Endorsements

Whether providing surgical care for the poor or counseling survivors of disasters, YWAM Tyler’s MercyWorks has one goal: to demonstrate the compassionate love of Christ and lead people into a personal relationship with Him.
Franklin Graham
President
Samaritan’s Purse
When I went to Sri Lanka after the tsunami, I knew that I had to go; that this wasn’t one of the times when I was to pray and send money. I simply had to be there. Since I wasn’t medical personnel, I found myself completely in a support role on this trip. I helped with keeping patients in line and then helped direct to the nurses, from the nurses to the doctors, and from the doctors to the pharmacy. I tried to always be kind, to smile, and to touch them gently.
On the second part of the trip I mostly worked in the pharmacy, and I felt I was able to really be part of the medical effort by counting pills and helping fill prescriptions each day. Although I did hug a few precious people and tried to absorb their many losses, still my part was as a background support worker. At the end of the trip, I felt confident that I was a part of what the group had done, and I helped shine the Light that the group was able to shine through this medical work. It was an amazing experience to be part of MercyWorks’ relief efforts.
Terri Thompson
Sri Lanka
I was able to use my nursing on the field in so many ways. Never have I loved something so much as being on the mission field! Of course I would go on another and another trip! I feel lost if I am not able to go. I get very “homesick” for the great friends that I have made on trips.
Bonnie Maki, L.P.N.
Bangladesh
As a family physician, I was excited to join the MercyWorks team with my wife as we reached out to some of the suffering Sri Lankans after the devastating tsunami. The people were some of the most pleasant and gracious I have ever met.
I would join another MercyWorks team any time I am available and they ask me; their expertise in advance planning and handling the trip details made it easy to go to a third world country. The bonding with other Christians on the team was a priceless treasure! Their obvious love for the Lord and His hurting people inspired me. My prayer is that I can join a team again on their outreach.
Dr. Joe Finley, M.D.
Family Practitioner
Sri Lanka
I am a “jack of all trades.” While working in Gulfport, when the chainsaws broke or the chains became dull, I was able to repair them and keep them running. I helped repair roofs and put on plastic tarps. I helped at food distribution centers—many hands are always needed to empty trucks, move supplies, clean up, give away supplies, and witness. Always be prepared to give an account of the hope that lies within!
I am unable to out-give God. I go on mission trips to give to those who cannot give anything in return. But I am always greatly humbled by the many blessings given back to me.
Howard Hull, P.A.
Gulfport, MS
I was a 4th year medical student for our medical outreach to Kazakhstan. I was able to apply my new medical skills practically at a young age to help others, which was exciting.
I learned how God uses medicine to attract a wide variety of people. While I was interacting with patients, my teammates were sharing the Gospel to those standing in lines. God revealed to me how medicine can be used as a powerful outreach tool. I received a calling to continue doing medical missions in the future.
The staff I worked with were awesome and encouraging. Their experience in going on trips was insightful and comforting. I liked the focus to share the Gospel and work with the native people, pastors, and missionaries who are there full-time.
Dr. Mark Bai, M.D.
Kazakhstan
The team that went was definitely hand-picked by God. Everyone had so much love for the Lord and they all worked very hard and worked together so well as a team to share that love with the people of El Salvador. There was less of me and more of Him.
Karen Youngblood, R.N.
El Salvador
Giving up a couple weeks of income, home, family, and activities with friends is a very small investment for huge returns! I am so glad I went with MercyWorks on a medical missions trip to a predominantly Muslim community. Seeing the needs of the people with very few physical resources helped me see how spoiled I have been in my culture. And then seeing the joy and appreciation in the eyes of those we reached out to made every “inconvenience” and “sacrifice” more than worth it all! I think I received more personally than I gave.
Marcy Yoder, R.N.
The Gambia
I was able to use my training as a Biblical Counselor to minister to women and children who were suffering from depression due to disasters, famine, and abuse. I was able to do what the Lord wanted me to do with encouragement from the team. Many times I would look up to see the faces of my teammates also doing His work. I felt so wonderful that the entire team was functioning together as a unit. Never did I feel I was given trivial jobs just to keep me busy, or that I was not part of the team just because I was a “general volunteer.” MercyWorks has always made me feel like I am needed and have a place in their ministry.
I so enjoy going with MercyWorks because they do not have their agenda in mind, but the Lord’s. The teams that I have been on do not boast in an agenda, but in His work. God receives all the glory, not man.
Sandy Deike
Sri Lanka
Our clinic was a bunch of tents crammed together in a tropical jungle of palm trees and makeshift roads. We saw about 80 patients in four hours. I saw about 20—the number I usually see in a 10-hour shift. We got a heartfelt welcome and heard touching stories from those who had lost everything and everyone to the tsunami. We offered medicine, prayers, and hope to the survivors.
The Sri Lankan people were a blessing. They said thank you any way they could. We were sweltering in the heat, seeing patient after patient. Some of the village leaders brought us coconuts, cut open and served with a straw. Afterwards I learned this is a custom reserved for government officials and religious leaders. I was honored to be so highly esteemed. I could already tell that we were laying the foundation for God to do something huge with these people and the church where we worked.
Ben Busch, D.O.
Sri Lanka

Whether providing surgical care for the poor or counseling survivors of disasters, YWAM Tyler’s MercyWorks has one goal: to demonstrate the compassionate love of Christ and lead people into a personal relationship with Him.

