|
|
DR Pure Water Page 2 |
Prescribing Prevention In the Dominican Republic 2008 Update This was my second trip to the Dominican Republic riding on the apron strings of the medical mission team launched from the St. Eustace Episcopal Church by Robin Baxter.* Knowing what to expect, having prepared extensively, and having survived - even succeeded - on the first trip still did not keep me from worrying about not being up to the task. The language barrier is immense, the cultural barrier is largely unfathomable, and like the doctors, the nurse practitioner, and the physicians' assistants on the medical team, my success or failure could mean the difference between life and death. Would my best effort be enough? It is uncomfortable and even scary to have such a burden on your shoulders. Upon arrival in the Dominican Republic, I drew comfort from a prayer adapted from a quotation by the boxer, Mohammad Ali: Learn all you can; Set up your plan; But have faith when your preparations are through: If they can make penicillin out of moldy bread, God sure'll make something out of you. Well, my prayer was answered, and my performance this year, like my performance last year, was way beyond my best abil- ity. Much, much more was accomplished than anyone would have dreamed possible. Furthermore, it was not only so with MY work, but every member of the medical team was functioning way beyond his or her previous personal best. Perhaps it was the adrenaline, or the contagious nature of being in a group of |
overachievers, but I like to think that, simply, my prayer was answered, generously. |
Robin Baxter * (red blouse center) and the 2008 Dominican Republic Medical Mission Team. |