by Mission Partners For Christ | Oct 23, 2020 | How to Prepare, Make a difference
Serving With Care
We serve with care on all medical missions trips and in all our partnership actions, whether it is during a worldwide pandemic or a regionally located crisis. Mission Partners for Christ and our partners are comprised of medical staff and volunteers, as well as other professionals and members of communities. Also we are covered in prayer by many church groups, community members, and readers like you who choose to partner with us in that way. Prayer is a wonderful way to get involved.
Your donations also help us to purchase quality medicines, supplies, and other items needed for our medical missions work. We appreciate the many ways you help us to be serving with care. If you have never been on a medical missions trip overseas, and wonder what it might be like, we want to let you in on some of the ways we are able to do this.
Patients
Patient safety means the world to us too, as medical professionals and believers in Christ. Each person who comes to us for medical help receives the best possible care. So although we might be in different spaces than where we usually might work, we are still observing the highest standards of universal health precautions. Supplies are shipped, supplied to us through partnerships, or bring with us the very items we will need to compassionately provide good health care services.
Actually, we are often blessed to be able to leave surplus behind for the local doctors and clinics to use when we go, and to give certain types of items to patients and their families for their use when they go home. We make sure each patient receives post-care instructions they can understand. This helps them maintain their good progress. We share the gospel in different ways when we go too. Not only in what we do, say, or give, but how we do these things.
Volunteers
At Mission Partners for Christ, we take safety seriously. Though we go into potentially dangerous regions, as well as places where Christians sometimes encounter danger for speaking openly about Christ, certain practices and policies are in place to help us all stay together and safe. When you volunteer with us, we share more with you about the different standards and guidelines that help us work together safely. There are some things you can go to our website and preview too. Though we cannot travel yet, there are still some ways you can prepare to serve during this season.
Traveling With Care
We observe the laws of the lands we are visiting, and the regulations of specific regions too. Our passports and vaccinations are up-to-date, for example. If you are someone who plans to travel with us, or you think you might, now is a great time to begin getting started on renewing your passport or obtaining your first one, if your passport is outdated or you do not have one yet. We comply with all government guidelines as well as recognized universal health practices or guidelines.
At this time in 2020, we have been unable to travel due to passports not being issued during the worldwide pandemic, but hopefully this is changing soon. When it does, we will continue to observe the best standards of preventing spread of disease and while serving with care. We are getting ready now to go. It’s good to check on the website to see what vaccinations you may need, as it can take time for you to set up an appointment for the right vaccines. It’s well worth it so that you’ll be ready to travel with us when we are able to go on the trip to Benin!
Would You Like to Learn More?
We’d love to answer your questions about how to get involved in serving with care too. Click here to submit your question via our contact page. We look forward to hearing from you!
by Mission Partners For Christ | Oct 12, 2020 | How to Prepare, Make a difference
Getting Ready to Travel With Us?
The Mission Partners for Christ trip to Burundi is coming up in July 2021! You may have already begun to prepare by getting your vaccinations and passport updated. But if you have not yet, or this is your first trip or even if you haven’t gone on a trip in a long time, you will need certain things as you are getting ready to travel.
Updating Your Passports
As always when traveling out of the country, we each need to have updated passports so that everyone will be able to secure the right visas and show proper identification for authorities in the countries we travel through or enter. Passports are usually good for a specific period of time, so you will want to find your passport if you already have one and check the expiration date. It needs to be valid for at least six months beyond the intended dates of your trip. The Burundi trip is from July 9 to July 19, so your passport needs to be valid for at least 6 months after the return date of your trip.
Many countries have their own 6-month rules and you could be denied entry to a country we pass through if your passport is not good for at least 6 months after July 19. If you were over 16 when it was first issued, it was good for only 5 years, so it’s important to check the date, because it’s easy to forget when you have not used it in a while. Some travel experts even suggest that if your passport expires within a year (12 months), to go ahead and start the renewal process.
Starting the Process as Soon as Possible
Due to delays this year in the government agencies that issue passports, you will need to allow for more time to pass to receive your updated passport, as passport agencies complete applications from spring and summer of this year. Many people are reporting that there is about a 10-week wait. With this uncertain wait time, it is worth your while to go ahead and mail in your passport now if you want to be sure it’s updated in time for the upcoming trip.
You will also want to get your yellow fever vaccination and any other vaccinations recommended by your doctor. This is not a vaccination available at all doctor’s offices, so now is the best time to begin calling and finding the closest location where you can be vaccinated. You can find your closest location here at this CDC-hosted page.
Getting Ready Now Will Give You Peace of Mind
As with any trip overseas, getting ready to travel as early in advance as possible gives you more peace of mind because you know all your papers are in order, your vaccinations are taken care of, and anything else needed within a certain time frame is completed. You will have more time to pray, share the news with your family and friends, and do anything else you would like to do before going on the trip.
Are you curious about Mission Partners for Christ or our upcoming trip to Burundi? We’d love to answer your questions about how to get involved in serving with care too. Click here to submit your question via our contact page. We look forward to hearing from you!
by Mission Partners For Christ | Aug 24, 2020 | How to Prepare, Make a difference
Do you know about the power of planting a seed?
If you have not gone on a medical missions trip before, and the idea of planting a seed is new to you, here is what we are talking about: when you go anyplace throughout the day–even just within your home, there may be opportunities to plant seeds that grow into faith, knowledge of who Christ is, and more. When you go on a medical missions trip, there are many opportunities to plant a seed.
With the work we do worldwide, we often encounter people who do not know about Jesus. They also might not know about some ways to care for medical issues they may be experiencing. They might know how but lack the resources and feel uncertainty or anxiety. There may be severe struggles and events going on in a community. Everything we do may not produce an immediate result of faith in Christ, but it plants a seed.
