I went to the Dominican Republic years ago when I was a newish OR nurse. It was with the Christian Medical Society and we had an opthalmic mission. We saw hundreds of people with eye problems, gave out glasses that had been donated and I ran the OR with 1 other nurse. We set up shop in a trailer that had a little sterilizer and most of the stuff we needed. I will never forget the experience. Especially the tarantula!!
I have 2 nieces who are full time missionaries (Moldova and Portugal) and 1 nephew who is a pastor in Indiana and a niece married to a pastor in Ontario.