Micah has returned safely from Kenya!! As I mentioned before, the two-hour delay in Chicago caused him to miss his connecting flight in Qatar and then the first day, which fortunately is only a preparation day. After he got to the hotel, he ate a late dinner and then went to bed. In the morning he and the rest of the team were up early for their first day of clinic. As they arrived, there was a large crowd already gathered, waiting for them. Most of the crowd started arriving around 4AM, but the first woman in line came at 1AM. The team’s goal was to see 250 patients a day, but on that first day they were able to treat 343, and over the next three clinic days they helped an average of 300 per day!
Micah’s main job was crowd control, so he directed the patients from place to place, depending on their needs. He was also able to shadow the physical therapist at times, which was perfect for him. After he got adjusted to everything, he says that he really began to realize that he needed to focus on each person that he helped. It’s all too easy for us to get caught up in “getting the job done,” but as important as doing the job is, the people are really the important thing. He said that it was after he changed his mindset that he really began to feel the needs of each patient, and that’s when he truly began to understand how important his work was. Sometimes we use the expression, “I couldn’t see the forest through the trees,” but occasionally the opposite is true. We need to stop and see each “tree in the forest!” Rather than focusing only on the big picture and just getting the job done, we must stop and remember that the value of our work isn’t in the quantity, it’s in the quality. Through making those personal connections and seeing the gratitude on their faces, Micah came to understand, for himself, why he was really there and where the heart of true service lies.
As parents we try to explain things to our children, but sometimes it’s not until they gain experience and learn these lessons for themselves, they can’t truly understand what we are really trying to teach. Helping others is at the heart of what Micah wants to do with his life as he begins his education to become a physical therapist in two weeks. It’s great to see this heart of service in him like it was in Hannah, and look out, there might be another mission trip in his future!
We are blessed.
P.S. We can’t do this alone. If you would like to donate to Hannah Helps:
PayPal: paypal.com/us/fundraiser/charity/5609126
Venmo: venmo.com/u/hannahhelps19
Your support is needed and greatly appreciated!
Thank You!
Hannah Helps Blog 