My time in Peru (part 3 of ?)
Aramachay: "the place that has nothing." Loosely translated by one of our translators. When I think about what we did give them, it was more abundant than any tangible thing. Hope, the love of Jesus, laughter. Some received reading glasses for the first time in their lives, just so they could read their Bibles. 341 total people registered for our medical services we provided; 37 accepted Jesus for the first time in our lives. 37 documented; I know for a fact there were more. It was just really amazing to see God work through us and through those we served and helped. I'm just happy to have been part of the experience. Before I decided to go, I really didn't want to at first. There were so many "what ifs" and of course, I was worried about being able to raise the money needed to go. But in the end it worked out, and I wouldn't trade the experiences and stories I shared for anything.
I've been back in the states for a little over a week now. I worked this weekend, with census numbers the highest I had ever seen them. I talked with a patient who "could not live this way anymore." And proceeded to be sobbing while telling me this. I asked them if they believed they could do it; they could get over the worst of these withdrawals. They rolled their eyes at me. And I was over it. It was so frustrating, because when I was in Peru these people hung on every word I told them. I'm not expecting my patients to do that with me,but this incident reminded me of a series of resentments I've been harboring. It started in the airport, people being so negative. Then it was that patient. Then last night it was the lady in Kroger who was complaining to an employee and then to me that broccoli was being sold by the pound and all I was getting was "stems." Then it was Ohio's governor ripping on hard working teachers, which both of my parents were. Then it was just the usual crap I read on Facebook that I'm sick and tired of reading day after day after day that I just really don't care about. So I logged off for the rest of the day, prayed and listened to Third Day. But in all these interactions, all I could think about was those Peruvian people. Who would love to eat stems of broccoli other than just flour, who would love to have a job, who would love to have what we as Americans take for granted every day.
Yes, perhaps there's a bit of guilt in there too. That I'm back in my comfortable duplex with food to eat and a good job. We gave these people so much, but all of us on the team wished there was more we could have done. God has a lot of work to do in me now that I'm back, and I've just been praying, because that's all I know how to do. Praying for these people, for Aramachay, myself, and my work and these resentments. We really just don't have a clue what is going on with our brothers and sisters across the world, and I'm speaking for myself just as much as anyone. In the meantime, I'm just doing my best to continue what God is wanting me to do and praying that my resentments would turn into something positive.
I've been back in the states for a little over a week now. I worked this weekend, with census numbers the highest I had ever seen them. I talked with a patient who "could not live this way anymore." And proceeded to be sobbing while telling me this. I asked them if they believed they could do it; they could get over the worst of these withdrawals. They rolled their eyes at me. And I was over it. It was so frustrating, because when I was in Peru these people hung on every word I told them. I'm not expecting my patients to do that with me,but this incident reminded me of a series of resentments I've been harboring. It started in the airport, people being so negative. Then it was that patient. Then last night it was the lady in Kroger who was complaining to an employee and then to me that broccoli was being sold by the pound and all I was getting was "stems." Then it was Ohio's governor ripping on hard working teachers, which both of my parents were. Then it was just the usual crap I read on Facebook that I'm sick and tired of reading day after day after day that I just really don't care about. So I logged off for the rest of the day, prayed and listened to Third Day. But in all these interactions, all I could think about was those Peruvian people. Who would love to eat stems of broccoli other than just flour, who would love to have a job, who would love to have what we as Americans take for granted every day.
Yes, perhaps there's a bit of guilt in there too. That I'm back in my comfortable duplex with food to eat and a good job. We gave these people so much, but all of us on the team wished there was more we could have done. God has a lot of work to do in me now that I'm back, and I've just been praying, because that's all I know how to do. Praying for these people, for Aramachay, myself, and my work and these resentments. We really just don't have a clue what is going on with our brothers and sisters across the world, and I'm speaking for myself just as much as anyone. In the meantime, I'm just doing my best to continue what God is wanting me to do and praying that my resentments would turn into something positive.
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