Heavy Suitcases, Light Backpacks
Before our medical teams depart for Bolivia or Paraguay, there is always a delicate and arduous process of suitcase packing. Critically-needed and valuable medical supplies are carefully inventoried and tightly packed into suitcases filled to the maximum weight allowed. If you have ever witnessed our teams checking in at O'Hare Airport, you can attest it is the opposite of Jesus’ instruction to the disciples: “Take no bag for your journey.” (Matthew 10:10) We travel with as many bags as the airline will allow, and each is full.
In the case of our medical supply bags, Solidarity Bridge does not travel light!
But this is only true of our medical supply suitcases. In other aspects of our travel, we aim to embody a different mantra: “May your bags be light.” With those words, Tania Avila, a Maryknoll lay missioner and Bolivian theologian, blessed our Solidarity Bridge and Puente de Solidaridad communities at the conclusion of an afternoon of reflection she recently co-facilitated with Maryknoll priest Fr. Steven Judd.
Our communities had gathered to examine the importance of the intercultural encounters that are a central part of our solidarity and medical efforts. More than thirty of us from the United States and Bolivia - doctors, missioners, board members and staff - reflected on the challenges of this work and the lessons we have learned as we strive to forge authentic relationships across diverse cultures. It was a rich time together, with abundant discoveries. As participants reflected on their personal experiences of encounter through our mission, they shared their observations:
“Intercultural encounter humanizes us. It expands our world.”
“The experience of encounter allows us to gain new perspectives.”
“These encounters generate a mutual commitment that allows us all to move forward, co-creating together.”
“Each encounter uncovers mystery and surprise. Something always happens that wasn’t anticipated or expected.”
“Intercultural encounter breaks down barriers and creates new pathways to empathy.”
“Encounter is a transformational process. It leads to dialogue which leads to the discovery of new solutions.”
“True encounter requires mutuality and reciprocity. Everyone has something to learn and everyone has something to teach.”
Our partnerships and relationships with our colleagues and friends in Bolivia and Paraguay are some of the most important aspects of our work. Being with them and with our patients and their families is what we miss the most in these long months without travel. As we closed our afternoon of conversation and collective learning, we envisioned the joyous in-person reunions we know will come. Tania and Fr. Steve reminded us again to leave space in our backpacks (and in our hearts and minds) as we prepare for this future travel. If our bags are fully packed - heavy with obligations and loaded with expectations - they can become a burden that prevents us from seizing the opportunities for mutual learning that our encounters offer. “May your bags be light, because when they are light, you have the freedom to feel and to think.”
As for our medical supply suitcases … those can still be stuffed to the limit!