Twice a year, teams consisting of up to 40 people are sent for seven days to various cities (Reynosa, Juarez, Ixtlan, Leon). A team leader will assist in transportation, reservations, and all other arrangements.
Each morning begins with a prayer and a short worship service. The team travels to the worksite by vans to set up medical/dental clinics in poor neighborhoods and remote locations. In the past we have focused on providing consults to MDs and medication distribution. Now, based on recommendations from the World Health Organization and other experienced groups, the focus is more on health screening and education, dental cleaning and dental hygiene.
We work collaboratively side by side with the Mexicans to provide an educational health fair with several different educational booths.
- Spiritual health and Bible Distribution for the adults
- Bible stories with flannel graph for the children
- Wholesome nutrition
- High blood pressure and diabetes education. Participants also get an assessment of their blood pressure and blood sugar.
- Exercise
- Dental health and hygiene
- Basic first aid training and distribution of a small first aid book and kit
- Parenting
In addition to helping people physically, our goal is to relate to each person individually... to look people in the eyes, learn their names, and listen to their stories. We want them to know that they matter to us and to God. Then when the gospel is shared as the medical and dental care is given, their hearts are open to receive God's word.
Before heading home, people are given a "bag of goodies." These can include health kits, school kits, first aid kits, layettes, rice pilaf, soup, and homemade soap, all assembled and lovingly provided by brethren back home. To serve the 1,000 – 1,500 families that attend each clinic, 5,000 – 10,000 health kits, 2,500 school kits, 2,000 coloring & Bible story kits, 2,000 first aid kits, and 100 layettes are needed for each trip!.
There will be many opportunities for fellowship, inspiration, and encouragement, along with countless stimulating experiences to taste and see a culture very different from the USA.
A passport will be necessary for travel in Mexico. Whenever traveling in a foreign county, keep your identification with you at all times. Immunization is recommended, but not required by the health department.
Supplies and medicines are funded by HarvestCall. The cost for transportation, food, and lodging are generally assumed by each volunteer, although financial support can be made available if needed.