Helplessness

Today was the first real mission day. Yesterday, we saw the city as we drove through Port-au-Prince from the airport, but we hadn't seen the culture quite like this. We started the day by touring the Elder School, and we presented a little piece of our lives back home. After that, we went to deliver water to three different sites in Cite Soleil. Of course, I had seen pictures from past presentations done by past teams, but it had never dawned on me just how hopeless it all seemed. Also, when people think about mission trips, they think about how they will do so much and help the local populace. However, today I witnessed how helpless we really are based on their needs. One little boy really showed me this. I was holding the hose, filling up their buckets, and the little boy walked by. All of a sudden, he winced, stopped, and held up his foot as if he stepped on something. It was then that I saw the inch-and-a-half long piece of glass, sticking out of his foot. He pulled it out, and the blood immediately started pouring from his foot. He screwed up his face in pain and looked around for help. The other team members and I tried to get the attention of the leaders, and they started to stop the flow of blood. As they wrapped it up, we all stood around, watching, and in my case, feeling helpless. As we started to drive away, I just was thinking about what he would do about that cut. In the U.S., we would keep it wrapped up, wear shoes around, and keep it dry and safe, but he probably didn't have those options. He might get it infected or opened up again, and there wasn't a single thing I could do to help him. In that moment, I felt that I truly understood the trip. I have been amazed by the poverty and hopelessness here, but also by the love and compassion shown by my fellow team members, by our chaperones, and by the locals. I continue to be amazed, and can't wait for tomorrow!
Max Crandall