We’ve said from the very beginning, from before our team even existed in its present form, that we wanted to have a kind of ministry that touched every part of people’s lives. By this we meant that we wanted to, of course, care for people spiritually. We did and still do see this as our utmost priority… and that’s why we’re here in Peru, to share God’s love with those that don’t know it, to help those lost in a world of heartache and loss and emptiness to find their way to an abundant and joyful life that only God can provide. Along that journey though, is where the idea of meeting our neighbors needs on every level fits in. We see in Jesus our example. When Jesus came across the sick and week he, in his mercy and compassion, healed the sick and made the lame to walk and the blind to see.
Like I’ve told many of our new Peruvian friends, we just want to follow Jesus example in the ways that we are able. While, as of yet, I haven’t been able to raise the dead or miraculously make the lame to walk, there are many other ways that we can care for people’s physical well being. One of those ways is to invite our brothers and sisters who have been trained medically to provide quality medical care to many that can’t afford it here in Lima.
So, that’s just what we did. In July we had a good sized group of volunteers come down from the United States to help us with our first ever medical campaign. As part of the group we had doctors, dentists and nurses along with tons of great helpers, skilled laborers and all kinds of people willing to take the time and effort to come and show God’s love to their Peruvian neighbors in this ever shrinking world we live in. We focussed our efforts in an area of Lima called Paraiso, which mean Paradise. This campaign was a wild success. Many people received the kind of medical care that they hadn’t been able to get and, more importantly, God’s love was spread through a community that so desperately needs it. The kind of community that I think you likely would have found Jesus walking through 2000 years ago.
For a better glimpse into our first Medical Campaign in “Paradise” take a few minutes and watch our video…
Medical Campaign 2010 – Paraiso from Twentyeight19 Ministries on Vimeo.
