By Vickie Denning, Communications Director
TVLC is filled with remarkable people. Because of the number and size of our services, we often miss out on meeting folks or having the opportunity to get to know them. Today we’ll meet Sandy Buffington.
About you?
Sandy was born and raised in central Illinois. At an early age, she heard a missionary from Papua New Guinea speak at a Mission Festival at her country church. She told her parents she wanted to be a nurse and go to Papua New Guinea or Africa to provide medical care. She credits the Holy Spirit for successfully tugging on her coattails, as you will see.
Sandy received a nursing diploma from St. Francis Hospital in Peoria, IL, in 1962. Since then she has earned a degree in midwifery, a BS as a pediatric nurse practitioner, and a Master of Public Health.
Sandy became a medical missionary for the Lutheran Church in 1964. She went to Immanuel Hospital in Eket, Nigeria for a 2-year commission that turned into 13 years of service in Nigeria.
Sandy’s experience and passion for serving people with little access to medical care led her to serving 5 years in Lesotho, 3 years in Uganda and numerous trips to over 20 countries in Africa and Asia.
Sandy and her husband, Buff, met and wed in Lesotho, where Buff worked for a USAID contractor as a Range Management Policy Advisor with the Ministry of Agriculture. Sandy was also in Lesotho working for a USAID funded project to develop a nurse practitioner program for the entire country.
Buff and Sandy came to Tucson for Buff’s job. Buff was to find appropriate university programs for Basotho students who were needed to develop and expand government positions in Lesotho.
After Buff’s retirement, he traveled the world with Sandy who continued to conduct and develop midwife programs in various countries around the world. Sandy retired in 2014 when Buff was no longer able to travel with her. Buff passed in 2017.
Sandy credits the internet with providing her the opportunity to continue to be a resource to health colleagues in many countries.
Hobbies?
Sandy enjoys gardening, sunrises and sunsets, cooking for friends and family, visiting retirement homes, walking, Bible Study, the Baby Hat ministry, learning from her great-grandchildren, and “helping anyone she can.”
Pets?
Sandy has 2 cockatiels. Jim is 12 years old and was hand raised by Sandy and Buff. Jake flew into their yard 8 years ago and stayed when they were unable to locate his owner.
Reading Recommendations?
Sandy recommends When Stars Are Scattered by Victoria Jamieson and Omar Mohamed. It’s a graphic novel about 2 boys who are in a refugee camp — where Sandy has been. Sandy says the book is appropriate for children and adults and is eye opening to the struggles refugees face. The book is available in the TVLC library.
Favorite TVLC memory?
Sandy and Buff visited many Lutheran churches when they moved to Tucson 36 years ago. They found TVLC to be home to many friendly people who made them feel welcome.
Have you enjoyed getting to know Sandy a little bit better? Can we share your story? We’d love to hear from you! Email Vickie Denning.
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