July 4, 2012

Team A did not end up in the Mercedes region.  Instead we went to the Belen region where Team B  had been for the past two days.  They have sicker patients there and team sites were swapped so others could experience something different.  I forgot my camera.  Of all days to forget, this was the site to see.  We will be there again Thursday and I will be sure to bring my camera so I can share the pictures with you all.  You will not believe what you see.  The clinic day went even smoother for our third day.  We're professionals now.  One thing, the clinic can throw all they want to the pharmacy but we're on top of our game and working so well with the entire team.  I won't post anything else about the site as we will be back there tomorrow.  The pictures will say a thousand words !

After we arrived back at the hotel I had a chance to speak with Dr Harmon, leader of the trip, for just a bit as we walked a few blocks to pick up his laundry and drop mine off.  This is one place that is a little iffy about taking american dollars though the exchange rate for the value is pretty good.  Apparently a lot of counterfeit money has passed through Peru.  I spoke with as we walked back to the hotel and spoke some more outside his room.  We talked about the history behind his missions as well as mine.  I brought up the topic of religion as I needed answers and he was the man to go to and could explain it best for me.  I professed my intentions for coming along for the medical clinic yet just as he said would happen, we will be doing things you had not planned or intended and you will be changed to find that what you are doing instead is going to impact you in ways you haven't imagined.  He was truly correct about that.  He was also correct that we will or may focus on things about ourselves and about what we want on the trip, but we will be transformed to what we want to what does everyone else need.  It's not about us.  We talked about more but I will not share for this was personal for me and all I can say is Amen !

Now it's time for our 6:30pm meeting and Robert has asked me to tell my story/history on how I got to be on this mission.  I made a disclaimer about how awful I am as a speaker and how I ramble and stutter at times.  I began with announcing my Catholic faith.  No stirs in the room yet.  I told the story on my beginnings in missions and youth ministry.  I spoke about my nursing profession and wanting to learn how to incorporate my faith into my professsion.  Most of all I confessed my anxiety about being Catholic and being on this trip.  Through my prior conversation with Dr Harmon, he resolved my fear and anxiety, though already at a low due to the awesome past 3 clinics.  I spoke about my roommates, Steven Kent who is Jewish, and Cameron Nichols who is nondenominational though clearly knowing and answering to his calling.  I talked about who we each are as a person despite whatever our religion and that it transcends all religions to come to a common calling of serving and healing of the body, mind, and spirit.  My spirit needs to continually be renewed and I have always been rejuventated through mission trips.  Dr Cindy also have her story as well as local pastor who has been working with e3 for the past few years.  So I did better than I though I would, though my mouth was becoming so dry to the point of sticking together.  The group listened and acknowledged my story.  I come to find at the end of the meeting that there are 2 other Catholics on this trip that I was unaware of.  It seems for one of the students that by offering my story to the entire team was exactly what was needed for her to come to resolution from a very emotional circumstance and threat, not by body, that had occured at her worksite today.  God gives us strength and comfort at the right times.
I was happy and liberated to be able to tell my story though I was very nervous.  I continue to feed off the love from this group that emanates everywhere.  I am at peace through my relationship and deep respect for the kind person, spiritual counselor and brother in Christ, Chris Harmon.