El Salvador Day 8 - 2014

Defining moments arrive when we realize cannot be the same; our essential nature must shine through and we decide to change with help from God.  I believe these "opportunities" are  our chance to find God's happiness, peace and joy.  But we must decide for Christ everyday.  It is easier to see the opportunities here in El Salvador; the insane noise and distraction of our lives after the mission  inhibits our ability to see them.  They are still there.  It just requires more work to be open to the urgings of the Spirit.  Although we serve others in the mission, the missionaries also receive many spiritual blessings in return; and to whom much has been given, much is expected.  One gift is the eyes to see the world differently.  We are forever altered just by being part of the mission.  As as we finish our mission here, a new mission begins: we know we must share the stories and defining moments.

All of the team here inspires me incredibly and it is not lost how we reflect Christ's light to one another.  The youth working with us have reflected this light all week.  Their entire way of being heartens us that there is hope for the next generation. I recall our home visits, the clinics and the fantastic example the youth gave as they met the people, loving them without reservation. I decide to do my best to be as vulnerable as they were, and love others and encourage without restraint.

I share a belief with Saint John Paul II that every single person we encounter in our lives, we meet for a purpose.  We may never know the reason, but we do get affirmations.  I am convinced that God has spoken through members of the team throughout the whole week.  I decide to keep this belief in the front of my mind with every person I meet, even when I can see God's sense of humor in some of the people he sends to me.

As we ride the bus to the clinic we soak in the local atmosphere one more time.  Although only half a day of clinic time, we helped 73 people see better.  For the week we saw nearly 2400 people, performed 32 surgeries, and delivered 9 babies. The team's generosity takes many forms and provides opportunities to share our faith.  I decide to be more generous to everyone without restraint.

We gave out many shoes to the needy again today.  The overwhelming gratitude of the people is beautiful and strengthens my resolve to be grateful for all I have been given. With gratitude comes happiness.  If we can help others to be grateful for what they have been given, we can increase happiness.  I decide to express my gratitude as much as possible.

We take some scheduled down time in the afternoon to head to the beach.  Several of us swim and body surf in some very large Pacific Ocean waves.  As the sun sets I sip cold coconut water, exhale deeply, kick my feet up, and praise God for the blessings of the week.  

Later we take time to share a meal with our host families, and recognize the contributions of all who made it possible.  Camaraderie and humor have carried us through the week and now we glow with the our memories.  I decide to be more deliberate in praising God for what we accomplish in His name and celebrating His success.

Before I left home I visited my "lugar tranquilo" and prayed for the success of the mission.  As I was leaving mass, I mentioned to the priest that I was leaving on a mission the next morning.  He said:  "I give you my blessing, and also for the angel you will meet along the way."  I wasn't sure exactly what it meant or why he would be blessing an angel.  I now realize that he was referring to our angel in disguise, who was with us all week, making us feel at home, giving us little gifts, and just being an inspiring, beautiful, beautiful person.  Our angel does not always realize what a difference she is making with her bold determination to just love people exactly as they are and to help them.  This angel has grown so much since we last saw her a year ago, and is truly earning her wings. We share in her growth and we are so very proud of her.  I decide to always be looking for angels in disguise and to give them the opportunities they need to earn their wings.

I will continue to pray every day for the families in El Salvador that we met.  I will also pray that I will be able to return next year. Until then, blessings to everyone.

El Salvador Day 7 - 2014

Our team is so passionate about our mission.  We are focused and working like a well oiled machine now that we've had so much practice.  We are ready for any challenge...except one: more people than we imagined and a bit of a temporary help shortage.  We keep our heads down and work as efficiently as we can.  And it is so very worth it.  Even as we grow tired, the cause, the mission, keeps us fresh and strong. And just when we begin to feel tired there is always a humorous or uplifting moment.  We recognize these moments as God's grace, helping us.  He always provides, especially on mission.

