The mid-point of a medical mission project is a very significant day, for both the team members and the patients.
Most commonly, reports of compassionate care received and successful surgery results have spread like wildfire through the communities being served, resulting in long lines, with hundreds of people hoping to be seen at the beginning of the second week.
Today was no exception.
The patients’ feelings of hope, mixed with more than a little desperation, was palpable.
I often think about how that must feel, especially for those who have been living with little or no vision for so long – or the teasing endured by those who have “crazy eyes” (crossed eyes from strabismus). And it is astonishing to see the number of people who are in need of a prostheses due to an eye injury or an illness. Many have lived with an empty socket because there was no affordable alternative.
It is no wonder patients are concerned that the endless lines will prevent their entry as the week goes on.
Worry and fear are clearly the overriding sentiments – but those are coupled with hope, and an enormous amount of patience as the hours of waiting in line increase.
For the team members, the feelings experienced are gratefulness (we are seeing the large crowds of people we hoped for), determination (we will continue to provide love and good eye care to each and every patient), and faith and trust (God will bring the very people He wants us to help.) We also hope that we have the stamina to power through the long and exhausting days ahead.
I never thought about it before – but I do believe that we all have “Second Monday” experiences throughout our lives.
What do your Second Mondays look like?
…Do they come when are you afraid of what might happen in the days or weeks ahead?
…Are there times when feelings of desperation or hopelessness overcome you?
Where do you turn when life circumstances begin to crush your spirit, stealing any remnant of joy you might have had?
I am envisioning each and every one of us in line, waiting in hope to encounter our God of boundless love and compassion, who will minister to our every need.
The beauty of His Presence is that He stands beside us in the waiting – and joins us in each step forward along the way.
He waits…for us to see.
And sometimes the only visual adjustments we need are within the lenses of our own outlooks.
If we can focus on God, we can find the pockets of peace in the midst of our Second Mondays.
And, that being attained, we can celebrate the most clear vision we have ever enjoyed.
His Mission….accomplished.
For I am the Lord your God Who holds your right hand, and Who says to you, ‘Do not be afraid. I will help you.’ ~Isaiah 41:13 (NLV)
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This was written on the Second Monday of the MMI eye project in Yapacaní, Bolivia.
Love you…
Me too, so much!
And what a beautiful posting.
Toni have been thinking and praying for the project. Now praying for strength and endurance to finish up and travel safely home!
Thank you for this. Chemo hasn’t worked for Keith, so our oncologist is seeing, if he can get into an immunotherapy trial and he has to see a palliative care doctor.
OHHHH TONI..thank you for such a writing..blesses us all…💟
Sent from my Verizon, Samsung Galaxy smartphone
Thank you so much for your prayers, Frannie! Xo
Beautiful words, my dear friend.
Once again the mission is touching so many in need. Continued prayers for alll involved…
Thanks for sharing this mid-mission inspiration and encouragement.
My dear dear friend…thank you for this reminder of our 2nd Mondays. You are such a blessing. Hope all went well in Bolivia….we met your dear friends in Columbia. xo
Hope all went well….that last comment was me…I am technically challenged!!
What beautiful words of hope, Toni! I miss you, and am in prayer for you in 6A, as well as the rest of the team. God bless you all!
Beautiful. Thank you for sharing. Safe travels!
Toni- beautiful thoughts and insights as usual! Wonderful hearing how well the mission trip is doing reaching the people in Bolivia!
Toni, Amen! Beautifully written…..a beautiful reminder. Blessings and prayers be with you.
Jeanene
What ?
So appreciated your beautiful words as we head tomorrow for Zambia to do the same. Feeling tired, so needed the encouragement of why and for whom we do this work. 🙏