Working visitors

From time to time we are blessed to receive special visitors who decide they would like to spend more of their time working in the hospital than sight seeing. Some come once and never return while others have become recurring faces, appearing yearly from anywhere from 2 weeks to 4 months. Many come to offer their specialty skills as in Dr Jeremy Zebroski while others come to offer us some respite from frequent call as in Dr John Doerfer.

Dr Zebroski is an orthopedic surgeon from Wyoming who made his first trip to Ecuador this year. He was able to offer his special skills to patients who would otherwise have had to wait because one of our surgeons is out for a while. One particularly delicate procedure included repairing a severe machete injury to the hand of a 4 year old girl from the jungle which also included the repair of two of her broken hand bones. Dr Zebroski intends to return this time next year along with his wife and two young children. Please pray that the Lord may bless his work in the US and allow for his return here next year.

Dr John Doerfer, he is no stranger to Ecuador. Dr Doerfer was a missionary in Shell when the old hospital was in use in the 1970's and 1980's. After moving back to the States he has committed to return during the Christmas holidays and stays until the spring. He has a lot of wisdom to share with the medical residents and is an integral part of the hospital when he's here. He has an excellent bedside manner and is quick to share the Gospel with patients. Please pray that the Lord will continue to bless his footsteps and give him the strength to return for many more years.

There are many more that we'll see as the year continues. This summer we will get to see Drs Mike and Karol Hardin again as well. It was Mike and Karol who lured us to Ecuador in 2007. It seems that once Shell gets into someone's blood it's hard to get away! Please pray for all of our working visitors as they sacrifice much in order to come to Shell. I've only mentioned the physicians but there are many from other professions that come as well.