Early in the day we get our first spiritual hug of the day.  Two young girls come to the eye clinic to receive an eye exam.  Their eyes are both fine, just irritated by the serious pollution, dust and allergies here.  We see a pattern of this in many.  The amount of cooking fires and traffic make our eyes burn a bit in the short time we are here.  We present the girls with some pillow case dresses and they are very appreciative.  They are so adorable it touches our hearts.

Later in the day one of the younger missionaries who has been working with the kids much of the week joins us.  She quickly learns how to help people get the right glasses and she is able to use her limited Spanish skills to successfully help someone.  To celebrate we take her picture with her first client (attached).  There is something about passing on knowledge to others, especially when it is so they can help others.  We have taught her how to fish and that makes me so proud for a moment.

The clinic where our mission is located also has a school and vocational technical school. The community is being taught valuable life skills.  It is super-impressive. We see some of the students in the clinic.  Sister Delores a.k.a. "Sister Grandmother" is one of the most impressive people I've met in my life.  She is 83 and very active and sharp.  She runs the place so well.

We take very short lunch breaks as the line for glasses is out the door.  As the day quickly passes,  our angel looks at me and says "what's wrong?"  Those who know me also know this look.  It is my deep though/concern/worry face. I explain how we've had no lull in patients that would allow us some time to give out shoes to the needy.  Our angel says, I will get help.  She comes back and says "Sister Delores is going to help you."  All I can say is "WOW."  

Sister gets help (after all she runs the whole place).  We setup to give shoes to the needy.  Every single child who receives shoes tells me thank you.  As I take pictures down on one knee, one little girl comes to me, hugs me, says muchas gracias, and gives me a kiss on the cheek.  My heart  melts, and I am overwhelmed with gratitude.  What did I do to deserve such a spiritual boost?   At that moment I feel God's love so powerfully.  Amazing, so amazing.  We give out many shoes and we touch many hearts in a profound way.

We use a new technology (adjustable glasses - adlens.com) to help a  man see.  He will be able to adjust his own glasses as his eyes change.  We are considering this technology for future missions.

As we complete our 174th customer for the day, we celebrate this and take a picture.

When we make it back late, we have a traditional Salvadorian meal of pupusas and stuffed plantains.

It was just an amazing day with so many blessings.  Praise God from whom all blessings flow!

El Salvador Day 6 - 2014

Do you know the peace that comes when you sit down in a holy place?  You breathe out, you relax and find a calm that surpasses all understanding.  It feels like home.  Today we moved our clinic to a very holy place that the mission has never used before.  As with any change there is always stress, and as we drove to the new location we wondered what it would be like.  After only a few minutes it was obvious that we were in a very wonderful and holy place.  Our mission is in the campus of a very impressive Carmelite clinic and technology center.  The facilities are so nice we feel a bit guilty, but with the heat, that sentiment does not last too long and we feel very much at home.

We set up to provide eyewear.  We work in teams with our translators providing assistance.  My Spanish  can get the basic job done, but I need to keep working on it.  I get some much appreciated help every day. Today we are very fortunate to have an angel who I met last year helping us.  Our angel is tenacious when it comes to getting things done, solving problems, and generally not accepting no for an answer.  When a challenge arises, she takes it on full force.  I know she will be an amazing lawyer one day.  The problem with teaching others (especially in spiritual matters) is that they will be quick to remind you when you don't follow your own advice.  A 16 year old girl needed distance glasses and we were not likely to be able to help her.  We tried all we had to no avail.  Our angel reminded us (as I taught her) that we should pray about the situation and do all we can.  About an hour into the clinics, someone from the pharmacy had brought in a bag with several pairs of glasses.  I had placed the bag of glasses in a drawer of the work desk without looking in the bag.  As we took a moment to pray, I recalled the bag.  We tried the  glasses and they gave her 20/20. She was all smiles.  

We had two other very similar experiences today. All we could do was praise God. Our angel also found out through her perseverance that we can refer tough cases to the Carmelite Clinic and the charge is $3, something they might be able to afford.

