1 Corinthians 12:12–27
“Calls us to be one body with many different parts. It reminds us that togetherness is oneness, not sameness.
We had a great week once all members arrived. We had the misfortune of some missed flights due to the airlines having tech problems.
Our team did 49 surgeries. We had two knee rooms, one hip and one foot and ankle room. We will forever be changed watching prayers being answered through our team.
Dr. Matt Heinrich had a divine appointment to replace a hip from a woman who had been praying for over a year for a new hip. And unbeknownst to them, Dr. Randy Ruark’s church walked into her house on a faith-based visit the week before. Dr Ruark told Dr. Heinrich about her, and he held a spot for her. She was the last case of the week.
Dr. Andy Ehbert had a busy week. He gave a 17-year-old Mayan girl a new lease on life by removing a sixth digit from her foot. She can wear flip flops now!
The Heinrich/Pond team was excited to have Florida based orthopedic surgeon, Dr Curtis Kephart and his team for the first time. His PA, Rebecca is half Guatemalan and always knew she wanted to give back to her community. And they were surely able to do that this week. They knocked it out of the park.
Dr Randy Ruark replaced 16 knees.
One notable one was a widow who had been the sole breadwinner for her three daughters. often going without food to make sure her daughters had plenty. I’m not sure who is more excited about the new knee, the mother or the daughters? They have a local booth selling handmade goods in the town square, so go support local artisans while you are visiting.
1st Corinthians reminds us, we are one body with many different parts. Constantly throughout the week, it was repeated how smoothly everything was going and it would be hard to top this week….but we will try to surpass it next year!
-Niki Ruark
Thank you for taking the expertise, time, energy, and compassion to help people in Guatemala.