Writing about Writing

At the beginning of this blog, I asked people to comment on the content of these posts. I have received a couple of comments--

Commenter #1--

• Have no fear of “not knowing how to write a book”. You know how to write stories and stories become books when they are united. As to the point and purpose of this venture, only you can truly determine that. 

• I will say that I am always moved when you share the intimate, personal encounters God has given you. You have a magical way of bringing me with you, of allowing me to sit beside you on the dirt floor of someone’s small home, to feel the tiny child in my arms struggling to breathe, to feel the rush of the wind as you travel through the streets on a moto. As much as I love being in these intimate moments, I do believe there is another, perhaps greater purpose here.  

• I wonder, is it a failed Haitian medical system that requires people to travel outside their homeland for medical care--or is it God’s call that we (you, in a specific and tangible way) engage and assist? I don’t believe that Haiti, as well as many other small impoverished countries, will ever be able to care for the critically ill. “You will always have the poor among you.” John 12:8 “Whoever shuts their eyes to the cry of the poor will also cry out and not be answered.” Proverbs 21:13 

• If you believe that it is a call from God for you to bring patients to the US and accept that as your call, what then? How far must you go? You, my friend, have been given a huge task. One might think it is enough to find a patient, assess their needs, get the test required, submit those results to colleagues, arrange for compassionate care, get all the documents required for travel, find host families …… that list is endless. Yet, I feel it is critically important that interspersed amidst the heartfelt, personal accounts of people’s lives that you also inform others of the immense challenges you have faced within the corporate medical center maze and within the hierarchy of the Catholic Church as well. And, yes, by all means feel free to name names. You have nothing to hide, God as your witness. I believe these stories are an essential part of the purpose of this endeavor.

• In closing, I would like to add that I appreciate not only the posting of stories from long ago-- but also your current reflection on the event. It is good to see how one’s perspective can change over the years, as we grow in wisdom, based on the experiences which God has given us. It is a good reminder to keep an open mind at all times, to take time to pray and reflect upon the situation before us, to know that there is a divine purpose to where we are and what we are doing.

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Commenter #2--

• Each post is both beauty and pain - reflects the contradictions of Haiti. I like the perspective added by the current day reflections.