Students for International Mission Service (SIMS)

Outlook 2001

Mexico
Bob Wu
School of Medicine sophomore

Going on a mission... with a mission

I’m sure that the great commission is the driving impulse of every missionary who wishes to proclaim Christ through service. The call to go and make disciples of all nations is our mission and our highest calling.

Therefore, as I prepared for my first and highly anticipated mission trip, my biggest concern was to go somewhere where I can carry out my part of His mission for us, and not just be doing philanthropic, humanitarian aid. No offense to any of the great humanitarian causes out there, but I believe that, as Christians, we are called not only to do good works, but to go beyond that; and as Christian physicians, to go beyond prolonging the inevitable end of every one of our patients, leading them to the way of eternal life.

God certainly brought me to the Foundation for His Ministry organization located in Baja California, Mexico. This mission is an orphanage, clinic, dentistry, fruit orchard, macadamia nut farm/factory, mechanic shop, Bible school, adult/child outreach center, aid distribution center, and church all rolled up into one.

At the clinic, I worked mainly taking vital signs, doing lab work (blood tests), shadowing the doctor, translating (knowing the language was a great plus), arranging the drugs, and of course daily clean-up. The clinic is totally God centered. Everyday we begin with a prayer, asking our patients to join with us. The staff is always ready to explain the Good News to any of the patients who have just come from Oaxaca and have yet to hear the “evangelio.” For example, it was really awesome for me one day when I got up enough courage to preach the gospel to this lady named Ofelia, who accepted Christ even before I began to pinprick her finger! Wow, talk about doing real spiritual care and raising spiritual issues with your patients!

A related opportunity was “Flying for Jesus,” a medical outreach in a small airplane. We go out once a week to some remote village, and there do medical consults and evangelism. Joe Vaine, the founder and pilot of this unique ministry, has been passing out “Jesus” films in Spanish for many months. I went with him, a doctor, and a nurse one day. My job was to ensure that each patient receives a video, and do follow-up with them if they have seen the film. Two people that day had seen the film, and accepted Christ after I briefly explained to them how to do so via prayer. Wow, others have planted seed, and God put me in the right place where I got to see the harvest! Praise God!

So, all I have to say is that’s it’s really awesome, and you really got to go out there and do it. And remember: It’s all about saving lives, but more than that, saving souls!

[Outlook 2001]

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