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India Medical Mission Highlights: From Foe to Friend

On day two of the India Medical Mission, after a brief thank-you ceremony led by the village chief and local officials, we encountered a man behaving aggressively towards our volunteer team. Upon further inquiry, we discovered that he was upset because he felt that he hadn’t been informed about the medical mission happening in his community and felt excluded. He threatened to gather people to shut down the medical clinic, returning several times to express his anger. Each time, our team greeted him with smiles and kindness. 

 

Eventually, he decided to get checked by the doctors. He received free medication, eyeglasses, and physiotherapy exercises. By the end of the day, he was filled with gratitude and didn’t want to leave. The man who had initially come to disrupt our medical mission had become one of its most enthusiastic supporters.

This year, GAiN Australia, in collaboration with India Campus Crusade for Christ, had the honour of serving over 5,000 individuals in Tamil Nadu, India, through a series of medical clinics.

Acknowledging the significant gaps in basic healthcare access, we carefully selected 11 locations where medical services are either scarce or unavailable. These camps provided not only vital medical care but also spiritual support, thanks to our dedicated local teams.

India Medical Mission 2024 Highlights From Foe to Friend

Our team, made up of doctors, nurses, pharmacists, and volunteers, offered free consultations across various specialities, including general medicine, ophthalmology, physiotherapy, dermatology, dentistry, gynaecology, and psychological counselling. After their consultations, patients received free medications, eyeglasses, and other necessary medical supplies. An onsite ECG machine also allowed us to diagnose heart conditions in urgent cases. This year, we expanded our services by facilitating cataract surgeries for over 30 individuals. Given the extreme heat, we distributed oral rehydration salts to those in need of hydration support. 

 

Over the two-week mission, we encountered several rare cases, including two instances of polio in children under the age of 10, a highly unusual occurrence. 

Tamil Nadu, known as the "land of Hindu temples," is rich in history and culture, but many of its people live in spiritual darkness. In this environment, we aimed to bring God's light, offering both healing and hope.

Our team made incredible sacrifices to make this mission possible. Many of our doctors, nurses, and medical professionals took leave from their regular jobs to serve. One accountant even left his day job to drive a bus, transporting patients. The passion and dedication of our volunteers were truly unmatched. However, the mission came with its share of challenges.

India Medical Mission 2024 Highlights From Foe to Friend

On day one in Theertham, Tamil Nadu, our medical clinic was set up in a community hall adjacent to a Hindu temple. Throughout the day, a steady flow of people arrived for medical care. The local team had advertised the clinic under the name India Campus Crusade for Christ. Around noon, a bus pulled up and parked in front of the entrance, blocking access. The driver opened all the windows and blasted loud Hindu religious music. We initially thought he would leave soon, but he parked the bus and left, seemingly trying to make a statement. With no way to ask anyone to move the bus or lower the music, this caused great distress to patients, especially those with hypertension and other noise-aggravated conditions. Our team felt helpless—until, miraculously, it began to rain. The driver rushed back to close the windows, turn off the music, and move the bus, allowing us to continue our work.

Our team felt helpless—until, miraculously, it began to rain.

The driver rushed back to close the windows, turn off the music, and move the bus, allowing us to continue our work.

These clinics are a testament to spreading God’s love in some of the most remote areas. None of this would have been possible without the generous support of our donors and partners. We extend our deepest thanks to all who contributed to making this mission a reality. May the seeds of love and faith sown here continue to grow in the lives of those who experienced God’s presence through this work.

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