Welcome amigos to the long and arduous day that concluded our work here in Antigua. Other than rounding tomorrow (for the doctors), we’ve now done the extent of our medical work here.
Today our team worked harder than ever. While some finished early and began packing the medical supplies, others stayed until past six o’clock with all hands on deck for a complex case. Our team is incredible and all have shown grit throughout this week. We’ll all sleep well tonight.
This morning in the recovery ward I met a woman named Julie who is pretty much my new grandma. She spoke great English and had lived in the United States for a while. Talking to her, I realized I’d photographed her husband last Sunday as he waited outside her exam. That woman can talk and talk and talk, but I loved every second. Jumping between Spanish and English, we talked about how she always dreamed of becoming a teacher, but how her family had been too poor for her to become one. Later on, however, her daughter became a teacher, and Julie got a job at her daughter’s school. They were able to teach together and the kids loved her. She always called them ‘mi hijo’ and ‘mi hija’ because they were like family to her.
Julie said Jesus brought her to la Fe en Practica. She had damaged her right knee badly from multiple falls throughout her life and a month ago, the weakness in that knee caused a fall that ended in also spraining her left foot badly. With all these injuries AND a gallbladder that needed removal, Julie and her husband were walking around Antigua looking for the place to renew their social security. While there, they passed by the entrance to Las Obras and saw a long line of prospective patients. Julie wasn’t able to stand in line for long enough to be seen and decided not to get her hopes up. But a volunteer from Las Obras approached them and, realizing Julie was in need of surgery, showed them the way past a mural of Jesus past the long line. Jen was able to operate and begin her healing from her many ailments. Our prayers go out to lovely Julie as she recovers.
This evening we went to a beautiful restaurant in the heart of Antigua to celebrate the work of the Robinson 768 Surgery team. Other than a near death experience with a jalapeño, it was a wonderful time. I loved seeing how close we’ve gotten throughout this week. A lot of people have done a lot of good, and through it people have opened up to each other in unexpected ways. Closing up this evening, I couldn’t be more grateful for how this haphazard little group of givers has influenced my life.
-Ben Calvert
To support the Mesen Team visit: https://donate.faithinpractice.org/team/455484
