Yesterday
I made a tough call – I postponed an upcoming June 10 mission trip to Haiti.
The reason – Chikunguya Fever, an illness similar to Dengue. Not fatal, but
certainly not pleasant.
The
decision to postpone was reached only after two weeks of tracking this newest
of health challenges for Haiti; a detailed discussion with a Haitian doctor in
Port au Prince, who is also a trusted friend; a lengthy conversation with our
team’s medical director; and many hours of research and prayer.
This
is not the first trip to Haiti that I have postponed – actually, it is the
fifth such trip, all planned with detailed and loving care in an effort to
support our brothers and sisters in Haiti who have faced incredible challenges
throughout their brief but turbulent history.
Two
trips were delayed due to hurricanes, one due to the malaria epidemic when it
was at its peak, and one due to the extreme political unrest that preceded
President Martelly’s election. Each of these trip delays was a painful reminder
of just how little control we have when it comes to carrying out the wishes and
intentions of our hearts through mission work in the world as Christ’s
disciples.
The
June 10 team is disappointed and I would imagine a little angry. Several of the
team members have never been to Haiti and were experiencing that wonderfully
innocent enthusiasm of a first time missioner. Two experienced missioners were
set on going despite the possibility of contracting Chikunguya. Others were
resigned. I am heartsick.
Yet,
once again, I will be unable to connect with those whom I am trying to help.
Those who are geographically so close; but, in reality, so very far away.
As
I struggled through the night combating thoughts of failure with prayerful
requests of guidance from God, I came to this conclusion – one I can live with.
The
Best Practices for Medical Missions to Haiti has put me in touch with gifted
medical personnel in Haiti. They have been to the proposed June mission site. I
will send them to do the work that we had intended to do. As for the other
components of our planned trip – they can wait patiently for a few months.
Indeed we can continue to perfect the plans for a poultry farming project and
work harder at raising funds for the solar project already handed over to a
Haitian company for an initial design and implementation plan.
This
morning God’s message has burst through the feelings of failure. I am seeing a
bit more clearly that if the Best Practices project goal is to create
sustainable projects that “will be there after we have gone” then that is what
we must do. We must gradually let go of our need to be continually present
while the seeds of our work grow at the hands of those who own the fields.
Freedom and growth comes from a love that does not cling. We all know that – We
all need God, and perhaps Chikunguya too, to remind of that, so that with our love and prayerful support others can grow.
No comments:
Post a Comment