Day 1
Our Sunday began with a devotional focusing our minds on how we can be sent to help others in unexpected ways. This theme followed Team 921 throughout the day at the Obras as preparation began for the week.
After orientation, every team got to work. Whether it was unpacking supplies, building wheelchairs or working directly with patients, every individual was invested in serving the community for a greater goal.
One of the patients who came to our team was Axel Mardoqueo, a 17.year-old who has experienced significant pain and limited mobility since a fall at age 10. Axel and his father traveled 11 hours to seek help from our team in an attempt to grant Axel an opportunity to pursue greater comfort and mobility.
While physicians and clinical teams worked with patients like Axel, other members of Team 921 were making sure patients and their families were supported throughout the process. Guillermo Yela, our spiritual leader, and Traci Wood, our photographer, spent much of the day connecting with patients and their families, listening to their stories and praying with them. In a day that often involved long waits and uncertainty, their presence gave patients another opportunity to feel heard and supported.
What I noticed as I floated from team to team was how accepting every team member was of each other. New or old to this mission, everyone worked together to bring out the best in each other. From preparing supplies and providing medical care to listening, praying and simply being present, each role contributed to the same goal. Together, those efforts make Team 921’s impact even stronger in the community.
