Day two of surgery!

Day two was also a successful day with 20 surgeries!! All of the patients continue to do well and their family members were able to visit with them for a few minutes this afternoon!!

These ladies are part of the Guatemalan staff and work tirelessly during these weeks of clinics. They start the IVs before surgeries and care for patients after their procedures.

These ladies are folding and preparing towells to be autoclaved for surgery. Very seldom people wonder how these packages are prepared. Usually, when you need one you just go to the storage room and grab one......not knowing how they are prepared. This group is from Cordova Church of Christ. Penny is on the left and this is her first time down. Carol is in the middle and Danielle is on the right. They are all first-timers from Sacremento.
Julie takes time, when time allows to answer emails and prepare for future trips and events. Her and Rick are here this week together. Rick is spending most of his time in the auto-claving room preparing instruments and materials for surgeries and procedures.
This is Rigoberto who is now maintaining the operating rooms. He cleans the rooms after surgeries and prepares them for the next case. He has been working with Health Talents for 15 years. He remembers the work before this clinic was built and clinics were held in Chocal.......hmm, can't remember.

The day was busy but it was a good one. You can see the love of Christ through the day in different situations. One little boy did not want to leave his dad when it came time for his surgery. He held his dad's hand just as tight as he could until we reached the operating room door. Can you imagine the trust the father had as he released his son's hand into mine??? We positioned the little boy on the table and just talked to him as he calmed down. His surgery went well and he was back with his dad in a short time.

One lady from our community had her surgery yesterday. She had a prolapsed uterus for nine years and finally had the opportunity to have it removed. Her husband was able to visit this afternoon and she was having some pain at the time. I went to get her some medicine and as I was giving it, her husband was kneeling by the bed on his knees praying fervently for his wife.......it is moments like this that are etched in your mind. Good night.