This past month my team and I were in Portoviejo, Ecuador and partnered with an organization called InkaLink. Through InkaLink, we worked with a foundation that cares for adult males with mental disabilities. There, we would spend time with the men and talk about the Bible, color (they LOVED to color!), and sing songs. We also ran a VBS and feeding program for kids from low-income families. These families would dig through the dump, looking for recyclable materials to sell. I loved both of these ministries, but my favorite was getting to help out at a surgical clinic.
Before leaving for the Race, most people asked if I would get to use my nursing skills while abroad. My reply was always that I thought I’d use my skills in one way or another, but that while on the World Race I would be doing a variety of mission work. Up until this past month in Ecuador, the only nursing that I got to do was when someone on my squad needed medical advice. So when our host in Ecuador asked if I would like to volunteer at the surgical clinic, I was thrilled to say the least.
A couple from the United States started the surgical clinic that I volunteered with and they ran the clinic solely by donations. Every seven weeks or so medical professionals from the United States come for a mission trip and perform surgeries for Ecuadorian kids and adults. During the time when missionaries are not there, the Ecuadorian doctors run an orthopedic clinic and do emergency surgeries when needed. The clinic deals a lot with clubbed feet, broken bones, and other ailments, such as webbed fingers. The procedures are free to the patients, but they can make donations if they so choose.
It just so happened that while I was in Portoviejo, a surgical team from Tennessee came to perform surgeries. One of the surgeons who came was an orthopedic surgeon, while the other was a hand specialist. The team amazed me with how generous they were with their time and how kind they were to their patients. They worked 12-hour days throughout the week and performed over thirty surgeries! I loved seeing the surgeons talk with the patients and pray with them before going to surgery. I also loved seeing how the clinic put God first by doing morning devotionals with the team, and by how they showed Christ’s love to all of their patients.
In addition to the surgical team from Tennessee, many Ecuadorian nurses and physicians also helped out throughout the week. They worked in pre-op and post-op, assisted in the OR, and cared for the patients that needed to stay overnight after surgery. Since I am not a surgical nurse, I helped mostly with preoperative prep for the patients and helped restock supplies. I absolutely loved getting to help and to actually use my nursing skills in this way. I really enjoyed working with everyone and was blown away by how sweet and kind everyone was.
Working at the clinic made me realize how much I love nursing and reminded me why I wanted to go into nursing in the first place. I hope that I can go on nursing mission trips in the future and use the skills that God has given me to bless others. I am so blessed that God gave me this special opportunity while on the Race.
Not only was it fantastic timing that the surgical team came when I was in Portoviejo so that I could use my nursing skills, but also because I needed to go to the doctor myself. While we were in Thailand, we did construction work and I hurt my hand. I went to the doctor there and was told it was tendonitis. However, since then, my hand had not improved, so I wanted to get it looked at again in Ecuador. It was such God-timing that a HAND surgeon was a part of the surgical team that came! I was able to ask him about my hand and it turns out it was a cyst. Luckily, he was able to drain the cyst and, now, my hand feels so much better. I am just blown away by God’s timing and goodness.
Overall, this past month in Ecuador was one of my favorites while on the Race. I loved getting to work with the people in the clinic and I loved working with InkaLink, as well as our host. Words can’t describe how appreciative I am of our host this past month and how well they loved our team. I truly am grateful for my time in Ecuador and hope that I can go back one day.
The surgical team from Tennessee.
I loved the mission statement of the surgical clinic.
Two of the nurses I worked alongside.
Brie (one of our squad leaders) got to translate at the clinic.
Regan let me hold her hand during my hand procedure!
Another nurse I was able to work with.
Our team and the nurse at the foundation.
Brie was amazing and fixed the strings on the foundation’s guitar.
Leonardo was thrilled to be able to play again!
He even played us Jingle Bells 🙂
The kids we met at the dump.
(it’s hard to get a good picture with kids!)
This little one LOVED to snuggle.
Isn’t she just a cutie??!
Our team with Kei (a missionary staying with our host)
She is an incredible woman of God!
Out to lunch on our adventure day with our host, Percy, and Kei.
I got to ride a horse at our host’s family’s house in the country!
We got to watch a traditional dance at the park.
