Day 5: Giving Your Best
Scripture: Ecclesiastes 9:10 (NRSV)
“Whatever your hand finds to do, do with your might.”
Inspiring Quote:
“Whatever you are, be a good one.” — Abraham Lincoln
Reflection:
This may have been the largest Faith in Practice Team I have ever served on. We had 25 Guatemalans, 25 from the United States, and 40 local Guatemalan Volunteers. Everyone had a role, everyone offered their gift, and everyone made a difference. And although we had the muy divertido time to work in 100+ weather, everyone served with all their might. Now before I give you the final numbers, I want you to know that each number can represent many more people. Someone receiving a wheelchair affects the whole family. A fixed leg or new knee means that someone might have an opportunity to work again. Helping someone get control of their diabetes might prevent an AK (above the knee amputation) which are very prevalent in Guatemala. If an AK occurs, daily life will be radically different for the negative: loss of work, income, independence, and more responsibilities for other family.
Here are the final numbers for just 4 days of clinic:
Clinics:
Total General 371
Total Gynecology 133
Total Mobility 135
Total Pediatrics 119
Total Orthopedics 185
Total ENT 73
Total Pharmacy 709
Total Labs 181
Audio:
Adults Hearing Aids 42
Children Hearing Aids 8
Total Audio: 50
Mobility Clinic
Wheelchairs 112
Canes 11
Walkers 16
Crutches 6
Total Ambulatory Aids 145
VIA Cancer Screening Clinic
Total Negatives 183
Total Positives 10
Total Thermo 10
Referrals:
Healthcare Referrals 132
Surgery Referrals 256
Total Referred Patients: 388
We also gave out 195 reading glasses and 60 sunglasses. Overall, it meant there were 1061 clinic visits! Praise God from Whom All Blessings Flow!
There is a story behind every one of these numbers. I cannot underemphasize the impact of what they represent. For instance, the cancer screening performed saved 10 women from cervical cancer. What if you were one of those women? Or the child of one of those women? Or the parent of one of those children? We may have just given someone the gift of being called “abuela.” All of the future surgeries will be life-transforming!
This week of service has also made an impact on us: the doctors, workers, and volunteers. We laughed… and cried… and sweat together. In a world with so much division and polarization, we experienced what can be accomplished when we unite our efforts and work together. And we are better people for it. Thank God for organizations like Faith in Practice that have a passion for compassion. “If you want others to be happy, practice compassion; if you want to be happy, practice compassion.”
Prayer: Gracious God, help me have a passion for compassion, so more of your children experience your grace and love. Amen.
Rev. Paul Nazarian
Team Blogger
