Love, peace,
charity.
Caring for
the disenfranchised, the poor and the weak among us is the message Pope Francis
shared with the world entire on his historic visit to the U.S. This is the message Francis has lived and
shared with people throughout his life.
The United
States is the most generous and giving country in the world; a country whose
citizens donate more time, energy and dollars to those in need than anyone
else.
Pope Francis
has seen what America stands for. That
we, as a nation, comprised of many races, religions, and ethnicities are united
in a spirit of generosity and compassion, working together to care for our
fellow man, improve the human condition, elevate all people, defend freedom and
act to improve the lives of people throughout the world.
This is not
the experience he had living in Argentina I’m sure.
Pope Francis
has challenged Catholics in previous writings to become involved in the mission
of serving. He said that we should go
out to where the people are and come back tired, dirty and smelling like sheep.
I realize
not everyone is ready or willing to smell like sheep, but there are those of us
who derive some strange pleasure from getting dirty and smelly, travelling long
distances to remote areas, overworking, sleeping little and in uncomfortable
places, fighting mosquitos, enduring harsh weather,…(pouring rain, heat,
humidity, or cold) horrible bathroom and bathing facilities, eating
differently, becoming sick, and more… to serve those who need medical
attention.
I am one of
those people and associate with quite a few who feel the same. We have been living Pope Francis’ challenges for
many years. Our team’s members represent
Catholics and many other religions, as well as a few non-believers. They, too, have wonderfully generous hearts
open to helping their fellow man. Two
thousand fifteen marks my 20th year participating with medical
missions; about forty to date.
Obviously, the number isn’t significant, just interesting to reflect on
because it calls to mind that our doctors and support personnel have touched
and impacted an extraordinary amount of lives.
Based on the number of patients per trip, I estimate we have treated approximately
60,000 people! That’s staggering to
contemplate. Our teams have travelled to
Mexico, Costa Rica, Colombia, Peru, Honduras, Bolivia and Nicaragua.
Next week,
our team (St. Francis Medical Mission) will be travelling once again to
Guatemala. This will be my fourth trip
there, but I eagerly anticipate this mission as we will serve the indigenous of
a different region. It involves a four
to five hour bus ride and another hour or so boat trip up the Rio Dulce.
I know many
of you have valid concerns about our safety, but honestly, the only thing I
worry about are the “dang” mosquitos carrying malaria, dengue and chikungunya. Mosquitos, unfortunately, love me.
As always, I appreciate all prayers. It is not reciprocal, but as Pope Francis
said, if you are a non-believer, just wish me well.
I thank you all in advance for the love, support,
prayers and financial donations. You
have always been there for the team and me.
Blessings,
Dr. Rick Barrett
P.S. Mary has
been working on upgrading our mission website.
Please check it out. Any
suggestions are welcome. http://www.stfrancismedicalmission.org/
Also, if you care to donate, please:
-send me a check
-use the donation box at the office
-go directly to the website
-or, if you want me to personally find families or
individuals with specific needs while in the country of Guatemala, send me a
check or use the donation box in the office and I will gladly see that your
donation is used appropriately.
Lastly, I have a few items in my office to use as
silent auction items for donations.
Please come by, take a look and bid on them.
