Our mission has been a wonderful experience by all – team members as well as patients. Patients have come as far as five hours away just to be evaluated for surgery. Most have been accepted a few were not due to heart disease, TB, and infections. Some young adults with cleft palate are regularly rejected by missions because the surgery would not improve their speech. However we were able to serve several teenagers and young adults due to the expertise of our surgeons. One of our lead surgeons, Doctor Hector Santos, has a clinic in Manilla and we were able to refer a few to his clinic where he is conducting a study of the best way of treating the older cleft palate patients. We all felt very good about the mission and truly feel blessed to be a a part of this mission.

Wow. What a week it has been. We have not been able to update the blog as frequently as we would have liked as internet access has been less available than we anticipated. Our second week, in Tagbilaran, is complete. We met many incredible patients, their families, Rotarians, hospital staff, and people in general. I think I speak for all of us when I say that the Filipino people are truly one of a kind. Their kindness and generosity is inspiring. Being a part of this mission and helping these children to have lives where they are no longer bullied out of school and are able to later find employment has been nothing short of life-changing.

Yesterday, Sunday, February 12, 2012 was the mission’s first day in Tagbilaran and the beginning of the second week of our mission. The day was spent screening patients and planning the schedule for the upcoming surgeries. In the evening our mission group attended a welcoming party thrown by the Rotary Club here in Tagbilaran. We had a wonderful time at the celebration and we were given the opportunity to meet all the members of the local Rotary Club. Today, the 13th of February, the mission is completing 13 surgeries on patients ranging from 6 months to sixteen years of age. We are also continuing to screen patients on a drop-in basis. So far all is going well and we are excited for the days to come.