The nature of glasses on a mission is skewed towards the elderly  for obvious reasons.  The elderly just melt my heart.  As an elderly woman sat down to be evaluated for glasses I immediately sensed her holiness.  There just was a presence about her.  I began thinking about my dear Grandmother who I adored and was very close.  We begin a conversation with her and find out that she is very involved with Carmelite clinic community. We help her to be able to read her Bible quite easily.   

We provide sunglasses to a man who works in the fields.  He says he is going to wear them out on his way out so he can look "bad ass."  We laugh and I cannot resist taking my picture with him.  

Lunch is a traditional Salvadorian turkey sandwich with a sauce.  Just for fun I take a picture.  This is probably one of my favorite treats here.

When children come for eyeglasses with kids in tow we have a chance to be silly with them.  Two boys with their mom are thankful for the toys we give them. Late in the day as we are cleaning up,  we sign a soccer ball and give it a boy. 

We gave about 100 people better sight today.  As we take time to reflect on the day as a team it is obvious we all had a good day.

As I write this it is about 11 pm.  I savor the good we did today and breathe in a peace that surpasses all understanding.  Tomorrow is our last full day.  God will surely be present.

El Salvador Day 5 - 2014

I am convinced that every day we spend here is pre-ordained.  I've learned a great deal about expectations in my life.  A common expression of mine is "an expectation is a pre-meditated resentment."  Last night our Ob/Gyn shared her day.  Everything she planned at the hospital was cancelled.  She explained that she wound up getting to deliver four babies and it was a fabulous day for her.  I am reminded that I need to be open to whatever comes my way on this mission.  It is just not about me or us.  I decide to be a free spirit today and see what comes my way.

I was rewarded for staying flexible.  I understand why flexibility is the most important requirement for a missionary. 

The first experience was the opportunity to take everyone's temperature to speed up triage.  As I take everyone's temperature I gain an appreciation for the people.  I especially love the families with lots of kids.  As we converse with them we have a chance to show God's care and love to them.  Smiles are everywhere and they lift me with an incredible joy.  Some have very high fevers and are likely infected with the Chikungunya virus. Many people  have contracted this virus that is spread by the aedes aegypti mosquito.  Even the local parish priest  and some of our hosts have contracted the disease.  The pain of the virus is debilitating. As I measure one temperature, I cannot imagine what it would be like to sit waiting for hours in the heat with a temperature of 101.7.  Any discomfort with the heat that I experience is trivialized by this man's perseverance.

Later we are able to give a man with Parkinson's a deluxe chair walker.  He is so happy and he takes off walking. 

I spend some time giving stickers, toys, and hair bands to young children.  I feel like Santa.  I give some holy cards out and everyone is happy to have one.

We encounter a woman who has a severe intestinal blockage and we rush her off to the hospital for surgery.  A man has a deformed hand that was likely caused by a fractured wrist that was never treated.  We take him to the hospital to be considered for surgery by one of the orthopedic surgeons on our team.

As we finish the day I work in our pharmacy counting and splitting pills.  I realize how much we are needed.  We fill prescriptions for un-diagnosed diabetes, hypertension, and high blood pressure.  As I prepare the meds I pray for the health of those who will receive them.  Today we made a difference in the lives of about 475 people.  I have attached a picture of our pharmacy.

It was a very blessed day an I am deeply honored to be part of this amazing team.

El Salvador Day 4 - 2014

Today was timeless.  Only when the day is complete, am I able to soak it in.  There is so much to enjoy as I play the day back in my mind.  I have been asked to lead the eye glasses, something familiar to me from our mission last year.  I try to remove any expectations or limitations on the day.  I tell myself anything is possible and to avoid thinking inside the box.  We work to setup our work area and soon the people come in.  What we are doing is profound.  We are helping people to be able to read and work better.  Many of the people who we help work with small details, something very difficult if you can't see well and can't afford glasses.  At home we never give this the slightest thought.  I look up and it is 1:30.  I look up again and it is time to pack up.  We are so focused on our mission that everyone says how quickly the time has passed.  

