Reciprocal Missions

I just finished this book co-written by DJ Schuetze, who is the President of Board/Administrator of Door of Faith Orphanage in Baja, and Phil Steiner.  We visited this orphanage on our recent trip to Mexico.  There has been a debate about the efficacy of short-term missions for the longest time.  Are they even effective? Couldn't the money be better spent funding a long-term missionary?  Do the ministries just create work for teams to do in order to keep them busy and help them feel good?  What about construction projects? When completed with donated labor, don't they take away local jobs?  Or, isn't this really just a vacation disguised as mission work?

All of these issues are discussed in "Reciprocal Missions: Short-Term Missions That Serve Everyone."  I like the easy-going, conversational style.  The two authors switch back and forth in the various chapters, expounding on their (more specific) areas of expertise.  But they don't just drone on and speak in theory.  They provide scripture and many years in ministry to back up their claims that short-term missions, when done properly, can be mutually beneficial to teams going, ministries served, and communities at large.

Those of us who have been on short-term missions can learn something from this book about how to do our trips better.  They describe the pitfalls that sometimes occur by well-meaning Christians who set out to "make a difference".  We need to learn to let God do the work.  Our task is really to build relationships with people.  Show them that we do what we do because Jesus loves us.  Then, over time, God will continue to draw them to him.  Sure, we can overtly evangelize if the situation presents itself.  But longer term, we need to disciple.

For me, the short-term trip to Mexico was about my kids.  I wanted them to see another culture.  And to learn that serving others can be a blessing to them and to ourselves.  The team of families we served with in Mexico came home and started a ministry at our church called "Love Your Neighbor".  We've been up and running just a couple of weeks and have already found ways to bless others.  I don't say that to brag, but to bring up another point that DJ and Phil make in this book-- something changes in you when you do a short-term mission trip.  This opens your heart to things you can do at home to better your own community.  They also wisely point out that most people that serve as long-term missionaries, at some point in their life, also went on a short-term trip.

And because I met one of these authors personally, I want to promote their book.  It's sold on Amazon.  I will have a link on my blog for awhile.  There is a Kindle version as well.

Guatemala #39

Friday we shopped at the market in Panajachel. Dozens of shops line the street.  Vendors barking out prices and testifying to the beauty and originality of their items. If you know me at all, you know I am NOT a shopper. This experience is not my favorite. Bargaining? Saying "no, gracias" a million times to those pushier vendors. But I like to speak Spanish and translate for my teammates. I did buy a couple of small things as souvenirs for the boys. Then we took a boat ride across Lake Atitlan. It was loud and slow. Gave me time to reflect and think. And I can feel my heart turning back toward home. I miss my boys. I miss sleeping in my own bed. We fly out of Guatemala City Saturday morning. It's been a productive trip. One that serves me in terms of increasing my faith and trust that God has a plan for me and also serves the people of Santiago in Guatemala.

(Photos: Our boat was "Noah's Ark". Mountain is called Cerro de Oro.)

Guatemala #38

Our last day in clinics today, we saw another 295 patients. All total about 950 patients came through. I was in pharmacy again today. Very refreshing for the soul to be a part of helping so many people.

(Photos: San Pedro across from our hotel. A butterfly, closed, then open. Doctor Heather with stray kitty. Danny holding a baby while momma was in restroom. All of our translators. Me and my new friend Judy from Michigan.)

Guatemala #37

On Day 3 of clinics, I was able to work in the pharmacy. It was fast-paced and high intensity. This was my favorite station yet! We saw 285 patients today (disbursed over 600 meds.) For the morning, I pulled meds after the doc prescribed, then passed them off to a teammate, who double-checked dosage and wrote patient's name on dosing slip. Then we passed the meds off to a nurse who (with the help of a translator) explained to the patient how everything should be taken. In the afternoon, my teammate Carla pulled meds and then I double-checked and wrote names.

A lot of the people received some kind of pain reliever...I mean can you imagine life without ibuprofen??? Many also have gastritis or other tummy troubles. Even small children. We distributed lots and lots of vitamins. 

