Yes, medical Missions are - somewhat - about delivering medical care.  However, as we discussed last month, the m in medical is a little m, but the "Big M" in Missions is what's actually vital..... vital to the people served (who have the opportunity for eternal life, not just temporary health benefits) and vital to the mission team members (who experience God in ways not previously imagined).

 

Where can this happen?

 

The short answer is: EVERYWHERE!

 

But, there are some barriers experienced by teams that go to places that don't speak their language.

 

I was reading on their blog about the work that Jim and Jamie Loker (MVI Field Coordinators) are doing in Oaxaca (Wah-HAAH-kah), Mexico, recording and distributing  Scripture in more than 40 of the languages that are spoken in that southern part of Mexico so that the thousands living there who can't read can hear the Gospel, and it made me stop and think about medical Mission teams that travel and serve around the world.

(Read about the Lokers' work here.)

 

How can a team be effective where they can't even communicate in a verbal way with the people they are trying to serve?  I've thought of a few ways.

• Smiling is the same in hundreds of languages.  A smile says, "I am happy to be here with you, happy to be here to try to help, happy to be here to share the Word."  Nearly all languages and cultures all over the world understand a smile.  A smile is worth a million loving words.
• Touch is a powerful tool.  I once witnessed an elderly man in rural Honduras cry after my 30-second physical exam - which seemed so insignificant to me in the middle of a long, hot afternoon of 100 patients - because he was so moved by the fact that I, a doctor, had actually touched him with my hands.  That had never happened to him before.  He could feel that maybe he wasn't really "unclean", and maybe he wasn't really worthless on this Earth.  He was actually worth something in my eyes, and, more importantly, in God's eyes.  (Note: local cultural customs and norms regarding touching strangers should always be learned and followed.)  Touch is a powerful tool and communication device.
• Caring can be felt and heard.  Even when one can't speak someone else's language, facial expressions and body language make it easy to tell if someone truly cares.  Sitting in a corner looking bored conveys a powerful message of uncaring negativity.  On the other hand, hopeful and loving looks and behaviors, appearing obviously happy and excited to be in this place, can't be faked (unless you're a Hollywood actor), and EVERYONE notices.  Caring is palpable.
• Translators allow communication.  An evangelical Christian translator who is doing the work because of a real desire to help these people, and to help enlighten them by sharing God's Word and offering prayer, is a powerful tool for the Mission team.  Again, the people being served can tell instantly whether a translator is there to help them and serve them, or whether he/she is simply "doing a job".  A caring Christian translator is one huge key to team success.
• Pastors from the area (who, of course, speak the people's language) play a role that is critical in supporting the success of a team.  The pastor can gain some extra credibility in the eyes of the community by being associated with a Mission team that is there to serve the people, and that may help the local church for the months or years that follow.  The sharing of the Word and God's love by the entire Mission team hopefully leads to some wonderful salvation experiences, so the local church (and God's Kingdom) will grow.  On some trips, a local pastor will have the opportunity to speak with and pray with every person and family member being served by the team (although that does not need to be a requirement in order for the people to be loved and treated).  There is no language barrier here.  Local pastors are lifted up by the team, and the people are lifted up by God and the pastors.
• Field Coordinators that are hosting the medical Mission team often have learned the languages of the area, and whatever their roles in the community have been before will now be lifted up by the presence and actions of the team.  The FCs know the people, the local customs, and where the greatest needs exist, and they guide the team and the local pastors to the most needy areas.  The FCs often serve as translators.  FC credibility can be enhanced, and the opportunity to share the Word grows immensely.  Involved Field Coordinators plant Mission team seeds that can sprout and grow for eternity.

So, what's the point of all of this?

 

You don't need to know the language of the people you are going to serve if you are armed with God's love, a smile, a caring touch, and loving Christian translators, and/or pastors, and/or Field Coordinators.

 

View Photo Gallery here.

 

John 12:26 "If any man serve me, let him follow me; and where I am, there shall also my servant be: if any man serve me, him will my Father honor."