It is only our second day of missions and already it feels like we have been here much longer! Today was a day that brought us outside our comfort zone.
We began the day again with Mass with the Missionaries of Charity at 6:30 am. (We have to get up before 6:00 in order to make it on time.) Today we had to pack our breakfast with us and eat it just after Mass and morning prayers because then we had to travel to Wound Clinic.
Something like 20 of us crammed together into the Missionary of Charity van. We are pretty sure they don’t sell this type of van where we come from. (It wouldn’t pass regulations to carry so many passengers!)
As we got closer to our destination, we slowed down to drive through the marketplace. At a certain point, we were stuck and had to get out and walk through the crowd. We were glad to be with the sisters, but had to follow quickly after them. The closer we got to our destination, the tighter the crowd became.
Only after pushing back the multitude and opening the gates to enter did we realize we were missing one from the group. But the Missionary of Charity sister with us didn’t seem too worried and she put us straight to work. (We were still all praying a Hail Mary for Christina’s safe return.)
A few minutes later she came in and told us her story. After exiting the van, one of the other sisters told Christina to follow her on a “short cut.” (We know we are always safe with the sisters, but we were all relieved when we saw her anyway!)
Within 20 minutes of our arrival, we were already at work with patients in the clinic. We didn’t have many photos from this time because we were working nonstop from the moment we arrived. And frankly, the wounds we were working with are not really something you want to take photos of… (And it is easier to deal with the sights over the smells!)
We all started off a bit squeamish and wondered if we would be able to get through it. In the end, we were surprised at our own strength and the depth of the experience. (We even considered going back the next day.)
Mary Kate, Mary Jo and I dressed wounds while Christina helped the sisters in the “pharmacy” by organizing the medicines and trying to bring a bit of joy to the lives of the people.
After seeing around 400 people and cleaning up, we finished at noon. Just as we were leaving, another man arrived who had just cut himself with his machete. Though this was beyond what the sisters could treat, they wrapped his wound as best they could and gave him the money to get a taxi to the hospital for stitches.
We returned to the Guesthouse, ate lunch and took a siesta. Then we went off again to the Children’s Home to spend the afternoon with the children.
Tomorrow will serve with the Missionaries of Charity at their Home for the Dying. Thank you again for your prayers!
