Have you registered to go on your first medical mission’s trip or do you plan to do that in the future? Group leaders are supportive and helpful when it comes to information on how to prepare yourself for a trip, and there is no lack of information for anyone who is earnest in making the most of their moments of service, prayer, and encouragement away from home. You can find out a lot on this website and on the Mission Partners for Christ Facebook page as well! 

To help you get ready in different ways you might not have considered yet, we have put together this list of three things you can do this summer to prepare for going on a medical mission’s trip.

Listen to the mission’s teams who share their testimonies in church

The teams who come to visit your churches are one inspiring source of information, and so are others within your church or community who have gone on any type of mission’s trip. This may be how many of us first came in contact with the idea of medical mission’s trips. While no trip is exactly the same as another, this one thing can be an encouragement and well of wisdom. Listen to the missionaries or team members sharing their presentations or testimonies. Ask good questions. Consider staying in contact with some of the out-of-town missionaries who encourage this–by writing letters, sending emails, or through their preferred mode of communication.

You might be surprised to find there are all sorts of people who go on mission’s trips. Many are not in full-time ministry, but also are employed in other professions such as doctors, nurses, medical technicians, teachers–or they are students or families who take time off to serve on mission’s trips. You can learn so much by connecting with other like-minded people.

Watch medical care and mission’s trip documentaries

Medical care documentaries are often easier to find than mission’s trip documentaries. One is usually available online and the other tends to be shared in churches or at small group gatherings. Both are on Netflix and Amazon Prime. These movies may not provide a full picture of what is going on, but will help you to understand issues and history involved with medical care and missions.  

In October, we shared a list of good documentaries on the world health crisis that you might like to check out to start with.

Cover yourself and all the people going on a trip in prayer

Your mission team group may have specific prayers you share with one another from a booklet or on a website or group leader emails, but you can pray in addition to this. You could pray for the people where you are going who will be served, the people in every port of entry and all things related to transportation and shipping, the medical team and medical supplies, any medical teams you will be working with, and more. You could pray to make new lasting friendships, learn new skills, and to serve in the best ways possible for you personally to serve. 

Cover your life in prayer as well as the lives of those close to you. We know sometimes when something big is going on to bring glory to God’s name, if the enemy of our faith can’t wear you down or wear out, he may try to wear down or wear out those around you. Practice good self care and be in continual prayer. Want more specific prayer ideas? We once shared a list of seven prayers to pray before going on a mission’s trip that would be good to pray at this time.

Share your comments with us

These are just three things to help you prepare for your first medical mission’s trip. Can you think of anything else? Head over to the Mission Partners for Christ Facebook page share your thoughts and experiences with us. Is there any way you would like us to pray for you? Share that too! We love to hear from you!