This document provides guidance for members of a medical mission team traveling to Kenya. It outlines priorities and preparations that should be made from a cultural, logistical, mental, physical, spiritual, and team perspective. The purpose of the trip is to help advance the mission of Global Field Evangelism in Kenya by providing strategic medical services alongside sharing the gospel message. Team members are advised to begin extensive spiritual, cultural, and practical preparations well in advance of the planned March 2012 trip.
Regardless of the science brought to bear on a person’s illness, the results are at best….temporary…..and medical care is not an end in itself. Every person we see will become sick again …and will eventually die. We ALL have an inescapably terminal disease, sin, and any health care that does not take this into account is, at best, incomplete. The only remedy offered for sin is the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
Practicing disciplines of prayer, Bible study, church attendance, meditation, and time alone to listen to God are vital and crucial to becoming more Christ-like. “ There is nothing special that happens to you on a 757 crossing the ocean”- a missionary doctor Ask others to pray for you Set up some prayer triggers (ex. Every time I see my Kenya bracelet) Phillipians 2: 3-4
This meeting was scheduled to begin preparing us mentally for February in Kenya There will be many roles outside of what each of us does here in the U.S.. We should begin preparing ourselves to be flexible & humble. There will be many inconveninences r/t travel to & time in Kenya. It is important that we are mentally prepared for these & recognize how damaging our reactions can be if we are not prepared. Ex. Food, sleeping arrangements, timing, no a/c, crowded buses, cultural practices………
Immunizations are REQUIRED to travel to & FROM Kenya=can’t go without them. If you haven’t begun this process, please start ASAP!! Travel Clinics of America & UAMS travel clinic Lots of walking & carrying. Will be summer like weather (cooler @ night & in mountains-Nakuru) Food & drink safety guidelines provided in folder Travel sickness??? Vans & roads in Kenya will make it worse CLOSED TOE SHOES at all times (except in hotel) Long or capri length pants Long skirts Lightweight but one multi-purpose jacket
A list of words & phrases to learn is included in your folder No one in Kenya expects us to speak Swahili, but the will be touched that cared enough to learn a few words Google Kenyan history, culture, & current events Great movies: Constant Gardener God Grew Tired of Us Hotel Rwanda As We Forgive The Devil Came on Horseback Ghosts of Rwanda Darfur Now
Clinics will be in various parts of Kenya = travel time Many of our medications & supplies will be donated, but we will be purchasing some as well to carry with us-think about what you have access to- Will hand carry our supplies as our 2 nd piece of luggage Will see children & adults Will used VERY focused assessment model with 5-7 primary dxs Other roles include: pharmacy, daily devotion leader, playing with children, crowd control, photographer, videographer, record keeping, witnessing, set-up & take down at each clinic,
Will be more effective in Kenya, if we already see ourselves as a team List of team members in folder “ My Eyes, His Heart” by W. Ted Kuhn, M.D. “ Serving with Eyes Wide Open: Doing Short-Term Missions with Cultural Intelligence”- David A Livermore Next team meeting January 08, 2012 after 1045 service Plan to meet January 22 & February 05
Journaling helps us accurately process all that we have seen, done, & felt…. Best defense to PTSD like symptoms is being prepared before we go. March 18, 2012- We will meet together to debrief & reflect. We will share photos & how God has changed us since we returned from Kenya. Families, friends & prayer supporters will be welcome!!!!
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