More Is Better

Last week was the Spring Break Surgical Trip and for many it was the first time with a mission team. The surgical components were Ophthalmology and Orthopedics with veteran surgeons and their families returning. The students were for the most part from Lipscomb University in Nashville, Tennessee and this helped create energy for activities and lower the average age for the rest of us.

"Time out" Has anyone seen the patient!

When it came to patient care and activities surrounding cases their was plenty of assistance and teaching opportunities. The students were enthusiastic to learn and it was exciting to watch as many experience their first time to see a surgical case.

Good week at the Hospital

We are back in Antigua from being on the coast for a surgical trip with Health Talents. Sheri traveled with children and parents from the highlands who were scheduled for cleft lip or palate repair. If I counted correctly there were 11 children who had this surgery during the week. There were many other types of plastic cases also. We have attached a picture of one of the children who was sponsored by a family in our church in Columbia, Missouri. The child's father accompanied him from the highlands and stayed all week walking him around to comfort him.

This was a special week for us as we were able to be with friends we had know from Jackson, Mississippi.

January Surgery 2011

This past week we were at Clinic Ezell for the first surgery group of the year. The surgeries were General and Gynecology patient and the team completed 75 cases. Neva knew several of the surgeons and nurses from previous years but this was the first time I had the privilege of working with many of them. Most talked about the snow and cold temperatures they left behind and were all to happy to be in warm and sunny Guatemala

I was able to scrub and assist with most of the GYN cases and a few General cases. I am constantly impressed how the patients show their faith in God and give him the praise for the opportunity to have surgery and then recovery of surgery. When they walk out of the hospital with family they are smiling and giving hugs and kisses to the staff.

Neva had a busy week in the recovery room taking care of many women who had GYN surgery and women, men, and a few children who had hernias, gall bladder surgery, etc. She enjoyed working with old friends like Bonnie Spink and making new acquaintances. She said that everyone worked so well together that it made for a very enjoyable time. Above is a picture of Brittany, their charge nurse for the week.

I captured a visitor to one of the patients on the last day with Neva. She had her hands raised and was praising God for all he had done. We look forward to going back in February for a GYN/Plastics week of surgery.

Third year in Guatemala

Neva and I returned to Antigua Saturday, January 8, from the cold and snowy Missouri weather. Below is a picture demonstrating my skills in the field of snow people creations. Our children suggest that I should not pursue this as a career choice.

We are looking forward to the opportunity of serving here in Guatemala with the HTI surgical teams and volunteering here in Antigua during 2011.

We encourage you to look at Sheri's blog site that is to the right of our blog. The blog shows the pictures of several children who have a cleft lip and/or cleft palate who are tentatively scheduled for surgery. There are two families in our home congregation who are providing the financial support for their surgery. We are thankful for their support and encouragement....they know who they are!!

Blessings,

Glenn & Neva