I've had months to prepare for this mission. To organize my suitcases and thoughts so that I am ready to serve. Yet all week I have had a pit in my stomach, and I put off putting anything into my suicases until late last night. Tears have been threatening to spill at any moment for days. I know what I'm about to do and I don't regret it. And yet, fear and excitement course through me. Goosebumps one minute. Hardcore sweats the next. I'm a mess. And I can't sleep, which will probably serve me well on today's 15-hour flight to Dubai.
Thinking back last year at the lowest point of our mission in Cebu fear springs up at the thought of it all happening again: the tragic loss of a child. Rationally, I know it's highly unlikely. The other fear is that I will see things I don't want to see. That is very likely. Between Richland and Karaikal, I hope to to dig up the resolve to face it with a smile of encouragement and hope for the patients and their families who will come to my desk on the first day.
Excitement is the predominant emotion now. I am wide awake and my bags are packed. I'm thrilled to be joined by two fine Rotarians from my club this time: Arlan and Mary Gadeken...Mr. and Mrs. Rotary to the core. Two servants who though retired are still putting their all into making a difference. They were inspired to sign up after I shared Rotaplast and my experience with Columbia Center Rotary Club last year. They will no doubt be wonderful additions to the mission team. And, perhaps the biggest thing to look forward to is the ~100 beautiful new smiles that our team will deliver to patients who have known nothing other than the painful rejection and frustration their deformities have delivered. That will be the last day.
Ten days. 26 pairs of hands. Dozens of people hoping for surgery. It's all ahead of us. It's time and I'm ready. For our patients, may we find success. For me, I only wish for courage and sleep for now.
Let another journey begin. Come what may.
Thinking back last year at the lowest point of our mission in Cebu fear springs up at the thought of it all happening again: the tragic loss of a child. Rationally, I know it's highly unlikely. The other fear is that I will see things I don't want to see. That is very likely. Between Richland and Karaikal, I hope to to dig up the resolve to face it with a smile of encouragement and hope for the patients and their families who will come to my desk on the first day.
Excitement is the predominant emotion now. I am wide awake and my bags are packed. I'm thrilled to be joined by two fine Rotarians from my club this time: Arlan and Mary Gadeken...Mr. and Mrs. Rotary to the core. Two servants who though retired are still putting their all into making a difference. They were inspired to sign up after I shared Rotaplast and my experience with Columbia Center Rotary Club last year. They will no doubt be wonderful additions to the mission team. And, perhaps the biggest thing to look forward to is the ~100 beautiful new smiles that our team will deliver to patients who have known nothing other than the painful rejection and frustration their deformities have delivered. That will be the last day.
Ten days. 26 pairs of hands. Dozens of people hoping for surgery. It's all ahead of us. It's time and I'm ready. For our patients, may we find success. For me, I only wish for courage and sleep for now.
Let another journey begin. Come what may.
Wishing you a very safe and rewarding journey, LT!
ReplyDeleteYou are my hero and you will be in my thoughts and prayers.
ReplyDeleteWishing you all the good luck and a lot of success Lisa!!
ReplyDeleteGood luck to all of the team members. It makes me so proud to have Rotarians from District 5080 on this mission and to have Clubs from D5080 help with the funding. Little effort, big impact. Stay well and enjoy.Hugs to all the team from a former team member and Rotaplast Ambassador.
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ReplyDeleteWishing you and the team much success on this mission! I am so sad that I was unable to travel to India with the team, due to the (Canadian/Indian) consulate bureaucracy and being unable to obtain the right visa for the job! Prayers for the team and the success of this mission!!! I look forward to reading your blog and being there in spirit with you!!! I look forward to the day that I am able to go on a Rotaplast mission and bringing the experience back to our District here in Alberta!!!
ReplyDeleteYou don't have your "Mission Mom" but you DO have a "Mission Dad" this time :) I am very proud of the work you and the ambassadors and Rotaplast staff put into this mission! Wish I was there!!
ReplyDeleteYou have an enormous heart and will to serve. You will make a huge difference to the people in India and to the team. Stimulate the local economy and buy a sari- the patients love this appreciation of their culture & they are fab to wear. Go well. Wish I was there too. Fiona
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