Today's reflection comes from Nancy Link, RD, who volunteers as a dietitian at CHW's Folsom Family Clinic in Folsom, CA. This year was our first time bringing a dietitian on our mission. Nancy's contributions were indispensable and we'll be working to bring two with us next year. Here's what she had to say about her mission experience:
"I was not so much surprised as encouraged by the value of the process and the advance thought and planning that went into the effort. I had doubts about the potential for effectiveness of such a short mission.
I felt that overall we gained much more than we gave in our coming face to face with people who struggle each day just to survive, and yet many could smile and thank us for being there.
Our shared presence to each other was a priceless gift of better understanding and caring.
Some of the patient experiences that are staying with me include:
Nancy, the preteen girl with cerebral palsy, and her mother. Michelle called me by phone last year from Esquipulas for advice about her malnourished condition. It was wonderful to actually see her this year and to know that she is doing much better.
The older woman who held my hand and cried because she didn’t have enough food and wasn’t getting any help from her family.
The young mother who was bottle feeding her 5 month old baby very diluted milk.
At the clinic in Horcones, the white haired blind man who was using a tree branch as a walking stick and was guided by a young boy about 8 or 9 years old. The boy, not a family member but a neighbor, stayed patiently by his friend’s side throughout the waiting time.
The mother who was a health promoter at the training day with her few weeks old baby. She was carrying her umbrella and had muddy shoes although it sunny where we were in Esquipulas. I asked about the weather and trip into town. She said it was pouring as she walked three hours through the mountains to get to us. She came as a volunteer, to learn more about how to help the poor. Of course she still had to walk 3 hours home again in her pump sandal shoes.
This whole experience reinforced my feeling that it is very important to meet, be present with, and listen to people in other countries and especially those who are struggling. It clarified my feelings about the importance of projects or assistance in ways that promote self improvement for the people so that they can have a means to better provide for basic needs of themselves and their families.
What a wonderful group of caring and fun people I was able to serve with on this mission. They strengthened my belief that many people operate out love and concern for others, especially those who need assistance.
I was most challenged by my feelings of helplessness in the face of extreme hunger and poverty."
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