We Make Our Destiny Through Our Choices

Herbert Villafuerte, RN, BS, CEN, is the director for emergency services and critical care at Glendale Memorial Hospital and Medical Center. He grew up in Guatemala not far from where we are serving.

It is difficult sometimes to realize how fortunate we are in life. It is through genuine effort and an act of kindness that we find our true selves. I joined this mission with the expectation to make a difference for the people of Guatemala.  Last year, it was difficult to see our efforts make a significant difference because we could not follow through with the patients appropriately. We were here for a week and although we evaluated well over a thousand patients, we were unsure they would be appropriately followed up by our contacts.

Herbert Villafuerte (left) works with Jennifer Perez to conduct an intake assessment

I was very fortunate to be chosen this year again to come on this mission. Through great efforts and a stronger partnership with local healthcare professionals we are able to get referrals and send patients to the right specialty required to provide definitive care.  For example, we had a young man come to our clinic that had been suffering from fever, headache, a peticheal rash, and abdominal pain. In previous years, we  would treat the infection and send him home. This year, we were able to contact the a physician on staff at the local hospital and get him direct access to appropriate medical care.

I believe people make their destinies through the choices they make in their lives. In my life, my choice has been that of service. My destiny has brought me to this great opportunity to serve the community in which I grew up. Not knowingly, I joined an organization committed to serving the people of Guatemala. It is not every day that we find an organization that is willing to send some of its workers to serve following in the steps of our Lord.
 
The biggest proof of this commitment comes from the commitment all of us have shown. The commitment that has led us to leave our family and friends for ten days. I am a single father and it kills me to be away from my son. Although he knows what this mission is all about; I think it is difficult for him to understand why I have chosen to join. I hope that through the efforts of people like the excellent professionals joining me in this mission he is able to grow spirituality to see outside the box and realize how fortunate we are. I hope he can see that the meaning of life is not about how much material things we are able to amount but rather  that the meaning of life is that of service. Service to the needy; service to the orphans and widows and to those that are not fortunate enough to have not even running water.

We live in a world where impressions count; I hope this blog can impress you enough to see outside the box and reach out to someone in need.

Comments

[Jenn Perez #2]

:)