Resilience, Mission, & the Power of Showing Up

Through the perspective of Isabella (Isa)

When I traveled to Pucallpa to serve with Scalpel At The Cross, I was simply hoping to make an impact—however small. What I did not expect was how deeply the experience would impact me.

Learning What True Resilience Looks Like

Pucallpa taught me what resilience means—but not my own resilience. I was just passing through. I mean the resilience of the people who call Pucallpa home.

One thing our entire team noticed was that no matter how major the surgery, our patients rarely complained of pain. I would love to believe that was solely due to our top-tier anesthetic plans (haha), but the truth is more profound than that. The people of Pucallpa seemed to have a higher pain tolerance than what I am accustomed to seeing in my patient population in the US.

That observation has stayed with me. My mind has wandered back to it many times over the past few months, and I keep coming back to this question: How much emotional and physical discomfort have these individuals endured to become this strong?

The people of Pucallpa may have fewer material resources, but they possess an extraordinary reservoir of inner strength. They are rich in hope. Rich in faith. Rich in love, compassion, and dedication to their families and community.

I love Pucallpa and its people for reminding me that our greatest resources are not external—they are within us.

Redefining Medical Missions

My time serving with Scalpel At The Cross broadened my understanding of what medical missions truly are. It was not only about providing clinical care. It was about showing up with compassion and humility. It was about meeting people exactly where they are, without assumption, without superiority—simply with a willingness to serve.

The needs in Peru, particularly in Pucallpa, are significant. Access to specialized care is limited, and many patients live with conditions for years before receiving treatment. Yet alongside those needs, I witnessed remarkable strength and resilience within the community itself.

The people of Pucallpa left a deep and lasting impression on me. In many ways, I feel they gave me far more than I could ever offer in return.

Serving there was both transformational and humbling, serving as a reminder that we are each just one small part of a much larger story. That realization grounded me, but it also inspired me to continue showing up with greater gratitude and purpose.

The Difference Scalpel Truly Makes

If someone is considering volunteering with or giving to Scalpel At The Cross, I would tell them this: Your contribution—whether it is time, skill, or financial support—has a direct and life-changing impact.

Scalpel provides care that many patients simply do not have access to, from pain-relieving steroid injections to complex orthopaedic reconstructions and the physical therapy that follows. For some, it is the difference between living in chronic pain and walking freely again.

However, the mission runs deeper than mere medical care.

Scalpel helps restore hope and dignity. It works intentionally to care for the spirit of each patient alongside the body. Every donation. Every volunteer hour. Every prayer becomes part of a larger mission that strengthens the entire community.

It is truly an organization where your efforts go exactly where they are needed most. Beyond the clinical work, I cannot express how much I felt like part of a family while serving. Dr. Cole, Nancy, Dr. Woolley, Danielle, and Channing feel like extended family to me. I am so grateful for everything they taught me during my time in Peru.

They did more than ensure we were comfortable and well fed. They were intentional about tending to the emotional and spiritual components of serving on a mission trip. They sincerely care about every volunteer, and their encouragement fueled the passion that made this experience so meaningful.

A Community Rich in Spirit

What I ultimately learned about Pucallpa is this: A community can be rich in spirit even when resources are limited.

The people were warm. Welcoming. Incredibly grateful for the care they received. Despite facing barriers to healthcare that many of us take for granted, they showed remarkable resilience and optimism. They value connection deeply. Every smile mattered. Every conversation mattered. Their openness and trust reminded me why I chose this profession in the first place. It reaffirmed my commitment to serve with empathy, humility, and respect.

Pucallpa changed me—not because of what I gave, but because of what I witnessed. I will carry those lessons with me for the rest of my career.”