The Adventure Begins!

Be ready, dressed as for a journey, with your lights burning.
—Luke 12:35

Thursday, December 2, 1:30 pm somewhere over Mexico.

A journey, an adventure started three hours ago as twelve associates from Shawnee Mission Medical Center took off on our way to Belize. Michelle, Lisa, Pat, Pam, Merry, Kim, Leslie, Ron, Sue (x 3) and myself are at 37,000 ft, headed to San Ignacio Belize, some to work in the Good Shepherd clinic, some to do health education in the schools and community, some to build a three room school and all to do a nightly radio show.

That is our purpose. The adventure is about what we will experience, and how we will be different when we return.

The adventure is about learning, sharing, trusting, trying things for the first time, doing what can be done to make a difference, their way in their world.

The adventure is about meeting a new culture, new people, new ways and in the midst of all that is new meeting ourselves in a new way, maybe for the first time.

The adventure includes anticipation and some degree of anxiety with the unknown but a commitment to being open to what new things God may invite us to see, hear, think or do.

Saturday, 9:30 pm, San Ignacio Belize.

Thus far we have:

• Worshiped with Sister Margaret who started her small clinic in the jungle at the age of 23 and has run it for the last 43 years. Cared for many patients, children and expectant mothers. Faith, humility, love, compassion, competence, gratitude and calling speak to us.
• Started work at the small school in Bullet tree. Students, for whom a new pencil is a gift, smile, as they are both curious and thankful for what we are doing. The teachers are thrilled with the health education we will be sharing next week. Gratitude, joy, can do spirit in the midst of a difficult situation inspire us.
• Shared a radio program on Faith FM which reaches most of Belize and parts of Guatemala and Mexico. The strongest and oldest Christian radio signal in the land.
• The Borland brothers drive 5 hours each week to the rugged mountains to take 55 gallons of diesel to run the repeater station. Faithfulness, commitment, purpose and joy humble us.

Our adventure has begun, how about the adventure you are on today? While it may be familiar for you, you will be caring for someone who is on their own adventure in health, filled with anticipation and anxiety for the unknown.

The purpose is to bring hope and healing. The adventure is to meet them in the midst of their world and help them.

May their encounter with you be one that helps them meet themselves, and because of their time with you be different; different, stronger, grateful, hopeful and even inspired.

That is our purpose. The adventure is about what we will experience, and how we will be different when we return.

The adventure is about learning, sharing, trusting, trying things for the first time, doing what can be done to make a difference, their way in their world.

The adventure is about meeting a new culture, new people, new ways and in the midst of all that is new meeting ourselves in a new way, maybe for the first time.

The adventure includes anticipation and some degree of anxiety with the unknown but a commitment to being open to what new things God may invite us to see, hear, think or do.