Impact Ministries - Medical Mission Team to Tactic, Guatemala

WHEN
Jan 12 2020 - Sep 20 2020
WHERE
Tactic, GT

IMPACT MINISTRIES - See our website

Opportunities to serve on a medical team exist from January to September each year. Impact Ministries will work with individuals or groups to schedule a trip in the time that works for them. Individuals will be partnered with others who desire to serve.


As Impact Ministries is an evangelic Christian organization we ask that medical team members also have a personal relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ and are actively involved in a local evangelical church. Our mission statement and statement of faith can be found here.  A significant emphasis is given to spiritual well being as well as physical well being in the care of patients. Medical staff and teams will pray with each person that comes to the clinic. 


What the Mission Trip Will Be Like?

God wants to use YOU!!! He is inviting YOU to an experience like no other. A short-term mission trip will cause you to:

Be stretched...
experience the rich cultures of the Central American Spanish and Indigenous people.

Be used …
work under difficult and primitive conditions as you serve through this medical mission.

Be humbled…
feel the pain as you serve and assist people who suffer under oppressive and relentless poverty.

Be fruitful…
Walk in the power of God’s Spirit and minister to people in ways that will surprise you.

Why?
God wants you to be the hands and feet of Christ. He wants to use you to show the people of Guatemala His “Father” heart in a tangible way. Your participation in evangelism efforts, ministry opportunities and medical service projects will reflect the compassion of Jesus to people who have physical, emotional and spiritual needs. These efforts will bear much fruit in God's Kingdom.

WHAT WE WILL BE DOING IN GUATEMALA?
Participants should understand that this experience is not a holiday. It will consist of many enjoyable experiences and activities; however, our primary focus is to be a “missionary” and to give of ourselves to the people of Guatemala.

MEDICAL CLINIC
Impact Ministries' primary long-term goal is to assist in the development of Christian Education as a means to disciple a generation for Christ. The medical and dental clinic that is attached to our main campus provides care for our students, their families, and others in the communities where we serve. There are typically 4 to 5 clinic days where patients are pre-scheduled based on need. The patient load is matched to the number of medical professionals on the team.

There will be Guatemalans translators and two Guatemalan nurses working alongside the team in the clinic. They are a hardworking people. They are thrilled and encouraged when we come and provide the supplies and equipment that are needed for these medical clinics. The medical care provided is virtually unattainable for families living at a subsistence level. To them, it is a tremendous blessing when they see our love in such a tangible way.

Some medical teams will spend their time away from our main clinic, perhaps at one of our schools outside of our main community, providing medical assessment and care for people in their own community. In this case the Guatemalan medical clinic staff will set up the resources and equipment needed prior to the team's arrival.

HOME VISITS
While in Guatemala, you will be given the opportunity to visit the homes of children in our schools. If you have a sponsor child or class, we will make every effort to connect you with your child and take you to their home or for you to visit your class during the school day. If you don’t have sponsors on your team, we will select needy families for your team to visit. (Class sponsorship information)  (Child sponsorship information)
 
HOSPITAL VISITATION
While in Guatemala, your team will have the opportunity to visit a public hospital. We will visit the children in the Pediatric Ward as well as the new moms and babies in the Maternity Ward. This is often a stretching experience for team members, but it is always a huge blessing to those we visit.

ADDITIONAL ACTIVITIES
Your team will also be visiting some of our schools, our medical clinic, our children's home and possibly a number of churches. All of these activities are designed to give you a picture of the people we are serving here in Guatemala and also to allow you to bless those working with Impact Ministries.

SIGHTSEEING
The team will take time for several "tourist" activities. We will catch a glimpse of the amazing history of Latin America, see the natural wonder of the country, experience the culture as we barter in the market and take photos of unusual sights. These activities will help you understand the challenges that people face in this community as well as the opportunities that exist as they come into relationship with the Lord. 

DAILY DEBRIEFS
Most days we will have a short time of group devotions. This will provide opportunity for de-briefing and serve to bring us closer as a team. Our schedule will be full, and often by the end of the day everyone is tired. However, these times of prayer and sharing are essential to provide a cohesive factor to the team and give an avenue for team members to connect their experience with decisions that will affect their future.

WHAT IS THE CLIMATE LIKE IN GUATEMALA?
The climate in Guatemala is interesting in that it is quite varied depending on the altitude. In the coastal lowlands it is extremely hot and humid; however, Tactic is located in the higher altitudes, where the temperatures are comfortable year-round. More specifically, March and April are generally quite warm while the rest of the year tends to be cooler with showers. Team members will need to bring a light summer jacket for the cool evenings and lots of sunscreen for the hot afternoons. It is a good idea to pack some clothing for the extremely hot climate but also pack for the cooler and more comfortable temperatures.

Relation of Opportunity to National Church and/or Long-term Goals

Impact Ministries focus is on Christian education and training national leaders. We have been working in Guatemala since 2000. The ministry operates seven elementary schools, three junior high schools, and a senior high. There is also a medical and dental clinic attached to our main campus. We currently serve approximately 1,500 children in our schools.

We have seen a great move of God working in the hearts of the people. Our first church plant was started in our first school in 2002 and now numbers around 350 members. Our second church plant started in 2009 and now numbers around 125 people. Our most recent church plant started in 2011 and numbers around 80 people. We are planning a Bible School in the near future where we will be able to train local pastors who cannot get additional Bible training.

 

We need a doctor, dentist or nurse practitioner in order to host a medical clinic. Other medical professionals and those desiring to serve on a medical team can join a medical team if there is a doctor, dentist or nurse practitioner available.  An open teachable heart and servant attitude is required.

Spanish would be helpful, but not required. Translators will join you.

Impact Ministries USA is a sister organization to Impact Ministries Canada who has been working in Guatemala since 2000. Impact Ministries has hosted well over two hundred teams over the 20 years we have worked in Guatemala.

Mel Jackson
(617) 855-5259

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