Guatemala: Medical Teams Making a Difference

Like many young physicians of my generation, I have experienced cynicism as relates to short-term ‘medical service trips’—what the medical literature calls medical mission trips. However, with sanctification and maturity, I began to understand that our skills offer healthcare professionals a unique opportunity to draw people—especially those of under-resourced areas—into evangelistic relationships with local churches and the full-time missionaries working with them.

Thus, I was blessed to join a team from our church to serve with Good Shepherd Ministries (GSM) through Baptists on Mission, in central Guatemala, offering primary care clinics in Uspantan and Nebaj. Our team of twelve joined Vicki Grossman, DNP of GSM, a medical student she supervises, and [Marco Yax] a local clinical psychologist and pastor. Our team saw over 500 people of the local indigenous community, treating a variety of ailments including hypertension, diabetes, gastrointestinal disorders, and degenerative musculoskeletal problems in adults. In children we saw a host of pediatric conditions resulting from poor nutrition. Some of our busiest team members were the two physical therapists who helped our patients with the variety of musculoskeletal problems that result from the hard physical labor of indigenous Guatemalans.

From a medical perspective, Good Shepherd Ministries offers short-term medical teams the opportunity to improve the effectiveness of their clinical efforts. The local churches contact patients needing follow up and refer them to local clinicians. Thus, ongoing care that supports local medical practitioners is a priority. Dr. Grossman reviews the records of clinic interactions to be sure that no patient with worrisome conditions fails to get follow up. Most importantly, the clinics enable the development of connections with local churches that pursue ongoing relationships.

A common question asked of team members on such trips is, “Where do you see God working?” For me, that answer came easily.

The fruit of the Spirit is so very evident in the pastors and members of the churches that hosted our clinics. Their love for their neighbor is evident, as is their grace and humility, their hospitality, joy, and irrepressible desire to see the Gospel spread in their community. To come alongside them and help them in their work was an extraordinary blessing.

Despite the challenges of poverty, poor education, and syncretism with Mayan beliefs, the evangelical church is engaging the indigenous people of central Guatemala and humbly, joyfully, and diligently bringing to them the love of Christ and His hope for this world and for eternity.

– Dr. Randy Peters, Two Cities Church, Winston-Salem NC

Medical teams like the one above serve throughout the year. Teams also enjoy serving at the beautiful Good Shepherd Ministry Center. Whether serving in construction, leadership training, or medical, volunteers have opportunity to visit and meet the children at the Good Shepherd Children’s Home and to host a “family night” for the older youth who live in two cottages near the center. In 2026, construction, medical, and leadership training teams are needed. Pray about being a part of this meaningful ministry!

Learn more here.