Projects Go: Sept. 24, 2001
September 24, 2001
Santo Domingo
Dear MMIers,
Soon after the terrorist attack, a long time MMIer called asking how "this" was affecting MMI. I told him that two small projects had been cancelled due to the airline stoppage, and a few people had withdrawn from their MMI projects. I noted that all six of our permanent centers are open and attending to patients. I told him our projects and centers had been little affected because the poor to whom we attend are still in need. We plan to be on site when they come to an announced MMI clinic in their village.
How does "this" affect us? The Bible describes faithful followers of Jesus as people who have "put their hand to the plow" and don't look back. We have counted the cost and board the planes even when check-in and security is more laborious. Tourists hang back, so we will fly in less crowded planes. The air travel portion of our projects will be more difficult, but certainly no more than our occasional cold shower or iffy outhouse.
"This" does cause us to carefully examine the financial implications for MMI. Running with miniscule margins means that we feel it every time the markets fall or bombs burst. It is our responsibility to maintain the infrastructure of people who take care of you in our offices, warehouses, permanent centers and on two-week projects. While some tell us we must be ready to cut back, we believe that MMIers are a dedicated people who know how to step up in difficult times. Giving and going have always characterized you.
I'm sure that some of you who have cancelled your MMI project lost loved ones or friends in New York or Washington. We mourn with you. All of us suffered the more general loss imposed on the whole world. As we move from our own pain and attend to the suffering of others we will discover what the firefighters and police know: it is important for us to be working at our posts. In God's infinite wisdom he teaches us that loving and caring for others brings healing to us as well as to our patients.
How does "this" affect us? It is appropriate to cancel sporting events and huge conferences, but we would not close permanent medical centers or fail to make our clinic and surgery dates. It may be beneficial to close financial markets and suspend advertising on television, but medicine, surgery, and dentistry are different. We are bearers of Good News and healing for the world.
MMI is not cutting back. The opportunity for service in the name of Jesus has never been more pronounced. As someone has said, "If not us, who and if not now, when?"
MMI projects are "Go," and our permanent centers are open.
Yours,
William T. Hunter, Jr.
General Director
