Today we’d like to introduce you to Bradley Edmondson
Hi Bradley, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
A little over twenty years ago, my wife and I were working with a very rural and economically depressed community in Southeast Alabama. We were very involved in offering healthcare, education, and social stability to minority groups living in our small town. As a result, the owner of a local hospital asked if we would be willing to travel with a medical missions team to the jungle region of Satipo, Peru.
This was our first exposure to medicine outside the United States. The needs were overwhelming. The desperation was evident. Patients had walked for days through the jungle after hearing about our visiting medical team on the radio. We worked with local healthcare officials, as well as, leaders from the faith community. We left changed. That small jungle community marked our heart.
The next year, the owner of the hospital would sponsor us to travel to another remote village, but this time in Zamora, Ecuador. Imagine our surprise when some patients came into our clinics with a pet monkey, a sloth, a jaguar, and even a python. It was quite the unique medical clinic! Over all close to 3,000 patients ended up visiting our clinics. Again, our hearts had a hard time processing all that we had experienced.
At this point, I need to tell you that my wife and I are very committed to our faith in God. We believe all things happen for a purpose and most of the time that purpose is so we can know God better and make Him known. We began to spend way more time in prayer asking for wisdom and guidance- all centered around these missional opportunities He had given us. It didn’t take long for us to know with certainty that we were destined to spend our life serving in this capacity. By the next summer, we had reached out to friends in the healthcare sector and challenged them to join us working in a city located in the Dominican Republic. We endeavored to organize and lead this whole trip ourselves, mimicking what we had done in our previous trips. We partnered with a childhood friend that had moved to the DR to start a church, small school, and rescue center for victims of human trafficking. By the end of the trip, it was concrete, this was it! Our life calling! We returned to the US, resigned from our jobs and launched Medical Missions Outreach.
What started out as short-term episodic clinics held in under-served communities within under-developed countries has now blossomed into medical, dental, surgical, physical therapy, public health education, and soul care (medically informed spiritual counseling). From a handful of friends traveling together, to more than 650 professionals and volunteers from all over America and Canada. From one or two countries a year to more than 22 teams serving in 12-14 countries annually. We have been blessed to build an amazing surgical center in Central America offering orthopedic, gynecological, general, and podiatric surgeries (and hopefully soon cataract surgery too). We are planning the next permanent clinics to be women’s health facilities. Our female patients can be our most marginalized patient population globally. Often lacking resources, education, proper healthcare facilities, and even basic rights for a better quality of life. We seek to partner with both local and American medical professionals to provide the clinics, while also partnering with local faith leaders to minister to their spiritual needs. Thus, treating the whole person- body, mind, and soul.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
As with most non-profit organizations, limited financial resources and limited personnel are always a challenge when working in impoverished areas. So many people to help and so little time! Government bureaucracies make helping more difficult by limiting access to needy areas.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
We are a faith based non-profit organization specializing in healthcare for the underserved all over the world. Annually, we serve in 15-18 countries providing medical, dental, surgical, optical, physical therapy, public health education, and mental health counseling to approximately 25,000-30,000 patients.
Can you talk to us a bit about happiness and what makes you happy?
I love meeting people, learning about other cultures, languages, and trying different foods. The real joy comes from being able to meet needs others may have using the resources I feel God has given me. A byproduct of my position is also facilitating volunteers from around the US & Canada to serve others in need. Treating our patients with dignity and respect regardless of race, social/economic standing, religion, or education- while offering ethical, compassionate care truly brings a deep joy. I consider it one of the greatest privileges of my life to serve with Medical Missions Outreach (MMO).
Pricing:
- Anywhere in Central America (all inclusive of flights, hotel, transportation, food, and some tourist activities) – $2,150
- Anywhere in South America (all inclusive of flights, hotel, transportation, food, and some tourist activities) – $2,950
- Anywhere in Africa or Asia (all inclusive of flights, hotel, transportation, food, and some tourist activities) – $3,750
- Anywhere in Eastern Europe (all inclusive of flights, hotel, transportation, food, and some tourist activities) – $3,250
Contact Info:
- Website: https://medical-outreach.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/medmissnoutrch?igsh=MWxvNzNudTQyajRjeQ%3D%3D&utm_source=qr
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MedicalMissionsOutreach
Image Credits
All pictures were taken with patient’s consent and are property of Medical Missions Outreach.
