I remember the days we would climb into the surrounding mountains to provide medical and dental care to the villages there. We would get up at 4 am to try to beat the hot sun during our multiple hour trek. We would concern ourselves with packing the right amount of snacks and water in preparation for the strenuous climb. Some did not go as it was a difficult climb. The first time I went, I physically did not make it and was taken back down the mountain, accompanied by a Haitian team member. I marveled that while I was in hiking boots, he was wearing flip-flops. I also was humbled to hear that after he got me back to the property, he climbed back up to join the team, getting there almost at the same time that they did.
These hiking experiences continued each year, and I successfully joined each one. I remember carrying large water bottles stopping half-way through so that the team members could refill their bottles from a larger container carried by a donkey. I noticed that while we worried about having enough water to make the hike, our Haitian team members did not even carry a water bottle. This was just a morning walk for them. Children would often tag along on our hike, once again often wearing only flip-flops, yet we were climbing on loose rocks at a very steep grade. The children acted like this was just a walk to the park.
Our team would stop, once or twice, to rest and grab a snack. Our bodies seemed to need the boost of energy to keep from getting light-headed from low blood sugar levels. We were very aware though that we would be treating people in the village who had signs of vitamin deficiencies and even starvation. Eating in front of them therefore became almost embarrassing. I remember one hike when we stopped by a creek and a team member gave a child a few cheese crackers. We saw that child join a few other children and break the crackers so they could be shared between them. Once more, humbling us.
One day we were providing clinics in a metal building up on a mountain and I was asked to remove several infected teeth from a local mom. Her children cared for each other in the corner of the small building while I cared for her. She was so pleased with the pain free gentle care that she asked me to address a few other concerns on the other side of her mouth. After adding more anesthetic, she started to faint. With the help of our ever-present translators, I found out that she had not eaten in over 24 hours, thus the stress of the treatment caused her blood sugar levels to drop. We found applesauce and soda to give her, making her feel better, and were able to complete the requested treatment. Upon returning to her children, she brought them over to me to smile, say thank you, and placed her baby in my arms. I smiled, bounced the child a time or two, and handed the child back but she would not take it. I asked for a translator to join me to understand what her intentions were. The translator explained that the woman wanted me to take her child back home with me. She explained that she was unable to adequately care for all her children and after being cared for so nicely that day, was sure the child would get a better future if they lived with me. I was shocked, humbled, touched, saddened, and affected for the rest of my life!
-Jeff Steele
