Wanna Be a Health-Care Missionary?

8 March Here in Chula Vista, getting ready for our next trip to San Vicente... somebody asked I post this bit that's been presented in a number of conferences... enjoy..


“I want to be a health-care missionary…”
Time-tested advice to those that want to serve abroad
From Chris Bajkiewicz MSN RN CNS-BC, Healthcare missionary

Steps:
–If nursing student, complete studies, pass Boards (NCLEX, ANCC, NLN, etc.) secure credentials (RN, CNS, NP, CNM, etc)
–Work for 1 full year to [a] perfect new skill-set, [b] pay off all loans/debt
–Pay off ALL debt (credit card, mortgage, auto loan, school/educational loans)
–Begin working in local ministry to poor/marginalized/homeless IN economically challenged area
–Dig out the Scriptures on God’s heart and thoughts regarding the poor, the hurting, the broken…
–Begin ‘de-accumulating’ and living very simple life-style
–Find a pastoral leader (gender-same) to begin praying with you and ‘seeking the Lord’s future’ for you + become keystone to ‘sending leadership’ at home port
--Begin to discern people-group calling, and begin to press into contextual language/culture acquisition locally
–Attend mission conferences and begin to understand the long-term vocation aspect
–Go on ‘short-term health outreach’ trips, but prefer groups who also do long-term projects, investigate long-term opportunity, return to same location 3-4 times to gain ‘long-term’ perspective
--Investigate established mission groups working with the people group and locale you are called to internationally. Large, experienced groups have much to offer.
--Investigate health laws in desired region, consider legal and legitimate licensure as a nurse in that country.


Matthew Ch 10 (The Message) [note: the entire chapter is on-topic]

– 5-8Jesus sent his twelve harvest hands out with this charge: "Don't begin by traveling to some far-off place to convert unbelievers. And don't try to be dramatic by tackling some public enemy. Go to the lost, confused people right here in the neighborhood. Tell them that the kingdom is here. Bring health to the sick. Raise the dead. Touch the untouchables. Kick out the demons. You have been treated generously, so live generously. “