STATEMENT 4: NURTURING RELATIONSHIPS

Statement 4 may be the most difficult aspect of cross-cultural healthcare ministry to get right. I have found in my 11 years serving in Guatemala that the clash of cultures is a major factor in failed “partnerships” since few take the time to carefully craft and care for their long term partnership/relationship with majority world hosts. And this despite the fact that is an abundance of reading available on how to really do Christian networking and partnership right. See the resources tab @ Health for All Nations. 
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Here then is statement #4 regarding best practices in global health missions:
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We will nurture relationships without fostering dependency.

• People don’t care how much we know until they know how much we care!
• We will share knowledge with the in-country health professions with whom we work in those areas where they have requested learning opportunities. And we likewise will seek to receive knowledge from them. (Capacity Building)
• We will honor our hosts by using safe and effective local equipment and procedures whenever we can. (Appropriate Technology)
• Point to the Biblical God and historical Jesus first, not our materialistic life-styles, Western model of medicine, United States, etc
• No junk for Jesus

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There is perhaps no more important statement in this entire series. It is rare indeed to find a team of healthcare professionals from a Western nation that truly understands how to create a unique and biblical culture within their partnership such that the leaders from the majority world side of the partnership feel as equals and that their opinions and ideas are given highest priority. This is not easy work and can be frustrating for both partners in the relationship. This is why it is critical to also put much emphasis on statement #3. There must be a dedicated champion on each side of the relationship is thoroughly trained in cross-cultural work and who is an excellent communicator. Can you think of other points that could be added to this list?? ​