4 Reasons Why We Go On Medical Missions Trips

4 Reasons Why We Go On Medical Missions Trips

When you take a look at all that is going on in the world, you see there are people who need our help. There are opportunities to use our God-given gifts and the skills we have built. You see ways to make a difference and share about Jesus. Still, if you have never been on a medical missions trip, you may wonder why we go. We would like to share with you four reasons why we go on medical missions trips. These are only four reasons–we believe you can think of many more!

4. We Make A Difference When We Go On Medical Missions Trips

People receive access to much-needed medical care, and they know that they are remembered. Health and courage are bolstered. They get to experience Christ’s love through us! When we speak with wisdom, give with love, and work with hope, what we are sharing is received and processed into something bigger than we may realize. God can move through it in a powerful way. When we go on medical missions trips, we make a difference that reverberates eternally.

3. Not Everyone Has the Same Access to Medical Care

We believe that everyone deserves access to high-quality medical care and the gospel. Mission Partners for Christ provides medication, treatment, screenings, and health education in underserved communities around the world. When we go on medical missions trips, we not only bring hope and treatment for medical issues. We also may be part of an answer to someone’s prayer. Our volunteer medical teams partner with local Christian organizations to provide free preventative care and treatment to their community members. By building on existing relationships, it is our goal to deepen those relationships and create additional ministry opportunities for our partner organizations.

2. Other People Are Inspired to Go On Medical Missions Trips

If you went to church when you were little, then you may have wondered why. As you grew to ask questions or understand what your family or teachers told you, you likely looked at what was being modeled. You saw people going to church, praying, worshiping, singing, shaking hands, listening to the pastor, etc. You saw that it was good. If you never saw this, you might not think it was normal to go to church or *gulp* pray, worship, sing and listen to praise songs, shake hands with people who joined the room with you, listen to a speaker… When other people see or hear about medical missions trips, they get to see love in action, and that there are different ways to use their skills in health care or serving.

1. Jesus

There are many unreached nations or regions of the world that hear about Jesus for the first time. He loves people and cares about everything that concerns or pertains to their lives. For us, it’s part of loving our neighbor as we love ourselves. It honors people and lets the glory of God be seen.

These were just some of the reasons why we go. We bet you can think of more! What are some of yours? You can share them here or on the Mission Partners for Christ Facebook page.

What People Get Wrong About Missions

What People Get Wrong About Missions

There are many wonderful things about mission trips and we LOVE serving with medical professionals around the world.

However, sometimes people who are new to medical missions have misconceptions about the work we do. This blog post sheds light on three misconceptions and shares what is really true about medical missions!

1. Mission trips fix people.

Mission trips aren’t for fixing people. Sure, spiritual seeds are planted and physical needs are met. But “fixing” is the wrong mindset. Fixing makes it sound like the people on the mission’s trip have the power, and that’s not the case. We are all created equally and loved equally by God. And any “fixing” comes from Him alone. The people met on these trips aren’t helpless. They may need help in certain areas, but they have dignity and something to offer the world as well. A Savior complex is dangerous. We are to be the hands and feet of Jesus through serving, not fixing.

2. We will hear God’s call when it’s time.

How many times do we sit around and wait to hear God’s call before we act? We think we will hear an audible voice tell us it’s time to go on a mission trip, and we wait around until then. But an audible Word isn’t the only way God speaks to us. Sometimes it’s a nudge in our heart when we hear a speaker at church. Other times it’s Him bringing you to this blog page to plant the seed in your heart for missions. There are many different ways, so don’t ignore God’s prompting because you are waiting for an audible confirmation that it’s time to go on a mission’s trip. Look for God in the other ways He moves in your life and then spend time in prayer.

3. Everyone should go.

Though we are all to serve in some capacity, serving overseas on a mission’s trip isn’t for everyone. Sometimes people are called to give financially or called to support in prayer. It’s important not to pressure everyone to feel a certain way about missions. We are the body of Christ and each part of the body plays a different yet equally important role. Instead of telling others to join you, ask them how they feel God leading them towards missions and then present the different ways they can help.

