Several times people have asked me “why do you go to other countries to take care of people when there are so many here at home that need care too?” My standard answer had always been that the government and the red tape would be too much.  It would be too hard. Trying to set up such a mission group in the United States and providing free medical care would be a bureaucratic nightmare. Then Late in 2019 God showed me in the middle of the night through a dream, one of my mission teams working in a St. Louis homeless shelter.  When I awoke my mind was racing! But of course my initial reaction was what it always had been, “No way could it happen, it would be too hard.”  Then in a soft but stern voice I heard God ask me “are you saying it is too hard for me?” That literally left me shaking. I realized that I was hindering God with my limitations rather than trusting God and following his call. I woke up my wife Brandy and told her what had happened, we prayed together and she said “ok then, what do we need to do?” Several phone calls later a board of directors was established and Footsteps Medical Missions, Inc. was put into motion. We have legally became incorporated, are federally registered as a “Not for Profit Organization” and have a 7-member board of directors that I truly believe was picked by God.  

Now there are times when God says be still and wait on me, and there are times when God says have faith and move forward. We had a team all primed and ready to go to Jamaica. Along comes COVID-19, all of our planning and preparation was for naught when we felt we needed to cancel this year's trip. Sadly I had to break the news to 24 team members that we were canceling the trip, and the airlines had cancelled our flights. Several questions were raised like “when can we reschedule?” and “what else can we do?” It was during this time that each board member had the same conviction of “what are you waiting for?” So we started pushing forward to plan our first “Domestic Medical Mission” in Missouri.  

We are still in the planning stages, but we feel confident that we can have a team up and running, and have scheduled our first mission trip this fall. We are in prayer about the location of the first trip and what services will be available. We have looked to groups such as Smiles of Hope and Remote Medical Access for guidance in the organization of this group.  There are MANY legal hoops to jump through, and the red tape IS a nightmare, but we trust that God will pave the way. Satan is already attacking this group, but we trust that our God is stronger than anything Satan can set up to try and stop us!  

The basic organization of the team will mimic the international teams we have taken in the past.  We are planning a registration area, triage, medical provider, dental provider, vision provider, and possibly a hearing aid station. We have also envisioned stations such as Foot care, Hair cuts, Shower stations, food and clothing pantries, and anything else that opens up when God brings someone to us offering their gifts and talents to Glorify Him! The most important station as always will be Hospitality.  This will be their final stop where they will be given a Bible, basic hygiene products, and a one on one witnessing about Jesus.  This is what will separate us from humanitarian groups.  All through every station the team members will be telling patients about Jesus, what He has done for us, and what He can do for them.  

Our initial target area are rural areas that are very short on health care. There are so many rural, impoverished areas right here in Missouri that I feel there will be no shortage in the need of what we have to offer. Each location will be chosen with prayer.  Then there will be extensive planning and preparation  for the trip. Advertising, connecting with the local health care providers, and pharmacies to try and arrange for prescription coverage. Also with local churches to establish site setup, and provide people with a place to follow up for their spiritual needs.  Possibly teaming up with local food pantries, and clothes closets.  Seeing what services are already available in these areas.  

We will see everyone that comes. There will be no charges for services.  No insurance billing, no reimbursement for services. Truly providing them health care for the opportunity to tell them about Jesus.  

This will be no small task. Our initial start up costs for Mobile Basic Health, and Dental clinics will be around $40,000.  To reach what we hope to become as a Mobile clinic that can set up and function anywhere will be in excess of $200,000. Our annual operating costs will vary tremendously depending on what services we provide, how many patients we have at each clinic, and how many clinics we have per year. Yes this is a very daunting undertaking, and yes there will be a tremendous amount of bureaucratic red tape. However I truly feel this is a calling from God. God will not call us to do something and then not provide for it.  This will also not replace the international trips we do as we have already scheduled our 2021 trip to Jamaica.

Thank you for taking the time to hear about what God is doing through Footsteps Medical Missions, Inc. Thank you for any support that you can provide.