Trip Description
Paraguay is a landlocked country in the central part of South America, but still connected to the Atlantic Ocean by large, navigable rivers. On this trip, we will be conducting mobile urgent care clinics (without procedures) in five different villages where a local church and national church planter has arranged with the nearby school for us to hold clinics.
In Paraguay this has worked well, as the churches are small, while the local school, only blocks from the church, opens up classrooms for us to use. A key component of each clinic is taking patient histories, which is done in partnership with bilingual nationals. After taking the histories, which are given to the doctors, the history takers then present the Gospel to those who give them permission. The Paraguayans are particularly open to this method of evangelizing.
Team Members Needed
- 4 – 5 team members total
- At least 2 doctors
- At least 1 nurse
- Other team members do not need to be medical professionals
Ministry Support Funds: $1,200/per participant
Ministry support funds cover all local travel, accommodations, meals and supplies used throughout the trip. Instructions on how to submit the funds and the due date will be emailed to the team. These funds may be submitted by the team participant or by others on their behalf.
Airfare: $1,400-$1,800
Participants are responsible for purchasing your own airfare. Information will be provided to each team member by the team leader to ensure that your ticket can be coordinated so the entire team arrives on the same flight or within a short time of each other. Comprehensive details to prepare for this trip will be communicated by the team leader once you are assigned to the team.
Miscellaneous Expenses: $100-$260
All first-time healthcare team trip participants must complete specific online training ($75) and each participant must purchase team specific travel/emergency insurance ($25) through ABWE. Instructions to complete the training and secure insurance will be given once trip assignment has been made. Other miscellaneous expenses may include routine vaccines and/or specific vaccinations dependent on country requirements. First time visitors to Paraguay will need to purchase a visa at the airport upon arrival for $160 (which is good for 10 years).
The Need
Paraguay’s almost 7 million people are 90% Roman Catholic, and about 6% Evangelical Protestant. The capital, Asuncion, was first established as town almost 500 years ago. It established its independence from Spain 200 years ago. Its first ruler as an independent nation decreed that the citizens could not marry within their own race. As a result, over 90% of the population is mestizo, and 80% speak both Spanish and Guarani. The people are friendly, easy to get to know, and very open to the Gospel.
The Impact
Use your medical skills on the mission field to heal people physically and spiritually. In our nearly 90 years of ministry, we have seen compassionate medical care soften hearts to hear the message of the gospel, changing lives for today and eternity. But we can’t do this without you.
See if you meet our qualifications for short-term team service and are in agreement with ABWE’s Doctrinal Statement. If so, click “Apply Now” above. If you have previously applied and are interested in this trip, please contact healthcare@abwe.org and place the name of the trip in the subject line.
Meet the Team Leader
Dr. Jeff has participated on medical mission team trips since 2000. Beginning in 2015, he has made annual trips with ABWE to Paraguay providing medical clinics and focusing on evangelism in partnership with the national pastors.