Franklin Graham
President
Samaritan’s Purse


When I went to Sri Lanka after the tsunami, I knew that I had to go; that this wasn’t one of the times when I was to pray and send money. I simply had to be there. Since I wasn’t medical personnel, I found myself completely in a support role on this trip. I helped with keeping patients in line and then helped direct to the nurses, from the nurses to the doctors, and from the doctors to the pharmacy. I tried to always be kind, to smile, and to touch them gently.

On the second part of the trip I mostly worked in the pharmacy, and I felt I was able to really be part of the medical effort by counting pills and helping fill prescriptions each day. Although I did hug a few precious people and tried to absorb their many losses, still my part was as a background support worker. At the end of the trip, I felt confident that I was a part of what the group had done, and I helped shine the Light that the group was able to shine through this medical work. It was an amazing experience to be part of MercyWorks’ relief efforts.

Terri Thompson
Sri Lanka

I was able to use my nursing on the field in so many ways. Never have I loved something so much as being on the mission field! Of course I would go on another and another trip! I feel lost if I am not able to go. I get very “homesick” for the great friends that I have made on trips.

Bonnie Maki, L.P.N.
Bangladesh

As a family physician, I was excited to join the MercyWorks team with my wife as we reached out to some of the suffering Sri Lankans after the devastating tsunami. The people were some of the most pleasant and gracious I have ever met.

I would join another MercyWorks team any time I am available and they ask me; their expertise in advance planning and handling the trip details made it easy to go to a third world country. The bonding with other Christians on the team was a priceless treasure! Their obvious love for the Lord and His hurting people inspired me. My prayer is that I can join a team again on their outreach.

Dr. Joe Finley, M.D.
Family Practitioner
Sri Lanka

I am a “jack of all trades.” While working in Gulfport, when the chainsaws broke or the chains became dull, I was able to repair them and keep them running. I helped repair roofs and put on plastic tarps. I helped at food distribution centers—many hands are always needed to empty trucks, move supplies, clean up, give away supplies, and witness. Always be prepared to give an account of the hope that lies within!

I am unable to out-give God. I go on mission trips to give to those who cannot give anything in return. But I am always greatly humbled by the many blessings given back to me.

Howard Hull, P.A.
Gulfport, MS

I was a 4th year medical student for our medical outreach to Kazakhstan. I was able to apply my new medical skills practically at a young age to help others, which was exciting.

I learned how God uses medicine to attract a wide variety of people. While I was interacting with patients, my teammates were sharing the Gospel to those standing in lines. God revealed to me how medicine can be used as a powerful outreach tool. I received a calling to continue doing medical missions in the future.

The staff I worked with were awesome and encouraging. Their experience in going on trips was insightful and comforting. I liked the focus to share the Gospel and work with the native people, pastors, and missionaries who are there full-time.

Dr. Mark Bai, M.D.
Kazakhstan

The team that went was definitely hand-picked by God. Everyone had so much love for the Lord and they all worked very hard and worked together so well as a team to share that love with the people of El Salvador. There was less of me and more of Him.

Karen Youngblood, R.N.
El Salvador

Giving up a couple weeks of income, home, family, and activities with friends is a very small investment for huge returns! I am so glad I went with MercyWorks on a medical missions trip to a predominantly Muslim community. Seeing the needs of the people with very few physical resources helped me see how spoiled I have been in my culture. And then seeing the joy and appreciation in the eyes of those we reached out to made every “inconvenience” and “sacrifice” more than worth it all! I think I received more personally than I gave.

Marcy Yoder, R.N.
The Gambia

I was able to use my training as a Biblical Counselor to minister to women and children who were suffering from depression due to disasters, famine, and abuse. I was able to do what the Lord wanted me to do with encouragement from the team. Many times I would look up to see the faces of my teammates also doing His work. I felt so wonderful that the entire team was functioning together as a unit. Never did I feel I was given trivial jobs just to keep me busy, or that I was not part of the team just because I was a “general volunteer.” MercyWorks has always made me feel like I am needed and have a place in their ministry.

I so enjoy going with MercyWorks because they do not have their agenda in mind, but the Lord’s. The teams that I have been on do not boast in an agenda, but in His work. God receives all the glory, not man.

Sandy Deike
Sri Lanka

Our clinic was a bunch of tents crammed together in a tropical jungle of palm trees and makeshift roads. We saw about 80 patients in four hours. I saw about 20—the number I usually see in a 10-hour shift. We got a heartfelt welcome and heard touching stories from those who had lost everything and everyone to the tsunami. We offered medicine, prayers, and hope to the survivors.

The Sri Lankan people were a blessing. They said thank you any way they could. We were sweltering in the heat, seeing patient after patient. Some of the village leaders brought us coconuts, cut open and served with a straw. Afterwards I learned this is a custom reserved for government officials and religious leaders. I was honored to be so highly esteemed. I could already tell that we were laying the foundation for God to do something huge with these people and the church where we worked.

Ben Busch, D.O.
Sri Lanka