Just Say Yes, Period.
All missions requires is a willing heart.
I had a friend who always took pictures. Ever since I knew her, she had a camera in her hand. We met when we were in middle school, so I watched her graduate from little disposable cameras, to cameras that had detachable lenses and settings I couldn’t figure out how to work. I never really asked my friend why she was so interested in photography. It was just her “thing.”
As we grew older, we grew apart. We didn’t have a falling out; we were still friends at heart, but we were never in the same country. My friend, Jamilyn, was constantly traveling the world with her camera. I thought it was so cool that she got to be a photographer and travel the world taking pictures. Once, when she came back for Christmas, we were sitting and talking about her trip to India, I realized that she was not traveling the world as a photographer – she was traveling the world as a missionary. That camera, that thing that was always in her hand, was funding her trips. She would come home to Texas and book photoshoots as the amazing photographer she was, then she would use that money to go wherever she was needed.
Jamilyn went on to create the WC Trading Company at Woodlands Church, in Houston, TX, where patrons can buy handmade gifts, jewelry, home decor, art, textiles and personal accessories made by families who represent the diverse cultures of artisans in Asia, Africa, Latin America, the Middle East and many more. With every purchase, financial margin is created in each participating family, providing consistent nutritious diet, which supports better health, funds to send children to school and expansion of micro businesses.They work hand in hand with local churches to encourage and initiate transformation of lives throughout the regions in which the families reside.
Unfortunately, Jamilyn was not able to see the full impact of her missions as she was involved in a car accident in 2015 in which she did not survive, but her legacy is undeniable. She had no formal missionary training. She didn’t go to seminary for years and years to learn how to reach people. You see, Jamilyn used what was in her hands to impact others in an attempt to change the world for the better. She just did what she already knew how to do, saying “yes” to wherever and whatever she needed.
Missions isn’t about being the most qualified. Missions is about saying “yes” to helping people and bringing about positive change, no matter what’s in the small print. You may think you have to be a doctor or someone with a lot of money to be useful to others in need, but that’s not always the case. Look at the people around you – what do they need that you can give? Can you help someone with their non-profit or organization? Are you teachable and can learn something that you can share with others to help them succeed?
If you have felt even the slightest calling to help others, your “yes” starts with registering for the 2017 M3 Conference at Lakewood Church in Houston, TX, February 17-18, 2017. There, you will be able to hear stories like Jamilyn’s and find more ways to impact others by using what you already have.
Connect with others. Be inspired. Find your mission.
Featured Speaker Dr. Russ White
We have incredible speakers lined up for our 2017 M3 Conference including returning speaker Dr. Russ White, MD, MPH, FACS, FCS (ECSA). Dr. White was born in the Belgian Congo, where his parents worked as medical missionaries. Throughout his graduate school and postgraduate training, Dr. White engaged in volunteer medical work in both the local community and Africa.
Today, Dr. White is the Chief of Surgery and Director of Medical Education at Tenwek Hospital in Kenya. He has been making a positive impact there, including establishing a cardiac surgery program to address the high local incidence of rheumatic heart disease. Come and be inspired by Dr. White and our many other great speakers, who are serving daily to better global healthcare. Learn more about our 2017 speakers.
Everything Begins With Water
Living Water International will be an exhibitor at the M3 Conference 2017.
It’s easy to take access to safe water for granted. We generally think of it as the safest, and sometimes, least desired option when we are thirsty, but many times we don’t realize just what water does for us – and how many people lack access to clean water.
Not only does water need to be safe for us to drink, it needs to be safe for us to sanitize everything from food to medical tools and supplies, and to farm fresh crops to feed our communities. Think of the consequences of not having safe water to drink, but also having to risk undergoing medical procedures with tools that were treated with the same contaminated water. Additionally, in countries with little to no access to safe water, people cannot attend school, work, or perform other everyday functions because they have become ill from drinking contaminated water.
That’s why one of our 2017 Mobilizing Medical Missions (M3) Conference exhibitors, Living Water International, exists. Following the belief that the Church should take an active leadership role in promoting safe water, sanitation, and hygiene services, Living Water witnesses to communities by showing people that they care enough to go where they are and provide access to clean water and education resources about staying healthy in their environments.
Living Water International has been helping communities gain first-time access to clean water for more than 25 years through various means: Be it hand pumps, rain catchment systems, taps, or protected springs, Living Water representatives go into communities and not only establish access, but also empower communities to maintain their water supply by educating them on sanitation and maintenance procedures.
Since its inception in 1990, Living Water has completed more than 17,000 water projects around the world. Hundreds of volunteers go on mission trips each year, working with local communities and national leaders, to implement water projects and train locals to maintain clean water supplies so they will no longer have to worry about contaminated water harming their personal health and livelihoods.
Join Living Water and many more exhibitors at M3 Conference at Lakewood Church in Houston, TX, February 17-18, 2017. Register today to save your place!
Connect with others. Be inspired. Find your mission.
The Source for Women – Impacting Houston
We are so excited to highlight one of our amazing sponsors of the upcoming 2017 M3 Conference. The Source for Women, presented by Houston’s First Baptist Church, promotes health and wellness by delivering holistic reproductive healthcare services and support to the women of Houston regardless of insurance or job status. Their team of professionals serve as personal advocates to facilitate medical services, counseling, education, mentorship, and materials assistance. The Source is making a tangible difference in the lives of women, right here in our local community and across the greater Houston area. Learn more about The Source for Women or about becoming a sponsor/exhibitor here.