It was welcoming to see everyone wearing their sky blue FIP t-shirt in the airport as we met up in Houston. Tracey had already performed her first surgery of the trip: the neck on her t-shirt!
It feels like a dream to be working with a team of 34 volunteers headed to Guatemala (some new and some returning), with Faith in Practice, to provide support as a photographer and blogger. These amazing humans we are with are giving up their time, money, wealth of experience, love, and presence to help perform free surgeries for the Guatemalans. Some of these patients have waited years for this.
We have two long days of travel ahead of us. In Houston we boarded a flight together as a team to Guatemala City. Then we boarded a bus to Antigua and spent the night. On Saturday, we will have breakfast, morning reflection, and take a bus to Retalhuleu. We will have an orientation and hospital tour at Hospital Hilario Galindo.
There are so many incredible people involved to make this journey happen. All of the staff and airport workers from our respective flights. All of our families, friends, and donors who are supporting this journey. All of the hotel staff in Antigua and at IRTRA. Our mighty team of 34: surgeons, anesthetists, team doctor, surgical PAs, PreOp-Circulator-Scrub-PACU-Ward RNs, Pharmacists, Interpreters, Spiritual Leader, Photographer, Blogger, and all of the staff and volunteers at Hospital Hilario Galindo.
Our team will perform surgeries such as ENT, Gynecology, General, Plastics, and Urology: from simple tumor removals, to extensive scoliosis and trauma repair, and also knee and hip replacements. In four days, there will be four operating rooms, for 8 hour days. We’re excited and looking forward to the week ahead and the impact we will have on the people of Reu.
Sending blessings for these amazing souls!
Tamara Grace & Molly Wayhmeller
