The Big Picture

Today I worked with a nurse at Mercy who began her nursing career by doing door to door community nursing in Mexico. She expressed how much joy there was in serving the needs of the people. They were so appreciative. There was no pay for her except her food. The doctor was sometimes paid with money, sometime with tacos and once a live turkey that the nurses had to watch at the clinic until he could take it home. Her eyes sparkled as she shared about that year of service.

She talked about the vast difference in nursing now in the US. She said there is always concern about every little thing because you can get in trouble. She said in Mexico she worked without fear, serving 'from the heart'.

I look forward to doing that in Africa--but I know it will come with the expense of not having sufficeint supplies, diagnostic equipment, a wide variety of medications and support staff if I serve in the remote area I imagine. I am committed to learning the most that I can over the next year and a half so that I can provide the best care possible with the resources at my disposal.