Day 1: September 22, 2024
Team Askenasy 828 arrived in Retalhuleu, Guatemala last night after arriving in Guatemala City via a two-hour and forty-five-minute flight from Houston and a six-hour bus ride. Day 1 started early with lovely praise and worship led by our team’s worship leaders. During his devotion, Dr. Askenasy discussed how his son discovered God via a Family Guy episode to motivate the team to find their way on the mission trip.
The team set up a fully operational medical facility, including an operating room, a patient waiting area, a recovery section, and a wheelchair clinic. We arrived at the clinic at around 7:30 AM. All patients but one were approved for surgery for the remainder of the week; wheelchairs were assembled, rows of chairs were cleaned, and suitcases and trunks full of medical equipment were unloaded. Even though some of the 38 team members were traveling for the first time, we all functioned like well-oiled machines. We were prepared when the patients from Guatemala started to come in a few hours later. In our wheelchair clinic, we saw a lot of activity as we fitted each patient for the appropriate wheelchair or crutches and administered any necessary physical therapy.
Many of the patients Dr. Brad Scott (MD) saw didn’t require surgery—they just wanted someone to reassure them that everything would be OK. Hearing this news brought relief to the populace. People were ecstatic to learn that they didn’t require surgery because no one genuinely desired surgery.
On this first day, we heard incredibly heartbreaking stories, yet despite all the difficulties, we never stopped sharing God’s unending love and message of hope. We aim to improve people’s lives, one patient at a time.
Day 2: September 23, 2024
On Day 2, we began our early morning with inspirational songs like “Always “ and “Great Are You Lord,” sung by Terri Lynchard, Bob Malinsky, Lewin Wawire, and Dalfina Campos. Leading our morning devotions, Pastor David Jordan emphasized that this trip is as much about the spiritual development of the Guatemalan people as it is about their physical health.
We got to the clinic at about 7 am. Everything was set up and prepared for our first patients in less than an hour. We prepared patients in the pre-op area in four teams. Patients who
needed partial anesthesia, such as those with cysts, received care in the pre-op area, while those who needed complete anesthesia went to the OR. The four ORs went by several amusing nicknames, like “The Bile Babes” and “Mess with Room 2? Urine trouble “Have a SAC come on back” “Torpeedo Palace” I had no prior medical knowledge, so I was amazed at how quickly the team worked to move patients between beds or rooms so that we could treat as many patients as possible.
I had the chance to watch Dr. Erik Askenasy (MD) strengthen a hernia with mesh. Dr. Scott did six gallbladder removal surgeries in total.
I have already watched numerous lives saved on our first day of operation, and I have seen Faith In Practice genuinely improve the lives of Guatemalans. Being here, I witnessed the “life-changing medical mission” that is Faith In Practice’s motto. By the grace of God, who has given us this opportunity to assist the people of Guatemala, I’m excited about the more lives we’ll touch as we proceed this week.
Day 3: September 24, 2024
On Day 3, we began our early morning with inspirational songs like “Good Father “and “Here I am Lord,” sung by Terri Lynchard, Bob Malinsky, Lewin Wawire, and Dalfina Campos. Leading our morning devotions, Pastor David Jordan talked about the Holy Trinity. We got to the clinic at about 7 am. Everything was set up and prepared for our first patients in less than an hour. We prepared patients in the pre-op area in four teams.
I witnessed Brian Lassinger (PA) remove a skin tag from a man with anesthetic assistance from Dr. Cahn Nguyen (MD). Dr. Erik Askenasy (MD) removed a gallbladder with the help of Destiny Thompson (Scrub tech) and Noeline Ndwaniye (CRNA), and Dr. Brad Scott (MD performed an Inguinal hernia repair with Christine Valdez (CRNA). Giselle De la Cruz (Scrub Tech) and Jessica Chavis (Nurse Circulator).
I had the opportunity to visit the school nearby for ages 2-6. They were overjoyed to see us when we arrived. Stephanie Monarch (CRNA) wrote a children’s book called “Be a Nurse Like Me” and read it to them with translator Kip Frautschi. Hugs and joyful smiles were extended to us, making me very happy. Sharing God’s love with these kids was a lovely moment. We gave away our packed items, including plush animals, toy cars, and more. Since both of their parents worked long hours to support their families, these kids spent the entire day at the daycare. The government initially endorsed the initiative, but COVID-19’s financial burden prevented them from continuing to do so. Thankfully, the hospital supplied the funding required to maintain the childcare.
I also assisted a local man named Mr. Bryon and Eric Condon (wheelchair clinic assembler) in building a wheelchair. He demonstrated how to assemble a wheelchair from a few simple parts and let me use the power drill. Seeing how God empowers us to help others in need was charming.
Day 4: September 25, 2024
On Day 4, we began our early morning with inspirational songs like “Goodness of God” and “Good Good Father,” sung by Terri Lynchard, Bob Malinsky, Lewin Wawire, and Dalfina Campos. Leading our morning devotions, Pastor David Jordan talked about how we can’t do things alone, and it’s always better if we do stuff alongside God. We got to the clinic at about 7 am. Everything was set up and prepared for our first patients in less than an hour. We prepared patients in the pre-op area in four teams. I had the opportunity to visit the school nearby again for ages 2-6. They were overjoyed to see us when we arrived. I was accompanied by Noeline Ndwaniye (CRNA), Paul Askenasy (Interpreter), and Alyssa Abilla (General Support). We gave out little goodie bags of toothbrushes, toothpaste, and toys. I also assisted a local man named Mr. Bryon and Eric Condon (wheelchair clinic assembler) in building a wheelchair.
I also got to spend some time in the PACU watching Dr. Devonne Harris (MD) mix up the medication for the nerve blocks to administer to patients and Liz Rebo (Doctor of Pharmacy) bag up pain pills for the patients to take home after surgery.
Faith In Practice never wavers in achieving its goal and continuously goes above and beyond. My relationship with Christ and the other Christians at Faith In Practice grew as I worked on this project. By His grace, we can love the people of Guatemala and partake in His love for us all.
Day 5: September 26, 2024
On Day 5, we began our early morning with inspirational songs like “Lord, I Need You” and “Hosana,” sung by Terri Lynchard, Bob Malinsky, Lewin Wawire, and Dalfina Campos. Leading our morning devotions, Pastor David Jordan talked about how he had to ask God to forgive him to be able to forgive his son. We got to the clinic at about 7 am. Everything was set up and prepared for our first patients in less than an hour. We prepared patients in the pre-op area in four teams.
Today, Dr. Askansey and Christine Valdez (CRNA) performed a rectal prolapse on a 4-year-old. The procedure lasted about 30 minutes, and the kid was relieved. His name was Anderson—Pérez-Pedro. He loved it when I blew up latex gloves like balloons and drew a face on them. I ended up making him a whole family of them.
I also assisted a local man named Mr. Bryon and Eric Condon (wheelchair clinic assembler) in building a wheelchair. When we were done, we wheeled the wheelchair to the wheelchair clinic for people to use.
We went to dinner for the last night together and received certificates. Dr.Askenasy (MD) said such wonderful things about each person and thanked everyone for our hard work and dedication. We rode back on the bus to the hotel, did one final count-off, and headed to bed.
Faith In Practice consistently goes above and beyond in pursuit of its objectives, never faltering. God blessed us to travel to Retalhuleu, Guatemala, to help the Guatemalan people and give them hope in the god we all serve. His grace, we can share in His love and show love to the people of Guatemala. I learned so much this week and was incredibly blessed to have this opportunity. I will forever hold these memories in my heart.
-Samantha Monarch, Team Blogger