When we visit people worldwide and bring medical supplies, educational items, other good things we are blessed to be able to give, and ourselves, we are planting a seed of hope that will grow in the light wherever it shines in the darkness. We are showing each person that God loves them, remembers them, and cares deeply for them. From the way we speak with other people to how we do our work or even show up in life, we are planting seeds.
Where can you begin in medical missions?
Thankfully you can begin planting a seed in medical missions work in various ways, from joining a team offering free medical services in one of our clinics to donating supplies to leading a prayer about us in your small group in your church. Below are just some ways to serve. What are some other ways that come to mind?
We are always looking for new ways to be the hands and feet of Christ to those who need us. If you have any ideas that weren’t listed here or want to discuss how you can get involved, we would love to hear from you. Click here to submit your question via our contact page. We will get back with you as soon as possible!
by Mission Partners For Christ | Aug 10, 2020 | How to Prepare, Self-Care
It is easy to become used to dealing with whatever comes up during the moment. What will I need to do tomorrow to make next week more productive? What actions do I need to take to be ready for this big event several months ahead? Inwardly we know God has it all worked out though. We can rest like one who sleeps in the wind because the work is already done. Everything that is going on in the world today has already been envisioned and lovingly provided for by God. Even that thing–yes! We have found it can help to focus on scripture or words that are inspired by God when we pray or make plans.
We believe that life is filled with blessings and opportunities to both be blessed and a blessing to others. Our upcoming trip to Benin is one possible way, and we know it’s on a lot of hearts. With that in mind, we gathered three scriptures to pray from and keep close to you this summer as you move toward autumn and all that it requires.
Scripture: Galatians 6:9
“Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.”
These types of scriptures encourage us that we are not at the end of a thing while we go through it. God hears your prayers. He sees your tears and senses your concerns. You are not alone right now or when you go on your upcoming mission trip. Right now is an excellent time to press in and see that the Lord is so good! As we continue faithfully committed to the work at hand, we are assured that God is with us, and all will work out in a way we could not have imagined. Missions work is hard work, and it is worth it!
Scripture: Romans 10:13-15
“For ‘everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.’ How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching? And how are they to preach unless they are sent? As it is written, ‘How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!’”
God has always intended for us to be missions-minded in one way or another, even before the fall of Adam and Eve. The way we do this now since that fall did happen, is through all the opportunities we create so we can live in a way that others see God’s love at work. We share the gospel in Treasures, on social media. Whenever we share a testimonial, scriptures, or get into a conversation that invites this encouragement. We share it when we live out our faith in giving of our time, resources, energy, and prayers. Our hands, feet, and mouths are made for this. Hearts and minds can be full of joy and hope as we look forward to all the ways we will be a part of the blessings others receive all over the world as we serve and love with our lives.
Scripture: Joshua 1:9
“Haven’t I commanded you: be strong and courageous? Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.”
We can be sure of our heavenly Father lighting the way at all times. He cares about what is going on globally. The intricate details of each personal need, hope, or dream matter to Him. He knows the best way to accomplish every goal. He knows what it will take for every person to be strengthened, encouraged, and active in the service into which they are called. We can be courageous and take action even when we are unsure of what to expect because we know God is God. He is with us and for us wherever we go.
Are you considering going on a mission’s trip?
If you’re new to praying from scriptures, one way to do it is to change some of the words into a prayer. For example, if you pray from Galatians 6:9, you could reflect on the scripture and pray how you usually pray. You could say “I will not grow weary in doing good. When the time is right, I will reap a harvest if I do not give up!”
If you’ve been thinking about joining a medical missions team, check out information on our upcoming medical mission trip to Benin. If you’re interested in learning more about our current upcoming 2021 destinations, have a look here. Do you need some questions answered before you say yes? We’d love to answer your questions about joining our team. Click here to submit your question via our contact page. We look forward to hearing from you!
by Mission Partners For Christ | Jul 27, 2020 | How to Prepare, Self-Care
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!
by Mission Partners For Christ | May 14, 2020 | How to Prepare, What We Do
Maybe you have found this blog post because you ask the question, “What is a medical missions trip?”
We want to help you learn about medical missions trips. Let’s go over the meaning of “mission trip.” It’s not uncommon for people to be unsure of what that means, even if they are people of faith involved with their local churches and communities.
A mission trip or missions trip is a short-term or long-term commitment by one or more Christians who agree to serve people and help them know Christ’s love. This service commitment often involves travel far away from home and an extended stay. The word “mission” comes from “missionary” or one who travels to complete a sustainable mission of service and teaching about Christ.
The people who go on missions trips often go through some steps to prepare for the journey. They learn about the cultures, languages, needs, and issues facing the people where they’re going, and make choices to help them be more compassionate and productive there.
A medical missions trip is the same as a missions trip, except the focus is on serving people with medical needs.
These needs could range greatly due to the accessibility of medical care and medicine, supplies, and equipment in a community. Many who go on a medical missions trip are trained medical professionals, but teams are built up of other people with different training and skills too. Anyone with a heart to serve could go!
Medical missions trips are essential. People in desperate need often pray for help and do what they can to help themselves. God may answer their prayers partly by moving through others’ willing hearts and hands to serve with love and a great work ethic. Other people might not know who God is or might have an idea in their mind and not know they are loved, cared for, and filled with purpose.
Through the work we do, many people encounter Christ for the first time.
Are you asking, “What is a medical missions trip?” because you’ve heard about one and would like to be part of a medical missions team? We would love to have you! Learn more about our next trip here, and find out more about Mission Partners For Christ here.
See you on the mission field!
