Puerta Vallarta, Mexico Mission Trip

I recently had the privilege to travel with HealthCare Ministries to the Mexican state of Jalisco, along the Pacific Ocean. Headquartered in Springfield, Missouri, HealthCare Ministries sponsors medical missions worldwide throughout the year. Their goal is to minister to both the physical and spiritual needs in the disadvantaged regions of our world.


Our medical team was made up of optometrists, medical doctors, nurses, pharmacists, support personnel, and of course dental professionals. This time we set up our clinic at Dulce Refugio, meaning “Sweet Refuge”, which was an open air church, surrounded with a garden-like setting in a very poor area of Puerto Vallarta.


The church consisted of a main meeting area with a dirt floor and a blue tarp covering overhead, surrounded by a walled perimeter, so typical of Mexican city lots. The church property had a gravel area, some grassy sections and a couple of small covered one-room buildings. The optometry section of our clinic was located at the main meeting area, on the dirt floor. It was here that all the various glasses were sorted and ready for patients in need of vision correction. The medical section, nearby in the gravel area, was created by setting up small relatively private cubicle areas, using premade cloth curtains hung from wires. Both the dentistry and pharmacy sections got the choice areas – the small covered buildings.


Our dental team consisted of a dental hygienist named Ada, from New York, myself, two support personnel, Cindy and Brian, and our Spanish interpreter, Ana from El Calvario. We had a sufficient amount of supplies and equipment, including modified lawn chairs which served as patient dental chairs. Our portable dental department welcomed about 120 patients during the week, for cleanings, exams and surgical extractions. More patient needs can be met with oral surgery procedures, which is why no fillings were offered.


Overall, our entire clinic saw approximately 1200 patients, all of whom were very grateful for the free medical and dental treatment, the eyeglasses, and pharmacy provided medicines and vitamins.


During our week of ministry, we were able to pray with individuals for their earthy needs – family, work, and financial matters. But more importantly, we were able to pray with them for their eternal needs. Our earthy needs are mentioned in the Bible where is says, “What does it profit a man (or woman) if he gains the entire world, but loses his soul?” (Matthew 16:26). And in John 3:16 it is written that “God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son (Jesus Christ) that whosoever should believe on Him should not perish but have eternal life”. Because of God’s great love for us, it is His desire that all people should come into the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ. It is a personal choice and God will not force us into it. Yet, without eternal life through Jesus, there is eternal separation from God.


We were overjoyed that over 350 individuals in Col El Calvario made the choice of eternal life through Jesus. In the Bible eternal life with God is described as spectacular, beyond our wildest imaginations as compared to what we have on earth. The Word says that “eye has not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man the things which God has prepared for them that love Him.” (I Corinthinas 2:9).


All in all, our medical team had a very successful missionary outreach to the Mexican people of Puerto Vallarta. Our team was very blessed to work in unity with others, whether local interpreters, host missionaries or members of the Dulce Refugio church, as we ministered to so many people of El Calvario.


The Bible describes this life as a vapor which quickly disappears. Our life could also be compared to sand castles that can quickly be washed back out to sea, such as the ones one the beaches of Puerto Vallarta.


So, as you reflect on your life here on earth, and the many blessings we enjoy in our country, may you also consider heavenly blessings that have been prepared for you through Jesus Christ.


Sincerely,

Dr. John A. Johnson