CATACAMAS, HONDURAS - I think (medical
missions and ministry training) can go hand-in-hand, just as Jesus
walked,taught, worshipped, and showed compassion through healing.
Here
in Catacamas, Honduras, the Honduran Bible School was aleady begun (1983) and
the health component was added in 1986 so that rural preachers could learn to
show the compassion of Christ by sharing their understanding of basic health
knowledge and practicing first aid in their communities.
We had a great
beginning. I believe an integrated approach is truely a Christ-like approach to
reaching the physically and spiritually needy. I also believe
that this
concept of has to be taught at the Bible School preparation level — there is
more than one strategy to gain entrance into people's lives. We don't all have
the same gifts but we do have the same goal.
This plan in Honduras would
have been even more optimum if the idea had originated with national Christian
leaders, and if they had been capable of organizing it and running it themselves
from the beginning. I was in a Missions class in ACU a few years ago where these
pros and cons was discussed extensively, with the conclusion being that the
ideal is that national churches mature enough to define and form their own
outreach ministries.
In Honduras and in many other places of need,
however, the local Christian leadership lacks the skills to initiate and means
to fund even minimally health care services. This calls for partnering with
those who have experience and can share financially. Our family and our USA
connections became a part of that partnering in 1986. Dr. Amanda, a national
physician, became involved one year later and has been key to the organizational
growth over the years. When Dr. Clark left Honduras, the churches were less
inclined to collaborate with her as a woman leader. Consequently, the healing
component began to take on a more independent character and became legally
incorporated as "Predicar y Sanar."
I continue to believe that the
preaching of Christ and healing (a service we can offer with love) demonstrate
an attitude and work of the body of Christ that attracts
sinners.
DORIS CLARK is president of Predisan Honduras,
a medical mission in Catacamas the employs many native Hondurans and sponsors
medical mission visits from physicians in the United States and Canada. The
Northlake church, Atltanta, supports the ministry. For more information, see
www.predisan.org.