On September 29, 2015, Medical Ministry International suddenly lost a beloved staff member while he was serving on a Vision Care Team in Ethiopia. Rick Skinner became ill after being in the country for a week and only days later, he passed away prior to learning he had leukemia.

Rick served as Optical Coordinator for MMI since 2001. He was responsible for running the warehouse for our ministry, and as a licensed optician, was responsible for preparing equipment and supplies for all our Vision Care teams. In the past 35 years, Rick travelled to 17 countries around the world with Medical Ministry International, serving on over 60+ Vision Care teams.

With fond memories of a humble servant, the three videos on the bottom of this page are provided for our MMI Family and friends around the world to join with us, along with Rick's family, to celebrate his life. 

November 2020 Update

In March 2019, MMI Amazon purchased a second boat to reach remote villages of the Amazon. It was named “Rick Skinner” as a tribute to the man who came to Colombia over 15 years ago to begin the journey of showing Real Love, Real Life to the people of Colombia.

Before kicking off a Medical, Dental, and Optical project in Colombia in October/November 2020, the team first paused and thanked the Lord for the example and blessing the life of Rick Skinner had been to Colombia. That day, the boat named after him was commissioned and dedicated to serve God and the Amazon Region.