What are some additional myths you’ve heard about medical mission work? Reach out below or on our Facebook page and let’s talk about it!

See you in the mission field!

Sheri Postma, RN Founder & CEO Mission Partners for Christ MissionPartnersforChrist.com Facebook.com/MissionPartnersforChrist Twitter.com/mission_partner
Limited Access To Health Care in African Countries

Limited Access To Health Care in African Countries

Access to health care is something many people take advantage of in Western countries. Click To Tweet We don’t realize that, though health care can always be improved, we are fortunate to have the number of doctors for the number of people that we do. From an article in World Atlas, this chart shows the countries with the fewest doctors per millions of people. You can see the results below: The article states, “In Liberia, the worst case presented on this list, there are essentially ten doctors for every million people. As you move down the list, Guinea fares little better at 100 physicians per million people. In contrast, high-income OECD countries like the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom, boast figures closer to 3,000 doctors per million people.” Though these countries are some of the poorest in the world, they still deserve quality and accessible healthcare! But because they are some of the poorest in the world, the resources are few. Education and training are harder to attain, and for those who do gain access to training, there are few resources to do their job well and the financial benefits are nowhere near what they would be if they worked in another country. According to the British Medical Journal, “African countries have lost about $2.6 billion dollars training doctors who are now living in western countries. A staggering 25 to 50 percent of African-born doctors are working overseas.” This statistic is devastating to health care in the countries that are losing their trained physicians. For those doctors who do stay in African countries many serve only those who can afford their services. So there is a service discrepancy where the majority of people in the country are not receiving the care they desperately need. There are major consequences to this discrepancy. There are women who suffer childbirth complications and never receive help. There are men, women, and children who struggle with lifelong disease or pain that could be cured or treated if only they could receive the help they need. There are also many cases of preventable disease that affect those who are unable to get vaccinations or aren’t educated on proper prevention. When asked about what can be done to improve healthcare in African countries, WHO’s regional director for Africa, Dr. Matshidiso Moeti, said, “Countries should strengthen the leadership and governance of health sectors to gain the confidence of all stakeholders. Governments should be more innovative in raising revenues from domestic sources and ensuring that all of their populations have access to essential health services. They should also improve the quality of health services and the safety of patient and health workers, and build partnerships with civil society and other partners in order to expand access. Investing in district and community health systems should be a priority that can contribute towards universal health coverage” Another way to help is by supporting organizations like Mission Partners for Christ in sending trained physicians into places that would otherwise not have access to healthcare. We may not be able to help all, but we can still help many with each and every medical missions trip we take. You can help support what we do to make a difference:
  1. Join a missions team!
  2. Financially support one of our medical mission trips.
  3. Pray for our missions teams.
  4. Donate medical supplies for one of our trips.

Ask us how you can help, and we would love to partner with you! Contact us here. 

5 Inspiring Bible Verses That Confirm God Is Calling You To Mission Work

5 Inspiring Bible Verses That Confirm God Is Calling You To Mission Work

Have you ever wondered whether God was actually calling you to mission work? And does He call every christian to be a missionary? If you look to the bible, I think the answer is a resounding yes! He may be calling you to serve in another country, or He may be calling you to serve in your own backyard, but the word of God does say that we are to go out into the world, wherever that is, and share the love of Jesus with everyone we meet. Here are 5 inspiring bible verses that confirm God is calling all of us to mission work:

Matthew 28:19-20

“Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

Acts 13:47

“For so the Lord has commanded us, saying, ‘I have made you a light for the Gentiles, that you may bring salvation to the ends of the earth.’”

Mark 16:15

“He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation.'”

Isaiah 6:8

“Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, ‘Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?’ And I said, ‘Here am I. Send me!’”

