When I first heard about the GHO medical mission trip to Nicaragua, I was hesitant about the idea. Words like “voluntourism” always flood my mind whenever week-long medical service trips are mentioned, and I had read about how short-term medical trips often do more harm than help. However, I am interested in working internationally as a physician after I finish my training, so I decided that going on the trip could give me some clarity as to whether or not God is calling me to work abroad long-term.
I must admit that I started the trip with a somewhat cynical mindset. Would our efforts really make a difference in the big scheme of things? How would we ensure that our medical interventions create sustainable health improvements? These questions began to fade as the week progressed.
Throughout the week, I witnessed my fellow trip members trusting and relying on Jesus to lead them through every patient interaction. I watched as the physicians I worked with would share the good news of Jesus Christ to every patient that walked through the clinic, no matter what their spiritual background. I marveled at how joyful and devoted they were in spreading the Gospel, and how this seemed to be much more important than the physical medication or services they were providing. As the week progressed, I began to realize how this GHO medical mission trip was very different than the “voluntourist” trips that I had read about in college. This was a trip primarily focused on sharing Jesus with the world and secondarily focused on sharing health resources. Sustainability was present, but not in the way I imagined. The sustainability was present in that we partnered with local pastors. These pastors led the evangelism table that served as an entry point into the clinic as well as a catalyst for clinic patients to get plugged in with their local pastors and church communities. The sustainability was present in the two church services that were held on the streets of Los Gutierrez Norte as all 45 of us GHO trip members joined with all the local pastors and congregants to hold large meetings that couldn’t help but attract attention. This type of bold outreach reminded me that the mission of the trip was much larger than just providing better healthcare to a community. The trip was about joining in on what God was already doing to transform and change lives around the world. The trip was about Jesus and His mission to be in communion with every soul that would let Him in.
Reflecting back on my trip experience, I realize now how short-term medical trips can become voluntourism if we are not careful. However, these trips can become pivotal points in time in which God can attract those who otherwise would not turn to Him. Being a part of that process was a privilege, and is definitely something that I would like to be a part of in the future.