One mom came in today with a very small baby. Looking at the child, our medical team wanted to rush her to the hospital. But at the end of the day we finally got the story. The young wife said her husband is in jail, and will be until 2019. She has no job. No food. And a baby and a two year old to feed. She has been trying to breastfeed both, but she does not eat enough herself. The baby at birth weighed 6 pounds. Now, around 4 pounds. Orphan Outreach actually determined the best course of action was to get her hooked up with one of the local docs and cover her care and her nutritional needs. The team immediately went and purchased formula for the baby and showed this mom how to mix and feed. She cried as the team prayed over her. And we will all pray for her and the children. By partnering with the local doctor, Orphan Outreach can keep following up. Whereas if they had just rushed baby to hospital, they would never know the end of the story. Many stories like this in Guatemala remind us how blessed we are with material things that we all take for granted in the states, obviously. But also that there is power in prayer. Our doctors and nurses are praying over these patients each day. 

(Here is a picture of our pharmacy team for the day: Elissa-from Oregon, Carla-from California, Juan, our translator-from Santiago and me. And some of our team pulling meds.)

Guatemala #36

That God is good...

I love it when God weaves things together and spells it out for me in so many different ways. Then I have confirmation and it sticks in my brain as well as in my heart.

Last night in devotionals, Chad mentioned the goodness of God. And how even if we may not completely understand a circumstance, there is good, because of God.

He quoted Tozier--"That God is good...is necessary to moral sanity." He also referred to Romans 8:28 and how God works ALL things together for good for those who love him and are called according to his purpose. And we should seek first God's kingdom...

Yes, even in poverty, one of our translators was saying that he found God's goodness. Determined not to repeat the poverty cycle he lived as a child, he left home at 14 and went to Guatemala City. The gist of his story: He found a job. He found a place to live. He found additional education. He found Jesus. He pastored a church. He is in ministry. God is good.

After devotions I went back to my room for some quiet time. And I (again) picked up "One Thousand Gifts" by Ann Voscamp. The chapter I was set to read that evening: Chapter 5, "What in the world, in all this world, is grace?" In this chapter she describes how her 7-yr-old son had injured his hand in an accident with a fan in the barn. How she ran to the barn dreading the worst. How she returned home from the emergency room thankful he had only broken a finger. And how she counted this as a blessing. Meanwhile, a Mennonite family down the street was mourning the accidental death of their own son. She debated in her mind: how can the "good things" that we deem blessings, be the only grace? What about what we would call the "bad things"? Are they not also grace and goodness? Ultimately what I picked up was this: were it not for the shadows, we would not see the difference between light and dark. Were it not for the lens of God's Word, all we see would be shadows. Voscamp also says, "Above the clouds, light never stops shining." Seek first His kingdom.

Guatemala #35

I worked alone for much of the morning in the lab today. Sometimes without a translator. Somehow I am now the "expert" in this area. (What a strange notion...) Was privileged to fit this elderly woman with glasses. She is blind in the left eye, but we found something in the donations to help her see in the right eye and she was thrilled!! Later I spent time with the children. Held a baby while her younger sister had her nails painted. And these two little girls figured out how to take pictures with my phone. So I took a pic of them, and the little boys began to jump into the shots they were trying to take of us. Lots of laughter and screams of joy from kids today. Made my heart happy to see/hear this. Life is hard here. School is almost out for the year. They end in October. Coffee harvest is in November and December and they are expected to help. Then they are back to school in January.

Guatemala #34

Just some early morning thoughts: With translators, drivers, and teammates, there are 17 in our group each morning for breakfast and each night for dinner. 17 sounds like a "big" group to me. One I would (in my normal day-to-day) feel completely awkward and shy to join not knowing people very well. But somehow, it is very comfortable. God can do that! I can ask lots of questions and share easily with virtual strangers. It's a bizarre feeling. But they're just my kind of people!! Loving Jesus and going deep. Open to whatever God has for them. There's very little surface chat. (Well, aside from comments about how delicious our meals have been!) Everyone is generous with their time and listens well. Genuinely interested to learn motivations and life stories, and it is refreshing. Day Two of clinic begins in a couple of hours. Looking for God to stretch me and my Spanish skills once again...may each patient be seen as a beloved child of God and not just a number....

Psalms 55:22 Cast your cares on the Lord and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous be shaken.

