Ambassador Medical Ministry to Mexico

This weekend a team from Ambassador returned from our second one-day trip to Tijuana.  It was an amazing time of ministry with God doing some incredible work through an incredible team.  My body is still recovering physically, but my heart has been touched and my faith deepened.  Here are some highlights:



A key theme of this trip was spiritual warfare:

Ephesians 6 reminds us that the true battle that we fight is not against flesh and blood, but against the authorities and powers in the spiritual realm.  This trip reminded me that whenever God is about to work mightily through His people to proclaim the forgiveness of Jesus Christ, the forces of darkness “fight” desperately to thwart the ministry.



Our Ambassador team was originally slated to be 18 members strong, but within a few days, a number could not go to Mexico.  One team member had a close family member that underwent an important medical procedure in the days leading up to the trip, and she had to stay back.  My wife Helen woke up the morning of the mission and couldn’t move her neck or shoulder due to a severe muscle spasm.  And half-way to San Diego, we had to send one of our 3 cars back to North OC due to a medical emergency with a team member’s wife.  We arrived 30 minutes late in Lemon Grove (San Diego) with 14 members.



When we arrived, I heard from the Mexico Medical Team that the pastor from a partnering church in Ojai, CA wasn’t able to join because he had to attend a memorial service being held for a child in the youth group who was killed that week in an accident.  In addition, the son of the President of Mexico Medical Missions was hit by a car the past week.  Praise God he was not seriously injured.



Because the Ambassador Team arrived late because of having to make a tough decision to turn back members of our team, we sped through orientation and quickly split into two vans to cross the border.  As we crossed into Mexico, the van with laboratory equipment was stopped by the border guards and diverted into customs.  The other van had to move on to the clinic site without half the Ambassador team, not knowing how long the other half would be detained.



Under God’s protection, we arrived in one piece, half our team a bit late to the medical brigade location.



It seemed to be me that God was about to do something big, otherwise, Satan and his cronies wouldn’t have tried so hard to discourage and slow us down.  My expectations at this point were high, but God was going to do something even bigger than we expected.



Our experience:

Although I could describe the experience in my own words, perhaps it is best to share the report from the lead Mexican physician, Dr. Cesar Tamez, who is also a key leader in the Tijuana pastors alliance:



Glorious Victory!



How marvelous is the Lord. In the four weeks prior to a large medical brigade in Tijuana the motors warm up for this incredible presence of God in our lives to give us strength and fill us with His grace to share His love with the neediest of the city. Prayer is directed for the souls of those who we will touch and for the volunteers that will come to serve: protection and strength in the name of the Lord. There are dozens of phone calls and hundreds of emails.



We reconfirm the location with our brother Pastor Rafael Laborin of the pastor’s alliance.  We visit the pastors and churches of the area, on this occasion in the area of Maclovio Rojas between Tijuana and Tecate. We found much love and passion from the brothers to do this Brigade. Pastor Santiago, with representatives from 9 other churches said these words:  “I have 3 years persecuting these brothers and finally they are here to bring a Brigade of health and evangelism to Maclovio Rojas. Brothers, here is a large need. I cannot imagine the impact that this will have on the community. We are sure to have more than 150 children visiting the Brigade.”  We obtained the permission needed from the authorities to hold the brigade.



August 7 we set up camp.  A big job that takes half a day to raise the tents,  fix and weld some tubes, obtain electricity from the electrical lines, connect and reconnect things, install and try equipment, prepare the area for the children’s program, fill the pharmacy, etc. etc.



August 8- WOW! The Lord is marvelous. More than 150 volunteers, hundreds and hundreds of patients. At 9:00 AM we started with a short but powerful message and prayer from Steve Crews, interpreted by Amy and “vamonooooooos!!!!” (Here we go!)  The start was slow to get the gears moving, like always. It’s like a train that later incorporates its energy and moves everything into an unstoppable colossus.  The patients in the consultations multiplied. One left and another entered in every tent. The line grew at the pharmacy and finally every area was full and stayed full for hours. The evangelism tents, one tent for women and the other for men were busy. Many heard about the love of God and received spiritual and medical counseling. In the end 224 adults prayed to receive Jesus Christ as their personal Savior. 164 children heard the gospel message and various ways.   There were more than 700 services given to adults and more than 164 children in attendance.  This was a precious offering for the Lord of Lords. Joy in the heavens and tremendous joy in our hearts.



Of course, the end of the end is to pick up all of our things, repack in the trailer all of the equipment, tents, and the brooms after we have swept up. We close with a joyful prayer of gratitude to God and a word of thanks to each one who has given a day of their lives in service to our great God and powerful Savior, Jesus Christ the Lord.



Abundant and rich blessings to you personally and to your family.

