a new vision
I knew that going to Honduras would change my life but I never could have imaged the change my heart experienced throughout the trip.
To tell you about my trip... let's start from the very beginning.
So I signed up for this medical mission trip with my mother, my sister, my aunt and my cousin because they all thought it would be a great experience to share together. I really was just along for the ride. I had no expectations. I had no clue how I could be of any service to the trip or even why my name was on the sign up sheet. Being the political science major that I am, I had no ounce of medical experience and honestly was terrified of all things medical.
I quickly learned that God uses even the most unequipped people to do his work.
On our clinic days, we would all pack (when I say pack, I mean PACK) into a yellow school bus and drive two hours up crazy dirt mountain roads that were extremely treacherous. At times we would even have to get out of the bus to make it up the hills. Sometimes, the wheels of our bus were nearly millimeters from going off the edge...it was simply wild.
My family and I were working the eyeglass clinic which gave us the opportunity to meet many amazing people including our fellow eyeglass workers, our translators, and of course the Honduran people who came through our clinic. We would somehow set up these clinics (truly it amazed me how it all worked out) to see patients that were seeking medical attention. At the eyeglass clinic, I helped give eye exams which was a very fun task (in my opinion). I would try to speak spanish to many of the patients which was so amazing but made my brain so tired after a while. I became very close with our translator who was one of the most amazing people I have ever met. Saying goodbye to her was such a sad moment because we had grown close during our days spent together.
All in all, the experience left me with a new perspective. How is it that so many parts of the world are impoverished and yet the people that live there are so grateful? How is it that the faith of these individuals is so great and yet I have trouble holding on to my own at times? I certainly gained a different understanding of the world that I hope will reflect into my life. I am so grateful for every moment that I have experienced this summer and I can only hope that the coming months will be filled with more growth, positivity, love, friendships, faith, adventure, and everything in between.
