Medical mission trips offer a rare opportunity to make a profound and lasting impact on the lives of those in need. We design our trips to provide quality medical care to those in need and to share the love of Christ with those we serve. We offer trips to fit a variety of availability depending on locations served and the length of time spent in the field. Take time to search through the locations and terms we provide to something that fits your schedule, talents, and interests. If you’re interested in using the gifts God gave you to make a difference in the lives of others, contact ABWE today! We’d love to help you gain footing and get started on your medical mission journey.

ALL ABOUT MEDICAL MISSION TRIPS

Medical mission trips provide you with the perfect chance to support a medical project abroad for those feeling God’s calling to serve and support struggling communities.

• Individual medical mission trips to support our full-time healthcare staff and ministries take place at ABWE hospitals or clinics in developing countries. Physicians/NP’s/PA’s will most often serve for a month while nurses will serve from 2 months to 2 years.
• Mobile urgent care team trips (7-14 days) are designed to bring a basic level of care into underserved communities with very limited access to routine health care. The mobile teams partner with national pastors to identify the most needy communities they serve and work with national translators.

For students who want to gain international work experience there are three ways to accomplish this:

• Residents, 4th year Medical students, Nurse Practitioner and Physician Assistant students may apply for one- to three-month rotation at one of our ABWE hospitals. Applications should be submitted 9-12 months prior to the desired time. If you are interested in a rotation, contact us at mobilization@abwe.org and we’ll connect you with the right people!
• All the on short-term mobile urgent care medical mission team trips are open to college students at any level and high school students accompanied by a parent or guardian.
• Undergraduate nursing students most often engage with a college or university sponsored team. A pre-clinical student from any discipline may apply for a non-healthcare summer internship through mobilization.

THE IMPORTANCE OF MEDICAL MISSION TRIPS

Medical mission trips improve access to care for patients. In many developing countries, doctors and nurses find themselves stretched thin when trying to meet the needs of the population. As a result, many people go without any medical care at all. Medical mission trips help to fill this gap by bringing much-needed medical personnel and supplies to these underserved communities.

In addition, medical mission trips often provide care beyond just treating illness and injury. Missionaries often provide preventative care and health education, but they also bring God’s hope and joy to people struggling to find purpose and help during dark and harrowing times. Both services help to reduce the overall burden of disease in these communities and improve the long-term health of the population since God works in those who listen.

IMPACTS OF MEDICAL MISSION TRIPS

1. Learn to use your skills to provide spiritual care as well as physical care – All of our medical missions trips and our facilities will provide you with opportunities to use a patient encounter as a stepping stone to offering spiritual care. Praying with and for patients is the norm and at times sharing the gospel story with a translator may also occur.
2. Enhance cultural awareness and competency – Working with patients at their most vulnerable and learning how to engage people from other locations and cultures helps you become a better practitioner. No matter what field you practice in, having the ability to empathize with and understand people from different backgrounds equips you to better serve communities in need.
3. Build A Network of Other Professionals – You’ll work alongside other professionals to provide medical care to those who need it the most. These people will uplift you, challenge you, and sometimes become lifelong friends. You won’t forget the experience, and neither will the people you help.
4. Utilize Your Skills To Address Pressing Needs – Mission trips present medical professionals with unique opportunities to use their skills and talents to help people beyond their physical ailments.

THINGS YOU SHOULD EXPECT FROM A MEDICAL MISSION TRIP

Mission trips can be tailored to the needs of the community, but there are some common expectations that participants should have:

1. First and foremost, expect to be immersed in the culture of the country you are visiting. This means that you will likely be living in close quarters with your fellow volunteers, and that you will need to be respectful of local customs and beliefs.
2. You will likely have limited access to modern medical facilities and resources. Train your body and mind before going to make sure you’re ready for the tasks at hand. Prepare to work long hours in challenging conditions.
3. Finally, look to form lasting bonds with those you meet on the trip. The shared experience of volunteering in a foreign country stays with you for the rest of your life, and the practitioners and patients both appreciate those who step up.

HOW REMOTE ARE MEDICAL MISSION TRIP DESTINATIONS?

Medical mission trips popularity continually grows. As the world grows, more and more people look for ways to give back. Purposes and expectations within medical mission trips can vary greatly. Destinations, based on need, typically prioritize the more remote and underserved areas where there are fewer national healthcare resources, personnel or infrastructure. Medical teams often rely on their own supplies and skills to provide care.

WHY LAUNCHPOINT?

Create connections with people and cultures in unique and authentic ways! You’ll see the world in a whole new light and leave behind a lasting impact on the communities you serve.

When you go on a mission trip with LaunchPoint, not only are you making a difference in the world, but you’re also building lifelong friendships and discovering the inner potential God calls you to pursue. As Christians, we believe that when we serve others, we all benefit. Join us on this journey of service and see for yourself how life-changing it can be.

Learn more about our mission opportunities here!