Iowa MOST gathered in Guatemala City for a farewell dinner on Monday, April 14, 2008… a joyous occasion filled with expressions of gratitude for a good mission and continued team spirit. The next morning — a 5:45 a.m. wakeup call, a quick van ride to the airport, checking in & changing gears for leaving Guatemala…
Read MoreThe team finishes its mission in Xela on Friday, April 11, 2008, with a full schedule of surgeries & post op & pediatric care. Photographs feature ~ * Deb Strike, Chandra Beals, Pat Wehrle & Jodi Jones in surgery. * Team members Ruben Zuniga, Mindy Bowen, Pat Plohman, Bill LaVelle, Robert Forbes & Susan Adamson…
Read MoreNot enough thanks can ever be given to the Rotarians of Quetzaltenango for their generous hospitality & support to the Iowa MOST medical mission. Without their extensive efforts, the medical mission could not have been accomplished. Since July of 2007, when the second oldest Rotary Club in Guatemala said, “Yes” to team leader Gary Pacha’s…
Read MoreAs a first-time volunteer with Iowa MOST, I struggle to find words that adequately describe my experiences so far. From the moment we arrived, our very dedicated team has been welcomed and recognized in ways that extend far beyod what I could have expected. The courtesies of food and support as well as expressions of…
Read MoreHere are photos showing four-year old Maricela with her mother on screening day, Monday, April 7, 2008, & on the very next day: Maricela’s operation in progress & being completed by surgeons Drew Dillard & Antonio Rosal Alvarez, Maricela being held by Pat Plohman in recovery and then reunited with her parents while Emily Berglund…
Read MoreWednesday, April 9, 2008 ~ A Story from the Dental Team Perhaps the most difficult part of the Iowa MOST medical mission in Xela has been having to make decisions to turn people away; to say no to their requests for reconstructive surgery, because they are too young to undergo anesthesia, have respiratory problems that…
Read MoreSurgeries were done throughout the day… then the patients were taken to the recovery room & soon reunited with their families. Watch for details ~ coming soon ~ especially, the amazing story of Maricela.
Read MoreWith no opportunity to set up supplies & equipment on Sunday afternoon, the Iowa team rose extra early and trekked along the bustling street filled with hurtling, colorful, crowded buses, vans & other vehicles spewing diesel fumes, then up over the pedestrian overpass, past tortilla stands, and through the hospital grounds gates and a maze…
Read MoreApril 7, 2008 ~ Screening Day in Xela As families crowded around the door of the intake room, the staff began inviting the prospective candidates for surgery in to have their photos taken (Mindy Bowen), have weight & height checks done (Dee Grems), be checked for fever and respiratory problems (Emily Berglund), and get information…
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