Missions to Heal

This post originally appeared in the September 2018 SEAPC Magazine.

SEAPC offers many ways to get involved with reaching out to folks across the globe, and one of the most personable ways is a short-term outreach. One of our outreach venues is medical missions. Bill Richardson, Director of Missions at SEAPC, captures a fundamental truth as he says, “Medical missions opens a door for people to pray, and demonstrate the love of Christ in a practical way. It also provides a platform for people gifted in medical arts to give to the needy in different countries around the world.” Prayers certainly have been answered, and God has given favor as we reach out with medical missions.

In Kashmir, India, some major inroads have been made. The requests were big, but our God is bigger! SEAPC was asked to bring surgeons and medical supplies to address a situation created by widespread rioting that left many people, young and old alike, with debilitating eye injuries. Volunteer medical teams went in to address immediate needs, and to access possibilities for long term solutions. Plans are moving forward to rent space for a high-tech school for the blind in Kashmir. Initially, the school will accommodate 25 students, but eventually the number of students will increase to 100.

SEAPC is also helping to serve medical needs in North India through a partnership with John Bishop Memorial Hospital. Children born at this hospital are dedicated to Jesus, and the love of Jesus permeates the spirits of these precious babies. Also at this hospital is a teaching center where young women are being trained as nurses and midwives. Unfortunately, the government declared the center to be obsolete. So, unless a new one is built the government planned to seize the land, condemn the buildings and close the work. SEAPC agreed to storm the gates of heaven and find a way to keep the doors of John Bishop Memorial Hospital open. To date, we have already had a groundbreaking. However, in order to continue, approximately $185,000 is still needed. It can be done! Please join us in prayer for this need. Medical short-term outreach teams have and will continue to extend to several other locations around the globe.

A team recently went to Guatemala to do some relief work following the recent earthquake, and plans are now being made to develop first aid training for children’s homes throughout Cambodia. This month, there will be a medical team traveling to Oaxaca, Mexico. They will spend part of the outreach ministering at a maternity hospital, then spend several days ministering in outlying villages. As people experience the healing power of God, they become more open to hearing about and even experiencing all the wonderful possibilities that flow from having a relationship with Jesus Christ. Medical mission teams typically purpose to stop the spread of contagious diseases, but they also have another awesome opportunity to be contagious. Bob Roth, who has been part of numerous SEAPC medical outreaches, sums it up well as he exhorts us to “be a contagious Christian!”

In addition to monetary gifts, there is a great need for donations of medical supplies, as well as medically trained personnel to take part in the medical outreach teams. For more information, please contact our office at 412-826-9063 and ask to speak with missions coordinator Carly Land.