After a year of anticipation, the Lord finally allowed us to have our surgical team at the Rearick Surgical Center!
The patients ranged in ages of twelve years old to seventy. We had twelve patients with hernias that needed repaired. We had three patients “lumps and bumps” removed. The final three patients needed gallbladders removed. Of the gallbladder surgeries the first was done “open” with a larger incision. The other two were done with a laparoscopic (the four smaller holes for less invasive surgery).
Before the team arrived, Jason conducted interviews with each person to determine their eligibility. Overall he met with 24 people and after the surgeon arrived and did his own evaluation, they decided to perform 18 of the surgeries. The patients not only were treated with dignity and care, but we were able to share the gospel with them on several occasions.
The pastor and deacons of the church have started follow up visits with these people as well. Our pastor said it this way, “No one is going to shut the door on me now because we’ve already shown we care about them.” Jason spent the following two weeks afterward checking on patients, taking out stitches, and answering questions about post-surgery care.
After several people dropping out and not being able to travel due to COVID, the Lord had just the right people in Honduras for this team! We had 11 people, including a general surgeon and an anesthesiologist. MMO director Bradley Edmondson and his wife Kelly flew down with several staff members as well as three nurses.
The goal for this first trip was not necessarily to have a huge patient list and do a lot of surgeries. Jason wanted to make sure the equipment and procedures were ironed out to help us build a foundation for future trips. Jason believes this was very successful! The work this team did will help influence future teams for years to come.
We are extremely thankful for all God did to make this trip happen! Although our world has shifted, traveling with COVID is still possible. We would invite you to consider coming on a trip this year! We have three specific dates lined up for surgical teams, but in July a huge medical/optical/dental team will also be coming!
You can sign up for trips here. Reply if you have any questions and we would be happy to answer them for you.
You can see more pictures below!
