My brother-in-law and sister-in-law started a medical mission ministry many years ago. It’s called Tree of Life Medical Missions. If you are interested in finding more about them click on this link: http://www.treeoflifemedicalmissions.org
They asked me to serve as chaplain for the ministry. So today, after a long journey, I am in Mexico, now turning in for the night and reflecting on the day’s adventure. We’re here to do free surgeries and run a medical clinic for the people in Palenque, Chiapas, Mexico.
Checking into LAX was a nightmare. We checked in as a group. Our group is 50 strong. And when I mean strong, I am not just talking about personalities. Most of the people on the trip are medical professionals and used to being in charge. I love standing in the background and watching the dynamics as multiple people try and give solutions to the problems we are facing. It never gets ugly, and the right solution is always achieved, but it isn’t always easy to do things smoothly when there are so many of us. And it did NOT go smoothly.
The airline (which will remain nameless) had such a problem getting us checked in that 7 people from our didn’t make it onto the plane before they closed the doors. So they took a different flight and will be here in the morning. Three others on the trip had such an awesome breakfast that they forgot to get on the plane. They should be here soon.
Then, one of our doctors had an issue with her name in the airline’s computer, which caused her complete reservation to be erased. When she landed in Mexico City, they needed to put her back into the system so she could get her second boarding pass to get the next flight to Villahermosa. The manager at unnamed airline asked her, “Do you have proof you took the first flight?” We all looked at each other dumbfounded by the question. I told her to tell him, “I’m standing here.”
All the issues finally got figured out. We got on the plane, landed in Villahermosa, and drove 2 hours to Palenque. When we arrived, we were greeted with a delicious dinner of tamales, quesadillas, rice, beans, salad, carne asada, and carrot soup. For dessert we had flan and fruit salad with jamaica and horchata for beverages.
The day began at 4am and ended at 10pm and almost nothing went as planned, which I hated as someone who likes to plan everything. But that is truly life. And I am learning the difference between living by a plan and living by the Spirit. It’s hard for me because I like to be in control, but to live by the Spirit IS to live by control, but the Spirit’s control, not mine.
Well, tomorrow will be another day to experience what God has for us.
