A New Year Focused on Prayer at Medical Ministry International

We’re excited to begin the new year by welcoming the new Chair of our Board of Directors, Al Smith.

Looking back on 2021, we’re moved to express our prayers of gratitude to God for His provisions, those who participated and travelled on teams, and of course, for kind-hearted people like you. With your steady helping hand, we’ve been able to continue our ministry programs despite the challenges of the pandemic.

Our combined efforts resulted in $9.8 million dedicated to health care services that were delivered to people in need by project teams and local initiatives. Additionally, an astonishing $43.5 million in health care services were provided by the network of Health Centers that Medical Ministry International partners with.

Both Al and I, along with the board, will be coming together for a time of prayer on the second Monday evening of each month starting in January. This will be a time to pray for the planning of future projects and programs, for the continued success of our international directors and medical directors who provide leadership for our programs, and for the safety and well-being of our participants and patients.

All prayer requests are welcome! Please write to us at prayer@mmi.org. And we hope you enjoy reading through our first update of 2022!

In Him,

An Act of Love

How Linda & Laurie Made a Difference During COVID-19

Our supporters are as unique as the people we help, but they all have one thing in common: they care deeply about the wellbeing of others.

Two wonderful examples from our community are Ontario twins, Linda and Laurie. They had been offering their help to Medical Ministry International for years when COVID-19 restrictions initially shut down both warehouse volunteering and travel.

But a global health crisis wouldn’t stop these two incredible women from making a difference when it mattered most. Without a second thought they quickly signed up to become monthly donors, so they could contribute regularly—one of the best ways to help us further their impact.

“We really appreciate the work that MMI does,” said Linda and Laurie. “It’s been great to hear how the local in-country teams have continued to help their own people even through this difficult time and we wanted to support their efforts.”

The sisters have been on several Project Teams over the years, making trips to Ecuador, Jamaica, Mexico, Honduras, China, Colombia, Bolivia and Rwanda. As ‘General Helpers,’ some of their duties include assessing patients and providing initial near and far vision screening prior to the optometrist’s exam.

Another task they’re responsible for is running the computer program designed to sort through donated glasses to find lenses that are as close as possible to the prescription the optometrist needs for a patient. “It’s very rewarding to see happy patients leaving with their new glasses, knowing that we found a pair just for them and that we’ve helped them to see better,” said Linda and Laurie.

They also volunteer their time back home at the MMI warehouse in Hamiliton, Ontario. “We take sorted and washed glasses and read the prescription to organize them into the collections,” said Linda and Laurie. “We’ve been amazed at how close some of the glasses we find in the collections are to exactly what the patient needs!”

With travel restrictions now easing, they were overjoyed to have the opportunity to serve the Lord on a Project Team going to Colombia this past January!

Linda and Laurie’s story serves as a reminder that volunteering is truly an act of love. Please consider joining us on one of our upcoming trips in 2022 and see firsthand how compassionate and spiritual health care can change your life and the lives of those in need around the world.

Project Teams & Our Plans for 2022

As of November 2021, we celebrated the most North Americans on Project Teams since before COVID-19. We’re thrilled to update you on all they were able to accomplish in just one month’s time!

• In Ecuador, one Project Team offered primary and dental care, addressing individual patient concerns and the long-term health of communities. And another North American team provided life-saving surgeries to patients awaiting care.
• In Mexico, we delivered vision care that covered a range of eye health services from initial exams to prescription eyeglasses as well as life-changing surgeries for conditions like cataracts.
• In Ghana, our Project Team focused on women’s health and much-needed surgical care, providing treatment for health concerns like infertility, miscarriage, preterm delivery and newborn care.

In the Amazon, we were able to offer a variety of health care services that included primary care, dental care, and specialized women’s health services that provide community education about gender-based violence and more in partnership with the United Nations Populations Fund.

As of January 2022, Project Teams also travelled to Colombia to provide vision care and the Dominican Republic to offer both primary and surgical care. Looking ahead, we’re carefully planning to continue to grow Project Teams as international restrictions continue to ease over the course of 2022. If you’re interested in joining a team, don’t hesitate to get in touch!

Hope Is On the Horizon This Spring

To celebrate Easter and honour the spirit of the season, we’re also delighted to be able to announce a special campaign coming up this spring. One of our incredibly generous donors has offered to match gifts made to Medical Ministry International in the name of furthering lasting change through health care.

Together, we’ve been making amazing things happen in health care, bringing doctors, nurses, and medicine to people who don’t have access to many of life’s most basic necessities. It’s important work, and this spring you’ll have an exciting opportunity to help transform as many lives as possible with your contribution.

If you’re interested in making your gift go twice as far for people in need of care this Easter, stay tuned for more details to come!

Looking Ahead to 2022

Join Our Family of Monthly Donors

Monthly contributions allow Medical Ministry International to support the global ministry and are an ideal way to help us continue our vital work! Every month, your regular gifts will go directly to the ministry’s greatest need, helping us streamline our resources to provide life-changing care to those who need it most. Will you join our faithful family of monthly donors today?

Setting up your monthly donation is easy! Click “Give Monthly” below to be part of our monthly donor community!