I just had to share this message I received before I left for Colombia.  One of the most touching e-mails I’ve ever received:

Dr. and Mrs. Barrett,

Ken shared your message about the St. Francis Medical Mission work that you do, and I must tell you how inspired I was listening to you describe your mission experiences.  Although I have felt a personal calling to participate in a mission trip for more years than I like to admit, I have unfortunately not yet turned that dream into action.  As a retired school teacher, I have no medical knowledge or medical skills to offer, but am curious as to whether there might be a need on mission trips for someone besides active medical professionals to participate.

As you leave tomorrow for Colombia, please know that I will be praying for you to touch every single person in need that God has hand-picked for you to heal -- physically, emotionally, and spiritually.  May God bless you indeed as He enlarges your territory and ministry to others in Christ's name.  May His hand be with you every step that you take and every breath that you breathe until you are once again safely home in each other's arms.  May He keep you as far from evil, the Evil one and his followers as North is from South, and may He bless you daily, give you rest when you need it most, enable you with strength, patience, discernment, and an extra dose of His wisdom as you meet every challenge during your trip.

Thank you so very much for sharing your message with Ken, so that he could in turn share it with us at Christ United Methodist Church.

Now, go with our prayers, working miracles through Christ.  Miracles which He chose thousands of years ago to be performed at this precise time in history, in the lives of the Columbian people, by you personally.  God bless every member of your team for the remarkable and rewarding work you are about to do.

Gina

Thank you Gina for such a wonderful bon voyage message.  And thanks to all who are praying and have donated to the success of this mission.

Blessings,

Dr. Rick Barrett

Heading to Colombia soon with medical mission team.

We have a great group of MD’s, dentists, an acupuncturist, another chiropractor, nurses, nurse practitioners, pharmacists, translators, general helpers and vision/eyeglass technicians ready to serve.

Some of us have been working together for about 18 years.  But each year brings a few new people to the team.  Recently, we changed our name to the St. Francis Medical Mission.  St. Francis was known as the patron saint of animals, the environment, and is one of the two patron saints of Italy (with Catherine of Siena).   It is customary for Catholic and Anglican churches to hold ceremonies blessing animals on his feast day of October 4th.  He is also known for his love of the Eucharist, his sorrow during the Stations of the Cross, and for the creation of the Christmas crèche or Nativity Scene.

 

 A few weeks ago, I was the keynote speaker for our mission fundraiser.  Mary recorded it on her phone and you can see part of it on YouTube. 

Pope John Paul II in his encyclical letter wrote, “Father, you have given all peoples one common origin, and your will is to gather them as one family in yourself.  Fill the hearts of all with the fire of your love, and the desire to ensure justice for all their brothers and sisters.  By sharing the good things you give us, may we secure justice and equality for every human being, an end to all division, and a human society built on love and peace.”

This year our team will attempt to do a bit of good for our brothers and sisters in Colombia.  Colombia is a country rich in resources and potential, but its rates of poverty and inequality are high.  Decades of armed conflict between the government and drug trafficking militias have resulted in a humanitarian crisis that constantly threatens the rights of Colombia’s people.  In rural areas there is little access to medical care, education and other social services.

 Millions of people (mainly women and children) have been internally displaced by violence.  In 2004 alone, more than a quarter million people were forced from their homes.  Displaced populations have little access to safe water and to basic health and educational services.

 One third of all children are anemic.  Stunting affects 14 percent of children under age five; seven percent of newborns have low birth weight.

 Native American and Afro-Colombian populations suffer the highest rates of poverty, and are twice as likely to have been affected by violent armed conflict.

 If you feel inspired to make a contribution to help the people of Colombia, send your contribution to our office. The address is:

Barrett Health Centers
4642 Riverstone Blvd. 
Missouri City, TX 77459

While in the country, I will attempt to send a few messages and photos through Facebook and perhaps a video to YouTube to keep you informed and involved.

As always, I depend upon your prayers.  Thank you in advance.  Wish us success!

Blessings to you and yours,

Dr. Rick Barrett

 P.S.  Mary and the staff as well as two chiropractors will be taking care of your needs while I’m away from.  I will be out of the office Monday, September 30th and returning October 7^th.  See you at 9:00 a.m.!

Today we honor and remember our countrymen.  Average Americans who were needlessly, horrifically slaughtered in the name of hate.  They were innocently going about their lives in the World Trade Center, travelling in planes and working in the Pentagon when their lives were tragically ended and the peace of America was forever altered.

Love conquers all, but love can not afford to turn a blind eye to reckless and callous evil.

We are charged with a commandment of loving our neighbors as we love ourselves.

Our enemies view love and compassion as weakness, but it is our strength.  And because of our love, we will always fight for justice, freedom, equality and family.  Always remember, continue to honor, and remain vigilant.

Respectfully,
Dr. Rick Barrett

Something to Consider

Long term non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS) linked to cancer…this reported in the Journal of the American Medical Association

Regular use (two or more times a week) of non-aspirin NSAIDS upped the risk of renal cell cancer in this 16-year study of more than 120,000 adults:

            Cancer Risk

(Odds Ratio)

Nonregular use 1.00 (reference)           

4-9 years of use 1.36

10 or more years of use 2.92

Source: ChoE, et al. Prospective evaluation of analgesic use and risk of renal cell cancer.  JAMA Int Med, 2011; 171 (16):1487-93.

I find the results of this study interesting and simply one more reason to avoid NSAIDS.

There are many safe alternatives to counter act inflammation and reduce or eliminate pain.  As well as dietary changes because certain foods cause inflammation and painful joints.  Want to know more?  Let’s talk or come to one of my workshops.  Our fall seminar series begins now.  I will have both lunch and dinner seminars this season.

Our first seminar is this Thursday, September 12^th  at 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m.  I’ve invited a guest speaker and author, Lisa Helffrich, RDN.  Lisa travels the world giving seminars to doctors.  We are very fortunate that she will be carving out some time to share her expertise with our patients.

We will serve a light healthy lunch, so come ready to learn. 

The topic: Keep Your Kids Healthy!

But as always, we can spend a little time discussing other concerns such as NSAID use and alternatives.

Yours in Health,

Dr. Rick Barrett

P.S.  Please RSVP for the seminar so we can order enough food and have seating.  It is limited!  (281) 499-4810