Guatemala #33

Last night in devotional time my teammate Danny shared more about "why" we do this mission work. (As an aside, Danny's name is not short for Daniel. Just like my dad. And Danny and his wife Arlene live in Texas. Also just like my dad. They attend a church of Christ. Again, like my dad....)

Danny said we do this because we are called to serve the "least of these". He said he was a little shamed by all of the younger people doing this work. That he has wanted to go and do something but until now, had not figured out how to make it happen. But he is so glad he did! 

In Matthew 25:31-46 Jesus describes the final judgment, separation of righteous and unrighteous. Soak it in. The righteous didn't even realize they had been so generous in serving. Not especially conscious of it, definitely not prideful in it, but only doing things for others (the poor, the weak, the hungry, the oppressed) because of the love of Christ in them. That's why we do what we do.

Guatemala #32

 

"Lentes" - mostly reading glasses

Teammate Danny does a BG test

Assessments begin in triage

4 "private" exam rooms for the docs

Waiting for "medicina" outside the "farmacia"

Fitting a woman for glasses

Playing with the children

Made it through Day One of clinics. Saw 175 patients today. I was in the "lab", glasses, and personal hygiene area. We did several urinalysis and 4 pregnancy tests. Not as many blood glucose tests this year. Someone donated 400 pairs of glasses this year. But we did not have a lot of shoes or toothpaste to give away this year. Those went quickly.

At the beginning of the day we had an English to Tzutuhil translator--the native Mayan language (which is what most of the people here around the lake speak). But he was quickly pulled away to another area. My translator from last year, Francisco, helped us, but he does not speak English. And I was the only one who speaks Spanish in my area. What a fun time! Ha! I was the translator between all of us and Francisco. Seriously. Quite comical. But he is very gracious and lets me try....(Pictures are from the church camp where we set up the clinics.) It rained a couple of times today, but not enough to keep people away. A good day.

Guatemala #31A

Above is the view from the front porch of our cottage. As the sun barely brightens the sky, I am listening to an occasional truck driving past on the road below our hotel. I also hear various birds and some roosters. Someone in the hotel kitchen is getting started in preparing our first meal of the day.

We have wi-fi connection on our front porch. I know, unreal, right? Anyway, this is why I sit here to write this post. I am now on the bench you see on our porch. Our cottage is called "Casa Rosa". I have 2 roommates: Katie and Candice. There are 3 separate beds and a private bath in our cottage. Wonderfully unexpected to have a private bath with hot running water!

Last night our roles were decided. We have 13 people on our team:
2 docs
3 nurses
1 EMT
1 EMT in training
1 Physical Therapist
5 non-medical people like me

Roles were easily defined. The doctors will see patients (we are also expecting 2 additional Guatemalan doctors to join us.) We need at least 2 nurses in the Pharmacy to dispense medication and explain dosage. We need 3 in triage to assess patients before they see doctors. The PT is a floater because she is also a trip leader and needs to be making sure all is running smoothly at every station. That leaves 2 non-medical people for children's area, and 3 non-medical people in the distribution of personal hygiene items, eye exams and lab. Since I am the most "experienced" in this area, (experienced, meaning I have been on the trip before) I am put in charge of the lab. (Gulp...)

What this means is I am to oversee urinalysis testing and blood glucose testing. Plus explain how to do eye exams too. Lord, with your help, we can do this! I am not confident by any stretch of the imagination! For sure you are pushing the limits of my comfort zone! But having watched others do this last year, I am hoping I can manage. This is a highly interactive position, with patients who are often a bit scared of being pricked in the finger, enough to draw blood, by a complete stranger. May my smile ease their fears. May my hands be swift and accurate. May one prick be all that is needed with each patient. May the communication barriers be overcome.

One of our team leaders challenged us last night in our devotions and asked us to ask ourselves, "Why do we do what we do?" The Lord created us in His image and for His glory. We do all we do in order to please Him (and only Him.) So we choose to trust God, honor God, live by faith in Christ. May this day be all for your glory God. May someone be touched today by your presence in me, Lord.

Guatemala #31B

Casa Rosa

Guatemala #30

Katie and Elissa carry a heavy load together uphill.

A large community living space at hotel serves as our team  headquarters where we meet and sort medications. 

