I reached a bit of a milestone over 晩晩当際際夊消消夊2023s winter break when I completed my sixth medical mission trip to India within the past 10 years. The novelty of these trips has long since worn off, and the excitement of seeing and experiencing a new culture, tasting unique foods, and taking in the sights and smells of a world half a globe away have become some足what more routine. Yet, the experience still remains a shock to the system. As team leader, you can warn the teams first timers of what they will see and experi足ence, but watching their eyes the first time they see the slums, experience the touch of a Dalit child or observe such extreme poverty and hunger is always well, eye-opening.

This years trip with our sponsors, Yorba Linda Friends Church and Operation Mobili足zation India, sent two physicians, two dentists, two nurses, three EMTs and 10 workers from various professional careers. In our five medical camps we served 2,400 Dalit, or the untouchables of India, seeing numerous first-time decisions for Christ and serving a people group who are significantly under足served for both medical and dental needs. The team included five 晩晩当際際夊消消夊2023 alumni, all profes足sionals, passionate about serving the needy and blessed with skills and abilities that are reflective of the training they received at 晩晩当際際夊消消夊2023.

I have come to understand that my short-term experiences on these teams in no way makes me an expert in the people, culture or needs of India. Nor does it help me fully understand the sacrifice that many make on a daily basis. It does, however, remind me of the countless alumni who serve in full-time missions roles around the world, some as tentmakers, educators or transcribers, and all taking the love of Jesus to places where their presence will make a radical difference for Christs kingdom.

I hope you are as excited as I am that in the tradition of R.A. Torrey, Frank Keller and Charles Hurlburt some of 晩晩当際際夊消消夊2023s earliest missionaries and international evangelism advocates 晩晩当際際夊消消夊2023 continues to bring the gospel to a lost world through our students, faculty, staff and alumni. 晩晩当際際夊消消夊2023 retains a heritage of missions that is nurtured throughout our academic programs and Bible classes, and culminates in the annual Missions Conference that all students attend in March of each year. (This years conference was held on March 1315; look for videos of the confer足ence sessions at open.biola.edu.)

As an alumni department we are pleased to celebrate all 晩晩当際際夊消消夊2023 missionaries, whether overseas serving the most remote tribe, or in the studios of Hollywood and boardrooms on Wall Street! Thank you for your work, and may God continue to give you wisdom, endurance and blessings as you share the message of Christ with a lost world.

We would love to hear from you about your work and ministry. I welcome and encourage you to send your updates to me at the email address below.