An 82 old woman who could not climb the stairs to our station on the 2nd floor presents a challenge...so we bring the eye chart to her.  After trying all we had, we cannot improve her vision very much.  We are told that she earns money by sewing; not being able to sew will have a huge impact on her life.  We send her away, with only a slight improvement.  As I return to our station upstairs, I am asked for a glasses case from another missionary.  I see a case in a box of donated glasses of unknown strength.  I open a case and a pair of bifocals is there.  I notice that the lower portion is close to the strength that might help the woman and the upper is a very low strength.  We rush downstairs to try to catch the woman.  We find her as she is leaving and ask her to sit down for a moment.  We ask her to try the glasses and immediately she smiles and says "perfecto, puedo ver la linea mas pequenia." In other words, a small miracle.  A one in a million shot.  Immediately we tell her God has done this.  I have attached a picture of this small miracle.  

Later during our evening mass, we are reminded that God is "out of the box."  I smile and think how true that was today.

If we keep our heads down too much we could "miss it."  As I walk from place to place in the clinic I smile as much as I can and look for the little things.  A small boy eating an ice cream cone catches my eye (and my heart). I tell his mother how beautiful her child is.  

A mother waits in line for glasses with her son and I take a minute to present the boy with a toy car.

As I reflect later on these moments I am struck by the beauty of the people we serve here.  No wonder our team has been coming here for 15 years.

A one point during the day I am reminded by an angel of the opportunity to take a break and talk to Christ at the church next door (Nuestra Señora de Lourdes)  I respond to the suggestion immediately go to the church and thank Christ in person for the opportunity of the mission.  

We are God's helping hands and this powerfully satisfies us.  What a fantastic, timeless day.  Praise Him!

El Salvador Day 3 - 2014

You shall love your neighbor as yourself." Mt 22:39

Inspiration, noun, 1. the process of being mentally stimulated to do or feel something, especially to do something creative. 2. The divine influence believed to have lead to the writing of the Bible. 3. The drawing in of breath.

Love of neighbor and divine inspiration were very alive and well today. After  some time to spiritually and mentally charge up our batteries, we went out and brought the gospel to the community of San Juan Tepezontes.  We form ourselves into nine groups and begin to visit homes.  I try to imagine what it would be like in the U.S.  In my home town there would have been many slammed doors.  Of the approximately 85 homes we visited today, only one turned us away.  Our experiences were all truly amazing and beautiful.  Can it really be this simple?  Yes, most definitely yes, it can.  As we announce ourselves and our mission, our reception is very warm.  As chairs are gathered, we are invited to sit down.  We ask what we might pray for with them and they pour out their difficulties.  We listen with compassion and open hearts.  A family with a young boy warms my heart.  The grandmother in particular is so happy we have visited.  The Spirit urges me to give the young boy a rosary I made that is identical to my personal rosary.  I explain that his rosary is identical to mine.  The local youth that support us are simply awesome.  Their boldness in loving as Christ enkindles all of us.  In one home a man has survived kidney cancer for five years so far and his wife has severe knee pain.  After we pray with them for healing, his  good friend arrives and provides a beautiful, inspiring testimony about God's healing grace in his friend's life. A picture of this couple is attached.  

We visit a home of a man who lives alone.  He is reluctant to invite us in or accept our prayers. He explains that he lives alone, drinks too much, does not go to church, and...yes, some prayer might be good.  He cleans up a bit and opens his home to us.  We sense his loneliness as we ask him what we can pray for and he responds as he crosses his forearms and clenches his fist "whatever."  His bitterness seems to soften by the time we have finished praying and we hope that God's love will penetrate his heart.  Our last stop is a very meager home with a tin roof and dirt floor (see picture).  We are introduced to a 92 year old man who was once the sacristan at church who can no longer make the short journey to church due to his weakened state.  The family smiles and smiles as we are offered chairs  and circle them around fresh bean hulls that are piled up on the dirt floor.  Father John provides anointing of the sick to the man and we offer our continued prayers for the whole family.  One thing is striking, this was the poorest home we visited, but it was most certainly filled with peace and love.

