Hasta Luego

We are home! Yesterday was a long travel day but we arrived safely back in Chicago last night. I hope those going to other destinations made it home in a safe and timely manner too. Let me share some highlights with you from the last few days…

The Tiquipaya mission team wrapped up an amazingly productive week on Friday. 700 patients were seen in clinics and 40 surgeries were performed. We celebrated Friday night with the Tiquipaya staff – it was a fabulous night full of dancing, music and heartfelt expressions of gratitude all around.

Saturday morning we met at the hospital for a final service to conclude the mission. The Tiquipaya staff and many of the surgical patients joined us to celebrate and give thanks for all that was accomplished. Watch the video below to hear how one patient described her experience (or copy and paste in to your web browser: http://youtu.be/p5whQdZG0Ds): [youtube=http://youtu.be/p5whQdZG0Ds]

From goodbyes to hellos – on Saturday afternoon we were reunited with the general surgery team who had been in Aquile. They too had a busy and productive week.

It was a little strange to be home today. I miss my new friends, beginning and ending our days together, helping each other. About halfway through this trip, one of my fellow missioners shared with me one of her guiding principles: "recognize the magnificence in others." Her words have not been far from my mind since then. Each member of the mission team brought their own unique magnificence to this experience and I was fortunate to be a part of it.

To everyone I traveled with, laughed with, worked with, and to all of you who supported us on this journey, thank you.

Hasta Luego!!