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Medical Missions: Why We Serve
By Steve Horton
Board Member, BTHS
I’ve served in the Central American medical mission field and have come back alive. Not even a scar to show off. But I did emerge with a new understanding of the healing professions.
In country, I saw doctors and nurses providing expert medical care under very trying conditions and with limited human and financial resources. I saw them overcome unforeseen setbacks. I saw them shoulder the responsibility (and the risk) of getting a large group of Americans, medications, and equipment into friendly but remote Honduras villages and back out again. Safely.
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| The BTHS team provided medical care for more than 800 Honduran people during ten full days at the clinic in San Antonio La Cuesta. |
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Back in the States, I saw them commit personal financial resources to the mission and then forgive the debt. I saw them give up their weekends to planning. I saw them become deeply involved in the physical and spiritual well being of an entire community that is a thousand miles away. All with no pay, no appetite for accolade, and no guarantee of success.
Doesn’t exactly fit the country club stereotype of today’s doctors, does it? A reasonable mind, armed with the facts, might wonder why medical missionaries continue to serve year after year under such conditions.
The answer is found in the gospels. A quick keyword search for “healing” in biblegateway.com reveals just how frequently Jesus chose healing to minister to His people. The healing parables are concentrated in the books of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. These books describe how Jesus used the restoration of the body as an extension of his love, as a gift to the spirit, and as a teaching opportunity.
Indeed, Jesus could have demonstrated His authority over all things worldly in ways that delivered far more shock value. For instance, what if the Pharisees found themselves on the business end of a lightning bolt? Fill their noses with the smell of their elegant robes burning on their own backs, and arrogance would quickly melt into fear. Such is the dominating force of pain.
But Jesus chose otherwise. He chose to defeat his enemies with great compassion; to conquer hate with love. And he had much, much more in store for believers. In a brilliant stroke, Jesus nested His healing miracles within a long-range plan that would imprint His message on His followers until the end of time. He knew, for instance:
- That being healed of disability or disease is an intensely personal and moving occurrence.
- Healed persons never forget the experience, and those he healed would testify before others about their miracle.
- The testimony would be twisted and used against Jesus by those who were threatened by His ministry, thus leading to His death and resurrection, an event that would become a cornerstone of the Christian faith.
Disease, poverty, crime, hate. All singers in the same cruel choir. Strip a Christ follower of his family, his wealth, and all his worldly possessions and he can keep his chin up if his faith is strong. Inflict disease on his body, however, and even the most faithful man might curse the very day he was born. Consider Job’s reaction upon hearing of his ruin:
Job 1:20 At this, Job got up and tore his robe and shaved his head. Then he fell to the ground in worship 21 and said: "Naked I came from my mother's womb, and naked I will depart. The LORD gave and the LORD has taken away; may the name of the LORD be praised." 22 In all this, Job did not sin by charging God with wrongdoing.
Then,
Job 3:1 After his body was covered in painful sores, Job opened his mouth and cursed the day of his birth. 2 He said: 3 May the day of my birth perish, and the night it was said, 'A boy is born!' 4 That day—may it turn to darkness; may God above not care about it; may no light shine upon it. 5 May darkness and deep shadow claim it once more; may a cloud settle over it; may blackness overwhelm its light. 6 That night—may thick darkness seize it; may it not be included among the days of the year nor be entered in any of the months. 7 May that night be barren; may no shout of joy be heard in it.
Christ Jesus broke bread to epitomize his crucifixion during the last supper. His body is broken; you and I inherit life. It was Jesus’ final, great call to action, and there is no doubt as to its intent. We as Christ followers are to go to His people who are in need, minister to those who are broken, and bring His message of salvation to all who will listen.
This was not a suggestion from our Lord. Not a request, not a recommendation, not a subtle hint. This, in very specific terms, is what the Lord expects his able followers to actually do.
The doctors, nurses, and volunteers associated with By The Holy Spirit Medical Adventure Evangelism fully embrace Christ’s call to action. We believe those connected to the medical professions have an opportunity to become sanctified — in a very Christ-like way — by providing for those who are in great need of both physical and spiritual care. The rest of us would do well to support any medical professional, or any volunteer, who shares this belief and is willing to join an outreach such as By The Holy Spirit.
This is why we continue to serve. And why we continue to ask for your support. If you can help financially, please click here to view our nonprofit status information and giving instructions. If you can assist with one of our missions, please click here to view our upcoming outreach schedule.
Newsletter Archive - Spring 2006
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