Dr. Jesús Peña Dumé, MD, is an ophthalmologist and otorhinolaryngologist (ear, nose, throat specialist), who graduated from the Universidad Autónoma de Santo Domingo (UASD) (Autonomous University of Santo Domingo) in 1977 and 1983. His three children (oldest son Joan, an optometrist; son Joel, an ophthalmologist, and daughter, Joanel, a pediatrician) work with him in the medical clinic. Dr. Peña has been associated with HASTEN since before 1990.

Here they take care of the underprivileged, those who are poor, and on Sundays the clinic is converted into a Christian church with a sanctuary, Sunday school rooms, and preaching.

Dr. Peña and his wife Doloris host visiting missionaries, manage several Christian outreach programs, such as clinics and Christian camps. He is the leader of the Minister’s Association for the whole country. He travels extensively for the churches and camps, as well as works out solutions to problems as they arise.

The Colombia Medical Mission opportunity has recently taken shape. Dr. Daniel Gonzalez (physician, seated) and Dr. Tannia Camargo (the dentist, standing) are the essential providers who demonstrate enthusiasm for their work and passion for their patients.

• HASTEN is providing much-needed medical and dental services in Villavicencio, Colombia.
• The people in Colombia have been praying for the addition of healthcare services for years.
• Drs. Gonzalez and Carmago have developed a plan for services that reaches into the community.
• HASTEN is privileged to provide healthcare for this population of people in need.

HASTEN supports the medical clinic in Monclova, Coahuila estado (state) of Mexico. The clinic is part of the Workers for Mexico mission, established in 1996 from mission efforts that began as early as the 1960s. Dr. Ramiro Tijerina sees patients two days a week for about 4 hours depending on his schedule. He does this for free. A nurse helps in the pharmacy for over-the-counter medicines and vitamins, checks blood pressures, and provides consultation for prescriptions. The daughter of the clinic’s first doctor, Rosario Fuentes, has completed her dental school and is now helping once a week in the Dental office.

Several times yearly, the clinic workers drive to villages and churches in the desert with medicines, clothing, tooth brushes, and hygiene items. They give haircuts and check on needs. When available, they take gifts and school supplies for the youth and hand out Gospel literature. There are 14 churches of Christ in the Monclova area, where minister Miguel Ayala serves. He collaborates with the HASTEN clinic along with his two sons (who are also ministers), his wife, and daughter.

The medical clinic that HASTEN supports in Haiti resulted from the introduction that Reggie Thomas, the well-respected director of White Fields Overseas Evangelism, made to the HASTEN Board in the early 2000s.

Dr. Dan Adolphe, a Christian Haitian physician, reminded Mr. Thomas of Dr. Dennis Pruett, who worked in the 1950s in what was then Rhodesia and now Zimbabwe, Africa, to build the Mashoko Hospital. The similarity of the two physicians rested in their mutual belief in the following:
“Medical evangelism is the best way in the world to put Christian ideals into action. You see with your eyes, touch with your hands, and feel with your heart the love Christ had for people when he helped them. This is made wonderful when you see the appreciation from a people who now understand that the love God had for all mankind is manifested by His servants.” Dennis Pruett, MD

Dr. Adolphe continues to practice at the clinic in Gonaives. He is pictured here with some of his staff members.

“Deep in the heart of southern Africa,
there is a land that seems to have broken all the rules…
A world of natural beauty.”

The people are loving and friendly. Helping one’s neighbor is a way of life, not a one-time action. Violent crime is rare. Education is paramount in the minds of parents—almost 80% of those under 40 years of age have gone to school for at least 4 years. Most important, the spiritual needs of these good people cry out for the Gospel of Jesus.

Today, after more than 30 years of independence, the people have not changed in spite of the poverty in the region. Zimbabwe, about the size of Texas. In the winter months in the US, drenching rains can plague the region, making transportation extremely difficult.  Women stay overnight in the clinic during their last month of pregnancy, just to make sure they are not traveling when it is time for the baby to arrive.

The Kernersville Christian Church has been a special blessing to the patients by providing fabric for making new clothes for the children and crochet materials for blankets and baby clothes. The health of the children is paramount and they get a safe and loving start at the clinic in Damarakanaka or Dama.