“Every day is a little bit different.” That’s how Jim Vale explained what life is like for him and his wife, Ashley. Both are family medicine physicians who serve with the International Mission Board in Southeast Asia.
They spend two to three days a week working in a clinic and dedicate time to teaching health education and meeting needs in rural villages.
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Jim started a Christian fellowship for medical students, and he mentors a young pastor at a local Chinese church, which has a history of helping persecuted pastors seeking asylum. In addition to medical work, Ashley leads a women’s Bible study.
The Vales have served with the IMB for more than 16 years, initially in East Asia where they did medical missions for more than 12 years and are now in their fourth year at their current location.
Their ability to speak the language of many of their patients has been invaluable, they said. They make it a point to pray and share the gospel with every patient they see.
50 decisions for Christ
Recently, they helped with a clinic organized by a national church in an area with many elderly people who had never stepped foot in a church. “Over 50 people believed in Christ that day, as they came and heard the gospel for the first time,” Jim said.
Ashley started her women’s Bible study with mothers whose children go to school with their kids. Some were Christians when the study began, but two women made professions of faith after attending, and new members have recently joined.
“It’s been a slow process,” Ashley said, “but it’s been neat to see what has happened over the two years that we’ve been meeting. Another lady just started coming to the Bible study. Her family is new to the school. She’s very engaged in the study, and I think over time she will also become a believer.”
Through the Christian fellowship for medical students, Jim offers guidance and prayer for those going through residency at a Christian hospital in the area. Many of the students have minimal education, so to get a residency in this Christian hospital is coveted.
“Those who come through residency at this hospital receive a solid foundation of biblical truth because they have devotions every single morning,” Jim said. “If they don’t become believers, at least they are learning the Bible and are exposed to the gospel.”
Interested in healthcare missions? You are invited to attend MedAdvance 2025 Aug. 21–23, in Raleigh, North Carolina. The conference features opportunities to network with healthcare field workers and to hear about work and needs in every area of the world. For more information and to register, visit imb.org/medadvance.
Names have been changed for security.
EDITOR’S NOTE — This story was written by Chris Doyle and originally published by the International Mission Board.
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