1 Chronicles 16:24

“Declare his glory among the nations, his marvelous deeds among all peoples.” I hope this inspired you and confirmed that you are in fact called to serve in missions. If you’re sitting on the fence about serving, I encourage you to take the leap! You will never regret following God’s call. If you’re looking for places to serve, don’t forget to check out our list of upcoming medical mission trips. We hope to see you there!
mission work, bible verses, inspiring bible verses, calling, get involved, medical mission outreach, mission work, mission field, make a difference, mission, mission trip, missions trip
Step Out Of Your Comfort Zone

Step Out Of Your Comfort Zone

Let’s talk about comfort zones. We all have them. They’re like the warm blanket we wrap ourselves up in when the world gets too scary or uncertain. But what if I told you that stepping out of your comfort zone could actually be one of the best things you could do for yourself? It’s true.

By pushing ourselves to try new things and take risks, we open ourselves up to a whole world of possibilities. We become more resilient, more adaptable, and more confident in our ability to handle whatever life throws our way. And what better way to step out of your comfort zone than by serving on a medical missions trip? Imagine being immersed in a culture that’s completely different from your own, working alongside healthcare professionals to care for those in need, and challenging yourself to grow and learn in ways you never thought possible.

It’s an experience that will change you forever.

What Is A Medical Mission Trip, Anyway?

At their core, medical missions trips are about providing healthcare and other essential services to communities in need.

They are typically organized by religious or humanitarian organizations and involve sending volunteers to areas of the world where medical care is limited or nonexistent. The purpose and goals of a medical missions trip are simple: to help people who are in need and to make a positive impact on the world while saying the love and the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Volunteers who participate in these trips might help with everything from basic medical care and hygiene education to more complex procedures like surgeries and dental work. They might also work on infrastructure projects like building clinics or wells.

Ultimately, the goal is to provide support and resources that will help communities become more self-sufficient and improve their overall quality of life. It’s an incredibly rewarding experience that allows volunteers to use their skills and knowledge to make a tangible difference in the world.

At Mission Partners For Christ, our goals are to provide whatever medical treatment we can at our free healthcare clinics. We also offer free education of healthcare and hygiene. We also partner with other organizations to hand out important tools like The Shoe That Grows and eyeglasses to those who are in need.

The Benefits Of Stepping Out Of Your Comfort Zone

Trying new things and taking risks can be scary, but the benefits are worth it. Stepping out of your comfort zone can lead to personal growth and development in ways you never thought possible. It can help you become more confident, more resilient, and more open-minded. And when you push yourself to try new things, you might even discover new passions or talents that you never knew you had.

Perhaps you have found yourself at a crossroads in life, and you’re unsure of the direction you can take. A medical missions trip may be able to help you with this. Through exposure to a new country, new languages, new cultures, and the work done on medical missions trips, you may find that God is leading you somewhere.

Step Out Of Your Comfort And See What God Has In Store For You!
Step Out Of Your Comfort And See What God Has In Store For You!

Maybe this is the motivation you need to go back to school to become a nurse or a dentist or some other kind of medical professional. Perhaps you’ll be inspired to seek out other missions-based opportunities so that you can more fully invest your time and your talents in the mission field. It could also be a time of re-evaluating your own life and your priorities once you see how others are living their own lives and how they follow Jesus in ways you may not have considered.

How Do Medical Mission Trips Help You Step Out Of Your Comfort Zone?

Serving on a medical missions trip can be one of the most transformative experiences of your life. It’s a chance to step out of your comfort zone and embrace a completely new way of living and serving. For many volunteers, this can be both exciting and challenging. Being in a new environment, working alongside people from different cultures and backgrounds, and facing unfamiliar medical issues can be daunting. However, it’s precisely these challenges that can push you to grow and develop in ways you never thought possible.

Volunteers on medical missions trips often face obstacles like language barriers, cultural differences, and limited resources. But through these challenges, they develop resilience, empathy, and problem-solving skills that they can carry with them for the rest of their lives. Many past volunteers have shared stories about stepping out of their comfort zones on medical missions trips and coming back transformed. The lessons they learned on these trips can inform the choices they make moving forward both in professional and ministerial settings.

