Bienvenidos!
After a night of much needed rest, the Askenasky team gathered together in the soft morning light, their coffee cups in hand brimming with Guatemalan coffee. Together, they held lyric sheets to sing songs of praise, forgiveness and gratitude. For a moment, the team took a moment to honor Bob, a man who touched many lives in the Guatemalan community. In the stillness of the moment, the team was reminded of the importance of listening to the quiet callings within our hearts. We must go, act, and carry our memories from this trip as a reminder to apply in our daily lives. As the morning came to an end, we were reminded that we are always united, regardless of our differences.
As the team arrived at the hospital, gracious locals welcomed us to Guatemala, filling our hearts with gratitude. Afterwards, everyone immediately began to work: unboxing trunks filled with medical supplies, building wheelchairs, and scheduling procedures for patients in Pre-Op. With the help of translators, patients were carefully guided on the instructions of what to do the day before their surgery. Many patients have carried their pain for months, some for years. Pain that went beneath the surface, but that weighed heavy on their souls.
One by one, as each patient was cleared by the surgical and anesthesia team, something beautiful happened. As the dates of surgery were given to each patient, the immediate wave of relief was prevalent. You could see it in their faces, the tightness in their chest relaxing, smiles growing, tears welling. Many have travelled hours for this moment. To them, it was more than a checkmark on a box; their hope was restored, as they were just one day closer to living a pain-free life.
As Eric Askenasy reflected upon the day, he made a comment that struck out to me. “In the United States, there’s so much noise, and what I’ve found is that here, all that noise gets dampened down a little, and you’re able to hear God at work.” This reflection is a testimony to our faith, in this day, God’s work was not just heard, it was seen, and it felt alive.
Valerie Mendez
