Moments and Memories.

Last week I returned from a (very short) medical mission trip to Peru. I had the privilege of being the interpreter for one of our nurse practictioners on the trip. We got an early start each day and worked until late into the night. Here's a breakdown of the things that I experienced and memories that were made:

Day 1: Travel Day.

We made it to the airport and finally boarded after a two hour delay. Because of this setup the group missed our next flight by minutes, and had a difficult time with customer service. Just in time we had arrived at the counter, but the staff was extremely overwhelmed and there were some words exchanged. The line behind us continued growing for the next couple hours. Our group was still determined to stay together, so our pastor was on the phone for a couple hours with a very helpful agent. Once we had rebooked flights for the morning, we split into our respective groups and the "fab five" as we called ourselves set out for the hotel shuttle. When we had settled in our room, we walked to a nearby restaurant and had a leisurely and late dinner with lots of chips and salsa.

Day 2: Prep time.

We scrambled onto the flight that connected with another part of our team from two other cities. After a quick introduction and perusal of shops in the area, we boarded our train finally heading to Lima. Once we got there my bag and one other person’s didn’t arrive. We waited for several hours well past midnight with no luck on my suitcase. After filling out a lost luggage form we headed to the hotel before an early morning. The next flight would leave the following morning, several hours before dawn.

Day 3-6: Clinic Days.

Most of us just got an hour or two of sleep, guzzling coffee to maintain alertness. When we landed in Trujillo, the area where we were going to work with our church, we unloaded *their* baggage, and sat down for breakfast and more coffee. We sorted the medications, still a small supply until the second half of our group made it in, to arrive the following day. Since my nurse practitioner was not in the country yet, another person and I sorted several of the kids' toys that would be used in future church work.

Days one, two and three of clinic were very long and Spanish-filled for me. We started around 9:00 each morning where I would sit at one end of the table and T, my nurse practictioner, would sit next to me. Each person would go through intake, get basic medical information written along with other concerns, and walk up to us. They sat in front of T either as individuals, couples, or families. Sometimes parents would come requesting information about their child, who was in school after six hours of waiting in line. Some of the people were coming to us after work, or had taken off a day to come see us.

Stories.

Each person had stories. Either they had seen us four years back when we were there last, or they had not been able to seek medical assistance since their medicine had run out during Covid. Some were inquiring as to the best way to help their infant children. One young lady was caring for multiple kids and her own elderly parents at the same time. We had one older lady who could hardly stand after multiple days of back-breaking labor in her yard. So many stories of sore joints, backs, and heads because of the hard work that they are required to do, often in the sun, and usually with the necessity of feeding their own families. A couple young people were requesting information on protection products and others on how to handle self-care.

One of my favorite stories, which also touched T as well, included a mother with two young boys, ages eight and ten. They were very respectful when T was inspecting them, asking questions, and getting to know them a little. Then when we got to the mother, she just shared that she wanted her children to be healthy. After some prodding from T, she explained a couple things that she might be able to receive, such as medicine continuation for her back. T was very good about looking up comparative medications or remedies that would be available in Trujillo that wouldn't cost much. Let me emphasize: These people are spending all their very hard earned money to care for their children. For them, family is everything. The young mother teared up and explained to T that she was a single parent. Then it was like a curtain lifted and T was able to give advice to this woman on self-care and on allowing her boys to share responsibility when she was unable to carry things or get as much done as she would like.

Another scene that I love was when one little four-year-old was acting just like any child that age who has waited a really long time. He sat still for three minutes when T was checking him and then started touching everything around him. At one point he started fiddling with the smiley face on T’s stethoscope and she offered for him to listen to her heart. Whenever he put those on, he stood stock still for a full five minutes! I like to think that some day he might become a doctor in Peru.

Conversations like these remind me why I love working in a position where I can speak other languages. In situations like this, I get to be a fly on the wall and help make conversations possible between people who otherwise would not have understood anything beyond "Hello." This is why I continue to study and travel, teaching me that there is always something new to learn every day.

Reflection.

There were a couple days of travel after this, but the majority of my enjoyment was completed on the very last day. I hate saying goodbye, but I love leaving the Peruvians with the family who serves there, knowing that they will be in good hands. These are a strong people and I can't wait to see what happens when we see them again!