For years, Suzette, a CRNA, dreamed of providing anesthesia on a medical mission trip. In June 2022, that dream came true when she, her husband, and their two 19-year-old children joined Scalpel At The Cross for a mission trip to Pucallpa, Peru — and it changed their lives forever.
From transporting medical supplies across airports to assisting in surgery and providing anesthesia support and patient care, their week-long experience was powered by faith, flexibility, and compassion. It was a true testament to the power of teamwork and answered prayers.
What It’s Like on a Scalpel Mission Trip…
On every Scalpel At The Cross medical campaign, you can expect a full, immersive experience:
-Gathering, transporting, and organizing medical supplies
-Clinic days seeing and assessing patients (they saw nearly 150 patients in just one clinic day!)
-Performing orthopaedic surgeries with limited resources and unlimited heart
-Prayer, worship, and meaningful conversations with patients and their families
-Deep bonds formed within the team — and opportunities for profound spiritual growth
Suzette shares, “The compassion we witnessed and the people we met were irreplaceable.”
Their family worked closely with surgeons, assisting with history-note-taking, preparing surgical schedules, and even scrubbing in to help during procedures. Her husband, who had completed a pain management fellowship, was able to perform crucial joint injections. Meanwhile, Suzette helped provide anesthesia in an environment where resources were limited — reusing LMAs and circuits, working with older equipment, and navigating limited drug supplies — yet where gratitude and faith overflowed.
Why It Matters…
In Pucallpa, patients often have limited access to orthopaedic care, surgical expertise, or rehabilitation resources. Most live hours, even days away from the nearest hospital. Scalpel’s work not only meets immediate physical needs, but it also opens doors to share the love and hope of Christ. Whether you are a surgeon, CRNA, PA, translator, student, or simply have a willing heart to serve, there is a place for you at Scalpel At The Cross. Mission trips here are about more than fixing bones — they are about healing hearts, building faith, and being part of God’s story of redemption in the Amazon Jungle.
As Suzette beautifully summed it up:
“The rewards from participating in this mission trip far outweigh any challenges, and I totally recommend traveling with Scalpel At The Cross.”
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