Into the Field

He told them, “The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.” – Luke 10:2

Was Jesus talking about farming in this passage? If not, what message did he leave for future generations? Does this even apply in our non-agrarian culture?

Rhetorical questions of course, as all of Scripture is meant for all time. He wanted us to imagine the harvest of souls, ripe for Him. And the need for believers to head into the fields of the world—not on their own but with fervent prayer to call workers, to send them out, and to guide them.

To further SEAPC’s healthcare platform, the medical team formed several years ago. We came together as strangers; we are now family. The Lord has called us to many places around the world, each with a unique ministry. The key word to what we do is prayer—along with flexibility, common sense, and preparation.

Opportunities to travel begin with prayer. Is God calling each of us to this particular mission? One member will immediately affirm any trip in the belief that serving the least and the lost is always God’s will. His statement, “I’m on Instagram with God,” brings a laugh every time. Once we all receive the “Instagram\” message, planning begins in earnest.

Firm dates are chosen based on team availability and our hosts’ needs and schedules. Think flexibility. The SEAPC missions team works their scheduling and flight magic while we prepare. Medicines can be purchased for less money in most countries, but there are not always convenient pharmacies or available brands. We carry a portable pharmacy along, stocked with what we think will be needed. This covers basics like skin disorders, diabetes, hypertension, reflux, and pain as well as more target-specific agents. Dressing supplies, emergency and diagnostic equipment, and a plethora of other items round out the supply list. We also take eyeglasses to distribute. Medical missions are not a carry-on-only endeavor.

For years the team bought all medicine out of pocket. The past few trips God has blessed the ministry with medicine/supply donations from Brother’s Brother and through donated funds from Riverside Community Church in Oakmont, PA. This has enabled us to provide improved care. Help in this area is always needed—and most welcome!

In the mission field, the clinical settings are as varied as the nations we serve. Churches and schools have opened their doors to us. A huge mango tree provided shade. Tents in a field of scrub grass filled quickly with patients. In a small village along the Mekong River, rickety tables were set up in the dust. A prison provided guards and afternoon tea.

The day begins with staff prayer and devotions. It’s all about Jesus. The usual format for clinic starts with triage. Pertinent data is obtained, vital signs done, chief complaint registered. This is the moment when more emergent issues are moved to the front of the line. A woman in Nepal with snakebite, for example, received immediate attention. It is also the patients’ first introduction to the Christian medical team, and as such we strive to provide love and calm even in the midst of chaos.

In turn, the patients are seen by the physician, sent to the pharmacy area, and then receive one-on-one prayer for physical and spiritual healing—and anything else that is requested. Flexibility is the key. Sometimes the doctor is a janitor. The nurse, supervised by the M.D., might act as a physician. A prayer warrior could end up manning the pharmacy. The triage nurse does double duty in crowd control. Any one of us pray as led when we are face to face with the patient.

Although the most common maladies seen are pain and reflux, we also have patients who present with anthrax, snakebite, seizures, tuberculosis, thyroid disorders, tumors, heart disease—on and on. We have removed large fatty cysts and small growths under the light of a cell phone and been present for a Cesarean section birth. Some things are treatable; some are referred to a specialist or for further testing. In most places there will be no healthcare other than what we can provide. The child with a flaccid neck, the young man with a probable malignant tumor, the woman with infertility—we do our earthly best and send them to the prayer team for heavenly healing.

Prayer is our most important role in the communities we visit. Medicine is merely the means to gather a large number of people together so that we can bring them, hopefully harvest them, for the Lord. Yes, taking care of their bodies is an important task. But through prayer we have seen actual miracles. A woman with useless legs stood up and walked across the porch. Cloudiness of cataracts that had claimed vision disappeared, sight restored. The deaf have received hearing, painful joints have begun to move, a heart murmur could no longer be detected. These are never the result of modern medicine. They are the direct intervention of our loving, compassionate Great Physician. The One who not only heals bodies, but also heals souls for eternity.

So, what does the medical team need? Donations to purchase medicines and supplies make clinics possible. But basically, the same thing that was needed in Jesus’ time on earth is still necessary today: “The workers are few…ask the Lord to send out workers into his harvest field.” Workers include doctors, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, nurses, pharmacists or students in these fields who are believers in Jesus Christ and called to use their gifts on His behalf for the poor and suffering in the world.  

There is no more rewarding, inspiring, or enjoyable way to spend time, talents, and treasures than in seeing the physically sick restored and the spiritually sick healed. What are you waiting for, fellow medical practitioners? There is never a perfect time to take off work, to spend the money, or to step outside of one’s comfort zone. Thankfully, Jesus didn’t count the cost when He stepped out of heaven and took the time to spend His entire life for our salvation.

SEAPC has an exciting year ahead for 2019. There are a variety of medical trips being discussed and scheduled. With more workers, the harvest could go from the hundreds to the thousands and beyond. Check out our trips page or email me for further information: laurel@seapc.org. I am happy to email, speak on the phone, or meet for coffee to discuss these exciting opportunities to serve! Join us!

So then, my friends, because of God’s great mercy to us I appeal to you: Offer yourselves as a living sacrifice to God, dedicated to his service and pleasing to him. This is the true worship that you should offer.  – Romans 12:1