The promise of joy described in Psalm 30:5 is experienced when we sit alongside those in the midst of a storm until they can rejoice. This is the essence of Andy Villa's life as a devoted OB/GYN physician who compassionately sits at the bedside of those battling through the night, rejoicing with them as they embrace a new morning. 

Dr. Villa, a dedicated physician, has played an important role in bringing a special kind of joy into the world through the delivery of more than 10,000 babies during his medical career. With unwavering commitment, he answers God’s call to spread hope around the world by uplifting under-resourced communities. Keeping Jesus at the center of all his endeavors, Dr. Villa is a conduit of God’s limitless love in the lives of thousands. 

Twenty years ago, driven by a desire to address critical global medical challenges, Dr. Villa began an extraordinary journey to help establish the Crossroads Medical Missions Team, an initiative committed to blessing individuals in need of care. He has cast a bold vision to inspire positive change in the lives of those in need. The medical missions team has transformed countless lives through this endeavor. When a need arises, Dr. Villa leads a dedicated group of volunteers into some of the most underserved areas of the world to deliver vital medical care. Their efforts shine a light in the darkness, a reminder of Jesus's transformative love.

Melanie Calabrese, a PA, has traveled with the team and recently sat down with Dr. Villa to discuss two of his most memorable mission adventures. During their conversation, Dr. Villa discussed his trip to Kenya to work with one of the largest refugee centers in the world. Nearly 289,000 individuals seek refuge in a camp located in the northwestern region of Kakuma. Many, forced to flee their home countries, are trapped in this poverty-stricken area, sometimes for their entire lives.

Water shortage is significant in Kakuma. They receive less than two inches of rain annually. Water is so precious, the women have no choice but to walk long distances through dusty, dry terrain to get their small daily allowance.

Tears well up as Dr Villa recalls their first entrance into the Kakuma Camp. It had been a long, difficult journey. The team was welcomed by a group of women from the camp and led to a pre-arranged area. “After being invited to sit down, the women knelt before us. They removed our shoes and humbly washed the feet of total strangers with their most treasured limited possession, water.  We went there to be Jesus to them, but despite their own needs, they were being Jesus to us. It is one of the most memorable moments of my life.” 

Their faithful act of service reminds us of another powerful story from over 2000 years ago. A humble woman named Mary anointed the feet of Jesus with precious oil, a profound expression of love and selfless service.

Dr. Villa finished his story by sharing, “Through this one simple act, they quietly revealed the true meaning of joyfulness, which stands in contrast to the often sought after but fleeting emotion of happiness. Their spirit overflowed with joy, and the love of Jesus was shared by all of us and went back and forth, for sure.” 

Dr. Villa also shared an especially memorable journey to the Philippines.  A local hospital had contacted the Crossroads Medical Team, seeking assistance in providing surgical care for the uninsured.While the team was there, a Filipino woman in desperate need of surgery heard about the American medical missionaries. She began the long walk toward the hospital, wondering if this could be God's answer to her prayer. She had lived for years with an enormous tumor in her abdomen, hoping one day someone would help her.

Despite her serious condition, Dr. Villa was deeply moved as he observed her joyful spirit. He promised to operate as soon as possible. The woman, small in stature, stood only four feet, eight inches tall, weighing under 100 pounds. Watching her navigate around this debilitating condition was heartbreaking.

Dr. Villa anticipated a sizable tumor, but the 35-pound mass he found was shockingly one-third of her body weight. He was amazed at the incredible strength required to live with such a burden for so many years, and yet her joyful spirit radiated. Following a successful surgery, Dr. Villa celebrated with the woman and they prayed together. Overwhelmed with joy and gratitude, she gave him the biggest hug she could manage. Dr. Villa shares, “It's those precious moments that truly ignite your passion for medical mission trips.”

As Dr. Villa and Melanie's conversation drew to a close, he expressed the importance of his faith and stated there is something genuinely transformative about expressing the love of Jesus. “Each morning, I pursue God’s will for my life, partner with the Holy Spirit, welcome correction, and seek guidance. Life is a fantastic set of challenges, a tug-of-war of sorts, but it's a journey I embrace wholeheartedly.”

Dr. Andy and his wife, Renee, have traveled to the war-torn regions of Ukraine and Israel to set up emergency treatment centers. Their journeys in both countries are full of stories highlighting the resilience of the human spirit and the urgent need for compassionate medical care—powerful stories for our next visit with Dr. Villa.