A Year Ago...

Jason was in Guatemala. I realized the other day while we were reminiscing about his trip, that I never posted pictures. So, I am fixing that today!
His trip was so awesome and he got to experience so many great things!

Jason was in Guatemala for 8 days. (8 very long days for me ha ha)

His uncle Jed is a plastic surgeon and goes down every year  with a group called the Hirschi Smile Foundation. Jason has been wanting to go with him for years and last year it finally happened!

 Jason was able to borrow his dad's calling card and he would call me from his hotel every night. 

The only catch was the calls were very expensive so we had to keep it to 5 minutes, literally.
That was very hard for this crazy emotional wife missing my other half, but somehow I survived :)
It was actually so great to talk to Jas each evening and here the amazement in his voice. I could tell he was having the best, most incredible time and that he was witnessing miracles each day.

Jas went down with about 25 other volunteers, but only 2 spoke Spanish and he was one of them. He spent most of his time translating, but also got to assist in surgeries, help with post op care, and sterilizing instruments. Jas feel in love with each and every patient and was so touched by their positive attitudes. 

Some of the patients traveled by bus for 2 days in hopes of getting that surgery that would change their life.

Here is Jas with a little girl after her surgery, I just love how happy he looks!

Before...

...After

Here is her mother seeing her for the 1st time after the surgery.

This kid was one of the worst cases they had all week, he was 12 years old...

Here he is coming out of surgery with his mom! I just love her smile :)

Edwin! Isn't he so adorable? I love his sweater.

It's a good thing I didn't go on this trip, I would have smuggled him home.

And probably her too!

This little girl was smitten by Jas (can you blame her?) she kept calling him her boyfriend all week. She had reconstructive surgery on her ear, they actually took cartilage from her ribs to reshape her ear, so cool!

(Sorry I know this picture is disturbing) Jas had to hold up this leg for an hour during surgery while the doctors performed multiple skin grafts. She was a burn victim when she was 12 and the scar tissue was keeping her from fully extending her leg, making it very difficult for her to walk.

Some of the crew.

Jas also got to visit some ancient ruins called Tikal.
Book of Mormon anyone?

 

  

I know this sounds cheesy but I really could tell a difference in Jason when he got home. He was just so appreciative about life and inspired by the doctors and all the good they do. They performed over 67 surgeries in 5 days! It also inspired Jason and I to hopefully give back when he is a dentist someday. I would love to do things for our local community but also abroad too!