Brazil
Eternal Impact
Brazil
November 9

A team of 18 held a medical evangelism clinic in Campo Grande, Brazil, ministering to 1,191 patients. However, this outreach had a different outcome than what many expected. Through the difficulty of glasses being confiscated at customs and in the unusual finding that many patients were already Christians, HCM’s team members learned that we do not always understand God’s agenda. We are, however, asked to trust Him.

The following are excerpts from the team leader’s report by Loretta Speicher, RN.

“At HealthCare Ministries, we routinely care for ‘the least of these.’ Our desire is to ‘love the unlovelies’ of this world. We travel to developing countries, caring for those without healthcare and without resources to care for themselves and their families. We raise our support and ask for prayers for those less than fortunate people groups. We pray for opportunities to share the story of a Son…a Son who died so that we might live. We go with a mindset of meeting physical needs while seeking out those who are in need of prayer, those in need of a Savior.

“We were ready to operate a full medical clinic in a foreign country. We knew we had been called to serve and we expected that we had plenty to give of ourselves, our professions, and our giftings. Alas, I think I can openly share that we were not prepared for what we would experience in those next days.

“Out of 1,191 patients seen in four and a half days, 78% were believers of the Word. The members of the local churches came to our clinic. On the outside, the majority appeared healthy and wholesome.”

A few days into the clinic, the team began to express their concern that they were seeing mostly “healthy” Christians rather than those who truly needed medical care and to hear the Gospel.

“There was disappointment, some guilt, and yes, even a bit of anger. Why were we here? What was the meaning of this? This was not the routine HealthCare Ministries outreach to the poor and needy.

“As team leader, I prayed for discernment. We, as a team, needed to focus on God’s plan, not our own. We openly admitted we did not understand. Yet, thankfully, due to the strong relationships that pre-existed between each team member and his/her Father, we came to grips with His agenda.

“Then there were the patients. As our team and our translators took the time to explore each one’s needs, doors were opened. Stories were told and tears flowed. These Christian people had the opportunity to witness the love of Christ in a new way. I cannot begin to explain or comprehend their lives or their cultures. I just know they were in need of a kind touch, an embrace, a prayer. Many were broken, indeed. Who knew what their journeys had been to this point? We offered hope and prayer for their pain.”

“Are those needing a greater relationship with God or needing to feel His love in a stronger way sitting right beside us in our pews on Sunday mornings?

“Whose face did I see in Brazil? I saw the face of God at work there in that city. His hands and feet were busy. Were the ecipients of our care so poverty-stricken that they could not care for themselves? I dare say most were not. Yet, I continue to ask myself and my Father, is the face of poverty always tear-smudged and dirty? Are their clothes torn and ragged? Or is true poverty that which leaves one’s entire being unfulfilled and empty. We are reliant on the Holy Spirit to reveal that poverty…the poor in spirit. In that revelation, we are to then offer His hope to all His people, regardless of the type of poverty from which they suffer.”