Exhaustion is definitely settling in on us volunteers. Days are long and hard, especially for those in the operating rooms and tending to patients. We typically eat breakfast at 6 am, have a morning devotional, and receive the surgery schedule and assignments for the day then head off to the hospital by 6:45. The last couple of days most of us don’t return back our hotel room until after 6:30 pm. We eat dinner as a team and then retire for the night. Today puts us just past the halfway mark of our mission. The devotional this morning was a continuation of John 17. Pastor Kyle is doing a marvelous job at really teaching us to look within ourselves and turn to the Lord to feel his love and direction for our time here. Although our feet are tired, our legs and backs ache from long hours of standing and we are missing family members and loved ones back home, we are still focused on this mission. We are all working together on a common purpose to relieve human suffering and that is our motivation and gives us strength to continue on.
Yesterday we had several pediatric patients so it was fun and rewarding to see them post-surgery today. One mom asked the doctor if her son would be able to ride a bike now that he has had his leg surgery. Dr. Watson, the foot surgeon, gladly told her, “YES!” Tears of joy and gratitude streamed from her face.
Jimena, a sweet 10-year-old girl was born with an extra toe. It was removed yesterday and today she was all smiles! She was excited to go home with her “new foot!”
Jennifer, a precious 11-year-old, was so excited to get new crutches today. In a few weeks, she will be able to get back to playing soccer. She can’t wait!
72-year-old, Cecelia is stronger than ever. She had foot surgery this week. When she is discharged she will go to her daughter’s home in the city where her daughter will care for her. Cecelia proudly told us she has 14 children, all were born at home. Her and her husband just celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary and she is the proud grandma to 35 grandchildren. She is very grateful to the surgeon who operated on her so she can be back with her family.
Ivonne Anzueto, a founding member of Faith in Practice, was with us today. She started with Faith in Practice 31 years ago as a translator/interpreter. Now she is president of the board and legal representative. Her mother was one of our patients today and had foot surgery. Dr. Watson did an amazing job and her mother is recovering very well.
Each day is a blessing here. We are constantly being thanked for our service. After rounds this morning one mother said, “Send God’s blessing to Dr. Watson!” for fixing her daughter’s feet. I asked Dr. Watson how he felt about being here, this being his first time in Guatemala and he replied, “This medical team is amazing, The Guatemalan people are so sweet and grateful. I get way more out of this than them.” I think all volunteers on this trip would agree with him!
While our hearts are full of gratitude and love for this opportunity to be here, we did have some very tragic news today. One of our nurses, Ruby, received a call today that her sister tragically passed away. As a team we all mourn with Ruby. Please join us in praying for Ruby and her family during this devastating loss and difficult time. This is yet another reminder that this life is so precious and you never know when it will end. May God continue to bless us all.
-Anna Au
