Physically I'm not exhausted but I am tired. Mentally I am a bit overwhelmed with the constant barrage of sights and sounds, working through the language barrier, and just processing everything we experienced this past week. Emotionally and spiritually, I am whole. It was such an inspiration to work hand in hand with the 51 missionaries on this trip as well as the people of Anamuya. I'm so glad that I was a part of this mission trip. God is good!
Looking forward, I see a growing amount of interest, a growing energy to help raise the education level, health conditions, and overall standard of living for these refugees. Father Bob visited with lots of people while we were there and provided a tour of the work site to US Aid and the Dolan family to help raise awareness and gain support for future efforts such as rebuilding the septic system so that human waste is properly handled rather than being washed away after rainstorms.
I'm happy to help spread the word of the needs that exist and to bring more help to make a true difference in their world. And, God-willing, perhaps I'll have a chance to go on future mission trips to continue to be the change I wish to see in the world.
Planned activities for this mission:
1. Clean and refurbish the chicken coop
2. Dig trenches and lay cement foundation for vocational center
3. Build trusses for vocational center
4. Set up and run a medical center
Other activities:
5. Improvements in the school including installing ceiling fans, hanging and painting doors, installing door hardware, installing ceiling lights, finishing the electrical pipes and wiring, cleaning the rooms and desks
6. Bible school for children for 4 days
7. Correcting residents electrical
8. Gravel
9. Sidewalks
10. Playground sand and roof
11. Sorted and passed out donated clothing, shoes, school supplies in hand made backpack
12. Garbage clean-up
13. Painting
14. Cleaned at Caritas (free clinic run by the sisters)
15. Made a door for medical center
16. Unloaded and stored blocks for foundation
Most memorable:
-Mass on the steps of the Basilica on a clear night with a full bright moon
-Thank-you dinner at Don Carlos restaurant with a speech by the senator and a message from the Pope
Most disgusting:
-Garbage duty - you never knew what you would find or what would be in it
-El Mercado, the outdoor market - especially the meat stands and the exhaust fumes
Most heartbreaking:
-Seeing the physical condition and health up close with lack of basic necessities while assisting at the medical clinic
-Infant girl who was three and a half month old and diagnosed with failure to thrive. She was listless and not eating, and her family could not afford the medicine prescribed for her back in October
-Tin City
Most fun:
-Taxi ride with Freddie blasting music and singing
-Sending message home on new year's eve
-Hanging out and getting to know fellow team members after a long day of work
Things I never saw:
-Mailboxes
-Newspapers
-Birds
-Cars stopping at red lights (rarely!)
Things I wish I didn't see:
-Babies walking around with no diaper, underwear or pants
-The poor living conditions beyond imagination
-So much smog and exhaust fumes
-Five people riding on one moped
-Near riot and two fights over the gifts we were giving out
-Constant begging
-Street vendor at the community center on the last day when we said our goodbyes
Most uplifting:
-Incredible work ethic and talents of missionaries and villagers-Deep empathy and concern for the residents and individual members of the community
-Games of baseball in a field of weeds
-Teens taking charge on certain activities and forming bonds with kids
Things I won't miss:
-Exhaust fumes
-Loud music speakers
-Constant noise and chaos
Things I wish I would have brought:
-Tums
-Tissues
-Gatorade mix
-Photo printer
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