Last night at our last dinner at The Irtra Hotel, Mark toasted the entire team, reminding us all that we are making a difference in the lives of those around us. Before our last day of surgeries began, we discussed the importance of “prayer without borders” and bringing back the message of the Mission to those back home. At morning devotion, Faith in Practice board member Mark Wolf and our team leader Katherine Bullard discussed the hope that we are all germs and we bring back the Mission of this trip to infect others. The hope and gratitude of the people of Guatemala has infected and affected the team, and inspired in us, the “shake it off and step up” attitude. Dr. Biderman nominated OR director Jo Fowler for the “shake it off and step up” award as she was able to continually adjust to changing conditions, always making sure everyone had what they needed to help the patients.

It was a quiet day in the hospital as there were only a few patients scheduled for surgery today. This gave the team a chance to express their gratitude to the staff at Hilario Galindo as we served them cake as way to say thank you for all their support and hard work for the week. They are truly the foundation that allows teams to come in for the week and be successful. Without people like Sergio, Manuel and Gladys, the hospital would not be able to function.

As the week comes to an end, 76 patients were screened and 64 of those patients had surgeries. No one was turned away because of time constraints, but for some, the surgery would not have helped their pain. As we were leaving, we learned that the patient with diabetes, whom we could not operate on because it would be too dangerous to do in a hospital without sufficient blood supply, was accepted at Las Obras hospital. Faith in Practice staff member Joanne made all the arrangements for the next team traveling to Las Obras to perform his operation.

As the day comes to a close, the team has some time to decompress a little before we gather together to share a final dinner all together. Some took naps, some went to the spa and some went bowling. As I look at the team around me I would trust any one of them with my life, but I would not want them on my bowling team. Really, we just took the time to enjoy each other’s company. With a team of incredibly talented and good hearted individuals, it is the hope that they will bring the joy of spending time together, love