Missions 104-Teamwork

You can hardly prepare someone for this kind of trip not because of the physical toll it takes on you but the emotional one.

In preparation for the trip we did preparatory exercises that helped us work together as a team in the hospital. We learned to trust each other during this time and we became close. We learned what it took to work as one unit accomplishing the same purpose. Our daily activities usually ran like clockwork. While one was bathing a baby the other was changing the sheets on the cribs and cleaning the beds. Another was gathering the dirty clothes into large bags that were taken to the mission house where they were washed to bring back the next day. Teamwork was extremely important. When one person was missing because of illness or visiting an orphan care home, it put more stress on the others.

I have vivid memories of one person who refused to take part in what we were doing once she found out we were changing diapers, bathing babies, and working hard. She was used to trips where you go in, drop lots of presents for the kids, receive the glory and go on to the next place. At the end of the trip I felt tremendously sorry for her that she had decided to stay in the apartment instead of working with our beautiful babies who needed love. It was a missed blessing for her.

Everyone pulled their weight at the apartment, too. You see, my husband and I had rented a place in Bucharest for our teams. Going four times a year was expensive enough without having to rent a place for all our team members every time. We could sleep 8-10 so that’s how big our teams were. The responsibilities at home were just like they would be at your house. Someone had to cook, clean, and do laundry so that’s what they did. We had 10 minutes in the shower and if you weren’t done, we turned off the hot water or stood yelling at the door or whatever it took to make you come out. It was fun, crazy, and wonderful all mixed up together.

I developed some pretty close relationships with the girls on the trips that are still going today. I became entangled with their families as well and it was always a good thing. I learned a lot about myself and a lot about how I need to keep my mouth closed and let God work. That’s a lesson learned the hard way but needed nonetheless.