As a person who is not a doctor, dentist, or nurse, I feel qualified to answer this question with a resounding “YES”! I have been on 16 medical missions and have lead 14 of those. The answer is “Yes”, providing the motive is right.
As long as the minimum number of medical positions have been filled for the team, the rest of the positions are open to non-medical volunteers. Their roles are important and vital to the overall team efforts. The tasks are varied and include, but not limited to:
- crowd control
- intake, taking vitals, triage
- historian: taking photos and videos, recording dates and events, significant happenings
- pharmacy help: dispensing meds
- wound care: cleaning, bandaging
- dental help: cleaning instruments, holding the flashlight, dispensing toothbrush and toothpaste, dental floss, demonstrating proper brushing and flossing
- fitting and distributing donated clothing, footwear, and crocheted beanies
- assisting with the selection of reading glasses
- children’s activities: arts and crafts, making balloon animals, music, games, bible stories, face painting
- massaging sore muscles as referred by medical professional
- collecting litter throughout the clinic
- hair cutting and styling
- handyman: simple carpentry work, painting
- singing songs, playing musical instruments, lead worship
- pastoral: preach, teach, and encourage local ministry leaders
- building relationships: with other team members and with our hosts, and basically everyone we come in contact with, encouraging and edifying one another
The question is: “Why do you want to go on a medical mission?” Some of the answers to this question are:
- Seeking adventure
- Always wanted to visit [country]
- Just got married, good place to honeymoon (seriously)
- Need a break from my spouse, kids, job, etc
- Want to do something humanitarian
- To fill a void in my life
- Heard it was a great place to shop
- I don’t have that country’s stamp in my passport
- I feel a strong “call” to go
The medical missions I have lead are first and foremost, in response to the Great Commission: “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” Matthew 28:19-20 There are many other medical missions that bring far more sophisticated medical aid to foreign countries. We endeavor to provide excellent care as well, with the very basic tools at our disposal and if necessary, giving referrals to the nearest medical facility.
As a team leader with a Christian perspective, the heart behind the motive to be on a medical mission as a non-medical person is something I give careful consideration to. It’s okay to want the adventure. It’s okay to have any of the other reasons, provided that you know deep in your heart that you are being called and sent. The non-medical team members have to be very flexible, willing to do just about anything to aid the health providers and the overall flow of operations. They have to be able to maintain an attitude that reflects a desire to serve. Everyone is expected to treat each other, our host teams, and all who come to us at the medical outreach with respect, sensitivity, consideration, and the love of Christ.
There will be plenty of opportunities for taking photos, having fun, seeing sights, goofing off, and even shopping for souvenirs. We enjoy campfires with singing, sharing, and s’mores. The things you will experience and see, most tourist can’t buy. You may even see miracles unfold and people’s eternal destinies change before your eyes. You will make lasting friends that you’ll want to keep in touch with through Facebook or other social media!
These missions take a lot of planning and coordinating, both at home and abroad. It means taking time off from work, leaving your comfort zones, and sacrificially giving of your time and finances. For example, on our missions to Nepal, all this for the privilege of traveling for two days of air flights, up to 10 hours of riding in jeeps on rough (I mean rough) roads and through water crossings, and on the edge of sheer cliffs with no guardrails. There is also the possibility of experiencing altitude sickness, motion sickness, and/or other maladies. It is important to go with the expectation of receiving all that God has for you! And you will be blessed! No one can out-bless God! The biggest mistake is to go all that way and return home unchanged!
With the right heart, your mission experience will be priceless!
