4 Lessons I Learned from Medical Missions

About the Author

My Name is Brooke Fulmore. As a disciple of Christ, I am committed to growing in His image and living out my faith daily. For the past nine years, I've shared a beautiful journey with my spouse, and together we are raising two lively and wonderful boys. Growing up in Orlando, FL, as one of six siblings, family has always been at the heart of my life. My greatest joy comes from spending time with loved ones and watching my boys thrive and smile.

From high school, I knew I wanted to help people, though I wasn’t sure exactly how. I was drawn to healthcare and initially considered becoming a nurse. After researching and praying, I chose Health Service Administration because I wanted to be involved in making decisions that impact vulnerable populations. In 2011, I began volunteering with World Hope, and soon after, signed up for a mission trip to Nairobi, Kenya.

Excited to work in their annual medical clinic, I was asked to assist in its preparation and was connected with Theresa Hugill, ARNP and former Clinic Coordinator. I eagerly met with her regularly to learn everything I could. The experience was invaluable, and I continued meeting with Theresa for several years. However, nothing could have prepared me for the lessons God would teach me over the next decade, as I became the lead Clinic Coordinator.

Lesson 1: God is in Control

The first lesson I learned was that I had very little control—God had all the control. I remember that first year, frantically reviewing my notes and realizing I’d forgotten some important items. I was in the storage room at the Hope Center in Nairobi, doing a quick inventory with the pharmacist, and kept saying, "I forgot this." Each time, he’d respond, "You mean this?" and hold up exactly what I needed. It happened several times. In that moment, I felt the Lord say, "This is my clinic." God wanted the clinic to succeed even more than I did. He’s the ultimate provider, ensuring we had everything necessary, even when I worried.

A lot has changed since then, including the clinic’s approval process by the Nairobi government. I’d be lying if I said I no longer worry—I still do. This past year brought uncertainties and added stress, but I was reminded once again that God is in control. I’m so thankful for His grace. We might think we have the know-how and tools to get the job done, but God gently reminds us how much we need Him.

Lesson 2: Be the Hands and Feet

Each year, God shapes a unique clinic based on the travelers and the services they bring. We've welcomed participants from all walks of life—teachers, dentists, and more—united by one purpose: to be the hands and feet of Jesus. People come from around the world to serve a community in need of love, compassion, and kindness. While we strive to see as many people as possible, our goal goes beyond numbers. We aim to understand the bigger purpose: showing God's love and helping others encounter the ultimate healer, Jesus.

Lesson 3: The Importance of Community Partnerships

The first mistake when entering a foreign country is thinking you know better. It's essential to learn from and follow the guidance of local community leaders. For over a decade, we've worked alongside the same local physicians, and for the past five years, we've partnered with the government-run free clinic. This collaboration has been vital in serving the community more effectively, as it allows us to combine efforts and share resources to meet needs beyond what our clinic alone can provide. In urgent cases, we refer patients to the clinic for immediate care like IV hydration, and for those needing follow-ups or lab work, we ensure they are connected to the appropriate services.

Working together also helps address resource shortages, such as the local clinic’s struggle to obtain medications. To support this, we donate all remaining medications before we leave, ensuring they are safely prescribed and nothing is wasted. This shared commitment to pooling resources strengthens our impact and ensures that the community receives the best possible care.

Lesson 4: Compassion

When I think about compassion, I’m reminded of the story of Jesus feeding the 5,000 (Matthew 14:13-21). Faced with a crowd desperate to hear from Him, Jesus could have sent them all home. Instead, He chose to show compassion by performing a miracle and feeding them. Similarly, at the clinic, everyone who comes through our doors is desperate for physical healing. Each person brings a unique story—some have taken time off work, others have traveled long distances. The stories are endless, and it’s difficult at times not to be deeply moved by them.

I remember in the early years feeling frustrated when people continued to arrive after we had closed the clinic doors for the day. I was focused on the schedule, making sure we boarded the bus on time. The crowds seemed never-ending, and I was so preoccupied with maintaining our supplies and staying on schedule that I overlooked the individual needs of those entering the clinic.

Over time, I learned to balance the number of people we could serve each day, knowing that some might have to return the next day for their medications. This often meant they’d have to take another day off work or that a child would miss another day of school—where for many, the school meal was the only guaranteed food of the day.

The more I understood the realities faced by the community we serve, the more my compassion deepened, allowing me to lead in the way God intended.

Conclusion

Life is a journey, and every experience shapes the person we become. I recently read a book that said, "Every detail we experience matters to our future." When we realize that God is in control and surrender to that, we find freedom and learn to trust Him. Each of us has a unique purpose, tailored to our God-given abilities. There is beauty in these transformative beginnings. When God calls us to a task, it may not be because we've arrived at a place of readiness, but rather because He intends to shape and transform us into the person needed for the job. So, if you feel God is calling you to something beyond your current capability, take heart—you’re in good company.