Searching for Significance

Some have said that mid-life crisis is the switch from a search for success to a search for significance. We would agree. Why else would a surgeon-entrepeneur and an accountant stop chasing the "good life" in a hope to find a way of living where "Well done, good and faithful servant" is the highest reward?

Since his retirement in December of 1997 from the position of the senior partner of his general surgical practice, Bruce and Micky have spent much of each year as short-term missionaries with the goal of serving God by serving career missionaries. Bruce gives both medical and administrative help and Micky uses her experience as an accountant/controller to help wherever they are called to go.

On The Field

As volunteers under the auspices of World Medical Mission, the medical arm of Samaritan's Purse, we usually serve for periods of one to six months, using our blend of abilities to provide help where we are needed. We think we serve the Lord best when we serve the men and women who are career missionaries.

In the relatively short time we are there, we cannot always learn much of the language or help the nationals as much as we would like, but we can help the missionaries to allow them to take a break from their duties, to get continuing medical education, to return to the States for important matters, or simply to let them know that they are appreciated. By applying whatever modest skills and talents we may have, we may remove some of the stress of living in a different culture and let them know that we care and appreciate their efforts. Always, we try to live and work in such a way that Jesus Christ is honored and the good news is presented.

Stateside Ministry

We also strive to communicate to the folks back home what the life and frustrations faced by our missionaries is like. The SteffeScope is written weekly while we are on the field and more sporadically the rest of the year. Please subscribe if you would like to get the e-mail version.

We've recently completed the Handbook for Short-Term Medical Missionaries; this new resource is designed to help the short-term medical missionary with all of the questions and concerns that we faced too. It's not just for short-termers, and it's not just for medical folks. If you or someone you know is serving overseas, this book can be an asset to your library. It has been published by ABWE Publishing and is available for $30.

Expore our web site - there is information about where we are, where we might be going next and where we have been. We are always willing to also talk to your church or group when we're stateside. If we can be of assistance to you, please e-mail us and we will communicate as soon as spotty telephone service and slow baud rates in the Third World will allow.