In June, senior student Calahan Patchin was one of seven PUC students who joined Loma Linda University on a mission trip to Brazil. As an emergency management major with an emphasis in paramedicine and also language and culture studies in Spanish, he assisted with the clinical group. Every day, he helped set up the clinic for locals to get check-ups and care for their medical needs. Aside from providing medical care, Calahan also spent one morning playing soccer with the local children while their mothers spent time at the makeshift spa the mission team provided. After attending a past mission trip in the Bahamas, he loved helping people who “had very rare access to the outside world,” and saw this mission trip as another opportunity to serve.

Calahan kindly answered some questions to help us learn more about his mission trip in Brazil.

How has this experience changed your view of the world or your community?

This changed my view on how resilient the human spirit is. Many people had some really nasty medical conditions paired with not-so-good living conditions, yet they still had so much love in their hearts for life.  

What surprised you about the culture or people you were serving? 

I loved seeing how close they were together and how warm and welcoming they were to each other, despite whatever was going on.  One example was a woman who was having a rough day in the clinic and did not feel good at all, yet she still offered to watch her friend’s kids for her while she had to get examined by the doctor.  

Was there a new skill or strength you discovered about yourself during the mission trip?

I discovered how well I can handle the heat outside. I’m from Washington, where it doesn’t get very hot and especially not for very long, so learning how to live and feel good in very hot weather was new for me. 

How was it bonding with the other PUC students? 

It was a great experience. I got to talk to other students whom I had little to no conversations with before the trip, and we got to bond and make memories together that will last a lifetime.

What was your favorite part about Brazil? 

I loved bonding with the other students on the trip and being able to help an underserved community together.  

How did attending this mission trip benefit your PUC experience? What did you gain by attending this mission trip?

I gained a lot of work experience in the field I want to pursue as my career, but I also gained a greater understanding of the world and expanded my worldview by seeing people from another culture and how they live.  

What do you want to remember about this experience moving forward with your education and career? 

I want to remember how passionate people are about the Lord. The people in some of the communities were so passionate about their relationship with Christ, and I would love to have a relationship even half as strong with our God.