Content Resources

Serving the Sojourner in America's Most Diverse Square Mile

Parenting is challenging in any situation, but raising children while living overseas and serving cross-culturally adds new complexities. Gleaming lessons learned from 15 years of field missionary experience, and siting practical examples, the session will explore tips and tools for providing missionary kids with academic, social and spiritual success.

Characteristics of altruistic individuals, such as passion, dedication, and empathy, can under certain circumstances make them more vulnerable to experiencing psychological distress. In the last two decades, a significant body of psychiatric and psychological literature has looked at this issue. This presentation will draw from the presenter’s work with the diplomatic community and disaster relief workers to identify common stressors and stress responses among Christian workers in foreign environments. In addition, it will explain the notion of psychological resilience, describe the five resilience factors most likely to be protective against burnout and disillusionment, and will suggest ways that Christian health care workers can make use of these concepts to protect their own psychological health and well-being.

Theology is, simply put, our talk about God in Christ and his actions as shown to us in the Bible. Missions is all about witnessing in various ways to God in Christ and his actions in the world. In other words, theology and missions go hand-in-hand. Though we often think of "missions texts" - our go-to verses for supporting missions - missions is far more than a collection of verses but is part of a larger story of God's salvation and making that salvation known. In this session we will see how the Bible tells that story and how we are called not just to "know" but to take our place in that story and be Christ's witnesses in the world, no matter what gifts and opportunities God gives us.

This session is intended to help non-therapists or medical professionals provide therapeutic intervention for children with common motor disabilities. Mobility and play are important aspects in the development of young children. Autism, Down syndrome and Cerebral Palsy are common pediatric developmental disabilities that can have an negative impact on movement. In this practical session we will learn common motor and developmental impairments in children with these diagnoses and how to provide and teach parents low tech exercises and activities to address these impairments.

When we show Christ’s love in honor-shame cultures, often people first see merit making, proselytization and apostasy however pure our motivation may be. We will look at a worldview that is based on honor-shame, come to understand how they may interpret what we do and from there understand the risks and look at what practices may help us to show and share God’s love appropriately. The workshop will use observations from tsunami relief and urban poor work in SE Asia to illustrate these principles.

Health Environmental and Learning Program (H.E.L.P.) (www.missonforhelp.org) is a Christian development mission and non-profit organization registered in 1999 and founded by Tim and Lani Ackerman, an ecologist and medical doctor. The Ackermans served in the Himalayas for 8 years, and while there trained Nepali Christians to lead the organization, founding an NGO. Using the model of Jesus' ministry to meet both the physical and spiritual needs of the poor, HELP's focus is to equip the national church and assist them in developing their own community. In multiple areas, Christian Community Development works through literacy, animal husbandry, health, agriculture, income generation, environment preservation, an orphanage and sponsorship program we serve the poor of the Himalayas and see Christ transform. In a grass-roots approach, trainer of trainers methods, multi-tier discipleship, and close follow up, HELP partners with hundreds of Nepali believers and leaders, bringing non-formal education, health training, pesticide-free farming, gardening, income generation, veterinary work, and ministry to the poorest of the poor, addressing social determinants of health and championing social justice through the gospel. This session will help participants understand how social determinants of health, social justice, and health equity can be addressed through the church and with discipleship

Tuberculosis is an infection with global significant that takes on a whole new level of importance for those desiring to work internationally in underserved areas. Effective medicine in areas of high tuberculosis prevalence requires both an understanding of the current state of TB diagnosis and management globally as well as the current on-the-ground application of these principles in under-resourced settings. This session will discuss clinical updates in TB in both of these fronts.

We are all "Servants in Training", "Missionaries in Training" or both. What's the difference and how might God be preparing us? Dr. Dowell will be discussing the importance of each of those seasons in our development as yielded vessels "living sacrifices". We will learn the answers to those questions, find encouragement in times of difficulty, and be inspired to answer the call along the way as we glean wisdom, and learn a few guiding principles from the lives of biblical and historical servants who have been called and used of God in times past.

