On Sept. 17-18, 2023, Seventh-day Adventist churches in southern Texas held a Mega Health Clinic for the Rio Grande area bordering Mexico. The free community event served thousands, thanks to brilliant logistics, generous local resources, and 20 physicians recruited from other states. The clinicians provided excellent medical services and treated those coming to the clinic with warmth and respect. Approximately 500 trained volunteers wore t-shirts identifying themselves as Volunteers: Happy to Help.
Even before sunrise on opening day, a line of people gathered at the convention center in McAllen, Texas, waiting patiently for the doors to open.
Inside, the clinic staff gathered at 7 a.m. for an inspirational devotional by Jose Luis Cabrera, pastor of the McAllen Spanish North and Pharr Spanish Seventh-day Adventist churches and coordinator for the Valley area Seventh-day Adventist church pastors. Physician Dona Cooper-Dockery, who served as medical coordinator for the Mega Health Clinic, gave final instructions for the day. Mike Peña, McAllen Infinite Life Seventh-day Adventist Church pastor and associate coordinator for the Valley area Seventh-day Adventist church pastors, interpreted for the English-speaking volunteers in attendance.
At 7:30 a.m., students who had previously attended healthy cooking courses by Cooper-Dockery received graduation certificates. It was rewarding to see young people in various branches of medicine getting ready to give their time and service.
As promised, the large convention doors opened at 8 a.m. As guests entered the building, they were greeted by ushers as well as inspiring music, including “I am Unbreakable.” Hallways were decorated with banners featuring eight natural remedies: sunshine, trust, water, temperance, rest, exercise, fresh air, and nutrition.
Medical benefits offered throughout the two days included dental, vision, general consultation, lab, blood donation, x-rays, massages, and weight management. The visitors also appreciated the gifts of vegan food samples, free clothes, and spiritual guidance.
Around 9 a.m., drivers in decorated vehicles paraded around the convention center to promote the eight natural remedies. They came from neighboring cities, along the way sharing flyers that promoted the Mega Health Clinic. In a side contest, judges rated each decorated vehicle for creativity, relevance, and church identity.
At noon, a torrential downpour covered the valley, causing damage to a compressor for dental services; however, that didn’t stop the joy of serving so many people!
“I applaud our Seventh-day Adventist church members in south Texas for their ingenuity to reach people in their area,” Ismael Castillo, vice president for Hispanic Ministries & Spanish Evangelism for the Texas Conference of Seventh-day Adventists, said. “They are meeting the needs of those around them while sharing a peace and hope that is available to everyone.”
Approximately 1,500 people received free specialized medical care, and at least 2,260 people accepted new clothes and toiletries. Clinic participants were also invited to attend one of the “Unbreakable” meetings held at 32 Seventh-day Adventist churches in the area. At the location closest to their home address, each individual could also pick up their lab test results and choose from among 600 new pairs of glasses.
“It was a pleasure to visit the Mega Health Clinic in the valley,” Elton DeMoraes, president of the Texas Conference of Seventh-day Adventists, remarked. “It was incredible to see all of the volunteers willing to serve. Our churches decorated their vehicles creatively to promote health remedies and the free clinic. I pray for our church members’ continued connections with those served.”
The Seventh-day Adventist Church once again became a beacon of blessing to its community as an extension of the healing ministry of our Lord Jesus Christ.
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By Sergio Rodriguez Corona, Hispanic Ministries & Spanish Evangelism associate director for the Texas Conference of Seventh-day Adventists.
