For the past few years, junior Rachel Lovell had been contemplating the idea of entering into the medical field as a career. She signed up for a few medical classes this school year and has been enjoying her classes so far. But when her father, pediatrician Dr. Mark Lovell, came home one day with the news that their church was planning to take members to Ecuador for a medical mission trip, she knew this could be a great opportunity for her.
“Since my dad is a doctor, I’ve been thinking of going into the medical field for some time now,” said Lovell. “I was really excited when my dad told me about the trip.”
On Aug. 26, Lovell left with members of her church and other people from churches in Texas, Oklahoma, and Mississippi, a total of 21 people, on a medical mission trip to help the people of Ecuador. With her father leading the mission, they helped to give out free pairs of eye glasses, offer a free dentistry service, and provide medication to those in need in the city of Archidona, Ecuador.
“I was really excited to help out all the little kids,” said Lovell. “They were so thankful for the littlest things that we did for them.”
While there, Lovell and her father visited the capital city of Quito and shopped a bit. They visited hot springs up in the mountains and saw the biggest rat of their lives.
“I thought it was a hippo!” said Lovell. “When I sent my mom the picture she thought it was a horse.”
During her visit, Lovell decided to show off her soccer skills. She played soccer each night with the kids and loved it.
“Playing soccer was one of my favorite parts of the trip because I gained new friendships from it,” said Lovell.
On one of her days in Ecuador, Lovell experienced her least favorite event on the trip. She held a boa constrictor and ate a worm called a “grub” with her dad.
“My dad talked me into eating the worm,” said Lovell. “He said it would be a father-daughter bonding thing.”
As a result of the trip, Lovell recognized her desire to enter into the medical field and ended up leading three young boys to Christ.
“I realized my purpose in Ecuador,” she said. “It also grew me closer to God and I’ll never forget it.”