Many people ask if there’s a place for them on FAME Short-Term Medical Mission trips.
Some are asking if their medical area of expertise will fit in. Others have no medical background and wonder if they would be any help at all! The answer is, “YES!”
Let me tell you about Triage. Triage officially is, “the preliminary assessment of patients in order to determine the urgency of their need for treatment and the nature of treatment required.”
Triage, at our Medical camps, is the first step of care before seeing any medical providers. On a recent trip to Colombia we had Nurses, Doctors, Medical students, general care, dental care, an eye clinic, and non-medical people all ready to meet the community member’s needs. Team member Sandy oversaw triage. Other team members reported to me that she did a phenomenal job with everyone.
Triage requires someone willing to ask questions and listen! Using an interpreter when there is a language barrier increases the time and patience it takes- but it is so rewarding.
Rewarding because God seems to have the right team member at the right place at the right time.
One day a lady came to see the medical providers because she was struggling with several things. But because Sandy was willing to patiently ask questions, she learned that the Colombian mother was especially dealing with grief from her son passing away seven years earlier. Here’s where God steps into the triage area: Sandy had also lost a son seven years ago. It was reported to me, how beautiful it was that they prayed together, for each other, and that it was such a healing moment BEFORE THE MOTHER EVEN began to see the medical providers there that day!
Don’t get me wrong, Sandy brings many skills, experiences, and professional expertise to our teams when she and her husband travel with FAME. But that day, LISTENING and EMPATHY became the tools of healing. The next station to which the mother would have gone is where local pastors share the gospel and pray with each patient. God opened her heart in triage, to be prepared to hear the good news of hope that comes in Jesus Christ.
Should you go on a trip with FAME?
Can you ask questions and listen?
Yes.
Your background, skills, experiences, and heart for the Lord- will put you in the right place at the right time.
Thank you for your partnership.