Mission Experience

by Dr. Larry Sieve (First Printed in Servant News: 4Q/2015)

Dr. Larry Sieve takes a selfie with Maya children in Joyabaj, Guatemala.

In March 2015, I traveled to the town of Joyabaj, Guatemala for a medical mission trip to serve the native Maya of the Quiché area. With six other doctors and an entire team of missionaries from the non profit Catholic mission group named Sending Out Servants, we set up a clinic to provide surgical screenings and primary care optometry for over 600 individuals. From the screenings, we sent 68 people to undergo cataract surgery to restore their sight, and  approximately 30 people for pterygia removal. (Both surgeries were provided by another SOS team the following week.)

During my time in Guatemala, I realized we will always be limited in what we can do to help. I realized there are ways we can impact each other that can change a life without us ever knowing. I realized the importance of our presence, of just sitting and listening and being there for someone. Or of sharing a package of dried mangos with a little girl while her mom is waiting for her eyes to dilate. I realized that beyond anything I may have done for these people, they did more for me.

By allowing me to serve them, I feel my ceiling for empathy has been elevated. After being immersed in their pain and fatigue, and their hope and their happiness, I see that the Maya have helped me to become a more experienced optometrist and a more compassionate person. If you are able, please consider donating to Sending Out Servants, the organization that makes this work possible. Over 97% of all donations directly benefit the Mayan communities.