Spiritual Survival Tips For Short Term Medical Mission Team

Part-1

Wagdy W. Wahba, Ph.D.Gregory School of Pharmacy

Palm Beach Atlantic UniversityWest Palm Beach, Florida

Spiritual Survival Tips For Short Term Medical Mission Team

• Usually the focus of short-term medical missions is to meet the needs of the population visited.

• This presentation will shed light on some Spiritual survival tips needed for the team members.

• Addressing their Spiritual needs will equip each member of the medical mission team to become more efficient in reaching target population medically and Spiritually.

Spiritual Survival Tips For Short Term Medical Mission Team

Ephesians 2:10 (NlV)“For we are God's workmanship, created in

Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do”

Spiritual Survival Tips For Short Term Medical Mission Team

We will discuss:• Who will benefit from Spiritual survival tips• Why is it important to address Spiritual

needs of the team• How to equip members of the team

Spiritually• What possible practical approaches to

follow for Spiritual survival

  34 “Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world…… 37"Then the righteous will answer him, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? 38When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? 39When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?'  40"The King will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.‘ Matthew 25: 34, 37-40 (NIV)     

Spiritual Survival Tips What does it take?

• We are working for the Lord• Colossians 3:23-24  (NIV) 

“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving”

Spiritual Survival Tips What does it take?

• 1 Peter 4:10 (NIV)• 10Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God's grace in its various forms.

Spiritual Survival Tips What Does it Take to do God’s work?

To do God’s work, it takes: [1 Peter 4: 10]1. Awareness (Be alert); 1 Thessalonians 5:6, 1 Peter 5:82. Commitment to God, to the team and to the mission 

Proverbs 16: 3*, Romans 12: 10

3. Connectedness  (John 15: 5)4. Attitude  (Philippians 2: 5)5. Pure motive  Proverbs 16:2*, Philippians 4: 86. Conduct in a manner pleasing to the Lord

Hebrews 13: 20,21*         Philippians 1:27*, 

Proverbs 16: 7*

Spiritual Survival Tips Questions to the team Members

What do you think?1. Is the purpose of going on a mission trip?2. Is the outcome of the mission trip?3. It takes to make the mission successful and

rewarding?4. Would be the impact of such trip on you, others?5. Is the value of spirituality in medical missions?6. Is it true that I don’t have to have a personable

relationship with God to achieve excellent service/good works?

7. You can do for the team? The team can do for you?

Spiritual Survival Tips Who will benefit?

First time attendants The missionary host and hostess The population visited The ‘veteran’ attendants

Spiritual Survival Tips Why is it Important to Address the

Team’s Spiritual needs?1 Peter 1:13  (NIV)

“Therefore, prepare your minds for action; be self-controlled; set your hope fully on the grace to be given you when Jesus Christ is revealed”

We need the Lord Philippians 4: 13, 19 It is His work, for His glory Matthew 5: 16 Spiritual preparation Colossians 3: 1-2 Equipping the team 2 Timothy 3: 16-17 Encouraging members of the team Assurance of God’s faithfulness Hebrews 13: 5

Spiritual Survival Tips Why is it Important to Address the team’s

Spiritual needs?Spiritual preparation: 1. Is a heart tune-up Colossians 3: 1-2

2. Is a faith tune-up Philippians 4: 19

3. Is developing a mind-set Colossians 3: 1-2

4. Attitude tune-up Philippians 2: 5

4. Promotes team’s unity in spite of diversity

5. Increases awareness of the importance of spirituality

6. Is a motivation to seek God’s help in preparing peoples’ hearts Jeremiah 29: 13

7. Gives us wisdom to deal with problems we may encounter Proverbs 3: 5-6

Spiritual Survival TipsHow to Equip Team Members Spiritually?

  Spiritual preparation before leaving home Spiritual equipping in the mission field:

At the beginning of the dayWhile serving in the fieldAt the end of the day

Reflections when we return home in the USA

Spiritual Survival TipsHow to Equip Team Members Spiritually?

Spiritual preparation before leaving home:A. Bible study devotions and prayerB. Fellowship with the rest of the team membersC. Seeking the good of the whole team even if it takes some sacrifice Philippians 1: 3-4

D. Exert every effort to maintain unity Romans 12: 4-5

E. Remember to take ‘self’ of the throne; give that place to GodF. Replace ‘me’ with ‘us’G. Do it all with an attitude of humility

Spiritual Survival TipsHow to Equip Team Members Spiritually?

Mind-set ActionsTO GOD To Other Team MembersObey Him loveHonor Him compassionBe right with Him selflessnessFocus on Him encouragementSurrender everything to Him confront with love & respectAllow Him to use you connect with the lonelyServe Him You can make a difference

in somebody’s life

“Love the Lord your God with all your soul and with all your heart; “Love your neighbor as yourself” Matthew 22: 37-40

Spiritual Survival TipsHow to Equip Team Members Spiritually?

In the mission field1. At the beginning of the day (Q AM); before you go: Spiritual preparation:1. AM biblical devotions and prayers (Take turns**)

Praise and thanks Focus on God Submit to His will Seek His presence and provision

** choose your own devotions or use resourcesprovided

Spiritual Survival TipsHow to Equip Team Members Spiritually?

In the mission field1. At the beginning of the day (Q AM); before you go:

Pray for:The people you are about to minister toThe rest of the team membersTeam members requests and concernsT he host missionary or missionaries and for local helpersGod’s help to open doors for service, reaching out and witnessing

“For the eyes of the Lord range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are committed to Him”

2 Chronicles 16: 9

Spiritual Survival TipsHow to Equip Team Members Spiritually?

In the mission field1. At the beginning of the day (Q AM); before you go:

Reflect, ask the group questions about the previous day.

Good previous day → praise God; challenges → seek His help

You may use small piece of paper with written questions; pass it around; one question per 4 persons ( 5 questions for a team of twenty). Do not forget to include the host or hosts in this group exercise

Sample of questions used in the Dominican Republic Mission (July 2006)