(Early Morning)
It is early in the morning, 0330, to be exact. Team 778, our Faith in Practice team led by Dr. Bucky Farrow, is set to arrive at the airport by 0630. We will travel together from Terminal E until we reach Retalhuleu. We usually travel together, but this year we had a few volunteers go rogue because they took the liberty to arrive early to enjoy the country’s beauty. The excitement began a few days ago when last year’s conversation resumed via our group message. Most of us have been on this medical mission before, but we will welcome a few new faces this year.
(Morning)
We arrived at the airport as planned, and soon after, introductions were made with our new team members while warm embraces and greetings were exchanged between familiar faces. Several team members checked in the seven trunks that carried our supplies and medications, and then we set off to find our gate. It was a short, uneventful flight. When we arrived in Guatemala City, we gathered the luggage and trunks and loaded them into a charter bus. Armed police officers always flank us and remain that way until we reach our destination, although if you asked any of us, we would tell you we always feel safe. This year, we experienced a wild ride with rain, traffic, road closures, and bumpy detours. Nonetheless, we made it to IRTRA unscathed, although a little later than expected.
(Late evening)
Tomorrow will be rewarding and busy. We will travel to Hilario Galindo Hospital to meet the patients we will care for. Each will be seen by surgery and then anesthesia, ensuring all pre-operative assessments and evaluations for the entire week are completed. Meanwhile, the other half of the team will unpack trunks and set up the operating rooms, pharmacy, pre-op, and PACU areas. It will be a long and exhausting day after travel. What cannot fully be explained in words about this day is the magnetism you feel for these people, this country. You can see the desperation, gratefulness, and hope in their eyes, and it does something irreparable to your soul. When you feel it, you know you are exactly where you are supposed to be. You are where God wants you to be.
Amy Blok, DNP, CRNA