This afternoon we carried all the supplies up to a big room to sort and count and repackage into smaller doses. It was all hands on deck. We laid out 5-6 different meds on each bed. Unpacked all the bags and boxes and put like meds together. We did not have to handwrite all the dosage slips this year. Yay! They are preprinted. (Last year we made a slip for each, with when to take, how much and what medication- all in Spanish.) The pre-printing definitely saved time! This was also a great time to get to know new people...

Guatemala #29

We saw steam(?) from active volcano on way up to Santiago. Fields of sugar cane, corn and coffee line the roads up to our destination. La Posada on Lake Atitlan. Another volcano (they say it is called San Pedro) sits across the lake from our hotel. Beautiful location! After lunch we will unpack and get to work....

Guatemala #28

It's very early, predawn, Sunday morning. I awoke to a slight headache. Probably need to drink more water. But only the "good" water! I think back to this time last year, when I was a bit anxious not knowing what my role would be, how I could be useful in this team of medical professionals. While I don't have that same anxiety this trip, I know others do. And I will make it a point to spend time with different (new) team members today and see if I can ease their mind. Encourage.

Most of this day will be spent traveling North. But right now I want to take time to talk to and listen for God. Blessings to you on this Lord's Day! Rejoice and be glad in it!

Guatemala #27

We made it to Guatemala City without incident. Customs and immigration went smoothly. Met team members, had dinner and now we are ready for bed. Heading to Santiago tomorrow morning. It's about a 3-4 hour drive. 

I've been reading "One Thousand Gifts" by Ann Voscamp on this trip and finding so many truths about thankfulness there. More to come on that...

My roommate this year is Candice from Auburn. She is a pediatric oncology nurse, a wife and a stepmom. 

I felt my brain switching over to Spanish at the airport terminal in Dallas. Hearing it over the airport intercom, hearing it in little side conversations between passengers. Such a weird sensation. Thankful that our brains are built to retain things like a foreign language. Thankful for God's grace. Thankful for new friends. Thankful for old friends. Thankful for this opportunity to travel and serve.

Guatemala #26

So why go on short-term missions trips?

Isn't it better to give money to fund the long-term missionaries?

Are we just promoting "voluntourism"?

This week the mission email from Orphan Outreach actually addressed this question.  The mission of Orphan Outreach is “to glorify the Lord Jesus Christ by ministering to orphans around the world by meeting spiritual, physical, emotional and educational needs.”  There are a lot of stories on their website as to why, but it boils down to this: relationship.  When a child or a family sees that you've travelled thousands of miles, taken time off work, used your resources to come and care for them, all in the name of Jesus, that builds relationship and shows God's love in tangible ways.  That is why I am drawn to this endeavor....

In addition, Orphan Outreach seeks ways to help the communities help themselves.  On our trip last year, I had a young man from Guatemala (who was also volunteering with us) tell me, "Thank you for coming...I wish to do things like this for my own people, but do not have all the resources..."  He was helping however he could, volunteering alongside us, as did countless translators, and a couple of doctors.

When in Texas this last week, I was able to spend time with several old friends and (of course) my family.  These are people I have known all my life.  Truth is, I feel like a really shy girl, an introvert who is finally learning how important meaningful relationships really are. We don't have to go to the ends of the earth to show God's love.  This can be communicated in our own home, in our families, in our community.  Wherever God has called you to be, that is where you can shine His light.

But how can I do this when it feels so outside my comfort zone?

In my devotional this morning, this scripture jumped out at me:

Psalms 18:28-30 
For it is you who light my lamp; 
  the Lord my God lightens my darkness.  
For by you I can run against a troop, 
  and by my God I can leap over a wall.  
This God -- his way is perfect; 
  the word of the Lord proves true; 
  he is a shield for all those who take refuge in him.

It is Christ in us, that gives us the strength to do even one day.  He lights our path, and by His power, we can leap over walls!  (Okay, maybe metaphorically...)  I take refuge in this.  He is solid and true.  To me, that hope is worth sharing!

Guatemala #25

Another month closer...

