In just four days the Even/Douglas medical team was able to crank out 68 total cases! That is the most cases this team has ever performed on a medical trip. This is also the smallest group in a number of volunteers compared to previous groups. A huge thanks to Beau Offner, who has worked year-round to organize this outstanding team. Shout out to Dr. Chris Miller, who stepped up and acted as the pharmacist and team doctor. And last but not least, a special thanks to all the Guatemalan Faith in Practice staff who assisted us in every way possible to make this week run smoothly and efficiently.
Last night the team enjoyed a fabulous dinner at the spectacular Casa de Santo Domingo. Each team member was recognized for their hard work, positive attitude, flexibility, and contribution to this medical mission.
Volunteers are what make this mission possible. Our team consisted of volunteers ages 17-80 years old, many first-timers and some, such as Dr. Foss, who is on her 29th trip!! Here is what our amazing team had to say about this week:
Kyle Wakefield, First time
Pastor (and backup surgeon) 🙂
Argyle, TX
“It is incredible to see the body of Christ in action — to experience the unity that can be found when living out the Gospel together. Thank you to each and every person who made this week so very special. May God continue to be with us, and may His kingdom continue to expand in Guatemala and beyond.”
Bryan Sabbe, First time
Anesthesiologist
Nashville, TN
“An awesome week filled with teamwork, camaraderie, fellowship, and fun with several old and now many new friends”
Anne Elizabeth Ussery, 1st time
PT
Nashville, TN
“This trip has been one of the coolest experiences I’ve had. It’s been awesome to see so many patients come to us completely debilitated on day 1 and walk out with a smile on their faces after surgery. Everyone has been so fun to work with and has kept a good attitude no matter the challenges. So grateful for this experience and hope to come back one day!”
Isabelle Foss, 2nd time
PT assistant
Dallas, TX
“This trip is truly a blessing not only for the patients but the volunteers, and I think that’s what makes it so special. Getting to experience the gratitude theses patients have and hearing their stories in return for helping them is such a reward.”
Nate Emert, 1st time
device rep/scrub/circulator/first assist
Dallas, TX
“I really enjoyed serving alongside all my brothers and sisters this week. Everyone worked so hard and I’m humbled to be a part of this team”.
Chris Miller, 5th time
Anesthesiologist, Pharmacist
Dallas, Texas
“So much pill counting. But it was great to be back!”
Emma Grace Miller, 1st time
RN/Scrub tech
Dallas, Texas
“This trip was such a blessing. It was so cool seeing all the different ways the Lord moved this week. It was definitely way out of my comfort zone but I am truly so thankful for this opportunity and can’t wait to come back!”
Oliver Coco, *17 years old, 1st time
Houston, TX
“I assisted with a number of tasks, including physical therapy and data entry. It was amazing to absorb as much information as I possibly could while doing everything I can to make an impact in such a great place with such great people.”
Stephen Ellis, 6th time
Anesthesiologist
Dallas, TX
“The perseverance and gratitude of the Guatemalan people never ceases to amaze me.
These trips have taught me that Guatemalans have a hard time understanding my “Bri-ish” Spanish”
Sonya Ellis, 6th time
RN
Dallas, TX
“It’s been a great week serving the Guatemalan people!”
Sonja Swenson, 1st time
RN traveling nurse
Memphis, TN
“Trying to be the hands and feet of Jesus. For whoever gives you a cup of water to drink in My name, because you belong to Christ, assuredly, I say to you, he will by no means lose his reward. Mark 9:41”
Breanna Dewoody, 1st time
Argyle TX
Labor & Delivery Nurse back home but I was an OR nurse circulator here on Team Douglas
“Very grateful to be able to learn and see new things and experience this trip with my best friend! :)”
Jess Trautschold, 4th time
Hand Therapist
Nashville, TX
“The following quote sums up this week for me…. “The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in service of others.” – Mahatma Gandhi
It has been an honor to be able to participate in this team and I am grateful to Faith in Practice and the beautiful Guatemalan people for allowing me to do so. The Guatemalan people helped me as much as the Faith in Practice team helped them.”
Brittni Barnhardt, 1st time
RN
Dallas, TX
“I have always wanted to go on a medical mission trip & knew it would be rewarding to help others. However, this trip has exceeded all of my expectations. I gained way more than I gave to others this week. A verse that summarizes this week is Ephesians 4:11-12
“So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up.”
Geoff Watson 1st time
Foot and ankle surgeon
Nashville, TN
“It was amazing how things just seemed to work out. When we had needs, they were met. If it was a drill bit, a set of screws, shoe for recovery, it all came together. It was easy to see God’s hand at work. What a fun and fulfilling week!”
Chris Friend, 1st time
Implant Red
Warsaw, Indiana
“Getting back into the OR this week and experiencing how these procedures impact each and every patient is inspiring. As I think about heading back home and the everyday stresses that come with working for an implant manufacturer, this experience will serve as an excellent reminder of why we do what we do.”
Celia De los Santos, *80 year old, 2nd time
Translator/interpreter
Weatherford, TX
“What I love most about this mission is working with the people, the medical team, and I’ve been so blessed in my life it’s a way I can give back. This mission is fantastic and wonderful and I’m glad to be part of it.”
Charlie De los Santos, 1st time
Translator/interpreter
“I’ve seen several children this week that will have a much better life. It has touched my heart. I’ve done a lot of things in my life but I’ve never seen anything like this. I love seeing the surgeons do what they do. It’s a God given gift and I’m amazed to see them in action.”
Anna Au, 1st time
blogger/photographer
Mansfield, TX
“I’ve gained a much deeper and greater appreciation for what happens in the operating room. I had no clue of the importance of each member of the medical team. The remarkable thing about this week is that most of these team members have never worked together before. Seeing surgeries in action was an unreal experience and how these surgeries truly impact the quality of one’s life is something I will never forget.”
Brigham Au, 1st trip
Interpreter and trauma surgeon
Mansfield, TX
T”his trip has been an incredible experience, seeing the faith of the volunteers who have paid their own way and be away from their families to come serve our brothers and sisters in Guatemala. I’ve been blessed to see the faith of 68 Guatemalans who trusted people they’ve never met to take care of them. I’ve been blessed to see this team of volunteers have their faith tested working incredibly hard for an entire week in a new, challenging environment.James 2:18 sums up the organization Faith in Practice, “Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works.”
Colin Lasko, 2nd trip
Role: Zimmer Biomet Sales Rep – Trauma
Warsaw, IN
“Back home, I work in the office as a product design and development engineer and rarely visit the clinic or operating room. Here in Guatemala, I am fully immersed in the patient/surgeon experience and observe first-hand how our products improve the quality of life for patients and their families. It is truly a remarkable and rewarding experience!”
Amanda Lowe, 1st trip
CSFA
Arlington, TN
“If you have a strong purpose in life, you don’t have to be pushed. Your passion will drive you there.” – Ron T. Bennett
Marcella Pineda, 1st time
Translator/interpertor
San Antonio, TX
“Coming on this trip has been a life changing experience — for me and everyone on the trip and specially the patients that we have been able to help. These are absolutely one in a lifetime experiences and to just be showered with love back from the patients has been an incredible feeling. Being able to connect and make them feel safe has been a blessing for me.”
SJ Voglund, 2nd time
Surgical First Assistant, generally specializing in pediatrics and ob/gyn
Nashville, TN
“Grateful to serve in this beautiful country.”
Matt Willis, 1st trip
Sports Medicine surgeon
Nashville, TN
“Guatemala is such a beautiful country and the people here have been so grateful.”
Keith Douglas, 7th trip
Hand surgeon
Nashville, TX
“Every time I come here I am renewed and inspired. It has been a great week of service, fellowship and laughter.”
Beau Offner, 11th trip
Team Organizer/ Surgery coordinator
Argyle, TX
“My favorite part of this week is seeing a diverse group of amazing people come together doing Gods work alongside the Guatemala people. I am so blessed to be apart of this team.”
Jesse Even, 11th trip
Spine Surgeon
Argyle, TX
“This team came together and served the body of Christ in an absolute perfect fashion this week”.
Acts 20:35, In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’ ”
Prisila Foss 29th time
Anesthesiologist
Dallas, TX
“Being a part of the Faith in Practice family is truly a blessing. I’ve been coming to Guatemala for 18 years and still look forward to every single trip because I know that every time I come here, I’m making a difference in the lives of the local people. I also hope that I can make a difference in the lives of the people who volunteer, so that they can return with us on future trips. I pray that everyone will see that they are the answer to our patient’s prayers; that we provide the miracles these patients need and would otherwise go without if not for each an every one of us. There are no words to describe what this mission means to me, but I can only hope that my actions and dedication would be enough to encourage others to want to be a part of this family.”
-Anna Au