Merry Christmas from the MedicalMissions.com team! We hope you and your family are enjoying the holiday season and celebrating the birth of Jesus together. In the world of healthcare missions, we’ve heard stories of some of the key impact points and motivators to people’s calling. Many of those are things like CMDA student groups, Perspectives on World Missions, and the GMHC. In my opinion, at the core of each of these, and why they have such an impact, is that they are all places of great community and connection. Today we want to talk with you about the power of community. When Jesus walked on this earth, he certainly did not walk alone. He gathered people around him throughout his years in ministry. He taught them, he loved them, and he served them. The disciples were sent out in groups to share the good news of the Kingdom and throughout the New Testament we see people joining together to go on missionary journeys and share the good news of Jesus. Have you ever stopped to think about how unique it is that we serve a Triune God (Father, Son, and Holy Spirit)? They are three and they are one. It’s mind blowing. But what’s so unique about our Lord is that He has always been in community. Think about it... Father, Son, and Holy Spirit have always been in perfect community with each other. And then God makes us in His image! It should stand to reason that we are built for community... it’s in our very nature. Community is lifeblood to our success - it’s necessary at every stage of life and for every venture we encounter. The encouragement for you is to stop and think about how you are currently connected in community with others. If you aren’t, then take a simple step to get connected with others in a small group, find a CMDA group (or other group), attend the GMHC, or any other number of engagement points. There are no words for the encouragement your heart will find to be on this journey with others. A note to the introvert...yes, you need to community too. It can be easy for an introvert or high achiever to just keep plowing forward and pioneering their own path. But I want to encourage you to pause a moment and find community. The biggest reason: Jesus did. In his perfection, even Jesus found community with others. There is no doubt he could have plowed through on His own plan by Himself without any problems. We are all made for community. We are made for community and we benefit from community. Why do you think Jesus gathered people around him? Why is God a triune God? Why does the Bible teach us to love our neighbor as ourself? Why are we instructed to encourage one another, disciple and teach one another, live together in unity? Why is so much of the Bible focused on the body of Christ, mutually edifying one another? Because that is the essence of Christ and the very foundation of our faith. If we live on our own, pursuing our own goals and aims, we will find that we are no longer doing anything except living for ourselves. Our faith is, by necessity, lived out in community both with, and for, others. During this Christmas season, we hope that you enjoy time to rest and be with your family. We also hope that you dwell on the larger community of Christians that you belong to. Where do you need to grow in your commitment to community?

“Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 2 looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.” Hebrews12:1-2ESV This idea that we are called to run a race with endurance, surrounded by a great cloud of witnesses...have you ever really considered what this means? God is calling us to put down the things that slow us down, to train so we can endurance run...and we have cheerleaders! Scripture is giving us a beautiful picture to encourage us to fight against the desire we have to sprint, our need for instant gratification. It shows us we must commit to the longer race. There are many difficulties in this for me! The biggest one is I can’t see the finish line when I start. I like to know where I am going, what the road looks like, what all I need for the trip and the list goes on. It is hard for me to put things down – to lay aside the unnecessary weight. I have armored up and I have lots of baggage. But it is impossible to endurance run unless I put some of those things down. That’s a little bit scary because in my human frailty, I believe that I need all of my things. But today, we want to talk about the things that really matter when you are preparing for mission work (running the race that is set before us). I am so encouraged that we are not running this race alone. There are those surrounding us, a great cloud of witnesses. But for the joy set before ME, can I follow the example of Christ? When preparing for mission work, Leigh Taylor Hamilton, from World Medical Mission, asks us to consider adding these things to the checklist: Humility My dad declared at the dinner table “I feel like I’m becoming more humble lately.” I quickly said, “Dad, you can’t say that!” I believe what he meant to say was, “God has really been working on me and my pride.” After thinking about this, I realized that while most believers do not outwardly make such contradictory statements, we do harbor secret pride. Secret pride creeps into mission work because of one word: sacrifice. We secretly look at our sacrifices within material wealth, time, and skills and then think look what I gave up. We know that in mission work, if we hold onto this pride in sacrifice we will never fully experience true biblical humility therefore missing freedom from our selfishness. It doesn’t mean we do not have confidence in our calling and knowing who we are but it does mean that we need to lay aside any thoughts toward titles and renown – especially in the secret place of the heart that harbors these desires and need of recognition. 1 Peter 5:5 reminds us that, “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” Flexibility Missions will put your flexibility to the test. Between third-world systems, licensing, transportation, and minimal resources you will quickly realize how important it is to know your limits and how to work through those tests. This is why we must surrender any expectations of how the journey will go towards the will of God. Be open to new plans, cancellations and changes in directions. This allows for God to work through us. Versatility Be pretty good at a lot of different things. Missionary work will require you to do different things you aren’t always comfortable with or feel prepared for but we at least try and learn different ways of doing things in order to understand others we will work alongside. And Remember: Ask God to search your heart (Psalm 139:23 Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my thoughts) and reveal the areas that exist where secret pride creeps in, flexibility limits us, and versatility fails -the known and the unknown. May He reveal this to your hearts as you confidently accept this call to serve. To God only be the Glory.  

