Have you ever felt exhausted yet exhilarated all at the same time?! If you have, you know how I am feeling in my current state. I have been back in the US for less than 24 hours and I have grocery shopped, unpacked, completed laundry, made dinner with my fam, splurged on a Zesto’s twist ice cream cone, left my house at 4:30am, worked out and have been seeing the morning patients… All before 10am on Monday.
Just last week we were serving thousands of people in San Salvador, El Salvador; one of the most violent cities in the world- yet filled with some of the kindest spirits. I always love to share my experiences with all of you…
First, I witnessed gratitude. Not the ‘thank you for buying lunch’ gratitude; the gut wrenching, welty eyes, death grip on the forearm repeating “God sent you to give us a miracle” type of gratitude. That is what we experienced…Over and over and over. This tiny lady named Delma, brought me to tears.
Her kind words and blessings so were so unnecessary, but it warmed our hearts to know we changed her life. When neurological interference is removed, you could just see life come back through their eyes. It is so hard to describe, but they were doing their best to tell us all the changes they were noticing over the week.
Secondly, I witnessed the universal language…love. Love is patient, love it kind. (1 Corinthians 13:4) The people that came to our site were patient…They would sit for as long as needed until they could be checked. Every. Day. They were patient and let me tell you- it was so hot!! I remember just sweating for hours. Our poor males on site were sweating completely through their shirts- but no one complained, no one left. And boy were they kind… hugs, treats, gifts and so on. Kindness from the deepest parts of their souls. One woman we met was a patient from three and four years ago on previous trips to the same worksite- She was so happy to see us and remembered me immediately- so, guess who felt it was necessary to bring us sweet bread AND her grandkids to be checked? SHE did, of course.
The fact that we had patients handing over their newborns and babies to be checked is love. The fact that although they couldn’t always understand us, but totally trusted us; love. The entire experience exudes a universal love that gave me chills.
Finally, I witnessed friendships. Deep friendships. Friendships with my colleagues by sharing these experiences and spending all meals, long travel and life changing experiences with- AND kickin’ it on the beach to recoup.
Friendships with our El Salvadorian friends- The doctors, nurses and familiar faces from El Salvador- who kept our waters full, our coffee hot and encourage the people to get checked by us; including the mayor of San Salvador.
Ernesto, who made me feel safe, regardless of the location at all times and who I promised to learn spanish for…
Diego, who I pray for him and his families’ safety- Who takes me to his Crossfit gym and buys ME water and tshirts when I should be doing that for him… and refuses to let me pay him back. One of the most caring, kindest humans I know.
Those relationships fuel the fire to return to El Salvador as soon as I can, and always remembering, just as BJ Palmer said, “The love you give away is the love you keep.”
Dr. Niki
Love this!