Ultimately, serving on a medical missions trip is an opportunity to push yourself outside of your comfort zone, embrace new experiences, and make a difference in the lives of those in need.

How to Prepare For Your Upcoming Medical Mission Trip

Preparing for a medical missions trip is a crucial part of ensuring a successful and impactful experience. As you get ready to embark on this journey, there are a few things you can do to help make the most of your time serving.

First and foremost, it’s essential to do your research. This means learning as much as you can about the community you’ll be serving and understanding the culture and customs of the area. Taking the time to learn some basic phrases in the local language can also go a long way in building relationships with the people you’ll be working alongside.

Mental and physical preparation is also key. Volunteering on a medical missions trip can be both physically and emotionally demanding, so it’s important to be in good health and to take care of yourself before and during your trip. This might mean getting enough rest, staying hydrated, and eating nutritious foods. It’s also important to mentally prepare yourself for the challenges you might face, whether it’s seeing patients with severe illnesses or working in unfamiliar conditions.

Don’t forget to do an internal inventory to see if you are properly prepared to serve in this way. A previous blog post listed the type of characteristics that are important for work in medical missions. Be sure to check it out to see if you’re a good fit.

By taking the time to prepare yourself and your team for your medical missions trip, you’ll be better equipped to make a positive impact and create meaningful connections with the community you’ll be serving.

God Will Transform Your Life When You Step Out Of Your Comfort Zone!
God Will Transform Your Life When You Step Out Of Your Comfort Zone!

In conclusion, the benefits of stepping out of your comfort zone and serving on a medical missions trip are numerous. By taking risks and trying new things, you’ll develop important skills like resilience, empathy, and problem-solving. Serving on a medical missions trip can also open your eyes to new cultures, ideas, and perspectives, and allow you to make a meaningful impact on the world.

If you’re considering taking the leap and embarking on a medical missions trip, I encourage you to do so. It may be challenging, but it will undoubtedly be one of the most rewarding experiences of your life. Whether you’re a healthcare professional or simply someone who wants to make a difference, serving on a medical missions trip is an opportunity to challenge yourself, grow, and learn. So why wait? Take the first step today and begin your journey towards making a difference in the world.

You can check out our upcoming medical mission trips here.

It Starts With One

It Starts With One

The Impact Starts With One

Katie is someone who didn’t get overwhelmed with the large need in Uganda. Instead, she made it her goal to love one person at a time.

“I have learned that I will not change the world. Jesus will do that. I can, however, change the world for one person. So I keep stopping and loving one person at a time. Because this is my call as a Christian.” —Katie Davis

Katie Davis is a missionary and best selling author living in Jinja, Uganda. She was inspired to do work in Uganda after a life-changing three-week mission’s trip. She resides in Uganda with her 14 adopted daughters running Amazima Ministries International — an organization that cares for vulnerable children and families.

Often, people make the assumption that mission’s trips aren’t worth the time and money because of what “little impact” they have on a country as a whole. What can a few short weeks do in the grand scheme of things? We can’t cure diseases or stop them in their tracks. We can build structures, but then vanish after a few days onsite. The impact cannot be stretched long and wide in such a short time, so why bother?

But the people who don’t believe in positive results from a short-term mission’s trip are forgetting about the importance of the ONE! Changing the world for one person can then change the world for many! The “one” may be a part of the local community or a member of the mission’s team. Like Katie, what begins as a few week mission’s trip can transform into a lifetime of service.

You may not be on the ground running like Katie Davis, but you’re able to continue investing in the community from afar.

Choose a community and stay committed by…

  • Giving financially
  • Returning often
  • Training more people to serve on a trip
  • Sponsoring a family
The impact of the “one” is important. Because of you, hope is seen in the eyes of a woman who thought she would lose her child. Joy is heard in the laughter of a little one who is finally free of pain. Or, most importantly, the “one” is lead to eternal salvation through sharing the Gospel and making disciples.

These acts for the few can leave a transformational impact on the many.