I'm sure there are many different circumstances that cause people to travel on a medical mission. For many of us, we go out of a desire to give and try to make a difference for people who would not otherwise receive care. Nonetheless, I had several times prior to leaving where I found myself wondering what in the world I was doing and what was I getting into. Departure day came and I was feeling like I could be going into a time warp leaving behind modern conveniences. Unsure of what I was going to encounter, I embarked. I had anticipated going through customs with surgical supplies may be challenging. In fact, at one point, I thought I was going to have to leave the supplies with the Mexican government officials. After multiple searches and much explaining, a faxed notice was found that authorized the supplies. In a moment's notice, God had opened the door. I met the team that night, and we became acquainted. Within 24 hrs, we were operating on the first cataracts of the week.
We were originally scheduled to go to Valladolid, but political pressure caused a change to Cancun. The need for eye surgery is so great everywhere in the Yucatan Peninsula; and a team had already been to Valladolid the previous year. Remarkably, one only has to travel 20 - 30 min. from the resort area to find themselves in poverty areas. The area we traveled to services an estimated one million indigent natives. The Mayan people do not have access to medical care because they can't afford it. There are no government programs to help them. Without medical missions, they go untreated. They are overlooked and poor but live with dignity and hope. The need is so great that mayors from surrounding towns drove in to meet the team leaders and invite us to their areas.
Volunteers came and stayed all day with us just in case we needed something. They would bring water and snacks to us as we were working 12 -14 hr days. Other local doctors devoted their time to our mission that week. They helped with pre -op & post-op care, charting and translating. It was amazing to see how many people took time to help these needy people. We could not have gotten all the details accomplished without them.
To give to people with such great needs is a humbling experience. I didn't expect such an emotional response in myself. As I viewed the below our standard conditions that these people live and work among, my heart started to break.... this was not a fictional novel to be read but reality. The few who are fortunate to get help still get below standard care compared to the U.S. Yet, they are so grateful for whatever they receive.
One of the most memorable moments occurred when I received a loving gift from a grateful patient. One elderly lady who had surgery grabbed my hand and thanked me with a song and prayer. Mexico is predominately Catholic background. For about five minutes, she sang with so much passion and thanksgiving as I stood face to face with her. She did not have anything of monetary value to give. Rather, she gave from her heart a gift that was priceless. The gift of thanksgiving and a prayer of blessing. So, like it is with most opportunities to give, I got as much and more out of giving to these neat people.
