By Dennis Box

dbox@maplevalleyreporter.com

A medical team and other volunteers from the Maple Valley area are planning to leave on a medical-dental brigade and Christian mission to San Ramon, Nicaragua, in February.

The mission is titled “Corner of Love” and the group serves medical and dental needs to anyone in need in the northern area of Nicaragua.

Included in the group from the Enumclaw Medical Center are Dr. James Clark, Dr. Luther Frerichs and Paul Shepherd, an optometrist.

Dr. Jason McGonegele, a dental surgeon in Enumclaw, will also be on the the mission.

Clark said the group will be taking about “4,000 medical supplies.” It is expected that more than 6,000 medical treatments will be provided to the people in the San Ramon area.

Frerichs said many of the medical treatments include “infectious diseases worms, abscesses and tooth decay.” This will be Frerichs’ third third trip to Nicaragua as part of a Corner of Love mission.

Doug Peterson, a pastor at the Trinity Lutheran Church in Enumclaw, said the trip “gives a perspective on life and it’s a lot better than Disneyland for the same price. I’ve always been impressed by the people’s joy and kindness.”

A group of about 50 people from Enumclaw and Maple Valley will leave Feb. 24 for Nicaragua and return March 5.