 Dr. César Tamez



Reflection:



As in March, our church’s team provided the majority of the medical professionals for the Tijuana Medical Brigade.  Four physicians, a dentist, a podiatrist, a dietician, three registered nurses, an interpreter, and three children’s ministry workers from Ambassador Church joined other believers from local Tijuana church members, Mexico Medical Missions, and other U.S. Christians.



I couldn’t have worked with a more dedicated group of believers, and specifically from our church’s team, I was so proud of and blessed by each person’s desire to serve God despite the obstacles on top of an already very rigorous day.  From working a 20+ hour day, under stuffy and hot conditions, with breaks only to use the restroom (actually a smelly port-a-potty) and a quick hot dog and chips lunch, I didn’t hear any complaints.  On the contrary, I saw the joy of Christ on each face as they served people who have so little in comparison to our standard of living.



 I want to share some personal words of encouragement to each of our team, whether or not they ultimately made it to Mexico with us or not:



Team members:



Kristen Hammel – Such a privilege to serve with a young lady who loves God so deeply, and expresses that love so freely with children.  Thank you so wearing a smile and such enthusiasm even after a long day of being “hard at play” with the children.



Julie Sohn – such a servant’s heart in serving in children’s ministry, and as an escort service back and forth across a dusty and hot field so that the children could hear the Word of God.  Thank you for leaving your family behind to serve with such joy.



Chad Espinoza – You have such a mature view of serving for such a young man.  You volunteered to serve the team by driving half our team in a van, giving up precious sleep.  And you served in any way that you could:  gopher, children’s ministry, break down, etc.  An example to me of God’s love through service.



Young Roe – Thank you for driving out from West LA to be a part of the team.  The joy of serving God in Mexico was written all over your face, even though I know how little sleep you had the prior week, plus you worked a 7am-7pm nursing shift on Friday.  Despite your fatigue you had an incredible smile on your face the entire day.



Hai-En Peng– Fellow veteran on this trip.  It was great to have you back, and thank you for driving out from Thousand Oaks to join the team.  Along with David Han as representatives from the LA campus, you guys are awesome!  I can see your spiritual maturity and calling to serve as a podiatrist to those who are less fortunate, whether in Mexico or in the U.S.  You are a man of action.



David Han-  What a blessing to serve with you!  Your heart for God and for the people was so apparent through your attitude and actions.  Thank you for extending your busy week of seeing patient into a marathon week.



Victor Ryoo-  Talk about a dentist who seems to be unfazed by anything!  You lost count of how many teeth you pulled, yet God’s love expressed through your service as a dentist outnumbered the teeth you extracted.  Thank you for serving.



Judy Moon- Another key returning clinician from Ambassador, and a nurse who exemplifies steadfastness and joy in serving.  Your interaction with the team and with the patients exude God’s love.  Thank you for being our team’s RN anchor.



Daria Wang- I learned that not only are you a nurse, but a passionate registered dietician.  With the education that you provided, your impact on the Mexican patient’s health was tremendous!  I wish we had 10 more of you!  Your heart to serve is exemplary.



Winnie Wang – Great to have you on the team!  Your energy with the patients seemed limitless (until you feel asleep in the van on the way back).  Thank you for jumping and sharing God’s limitless love with your (almost) limitless energy.



Kay Sung- Our dermatologist, who provided care with a warm demeanor and smile. I was a bit worried that his passport wouldn’t come through in time.  Such a blessing to have a great physician on our team who proves that beauty is more than skin deep.



Gene Tsai – My longtime friend, fellow physician and basketball companion.  Thank you for taking the time away from your wife and baby to be with us.  Your love for God was displayed in your enthusiasm and service.  You didn’t even take a lunch break until late in the afternoon.  I hope you will join us again.



Norma Jackson – I was so privileged to have you as my interpreter.  I couldn’t have asked for any better.  The patients and their families really connected on a deep level with you.  In fact, you interpreted so amazingly that the patients actually understood my jokes (and laughed).  I think that they were communicating with you as though you were the doctor!





Team members who didn’t make it down to Mexico:



Dana, Brenda and Meredith Mitchellweiler- Thank you for offering to serve and drive to San Diego.  When we found out that Melodie needed to go to the emergency room, you were willing to drive Josh back to be with Melodie and the family back at home without any hesitation, even though that meant that you wouldn’t be going to Mexico.  Such an example of sacrificial love, and a reflection of Christ to our team.



Josh Carroll – Thanks for volunteering to be the staff representative on this mission trip, and for your perseverance despite a stressful situation.



Helen Wang – Thank you for being my number one support in general, but also for your help in planning breakfast and last minute logistics for the team.  I know how disappointed we both were that your neck and muscle spasm unexpectedly prevented you from going, but I know that there will be other opportunities to serve together.



Ethan Hedberg – The heart and soul of our Outreach and Missions programs! Without your leadership and planning, we wouldn’t have seen God move in such a powerful way.  Thank you for making this trip happen, for your prayer support, and for nurturing a strong relationship with Mexico Medical Missions to create this partnership.