Today we are going to go back to the topic of short term trips. First we're going to hear from my friend Tina, who willingly steps in and serves in any capacity, any location, any time. She is an amazing servant. Then we will hear from Dr. Peter Chu and Dr. Hyon Kim, who were "Short Term Long Term" trailblazers with SIM. Both of these perspectives bring a much needed reminder that each of us brings something different to the table. God created us all to serve in the way he designed and we need to be faithful to that.  A More Excellent Way by Tina Bruner “Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; and there are varieties of service, but the same Lord; and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who empowers them all in everyone. To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good.” 1 Cor 12: 4-7 ESV The great thing about the body is that it MUST work together. It is many different parts with different functions – but one part without the others means it isn’t whole. Scripture is clear that each part of the body is equal. God made each of us to be part of the body that needs the other parts, and our part is needed. As a non-medical person on a trip to Nigeria to train pastors to do basic dentistry, I learned how even our teeth are created for different functions and without certain teeth and their role, eating would be difficult. During that training I witnessed how beautiful it is when the body of Christ works together. Believers teaching and serving one another so that they might better serve those in need and bring hope to the hurting. It is a powerful witness to our divided world when we work together in the way God designed us. He is showing us a more excellent way by creating us this way. Long Term Goals by Dr. Peter Chu and Dr. Hyon Kim Peter first served at SIM’s Galmi hospital in 1998 for 3 months, and shortly after returned with Hyon in 1999 to serve for 6 months to provide medical coverage and to discern future ministry direction. It was during this time that they developed a vision for “long-term-short- term-medical-mission-work”. God helped them see the need for physicians who bridged those who “sent” mission workers and those who were “sent” as mission workers. For the next 20 years, Peter and Hyon made regular annual trips to Galmi for a few weeks to months at a time. They remained flexible to the staffing needs of the hospital and tried to offer their service when long-term physicians were on home assignment or at conferences. Returning to the same hospital reduced the need for orientation and shortened learning curves and adjustment periods. Committing to one hospital and returning on a regular basis gave them a unique “long- term-outsider’s” perspective which enabled them to participate and speak into strategic hospital issues. They developed deep relationships with long-term mission workers and hospital staff, which allowed them to carry out their most meaningful ministry of walking alongside people and encouraging them to persevere in their call and faith. Although, they cared for many patients at Galmi, they look back and see how God used them to encourage the long-term workers, by providing a loving and listening ear, procuring special hospital supplies, and supporting the work financially and by prayer. “Long-term-short-term-medical-mission-work” was also a helpful way to maintain a winsome witness in their passport country. They both worked in academic settings in Toronto and had many opportunities to speak to their colleagues, medical trainees, and patients about their medical mission work and faith in Jesus. Over the years they had the privilege of taking several residents and colleagues to Galmi – people who otherwise would not have considered a mission trip except that they were invited by Peter and Hyon to serve with them. Some of these people have gone on to serve in medical missions on their own in both long- and short-term capacities. They are grateful to have had this special opportunity to serve God in medical missions. They hope others will consider doing the same.   So, can short-term teams really have an impact? Clearly, yes! To take a deeper dive into the world of short term trips, find more resources and a trip list here: https://www.medicalmissions.com/missions/shortterm To download our FREE 30 Day Journal: https://www.medicalmissions.com/finding-my-place-in-short-term-missions