As we gather back together and tell the stories of our visits, our hearts sing of God's love. We have truly been inspired by many things today.  Our week of service ahead will now be overflowing with our love joined with God's.  When the tribulations come, we can rest assured that love will conquer all.  We're ready now.  Let's go.

All our love from El Salvador!

El Salvador Day 2 - 2014

"I have to tell you something.  I've been watching you, and every time I look at you you have a smile on your face."  These are words that have not been spoken to me before.  It was great to hear them and they caught me off guard.  My official job today is "crowd control" and I am overjoyed at this opportunity.  As I escorted our patients from triage to their doctors I tried to converse with them and brighten their day.  My spanish has improved and I am overjoyed to be able to actually speak with the people on my own.  The people here are so very gracious.  They impress me by their gratitude.  We were reminded that if we did not have the words, smiles always translate, and they definitely do.

Our day began with planning the mechanics of the clinic.  We had a half day of clinic time.  As we arrived at the church and school, 300 patients were already waiting for us.  Applause breaks out and many of us get emotional.  I point to the sky and acknowledge our God who is always so good to us. Patience is needed everywhere as we try to manage the crowd.  We give out prayer cards, rosaries, and medals and ask them for their "oracciones por la mision"  or prayers for the mission.  Everyone shows remarkable flexibility and adapts beautifully to every challenge.  The calm and peace that exists in us must be supernatural.  Prayers answered.  There is so much outside the church grounds that could cause us to worry, but we don't.  We are told that the area we are working today is a rough neighborhood, but we don't feel any stress and never feel threatened or the slightest worry. Perhaps ignorance is bliss.  Although we have some logistical issues, especially in the pharmacy today, God has worked out every detail for our success.  We just need to trust that he will figure it out.

We are staying at a Jesuit retreat center called Central Loyola.  A picture is attached with the view from outside our Chapel.  God is so good. Praise Him!

El Salvador Day 1 - 2014

It takes while to realize where you are.  Definitely does not look like Kansas, Toto.  A lost suitcase?  Just a distraction.  Let it go.  We will figure it out later.  Or at least that is what you keep telling yourself.  I start to think about detachment.  I have an ongoing discussion with many of my friends about my theory about when things go wrong.  I believe that when  things go wrong, it is a distraction because something really great is about to happen and if we allow ourselves to be consumed by it, we will miss the good.  The good is there, always there, just look.  Our first stop is a center for cerebral palsy.  The center does many wonderful things for those who have the disease.  They serve families who work and need a place where there loved ones can grow in a nurturing environment during the day, some longer.  As we came in we were warmly welcomed.  One young man named Jonathan was very loving and gregarious (picture below). 

He would grab our wrists and he did not want to let go. When he saw another smiling face he would make a welcoming motion to shake the person's hand.  As Jonathan walked with us he seemed so happy.  He made noises, his language affected by the disease, and drooled quite a bit.  We broke through our inhibitions and did our best to love him.  His happiness made everyone smile. We were struck by his desire to meet everyone and walk along with us as we took a tour of this impressive but needy facility.  He was so happy to be with us.  Finally as we reached near the end of the tour, the staff pryed him away from us.  The young man cried.  It was so hard to watch.  As we left we saw that he had to be restrained.  All he wanted was to be with us.  As we reflected later in the ride back from the airport, after retrieving our very late bags, the parallels to our relationships to Christ are obvious.  When we allow Christ to meet us, we are filled with happiness and joy.  When we restrain him, we are sorrowful.  We met Christ today and his name is Jonathan.  I'm sure we will meet another Jesus tomorrow.  Praise Him!