Missions Matter Newsletter – May 2026
FROM THE DESK OF
Executive Director, Dan Mauer
May 2026
Happy May — and welcome to the latest edition of Mission Matters!
There’s a lot of exciting momentum building at Medical Missions Foundation!
Our team recently returned from a successful medical medical mission to San Lucas Tolimán, where lives were changed and hope was restored through compassionate care. From life-changing surgeries to meaningful patient connections, the impact of this mission was amazing. Read more below.
With so much happening at Medical Missions Foundation, it’s impossible to capture every story in one place. That’s why I encourage you to stay connected through our social media platforms and website blog. There, you’ll find uplifting stories, behind-the-scenes glimpses, volunteer spotlights, and real-time updates that bring you closer to the heart of our mission.
Together, we’re making a difference—one patient, one mission, and one story at a time.
We are truly fortunate to have an incredible group of dedicated volunteers at Medical Missions Foundation, and their unwavering commitment to the communities we serve is truly inspiring.
Each month, we aim to shine a light on a volunteer who has made significant contributions to our mission of providing “Health for the World.”
In this month’s Volunteer Spotlight, we are excited to recognize a new face to Medical Missions Foundation, Robin James, our new Fundraising Assistant. 
Robin James joined Medical Missions Foundation in March 2026 as a Fundraising Assistant, bringing a deep commitment to service and a passion for supporting mission-driven work. With more than 25 years of experience in nonprofit organizational management, volunteer leadership, and accounting, she has spent much of her life helping organizations and communities thrive. 
Robin was especially drawn to Medical Missions Foundation through her personal journey as a “medical mom” to two transplant recipients, which has shaped her compassion for families navigating complex medical challenges and strengthened her desire to make a meaningful impact.
Robin is excited to grow in fundraising efforts that directly support life-changing care around the world, particularly through events, partnerships, and future grant opportunities. She is passionate about building strong relationships and caring well for both donors and volunteers. Outside of work, Robin has been married to her husband, Mark, since 2002 and is a proud mom of four. 
She spent over 20 years homeschooling her children while actively serving her community through volunteer leadership. In her free time, she enjoys crocheting (often creating plush kidney toys for transplant patients), cheering on the Kansas City Royals and Kansas City Chiefs, and encouraging others through life with a foundation of faith, resilience, and service.
Hope Delivered, Lives Changed in San Lucas Tolimán
The road into San Lucas Tolimán is familiar to some of us now—winding along the lake, framed by mountains, and filled with a quiet anticipation of the week ahead. But for ten members of our team, this was their very first mission. For sixteen others, it was a return to a place that has a way of staying with you long after you leave.
Together, our team of 26 volunteers arrived with a shared purpose: to bring care, relief, and hope to a community where access to surgical and medical services is limited. What unfolded over the next several days was more than a series of procedures—it was a powerful reminder of why efforts matter.
From early morning rounds to long hours in the operating room, the rhythm of the mission quickly took hold. In total, 55 patients received general surgery, resulting in 63 life-changing procedures. Each case carried its own story—years of discomfort, delayed care, or conditions that had quietly worsened over time. One by one, those burdens were lifted.
Alongside general surgery, our OBGYN team cared for 24 patients, completing 25 procedures that addressed critical women’s health needs. These were not just medical interventions—they were moments of dignity restored, of pain eased, and of futures made healthier.
This mission also marked an exciting and meaningful milestone: our very first Women’s Care Clinic. With 39 patients scheduled, the clinic created space for women to be seen, heard, and cared for in a way that had not previously been available. It was a step forward not only in services offered, but in how we connect with and support the community.
Beyond the numbers, what defined this mission were the moments in between—the reassuring hand held before surgery, the quiet conversations through translators, the smiles exchanged in recovery. For our new volunteers, it was an introduction to the profound impact of this work. For those returning, it was a continuation of relationships and a reaffirmation of purpose.
By the end of the week, the numbers told one story: 79 patients served and 88 procedures completed. But the real story is found in the individuals behind those numbers—the grandmother able to move without pain, the mother given renewed health, the child whose future now looks a little brighter.
As our team packed up and began the journey home, there was a shared understanding: while the mission may have ended, its impact will continue—within the community of San Lucas Tolimán, and within each of us who had the privilege to serve.
Because in the end, this work is about more than medicine. It’s about showing up, standing alongside others, and being part of something that truly changes lives.Make sure to check out the complete details of all the missions on our website blog.
Volunteer With Us!
Volunteer Opportunities
There are numerous and exciting opportunities to get involved with Medical Missions Foundation!
How would you like to contribute?
Volunteer on a mission – While many of our volunteers have a medical background, it’s not a necessity. We welcome non-medical volunteers to assist with patient check-ins, engage in art projects, manage social media, and provide general mission support.
Volunteer at Fundraising Event – Our golf tournament and Art for the Children always need helping hands. Volunteers can assist with event setup, guest check-ins, and various other tasks.
Volunteer on a Committee – Medical Missions Foundation has five committees seeking volunteers: Marketing/Communication, Fundraising, Finance, Missions, and Operations/Warehouse.
Volunteer in the Warehouse – Join us on the second Saturday of each month for “Warehouse Day,” where we’ll sort through donations and supplies in our warehouse.
Mark Your Calendar
Keep up to date on all our events by going to the calendar page of our website.
- May 9th – Warehouse Day
- June 6th – Warehouse Day CHANGE OF DATE
- April 11th – 2026 Mission to San Lucas Toliman, Guatemala
- July 11th – Warehouse Day
- July 11th – 2026 Mission to Antigua, Guatemala
- July 12th – Health for the Littles
- August 8th – Warehouse Day
- September 3rd – 2026 Mission to Gulu, Uganda
- September 12th – Warehouse Day
- October 10th – Warehouse Day
- October 19th – Medical Missions Foundation Golf Classic
- November 14th – Warehouse Day
- December 12th – Warehouse Day
All of what we do is made possible through donations from generous patrons like you. Please consider making a donation today so we can continue providing much needed healthcare to children and families.
Have a Great Month Everyone!
Well, that about covers it for today. Look for a brand new issue of Mission Matters every month! In the meantime our Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter pages are active and a great place to catch all the very latest news and information about Medical Missions Foundation — so stay tuned and be sure to check back regularly! And please feel free to contact me directly with questions, concerns, or to find out more about upcoming missions, events, and fundraisers.
Dan Mauer
Executive Director
Medical Missions Foundation
8363 Melrose Drive
Lenexa, KS 66214
p: 913-338-0343
dan@medicalmissionsfoundation.org
About us
We believe that Health for the World is possible. Because of that, Medical Missions Foundation sends teams of doctors, nurses, and support staff to provide surgical and medical care to underserved communities around the world. All medical mission participants are volunteers dedicating their time and talents to provide critical care. More about our missions.
Where we work
Since 1996, Medical Missions Foundation has completed missions in 14 different countries: India | Guatemala | Mali | Philippines | Uganda | Romania | Ecuador | Mexico | Cuba | Vietnam | Croatia | Panama | China | United States. Click here to learn more.
Our Mission
Our mission is to provide surgical and medical care in underserved communities throughout the world and to positively impact the lives of children and their families. Click here to learn more. Want to unsubscribe?If you’d like to unsubscribe from this newsletter for any reason—you can do so by clicking on the link below. (And don’t worry, we won’t be offended. We’d much rather only send out emails to people who truly enjoy receiving them.)
Our Contact Information
Medical Missions Foundation
8363 Melrose Dr
Lenexa, KS 66214
913.338.0343
MedicalMissionsFoundation.org
