DAY 1
Dear Diary,
Through storm or high water, here we go again this year.
As inclement weather has hit the US some of our volunteers had worries about being able to make it to the mission, while the rest had already planned on how to pick up the slack if needed. There is careful planning that goes into determining the number of patients we will be able to see and the timing of their visits. The number of patients serving does not necessarily change if the number of volunteers available diminishes. Undaunted, we all set out. Some of the volunteers face harsher weather than others in getting to the airport, departing from temperatures such as -31°F for a destination where it is 80 °F. With the last one of us arriving 20 minutes before our bus to destination departs, we breathe a grateful sigh of relief and are on our way.
As I look around at the now familiar colorful cast of characters that is our team, I appreciate the message in Pastor Jason’s devotional this morning, we are each born with our own talents and gifts and by working together we can achieve great things, just as each part of the body contributes to its function, so we each handle our tasks. It provides some food for thought because body parts are not acting generously when they do their part. Volunteers taking time from their lives, their loved ones, and putting in the effort to be here is a great show of humanity, however, I can’t help but look around and see how natural it all seems to everyone, just body parts here to work together. There are many innate human traits, generosity and kindness are some of them and this mission is a special opportunity to put them into action.
I am glad to be back amongst this crowd, and we are all excited to get set up to welcome patients.
As we arrive to the location of our clinic, it is all hands-on deck. Our volunteers are welcomed by the local team. Then everyone, big and small, young and not quite so young, get to work unloading the truck and transforming the open space into the clinics that will be used to welcome and help the people of Guatemala over the next few days. Set up is very important, there are lots of people that will come through this clinic this week. As one of our veteran volunteers says, “we don’t see patients, we see families”, it is a good reminder of the beauty in the Guatemalan family culture and the care they show each other. Generally, patients are accompanied by multiple family members.
It’s not to be taken for granted, but Day 1 is the usual show of team-work. This year we even have a team examining the X-ray machine which we have the privilege to be able to use, providing an additional service and driving efficiency in the process (and it is a process) of patient care offered by Faith in Practice in Guatemala.
Each mission only represents a cog in the wheel.
The wheelchair builders are the usual shows offs, getting started on their tasks on Day 1 as we finish set up, it just gets the rest of us chomping at the bit to get started!
We wrap up, it’s back on the bus, before dinner we have a refresher course on the tech tools at our disposal to streamline patient care.
It has been a full day but tomorrow will be more intense.
I know the team will do great things this week, and we will get the chance to interact with people, find out about their medical problems and get a glimpse into their lives.
I hope I can convey the experience and do the team justice.
Ciao for now.
Team 884
Celestina
