We had a special treat at devotions this morning. Tucker Engels, a premed student at the University of Texas, led the team via guitar in singing “Amazing Grace.”
Continuing with the five senses, Pastor Dave expounded on Jesus’ last miracle, the healing of Bartimaeus, a blind man. Although discouraged by the crowd, Bartimaeus repeatedly cried out, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me.” Jesus healed him stating, “Your faith has made you well.”
There are five lessons we can learn from this passage:
1 Although physically blind, Bartimaeus could see what others couldn’t.
2 The crowd doesn’t always get it right.
3 Persistence pays off.
4 Faith expects things to be different.
5 Jesus genuinely cares about individuals.
Today is another day to let our patients SEE Jesus through us!
After arriving at the Obras Hospital, the doctors went on rounds to check on the prior day’s surgical patients. Nothing evokes a smile like hearing “You can go home today.”
One of the patients we spoke with was Cristy. She accidentally left a needle in a sweater, and later, when handling the sweater, the needle broke off, and part of it lodged in her arm. She had had a prior surgery, but the needle was not found. Dr. Apel told the patient he found and removed the needle, and that he was the “Christopher Columbus of finding needles.”
We also conversed with Jose, a 40-year-old auto mechanic. Jose was riding in a bus when the bus flipped over, injuring him and 15 others. Dr. Stehly performed an osteotomy of his right shoulder. After his shoulder heals, he will be able to return to his job.
Manolo, a 42-year-old man, had dislocated his elbow three years ago. He was in a lot of pain and unable to use his arm. Dr. Apel’s surgical team fused the elbow to give it stability, ease the pain, and enable Manolo to return to work.
Dr. Apel’s team also operated on Joel, a 15-year-old young man who had fallen and broke his wrist. It had not healed correctly, so they performed an osteotomy so the fracture could re-heal correctly.
Drs. Bailey and Eisenberg operated on Monica, age 41, a mother of three children. She was scheduled for an abdominal hysterectomy. During the surgical procedure, it was discovered that she has advanced ovarian cancer that has metastasized. She will be referred to an oncologist. Please be in prayer for Monica and her family. She will have a rough road ahead after recovering from this procedure.
We definitely saw God at work during the 19 procedures Team 762 performed today!
MEET OUR TEAM
ANESTHESIA
William “Rocky” Adcock, MD – Dr. Adcock’s anesthesia career spans 18 years. He currently practices in Dallas/Frisco, Texas. This is 2nd mission trip, and he found it so rewarding he plans to continue coming back.
Matthew Engels, MD – Dr. Engels is an anesthesiologist with US Anesthesia Partners in the North Texas area. He is assisting the team for the first time, accompanied by his son Tucker, a premed student.
Patsy Hedges, MD – Dr. Hedges is also an anesthesiologist with US Anesthesia Partners. She has traveled to Guatemala for her first time with Faith in Practice with her husband of 40 years, Dr. Holder.
David Holder, MD – Along with his wife, Dr. Hedges, Dr. Holder is also a new member of the Faith in Practice team. He provides anesthesia in North Texas, often with surgeons on our team.
Cindy Linenthal, CRNA – Invited by other Roanoke team members, Cindy joins us for the first time. She works at Carilion Clinic, often with Dr. Apel, and also works at a Level 1 trauma center.
-Therese Kiernan
Team 762 Photojournalist
To support this team and their commitment to our patient’s visit:
