Sunday February 14, 2010
Most of the second week team finally arrived in Antigua, Guatemala on Sunday afternoon after being stranded at home in Savannah due to flight cancellations arising from the numerous snow storms.
We gladly joined the others in the group , many of them having already worked the first week, and got our instructions and quick orientation in order to be ready to start surgeries by 7AM monday morning. The short handed medical team left over from the first week, did the usual work of the whole crew of about 40 by triaging (screening to determine medical problem) over 100 patients on Sunday. Everybody was ready to go.
There were 95 surgeries scheduled for the team this week. We know that God will be overseeing each one!
Monday February 15, 2010
Monday morning, the first day of surgery, started off as everyday will start, with a devotion time including singing, praying and a brief but inspiring message about faith thanks to Dr. Bob Johnson. Dr. Johnson will spend the rest of the week performing various medical procedures in his specialty, ENT surgery.
The entire team was very well feed by the cooking staff and then were off for a day of general surgery, gynocological surgery, orthopedic surgery helping patients who had come from far distances throughout the country. People of all ages were seen during the day by our team and were left in the hospital to be cared for by the caring staff of the Hospital. In all, 26 surgeries were performed today. Tomorrow will start with the physicians going in to check on the status of each patient before they begin another day of surgery.
Tuesday February 16, 2010
The team started the day at 5:15 am with breakfast and a devotional. Dr. Ray Maddox, the clinical director for the Team reviewed the surgery schedule for the day, gave out OR room and staff assignments and explained who would be supporting the very busy ENT, GYN, Orthopedic, and general surgery case load today.
The Team left for the hospital at 7:00 to make rounds and to get the ORs set up so cases could begin at 7:30.
One of the most incredible sites to witness and experiences we enjoy is the patience, graciousness, and humility of the patients and the family members that accompany them to the Hospital. The smiles and constant "Hola" greeting we give and receive from the Guatemalan people is all we need to remind us of our purpose in being here.
God, it's a pleasure to serve you!!
23 surgeries were performed today.
Wednesday February 17, 2010
Testimonials from some of the Team members in answer to the question:
Why did you decide to come on this mission?
Carolyn Ernest, RN-" To whom much is given, much is expected and I have been very blessed. I have a medical background and have always wanted to be able to give back to people in ways that I don't get to at home. The opportunity to be with fellow Christians providing medical care was a combination that I just couldn't pass up. Also, I'm getting to be here working with my husband, Bob, is an added bonus to the opportunity."
Miranda Reed, MD- "I'm an ER Resident at Medical College of GA now and I had the opportunity to do a medical mission to Haiti 2 years ago. It was a great experience and I wanted to do something like that again. I'm also getting to work with my dad, Dr Gary Walker, an OB GYN and member of the team. I'm getting to assist him in GYN surgeries this week. What a great experience.
Robin Tucker, RN-" I wanted to have an opportunity to see first hand and meet face to face the people that I had heard about from other people who had been on this mission in years past. This mission has already really blessed me because it has reminded me that I have so much and that material things are not really that important. The Guatemalan people live with so much less than we do.
I have asked the Lord to let me see the people of Guatemala the way you see them. Bless me to be the hands and feet of Jesus"
John Shingler,MD-" I'm an anesthesiologist and Dr. Tim Wallace called and asked me if I would be interested in going on this mission trip. My wife Jenni and I had just talked about going on a mission trip this year when Tim Wallace called. We jumped at the chance."
Surgeries went very well today, there were 25 procedures done.
Thursday February 18, 2010
More testimonials from Team Members in answer to the question: Why are you here?
Kathie McCathie- "A was raised in a strong but extremely rigid church going family. I had to leave home at 18 to get away from it. I knew God and believed in Him all my life but had not experienced Godly, Christian people in the same way that I experienced them in my first trip to Guatemala with FIP last year. It was a powerful experience, I loved it and knew I wanted to return this year, so here I am."
Sue Payne- " I work for Dr Mark Blankenship and Kathie McCathie. They both have been here before and they asked me to go with them this year. I couldn't imagine what I could possibly do because I'm the insurance person for our medical practice. I came to understand my reason for being her when I was assigned to work in the recovery room this week. I learned that role would be to bring comfort and hopefully joy to the patients as they returned from surgery in preparation to recover and go home. What a exciting, wonderful experience this week has been for me."
Joey Wells, MD-" 2 reasons_ FIP provides me with a very tangible opportunity to work in building the Kingdom for God. It is also an incredible opportunity to work in tandem with and along side other Christians. Also, it affords me the chance to just practice the medical skills that I know and love and not be bothered with the business and regulatory side of health care the way we have to work at home in the US. I just love being able to help these people of Guatemala because they are so appreciative of our being here.
Becky Wells- " I love to go to Guatemala because I have a difficult time really witnessing directly to people at home about my relationship with God. So going to Guatemala and then telling people all about our experience gives me a chance to witness to people indirectly by telling them about FIP and our experiences.
Billy Carr- " I am very fortunate to be able to represent St. Joseph's/ Candler Health System as a member of the Hospital system's administration. We have made a long term committment to Faith in Practice and their work here in Guatemala and I have the pleasure of getting to be that representative this week.
The Team completed 21 surgeries today.
Friday February 19, 2010
More testimonials from Team members in answer to the question: Why are you here?
Mark Blankenship, MD- " I felt I had a "calling" to come and be a part of this mission and it was just like I felt the calling to be a surgeon". (Dr. Blankenship has been with FIP several times to Guatemala)
Ray Williams- " I learned about Faith in Practice several years ago from Tom Inglesby and have had an interest in going on the mission for a few years. I just didn't start thinking about it seriously until last year. I really had no idea how I could contribute during the mission since I am not a health care provider.
When Carolyn took an interest in going, then I knew this would be the year for us to go together. Now, I am so glad we did. The opportunity to be a part of doing something very tangible for the people of Guatemala was such a great experience and terrific blessing to work with fellow Christians providing much needed medical care."
All 95 surgeries scheduled for the week were completed today. Patients remain in the hospital overnight, maybe even 2 nights and then many of them that are not ready to go home can stay at the Casa de Fe, a very nice facility in town that Faith in Practice built. Numerous chairitable organizations also provide onging support for Casa de Fe.
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