UKB Employee Raises Money for Missionary Trip

UKB Tribal Victim's Assistance Employee Sue Gaytan is a person whose life is dedicated to helping others. Through her work with the UKB TVA program Native Voices, Gaytan is an advocate for Native American members who have been a victim of a crime. She is a charter member of the Adair County Network Giving Everything in Love and Service (ANGELS).

She is also an active member of the Tahlequah Church of Christ. In addition to her work here in Northeastern Oklahoma, Sue is also involved in volunteering with Health Talents International (HTI). She is currently in the process of raising money to go on her second missionary trip to Guatemala in January 2008. She has raised almost $600 so far, and must raise an additional $600 to pay for the trip.

Founded in 1973 in Birmingham, Alabama, Health Talents International is a non-profit Christian organization that works within the Churches of Christ to promote medical evangelism in developing countries. As Christians, they feel that God expects people to use their talents, medical and otherwise, in His service. Health Talent's objectives are: to preach the gospel in word and deed, to provide US Christians with an opportunity to serve in the mission field, to train indigenous Christians as health promoters and health evangelists, and to provide college students with a real life medical evangelism experience. The work is currently centered in Guatemala. HTI is always open to considering new projects in other Central American locations. HTI is interested in providing medical evangelism services wherever needs and opportunities exist.

Mrs. Gaytan took her first missionary trip last January to serve at the Ezell Clinic in Monte llano, Guatemala. Upon arriving all volunteers were given a journal to write of their experiences with the surgical team in that Mayan village. The entry she made on the last night of the trip follows.

"Today was our last day here, our work is done. Looking back weary and sore, we are none the less more uplifted and feel like we have wings under us. Wings to fly away lifted by God's grace and love. We are all so blessed and feel as though we have been renewed. We were able to leave our prejudices, failures and all our festered ill thoughts and feelings back home away from this simple life. We are all richer for serving as Jesus when He washed the disciple's feet. So we too gave of ourselves to these people. I can't decide who was blessed more. We came here to help and encourage others and received love and encouragement from them. How simple life is here and how much richer they are for their humbleness and willingness to love and trust someone they've never met. God is wonderful and he does not make mistakes. He made us all in his image. All of us are so special and all of us so loved. Thank you, Father. Thank you."

"The village people we helped were Mayan and the Mayan people and the Cherokee people are similar in the way they build their homes on mounds, and their use of blowguns." said Gaytan.

To raise funds for her second trip, Gaytan writes, "I am asking for your help; please help me go back to this village to help these indigent Indian people obtain the medical care they so desperately need. Any amount you can help with will be greatly appreciated. Please make checks or money orders payable to Health Talents International. For more information, call me at (918) 456-9200. If you would like to learn more about this ministry, go to their website at www.healthtalents.org.