we can do to help improve their health. In addition to the medical clinic, the group visited with the school children. They gave a lesson on toothbrushing and gave each student a toothbrush and a tube of toothpaste. The group was also able to meet with the students who are being sponsored and brought back pictures and information on the students for the St. Anthony families that are sponsoring these students. Please check out the poster in the back of church to see pictures taken during the week.

Letter from Fr. Guy(click here to read the letter) 
We received a thank you letter from Fr. Guy, the pastor of our sister parish, following our January trip. The translated letter is on the back of this newsletter. Fr. Guy asked us to be sure and let all the people of St. Anthony’s know how much he and the parishioners of St. Francis Xavier appreciate the support they have received.
A group of parishioners and local medical providers held a medical clinic in Gandou during the last week of January, 2008. This dedicated group saw 942 patients. For most of these patients, this is the only medical care they will receive until the next St. Anthony trip. The group included Gary and Helen Lewis, Mary and Harry McCullough, Vicky Seiler, Terri Scudder, Debbie Schoettmer, and Joe Rennekamp. The most common illnesses seen were respiratory infections, skin infections, stomach problems, diarrhea, hypertension, and anemia. Many of these illnesses were made worse because the patients were malnourished.
January 2008 Mission Team