My next trip to Guatemala is coming up quickly.  In case you hadn't heard, the first week of October I am heading back down for a medical mission trip.  Lots of prayer for open hearts, open doors, easy logistics, etc.  Some members of last year's team are joining again, but there are lots of new people to meet.  Very exciting!  As the preparations are beginning, multiple emails arrive in my in-box from team leaders every few days.  This makes it hard to focus on my mundane day-to-day accounting world.  Looking forward to travelling, serving, and feeling renewed in faith and fellowship with the Lord.

Monday Cole and I went to the Dollar Store and stocked up.  Last month, someone gave me a cash donation to buy supplies.  There are some things we can just buy cheaper here in the States.  The team leaders sent out a long list of over-the-counter meds we can bring with us: Adult Multivitamins, Tums, Desitin, Hydracortisone, Loratadine, Neosporin.  The expiration has to be at least a full year after we leave (so after Nov 2017).

But we also needs flip flops from kids size to about women's size 8.  And reading glasses.  Toothpaste.  Toothbrushes.  Lotions.

Now that more people are aware I'm going, they ask me exactly when: October 1-8.  I really appreciate the prayer covering and support.  Thanks for praying for me and my family.  For the team.  For the lost in Guatemala.  I pray that our physical aid, medical and hygiene supplies, lead us to opportunities to share the Gospel directly.  

Guatemala #24

Who is Orphan Outreach?

The organization I will be traveling to Guatemala with is based in Carrollton, TX.  But their reach is global.  They serve orphans in the U.S., Guatemala, Honduras, India, Kenya, Latvia, and Russia.  Similar to Compassion International, they host a child sponsorship program.  For $36/mo you can sponsor a child, providing them "with support for food, clothing, medical and educational needs."  You also get the opportunity to have a "personal relationship and connection" with the child. Check their website for more details and to search the adoption database.

Orphan Outreach also provides opportunities for short-term mission trips for people from all walks of life.  The trip I happen to be involved in is a medical mission. But as you know, I am not a healthcare provider.  Still, they need help from non-medical people too.  This is my 2nd year to head to Guatemala.  The people there are so warm and so grateful to have the help.  It is a blessing to serve them.  The area we work in was devastated by a landslide in 2005 where over 1000 people died.  The Guatemalans speak of this disaster as if it happened yesterday.  It is very emotional to them, even 10 years later.  Orphan Outreach has partnered with a local church in the Cerro de Oro (near Santiago and Lake Atitlan) community and has been working to restore health and dignity to the families there ever since.

Please pray for this trip.  I will be gone for one week in October 1st-8th, 2016.  My kids will stay with friends.  They need prayers too.  Thus far, I have raised 55% of the money I need.  Please consider partnering with me to raise the remainder I need for this trip.  Or consider sponsoring a child.  It is an amazing opportunity to be the hands and feet of Jesus - - so many did this for our family when Eric was sick.  It is this kind of love that motivates me to go.  Thank you for your support!

James 1:27 Pure and undefiled religion in the sight of our God and Father is this: to visit orpahns and widows in their distress, and to keep oneself unstained by the world.

Guatemala #23

Things are kind of crazy around my house.  Boxes stacked everywhere.  We are sorting through our worldly possessions, trying to pare things down.  We are moving to a new house.  What a 1st World Problem, right?  This year I am planning to go back to Guatemala with Orphan Outreach to serve the poor communities around Lake Atitlan with a medical mission team.  We need support.

~~I specifically need funds to be able to go.  See info on the right for information about how to give financially.

~~I also need prayer to cover me during the next few months and while I'm in country.

~~We need donations of flip flops, all sizes, kids to about size 8 women's.  They walk everywhere.  And there are no Walmarts around where they can just pick up a new pair of shoes.

~~We need donations of reading glasses, various strengths, new or used.  Even some of the kids need reading glasses.  Electricity in homes is scarce.  They often sit in low light in the evenings working on homework.  The women do a LOT of intricate beadwork and embroidery to earn money.  This is hard to do when you cannot see to read.

~~A lot of medical items we were able to purchase in country, but we ran out each day and had to buy more.  So any additional funds that can be raised beyond my travel costs would go toward meds and supplies.

The first year they did this medical mission in 2013 they saw about 425 patients.  The second year, in 2015, we more than doubled the number of patients, as the doctors saw almost 950.  There is a great need.  Lord willing, I am going to Guatemala in October, and you can help send me. Thank you.