I will never forget this experience. I now realize the great need for women's health in countries like Guatemala. These are women who work hard, have many children and have little to no access to medical care. If you could only see the gratitude in the eyes of these women after their surgeries. Or the expression on the faces of parents whose children are getting medical attention. The plastic surgeon gave many children a chance at a normal life after their cleft lip and palate repairs.

William had burns over his entire left arm and left half of his chest and abdomen. The burns were caused by an open fire used for cooking. He had been in a Guatemalan hospital for a month and already had lost the mobility of his left arm due to contractures. His father did not want to take him back to the Guatemalan hospital to recover after his surgery with us. His father told us how William screamed when the Guatemalans would pull off his bandages. We always medicated and made sure he was comfortable before the dressing changes. In the end, we arranged for William and his father to stay and receive care from the military medical staff that had been trained by our surgeons.

It is hard to put in words the impact this medical mission had on me. I know I have made differences in lives. At the same time these simple rural, indigenous people have changed my life as well. They remind me to be appreciative of family, friends and the small things in life. I think of their smiles and it brings a smile to my face and occasionally I have to fight away a tear.