Fall River nurse practitioner brings health, faith, hope to communities in Ethiopia

A local man is sharing his experience after helping to supply health, faith, and hope to those in need halfway around the world.

Jim Hodson, a family nurse practitioner at Health First in Fall River, and a church member of Crosswalk New England, was sent in late April by Health First Family Care Center to a mission trip in Ethiopia with It is Written and Pr. John Bradshaw. 

According to Hodson, they flew into Addis Ababa and drove to the city of Hawassa. During the day, he treated approximately 70 patients a day for medical needs. In the evening, he preached an evangelistic series in a village called Qege (pronounced Ke – gay).

More than 2,000 teeth were extracted by the group’s dentist. 300 toothbrushes were distributed, over 2,000 medical consultations performed, and more than 900 cataract surgeries completed, successfully restoring vision to the blind. Over 200 lbs. of clothing and 100 lbs. of medication were distributed and 3,600 people were baptized.

In addition to treating and preaching, they partnered with RippleAffect and gave water filtration systems to families for free. Over 7,500 people had clean drinking water for the first time.

Hodson shared one of his favorite moments (photo above) where Pastor Wes is showing how simple the handheld gravity fed filter works to change water contaminated with cow dung and worms to potable water in seconds.

“The village elder in the background over 80 years old had never drank clean clear water in his whole life and the look of surprise and happiness on his face says it all.”

Hodson intends on doing another trip in 2026.

“I enjoy these trips as they humble me as a medical provider and give me more experience so I can better serve the people of greater Fall River, and my patients at Health First Family Care Center on Quarry Street.”