PPB May 2018

water or electricity. Most of the people there live in mud shacks. Many have no clothing, and those that do, have clothing that is extremely dirty and worn out. We are lucky enough to be sponsored by Caring Partners International, a medical mission organization that provides us with supplies. This year they secured over $162,000 worth of medicine for us to dispense. So, we each wore a backpack, carried two 50-pound duffels full of medicine and promotional items and rolled our carry-ons behind us. We treated 1,357 patients this year. What role do promotional products play in the mission trips? It is hard to explain how important our products are to these missions. When you give someone in need a t-shirt, hat or LEDpocket flashlight, their faces light up. Many of them live in total darkness at night, so LED lights are like gold to them. If we give themsomething they don’t want, theywill trade it for food for their family. We have seen women walking up the mountain roads with tote bags on their heads that we gave them years ago. These are the simple grocery bags that we often sell for under $1. Are there plans to expand the program in the future? We stay in an orphanage called Destiny Village near St. Marc, and unfortunately there are only 18 beds there, so there’s not really a way to expand our team. However, I would love to see a second team go down there later in the year. There is a lot of work with planning and logistics, and I would be happy to help another group get organized. What else do you like todo in your free time? I play racquetball twice a week, I am active in Boy Scouts and serve on the board of directors for Telhio, the fourth largest credit union in Ohio. Lois, my wife, is my high school sweetheart. My son, Brad, is in business withme, andmy daughter, Katie, has twin four- year-olds. Lois and I love spending time with our grandkids—they spend every Saturday night with us until Sunday after church. Terry Ramsay is associate editor of PPB. “It is hard to explain how important our products are to these missions. When you give someone in need a t-shirt, hat or LED pocket flashlight, their faces light up. Many of them live in total darkness at night, so LED lights are like gold to them.” —Mitch Rhodus | MAY 2018 | 77 CONNECT www.TheDistributorExchange.com • 844-251-8544 (toll free) Do you want to sell your distributorship? We can help you sell your distributorship quickly and easily. All inquiries are strictly confidential. and supportive. What else can I say . . . a dream come true!” – Barb Feyka - Capstone Promotions