The last of the five senses is hearing. Following worship this morning, Pastor Dave invited us to share our impressions of our trip. We had the opportunity to HEAR the following:
Dr. John Barrington – I made a “big mistake” in only complimenting Rick Brashier previously. Dr. Barrington complimented everyone he’s working with and said they’re “amazing!”
Shanda Hatcher – “I have wanted to come for years, but I was a single mom raising 3 boys. It is a blessing to be here and brings to mind ‘Whenever two or three are gathered in my name.’” Shanda shared that she had had a couple of tough months recently and this is “exactly what I needed. I can feel God’s presence in the smiles we see.”
Carlos Duke – Carlos expressed the mixed bag of emotions he’s experienced. He is reminded of his original home in Honduras. He described how our lives in America are about building, building, building … houses, finances, etc. In the Bible, Solomon said it’s all vanity. “I’ve realized it’s not all about me but about serving the least of us and embracing simple things.”
Felecia Green – After serving with our team in February of 2020, Felecia was diagnosed with breast cancer. “By the goodness of God, I am still standing and able to be here to serve.”
Dr. Eric Stehly – “I am so amazed at everyone’s ability. I have seen people stepping out of their comfort zones to help in any way they can.”
Dr. Rocky Adcock – Dr. Adcock complimented the recovery room nurses. “I am totally comfortable to leave my patients in their care. They arrive at the hospital first thing in the morning and are the last to leave.”
Dr. Ted Peters – We don’t get to follow up with patients very often. Yesterday, Andres, a patient from 2018, returned for a further procedure. It was great to see him back.
Dr. Daryl Greebon – After retiring, Dr. Greebon commented on returning in a role other than a surgeon. “I was apprehensive of what my role would be and not being in my comfort zone. I have realized that every role of the team is invaluable.”
Dr. Peter Apel – “I want to give special thanks to Sarah Nathan. She no longer works with us and is a travel nurse, but she planned her life around this trip. She went above and beyond to get here, and stayed in communication about supplies, instruments, etc.”
Kellie Boyd – “I am an office nurse, so being in the OR is such a delight. We are so appreciated by the patients and staff.”
Amanda Angulo – Amanda thanked us for welcoming her. “I work a desk job. This has really inspired me, and I will take the impact on the patients home with me. This is a reminder to me of why I’m doing what I’m doing.”
Dr. Matthew Engels – “I thought that we were bringing our faith to the people here, but I now realize they bring their faith to us.“
Tucker Engels – “I am a college student, and it has been so cool to come here. This is the reason I have been studying Spanish, because of the need here and in Texas. I am even more excited to go to medical school now and motived to work harder.”
Will Baltazar – “I am grateful to be surrounded by such inspiring people. You can’t do what you’re doing without every one of you. I have felt needed and am grateful to be a part of this team and to help. I have been inspired to do work like this in the future.”
In morning rounds, we talked to Virginia, one of Dr. Barrington’s knee patients. Pastor Jobe was about to pray with her for safe travels home when her breakfast arrived. She told Pastor Jobe that the prayers were more important “food” than the breakfast.
There are a number of Faith in Practice staff and volunteers who assist patients in transportation from and to their villages. One of these ladies, Leticia, compared our Faith in Practice volunteers to joints in the body: Without a piece, it all falls apart. Without our village teams who meet the patients, diagnose them, schedule surgeries, transport the patients and provide temporary housing, the patients would never have the opportunity for these life-changing procedures.
Dr. Apel’s team operated on Juan, a six-year-old boy, who had removal of a cyst in his left wrist. He was not very happy when he woke up in PACU but had a thumbs up once the anesthesia wore off.
Dr. Apel also operated on Eddy, who had a cyst in his right hand. He is an electrician and said he was worried about losing the use of his hand. He speaks some English and we kidded him to not touch any “hot wires”!
Marina, a 60-year-old patient who required knee replacement, shared with Pastor Dave that she accepted Christ when she was 29. She has been praying for quite a while that God would heal her knee. She added that it is Christians’ job to pray for each other and to make sure everyone goes to Heaven. She belongs to a prayer group of 8 ladies called “Alleluia.”
Dr. Stehly assisted a special needs patient named Marleny. She is 39. She fell and broke her arm, requiring a tendon graft.
You may have noticed everyone is wearing more colorful scrubs today. The team tradition is that the last surgical day is “Crazy Scrubs Day.”
As we wind up our last day of surgeries, let us all reflect on Mark 4:24: “And he said to them, Pay attention to what you HEAR: with the measure you use, it will be measured to you, and still more will be added to you.’ ”
Following a full day of 21 procedures, the team gathered for a Celebration Dinner with Faith in Practice staff.
MEET OUR TEAM
ADMINISTRATIVE/PASTORAL
Kellie Boyd, LVN – At home in Dallas, Kellie works for Dr. Crable, MD, one of our team gynecologists, as an office manager and assists with patient care. Kellie has done a great job of team administration!
Susan Carrillo – Kellie and Susan were with our team in 2020, training in trip administration with Debbie Jobe. While Kellie is here with us in Guatemala, Susan has been assisting remotely from Dallas.
Dave Jobe – For 15 years, Pastor Dave has ministered to the needs of our patients and their families, as well as leading worship during our morning devotions. He is now a retired pastor, enjoying his grandkids, fishing and golf. He has a deep love for the Guatemalan people and especially enjoys getting to know the patients and their families.
PHOTOJOURNALIST
Therese Kiernan – This is my 11th trip as the team photojournalist, and each opportunity to travel with these amazing caregivers and document the stories of the patients is as special as the last. I am a freelance court reporter in DFW.
INTERPRETER
Will Baltazar – Will is also a premed student at the University of Texas, currently in his 3rd year. He is the nephew of Dr. Ted Peters. He and fellow student Tucker have been translating in the preop and postop wards.
Carlos Duke – Carlos was born in Honduras and moved the States at age 14. While attending TCU in Fort Worth, he worked as an interpreter at the DFW Airport in Customs. He is currently employed at Santander Bank. After his first day translating in the preop and postop wards, he said he will have a completely different attitude when returning to work.
Tucker Engels – Tucker joins us for the first time with his father, Dr. Matthew Engels. He is in his senior year at the University of Texas in the premed program and will be starting medical school at the University of Texas Health Science Center Houston – McGovern in June.
Mariana Gil – Mariana is a Guatemalan physician from Guatemala City who is related to Sandy. She came to Antigua to assist our team with translation this week. She is currently applying for a visa to come to the US to do a medical residency.
Sandy Litschi – Originally born in Guatemala, Sandy moved to the US at age 3, and currently lives with her husband Bob in Austin, TX. She met the Gills at a tennis tournament in Austin approximately 16 years ago and they invited her to the next Faith in Practice trip. Because she has family here, she has combined interpreting for the team with family visits to Antigua.
GENERAL SUPPORT
Amanda Angulo – Amanda is a Development Engineer with Zimmer Biomet, a company that manufactures orthopedic medical devices. Together with coworker Cora, she is assisting our team for the first time. She is also occasionally helping with interpreting as she speaks Spanish.
Levi Gonzales – Levi is a sales representative for Zimmer Biomet from Chico, TX. He is here providing technical support to Dr. Barrington in knee replacement procedures. He works with Joint Replacement Center of Texas in Plano/Frisco.
Cora Ruth Northrop – Cora is a Senior Development Engineer with Zimmer Biomet. Together with coworker Amanda, she is assisting the orthopedic surgeons with joint replacement products and support.
Therese Kiernan
Team 762 Photojournalist
To support this team and their commitment to our patient’s visit:
