IT WAS WORTH IT

450 patients in 3 days treated by 2-3 doctors and a physical therapist. That's how many people were helped by the medical team that went to the slums of Kolkuta. "My body hurts" was the predominate complaint as they came into the clinic. Of course their bodies hurt. They bend over working in the field all day or carry cement on their heads for a living. Their harsh lifestyles would make any body hurt. Just listening to their complaints, rubbing their backs, touching their skin, and giving them some relief with pain killers was doing more for them than they had ever received.

One 90 year old man who came into the Physical Therapy clinic all hunched over from years of literally "back breaking" work put it this way, "I have gone to the doctor before but never have I received the kind of treatment this team gave me". That was our hearts desire, to treat the people of the slums with the dignity and respect they have never before received.

In 10 days in Kolkuta we:

1. Visited Mother Theresa's home for children with special needs,

2. Conducted 3 days of medical clinics,

3. Facilitated a day-long family camp,

4. Speaking all day on Sunday to two different groups and one night at an all night prayer vigil in the largest church in the city,

5. Built a false roof for the school to create a barrier from the heat,

6. Visited an organization working in the Red Light District -

If you are wondering how we each faired, let us unequivocally tell you that despite the heat, long days, jet lag and flu - we all thought the trip was well worth the sacrifice.

From 10-year-old Macy whose body needed more sleep than we could allow - she continually tossed around balloons and blew bubbles with the kids and thought the trip was worth it!

To J'Nai from the inner city of Annapolis who gave up her all expense paid trip to Scotland that she won as a leadership award to come to Kolkuta - she thinks the trip was worth it!

To Cole whose Eagle Scout project turned into a 2-day sauna-like construction nightmare - he thinks the trip was worth it!

To Dillon with sensory integration difficulties immersed in a country that is an assault to every sense -he played with children from sun-up to sun down and thinks the trip was well worth it!

To Nate who worked 24-7 the week before we left to get his visa cleared - the trip was worth it!

To Albina and Brendan who gave up their vacation time from work and ended up getting the flu in India - they both think the trip was worth it!

To Ron and Nanci who gave up two Sundays at Restoration -they know the trip was worth it.

To each of you who sacrificed by helping us pack, praying for us, donating money, encouraging us along the way - please hear us say that your sacrifice was worth it. Touching people who are untouchable, looking them in the eyes and telling them they are loved, worthy and deserve dignity and respect is one of the most powerful things we could give them. And your sacrifice helped us do that.

We want to tell more stories and explain more about what we saw and how we want to continue making a difference in Kolkuta- but for now....

Thank-you Thank-you Thank-you --because you helped us change a piece of the world.