The Medical & Dental Mission of the Church of God (Seventh Day) conducted its first mission at Chiapas, Mexico, but its roots began earlier.  In 2000 several American medical personnel—including a couple of SHINE team members—were involved in a medical clinic organized by a group in Mexico.  The mission team as it is known today, however, didn’t form until 2005, close to a year prior to conducting the first mission in Chiapas Mexico.

 

Even before this, though, a single event in Aguascalientes, Mexico, had spearheaded the formation of a mission: a newborn baby boy in Aguascalientes needed immediate heart surgery in order to survive.  Brothers of the parents quickly sprang into action to make this surgery possible.  Living in Sacramento, CA, Ernesto and Ruben Frausto began raising money through their churches and schools (where they worked).  CoG7 brethren in both the Sacramento and Mexico City areas assisted the young couple through their son’s successful heart surgery.

Following this, Brother Ernesto Frausto began to focus on James 1:22—“but be doers of the word and not hearers only.”  This thought kept coming back—be doers.  Perhaps a medical mission to help poor people in Mexico should be formed?

He began praying.  Ruben Frausto and others joined him in prayer.  A group of people in the Sacramento area began praying and working together; funds were painstakingly raised through offering breakfasts, dinners, and other events.  Dr. Eduardo Bermudez joined the group.  The father of the baby boy, now a dentist, offered to supply the team with dentists.  Plans developed more.

In April, 2006, the group traveled to Chiapas, Mexico, and offered several days of medical and dental clinics.  Nearly 700 patients were seen and treated.  A 7-year-old girl with a malignant tumor in one eye received follow-up treatment for removal of the tumor—and eye—which took care of the cancer and made her appearance normal.

It began as a one-time mission, and still it continues.  Three years later the name SHINE was chosen as its name—Serving Him In Nations Everywhere.

Lessons have been learned, changes have been made for improvements, and SHINE has gradually become known as one of the CoG7 missions.  God has been good.