The Mission...lessons in trust
by Petra

There we were, 5 Americans, 1 Brit and 2 Argentineans. A much smaller group than usual for this Mission Trip, but from the very begining we had a connection. The feeling that this trip would be more than we bargained for was in the air. Little did we know that it would change our lives in a way that we would have never imagined.

We arrived on a Sunday afternoon and by 7:30 am Monday morning we were shuttled to our sites. We had 4 sites - 2 chiropractors at each and our intentions were life-size - to bring more light and life to Fortaleza, Brazil with its 2.5 million inhabitants. Not an easy task as one might think with muggings, poverty and prostitution hiding behind the façade of fancy hotels along beautiful Iracema beach.

Naive and excited we ventured to our sites. The momentum was there from the start. We had the most beautiful volunteers assisting us with the flow of everything. Clay’s and my site was at a school, so I was thrilled when one class after the other showed up. It was a public school so several children came from the near by favelas (urban slums) to get adjusted. I was shocked by how much tension their little bodies were holding. These were not children's bodies, but little adults with massive shields of protection.They weren't living the luxurious lives that our children are use to.

We couldn't communicate by words, but they understood the power of an adjustment and were eager to come back for more the next day.  Clay and I particularly connected with a 10 year old boy who appeared to be a true punk, just waiting to cause trouble.  But he would show up every single day, twice a day without his parents and hop on one of our tables. When Thursday came around, this boy had turned into the sweetest, softest, happiest child – how could that be?  Did the adjustments connect him with more of himself, access this innate intelligence, put his body at ease?  Might we have shifted his path……

Everyday the crowd grew exponentially.  Babies, 95 year old women and everyone in between was eager to get cleared out.  TV crews and news reporters showed up almost everyday at multiple sites. All of us were interviewed and seen on local and national TV.  By Thursday each site saw 600-750 people.  



I have heard from other chiropractors that when adjusting at this level you access a different energy, a different power.  I never thought this was possible, but as it turns out, it was.  We all shared the same story, after 300 people we were ready to see more and our adjustments were the best they had ever been. The love, the gratitude, the compassion of all of the people we served opened our hearts and helped us access parts of ourselves that we didn't know were there.  Just as I was reflecting about what a great thing we were doing and what a great human being I am; I was deeply humbled… I realized that I was actually on the receiving end…I was the one being served.  These people showed me my true potential, my true passion and the infinite energy that is always around us.

The momentum kept on building and we felt that nothing could touch us, but we had one more lesson to learn. On Friday morning our sites were packed, the lines endless, the spirits high and we were ready to work through the night.  At 10 am the Federal Police showed up and put an abrupt end to our high.  Or was it just a continuum in our lessons of trust and unfoldment? Unable to speak English the official pulled out his badge and told Clay and I to immediately come with him.

The history of Chiropractic in Brazil is an unsettled one.  Chiropractic here has been suppressed and viewed as another modality as a subset of Physiotherapy for as long as it has been a profession.  In 2009, Chiropractic finally has been accepted as its own profession, but there are still many battles to be fought.  Thanks to all our great media coverage and positive feedback the Physiotherapists felt threatened and pulled a desperate card – report the foreigners to the federal police and get them deported.

As we were sitting in the undercover police car with 3 men angrily conversing in Portuguese, I had a flash of anxiety hoping they were the real deal and not some mafia.  What would happen next?  I knew I had to trust that there was no way that this experience could have a bad ending.  Once we arrived at the station the angry police man calmed down and offered us coffee, then mentioned for us to wait for the big boss….And that is were divine intervention is at its best!

The big boss was a lovely gentleman from Germany/Austria.  I had never been so excited to be born in Austria.  We had a nice connection and he gently explained to us that we had to get a different visa – he wasn't sure what kind, but he wouldn't punish us.  He did mention that some action had to be taken (more to satisfy the party that was complaining).  As we were waiting for our paper work to be finished several police man dropped by to check us out, one of them said in exquisite English: "Personally, I congratulate you what you are doing for my people.  I deeply respect you for being here and helping our country, but as a federal employee I have to shorten your stay.  But please when you come back next time lets have drinks together and I would love to get adjusted." ...

It felt good to return to our home base and see the other chiropractors return from there sites as well.  We all were safe.  Word traveled fast and as soon as we were taken down to the station, a TV crew came and interviewed an angry and disappointed crowd.  A movement was started and the miracles that people had experienced during the week were all shared on national TV. 

All sites closed early that Friday and no one else was adjusted.  We felt a bit sad that we couldn't finish the day, but felt positive about the impact that was made.  In 4 ½ days 8 Chiropractors served 5000 people.  We each were so touched by the love we experienced from these beautiful people and what that meant to bring back into our own communities and practices.

There is so much more to every story that is told.  After all, poetry is what is lost in translation.  We can only hope that our pictures express more than words ever could.  With deep gratitude and appreciation - Thank You for sharing our journey to Brazil for this years Mission of Light!

Many Blessings,
Café of Life

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