Volunteer finds mission field here at home

Event today provides medical, dental, eye care

By ANITA WADHWANI
For The Tennessean

Nancy Campbell vividly remembers the moment during her first medical mission, two years ago, when an impoverished mother put on a brand-new pair of prescription eyeglasses and got a clear look at her 5-year-old son's face — for the first time.

"It was her first pair of glasses,'' said Campbell, a member of First Baptist Church in downtown Nashville. "She was so grateful.''

That mother and that mission were right here in Nashville, at Edgefield Baptist Church.

Some 350 people had crowded into the church, desperate for medical care. Many more had to be turned away because of a lack of time and resources.

Campbell is now spearheading another mission to provide medical, dental, psychological and optometry care to Nashville residents who can't afford insurance or health care.

The mission at the Church of the Messiah today offers free medical care to residents of the neighborhood, which includes the public housing development at John C. Napier Homes.

It is a joint initiative of First Baptist Church and the Church of the Messiah on Lafayette Street, where the mission is being held.

At least four doctors, four dentists, several nurses and some 20 student volunteers from Tennessee State University will spend today — as they have Thursday and Friday — fixing teeth and doling out eyeglasses, testing hearing and diagnosing medical conditions such as diabetes and heart disease.

The volunteer staff will refer those diagnosed with potentially more serious conditions to local medical resources available to low-income patients.

"There is such a great need here,'' said Campbell, a retired chef. "You always hear of churches going abroad for medical missions. Well, I frankly believe that charity begins at home, and we have people here who cannot see doctors and dentists, and certainly can't afford to get eyeglasses.'' Campbell serves as a volunteer minister at Saint Thomas Hospital, aiding the on-staff pastoral care providers in making patients comfortable, praying with them and attending to their spiritual needs.

Louise Johnson, left, a volunteer from Church of the Messiah, watches as volunteer Charlene Carter assists Leslie McCathern during his eye exam Thursday at the Community Care Health Clinic at Church of the Messiah, Nashville. The clinic is a joint community effort of First Baptist Church and Church of the Messiah. (SANFORD MYERS / THE TENNESSEAN)

Foot injury can't stop her

She is putting off her own medical care to make sure the event goes off without a hitch. With a foot injury that requires an immobilizing cast, Campbell has told her doctors to put on a temporary foot boot so she can hobble around until the weekend is over.

"I fought hard to get this mission back,'' Campbell said. "I'm not about to let anything stop me.''

Child care with Bible readings is offered for parents seeking care. As people sit and wait to see a provider, volunteers "give them a few basics about God,'' Campbell said.

If patients want more information, volunteers help direct them to local churches or other resources, she
said.

Campbell said that she is often taken aback by the reaction she gets when she tells people about the missionary work she is doing.

"People tell me churches don't do this work,'' said Campbell. "I'd like to see more churches doing this sort of work locally, instead of going abroad. You should see how thankful someone is when they get their teeth fixed after not being able to afford it for so long.''

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