Hello, welcome back! We had an early start today beginning with 6 am devotional. Bob, Delfina, George and Lewin lead an amazing worship. Then, Dr. Askenasy gave a beautiful message about the Good Samaritan
We left for the Hospital Hilario Galindo at seven right after our wonderful breakfast. The hospital is named after Hilario Galindo, the individual who donated that piece of land to make the hospital. After being welcomed by the amazing hospital staff and a quick briefing we jumped right in setting up for tomorrow. I was able to get a tour before the clinic opened and was able to see the inner workings of the hospital and its many parts. Such as, the nurses taking vitals, and then the doctors seeing patients. Also I learned that in the hospital there’s a hall with bunk beds where the family of the patients are able to stay called Casa de Milagros.
Today we had one group of volunteers setting up the OR, getting equipment ready, and ensuring everything will run smoothly for tomorrow. The wheelchairs were set up by another group of volunteers. The doctors on board were able to see patients treat those who needed to be treated and ask them pre-op questions. They were also able to answer any questions the patients had, give them peace of mind and make sure they are ready for their surgery.
I learned from Paula the Surgical Mission Coordinator who was giving me the tour that there is Faith In Practice leaders who visit these various areas in Guatemala to identify those who require medical attention and bring them to the hospital. So, the patients that the hospital sees are from local areas and those far away. I was talking to a beautiful lady named Evelyn, she was waiting with her 80-year-old grandfather to see one of the doctors. As we were communicating, she mentioned that she was worried about her grandfather and if he was able to be treated. Hopefully, we see them in the coming days to see where they are, how they are doing, and that he gets the help he needs.
The team will start performing the surgeries tomorrow, and we will see firsthand as I take you with me through the clinical and into the operating room. For now hasta luego!
Archana Thomas
To support this team and their commitment to our patients visit https://donate.faithinpractice.org/team/373501
