A Day on Mission

A Day on Mission

Under the Laredo and Costa Rica Tabs you have seen the travel day routines so let’s examine a typical working day on mission and the options you have as a missionary.

Wake up times run between 6AM to 7AM. Optional, Liturgy of the Hours and or Holy Rosary about 6:15 to 6:45 AM. Breakfast 7AM to 7:30 AM. Optional Daily Mass for Catholics 7:45 to 8:15 AM.

It is 8AM. The Mission site has already come alive and patients are being registered for services. Many have waited for hours to be at the front of the line for service. In Costa Rica some came the day before. There is a throng of people maybe hundreds, on opening day. Volunteers are organizing the line and telling patients what to expect. Registration takes place and the triage nurses are busy with the interpreters discerning the patients’ needs taking vital signs and assigning them to the appropriate medical teams for service. More waiting, more lines but healing awaits!
Patient coordinators move the patients to the appointed areas for services and the healing begins.

Its 10:30AM team leaders are giving their members as needed a break for restrooms and refreshments.

Our Clown Suzie, is entertaining the children with face painting, balloon animals, art and games. Our spiritual team is visiting with patients talking about the mission, praying with patients, handing out prayer cards Rosaries and medals. The patients are amazed to learn that the missionaries pay their own way, take time off from work and give up vacation time to serve them in the name of Jesus Christ, the God of Love, Great Mercy and Kindness. Healing of spirit begins.

From 11:30 t0 1:30 missionaries and volunteers break for lunch as needed and return to their work assignments.

Meanwhile the logistics team has been solving the problems that arise. Replace a broken compressor, repair a dental station, make a pharmacy run, make an airport run to pick up a doctor, pick up supplies, change a light, install a fan…

It is 3 PM some missionaries will take a break to say the Prayer of Divine Mercy, others for refreshment.

Patients are being screened for vision, and hearing, receiving chiropractic services and physical therapy, pediatric and general medicine services. For some it is the first time ever that they have been to a real physician or dentist or are amazed that they can see clearly. Healing continues; the LOVE of Christ is shown everywhere.

At 5PM it is time to close for the day and Registration stops. Remaining patients are given return preference for tomorrow. Services are winding down now but some doctors and dentists and technicians will work long beyond the end of the shift as their love drives them on.

The missionaries move toward quarters for a quick shower and a beer or glass of wine before dinner. Dinner is served between 6:30 and 8:30 PM so that various teams are not hurried to complete their assignments.

Logistics folks are driving the priests and religious to their Mass or “Healing Mass” assigned locations. Many missionaries will choose to participate and hop on the vans. Healing masses are held and there are several people who become slain in the Holy Spirit and receive the sacraments or receive reconciliation through confession of sins.

By 9:30 to 10 PM the mission is tired and ready to head for bed.

It has been a great day. Many were healed, some were encouraged, and all were recipients of the Love of Christ thru the kindness of someone they met from the mission team. We were blessed, each one of us, with one of the Gifts of the Holy Spirit.
Peace be with you. See you tomorrow!!