In Place

Hours and hours of medical training had transpired since I feebly text a good friend and fellow missionary that I was interested in joining the medical team and children's ministry. After a warm welcome and enough sleep to start our mission, we arrived in a large field adorned with a few tents and people who had sacrificed to get much needed medical and optometry screenings. I had seen photos of this medical mission from previous trips but was overwhelmed by the faith of the people as they waited patiently in the sun to receive care.

I nervously flipped through my notes as the experienced team gracefully set up equipment for the day. All the terms and processes flew out of my head as I chatted with my first patient. Christine being the organizational genius that she is, defined my role and gave me context for my job on this mission. My responsibility was to prescreen patients so that the experienced medical caregivers could quickly calculate prescriptions and dispense eye glasses.

Feelings of helplessness overwhelmed me as I realized how much the other team members could do. After saying a quick prayer and getting to know my translator, I accepted that being on this team was an honor and pre-screening proved challenging enough. I was content in my role and loved chatting iwth the translators.

These were no ordinary translators. Equipped with at least two languages, these translators were students and members of a local bible organization that works internationally with missionaries and schools to spread the gospel. Before we even touched down, they were praying for us and preparing for us to work in Burkina Faso. I had no time to think of my medical training as our translators educated me on American and African politics, issues of faith and capitalism and future goals focused on helping African countries. I was honored to be given a peek at the work that they are doing and grateful to know that nothing can stop the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Just when I was getting the hang of my responsibility, I was moved to a new role: prayer and vitamin dissension. Once patients got new glasses they were directed to my team of prayer warriors and translators to be blessed before departing. We prayed in french, english and korean simultaneously for all who wanted prayer. I took a moment to sit back and reflect. I accepted that I was in the right place and I was thankful for my small role on changing the world with my team through prayer and the word of God.

I knew that I could do this forever.