Page 51 - Senior Link Magazine Fall 2017 - Online Magazine

I saw how great his heart was as donation after donation, and notebooks, a computer and stacks
this had happened so many years prayer after prayer, they were of papers. This 92 year old man
ago, yet he still ached for these able to open a clinic in Chiapas, is still sharp and full of vitality.
babies. Mexico. The Odoms sold some He got up and down, retrieving
of their own land in Lubbock to articles and pictures; he was
“I felt completely undone. I could help fund the project, a move of down on one knee to read a letter
not heal them. I couldn’t do tremendous generosity. The clinic he sent to his wife. It was dated
anything without God.” expanded over and over; doctors the day before I was born!
and surgeons donated time and
The Odom’s adventure for skill. Ultimately, the clinic became Mrs. Herron, who had joined us,
Jesus continued as they the only clinic in the state that did asked if he could come and speak
headed to Chiapas, Mexico, the cornea transplants. for chapel at Trinity sometime,
southernmost state in Mexico, having been so influential in its
1700 miles from Lubbock. The As Dr. Odom showed me a beginnings, and he agreed. When
people there, living right on picture of a team of doctors, he she said someone could pick him
the border of Guatemala, had added, “Near the end of my up, he replied, “No problem. I’ll
many great needs, only one of time there, we could have seven just drive.”
which was that they did not have surgeries going on at one time.”
eyeglasses. He began making the Today, Dr. Odom lives near and
1700-mile trek several times a However, there were some cares for his wife who now has
year from 1990 until 2013 always surgeries that could not be Alzheimer’s. For six hours a day,
bringing donated eyeglasses. done there, such as for children every day, he goes over to her
Dr. Odom even learned how with a cleft lip. Dr. Odom flew room to be with her and continue
to check their eyes and came to many children and parents for a long and loving commitment.
enjoy helping these people to see these surgeries to the US. One
clearly, many for the first time in little girl, named Maria, became After I left, I just cried and
years. They never made the trip especially precious to him. After cried because the Lord had so
without taking food, clothing, two successful surgeries, Maria’s overwhelmed me; He had shown
walkers, crutches, wheelchairs mother refused to take her back, me His plan for a truly abundant
and other necessary items. They insisting on “giving her” to Dr. life through Dr. Vernon Odom’s
even lived in Chiapas for a time. Odom. journey. I learned through his
While there, God began to help experiences that my generation
Dr. Odom “see” an even bigger “We couldn’t really take on is so very wrong when they say,
plan. raising a baby at our age, so I just “Christianity is boring and only
promised to find her a home. She for people who follow the rules.”
“For some weeks, every night, I lives in the United States now, I beg to differ! A life that is full
would wake up, and God would having been raised in a good of loving and serving Jesus is
tell me to open a clinic,” said Dr. Christian home.” abounding in adventure and joy
Odom. as Dr. Odom’s life clearly proves
I looked around his cottage. – he has lived the great adventure.
Through miracle after miracle, There were picture books and

TRINITY CHRISTIAN

Article Submitted by Lexie Rawls

Lexie Rawls is a Senior at Trinity Christian School. She is interested in Volleyball, Jesus and
hanging out with friends. She will be attending Baylor University to play Volleyball this May.
She will major in Psychology, hopefully going on to be either a counselor, volleyball coach or
a missionary.

Lubbock Senior Link 51