Hello, my name is Jennifer Harvey and I am a Registered Nurse. I am headed to Africa on my first Mission Trip. This surgical mission trip will be September 17-29 in Homa Bay County, Kenya . This is in the village of Bondo Awino, not far from Lake Victoria. This is an area that is in dire need of medical care. RTC Missions, is a Texas-based 501(c)3 here in Waxahachie. They have been working since 2014 to build a medical center through donations, which is now complete and ready to serve the people. This will be the FIRST surgical mission trip for this organization.

Before this facility was built, the women in Homa Bay County literally gave birth on the dirt floor of a shack with chickens near by. This mission will specifically be for gynecological services which is an area of great need for the women of Homa Bay County.

I will be traveling with approximately 11 other medical professionals on this trip. HIV is very prevalent in this community. Many women have cysts, fibroids, obstetric fistulas, and must travel miles to get their medical care or deliver a baby. This travel is done on motorbike. Even then, this is only if they have the money to pay for the motorbike ride.

I have been blessed that God has placed me in the right place at this time in my life. I was asked by surgeon Dr. Tracy Glass to accompany her and other surgeons on this trip, of course when she asked--who would say NO?!! My role will be to Pre-Operatively assess patients and start IVs necessary for surgery.

I am very excited to be a part of this mission and blessed to have been asked. I have always wanted to do medical mission trips since I became a nurse in 2015. I guess I was too nervous or didn't know where to start.

As a nurse, I love to connect with my patients and visit with them before surgery. I also like to calm them when starting their IVs. You would not believe the grown men that are covered in tattoos who are afraid of getting an IV! They say "I hate needles".

My friends and coworkers tease me because they say I can learn a patient's whole life story, in the little time I have getting them ready for surgery.

I will need to purchase airfare, which is approximately $1684 plus bag fees. I will need to pay for my in-country expenses: transportation, lodging and food which is $1300. I will also need to get the typhoid and yellow fever vaccine at Dallas County health department that totals $345. I will need approximately $3800 which will help with incidentals as well.

If you find it in your heart to donate to this journey that God has planned for me it will be greatly appreciated. I'm standing on Proverbs 19:17.

Thank you for partnering with me and God Bless.

More information can be found at www.RTCMissions.org.