Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature, having escaped the corruption in the world caused by evil desires.
–2 Peter 1:4
Photo by Josef Kainrad
One of my dreams since finding out that our ministry was at a hospital this month was to be able to see an operation. Today that dream came true. I love healthcare and think that you can learn a lot about a culture through it. For me, this also includes surgeries.
So far in the hospital, we had been able to work with pediatrics, infants, patients and families. We have painted, moved furniture, sorted equipment and sanded a lot of rust. Yesterday we were talking with Julio, an employee who helps clean the hospital who we met while painting last week. All of a sudden Julio asked if we would like to see a surgery. I’m pretty sure my jaw dropped as I said yes. He motioned us to follow him and he let us into the operating department to talk with one of the nurses. She said that they did not have any surgeries scheduled; but that we could return tomorrow morning.
The next morning we went into the operating room employee room anxiously awaiting for the nurse to arrive. She graciously said that Sara, Taylor, Josef and I could observe a hernia repair that was scheduled. She gave us scrubs to change into. As we put on our masks and shoe coverings, the nurse Brenda told us that there is going to be an emergency C-section. We walked into the room and avoided the sterile fields, resting near the wall. Sara and I tried to explain the procedure, instruments and any other questions as the procedure began. I had another flashback to nursing school and the rush of emotions I felt during my first experience of seeing a child being born. I was quickly brought back to the present moment when, like a flash, the baby was delivered looking grey. The pediatrician quickly began working on the baby as the other surgeon continued to take care of the mother. Within seconds the baby began to cry and I was able to breathe more easily. The doctors patiently answered our questions and encouraged us to come closer and to observe the baby. It was incredible to experience this with my team in Guatemala and to hear their reactions after the experience.
We were able to see a few other C-sections and the hernia repair on a one year old today. Wow. I could not imagine that our team would go from painting rooms to the operating room. It really showed me that God is pulling out all the stops and that I may need to dream bigger!
