Monday, April 7 ~ All That We Hold in Common
~~Ephesians 4:1-6
I therefore, the prisoner in the Lord, beg you to lead a life worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, making every effort to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to the one hope of your calling, one Lord, one Faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is above all and through all and in all.
~~The mission trip was coming to the end. The group had been on the river for twelve days. A physician, on her first – and I suspected – only trip, said, “This is your fourth trip, why do you do it?” My quick response was for the adventure, to work with the students, and to bring some healthcare to people living in a third world country. Two years later, I still think my response was too shallow, more needed to be said.
The Manchester Medical Practicum provides experience for students interested in healthcare by having them work alongside professionals in the rural setting in a developing country. The medical practicum is an extension of the university’s core principles of learning and service. All of the students I have worked with reflect these values that have not changed since I was a student there fifty years ago.
I’m always struck by how much we have in common with the people we saw in the clinic or in the villages. The little children there are as cute as our children or grandchildren. They love and care for their children as we love and care for ours. They work, they play, they laugh, and like us, they have their problems and their disagreements.
Why I made four mission trips is summarized in Ephesians 4:1-6. “I beg you to lead a life worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, making every effort to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to the one hope of your calling, one Lord, one Faith, one God and Father of all, who is above all and through all and in all.”
Perhaps the best answer to the question, “Why do you do it?” is… Why shouldn’t I?
Warren R. Hickman