109 hours into the mission
April 5, 2000 9:45 AM Barcelona, Venezuela

In medical school, they teach residents to sleep "when you can" because of the long exhausting hours. Tuesday's schedule included 18 patients.

Oblivious to the constant flow of traffic in the recovery room, plastic surgeon Rick Bosshardt rests at a desk used for charting patient care. The plastic surgery team had 7 cases on their schedule for Tuesday.

Nurse Anesthetist Steven Anderson looks on as Jennifer Steurer (right) catches a quick power nap during a break between cases. Jennifer works in the orthopaedic team as an operating room nurse. The mission is Jennifer's first trip with Operation Rainbow.

Even with air-conditioning, orthopaedic surgery is physical labor. Dr. Rich Gosselin steps out of surgey during a case late Tuesday afternoon. The team continued surgeries until after 8:00 PM Tuesday night.

Physician, heal thyself. One of the Fundamigos volunteers is a massage therapist. Dr. D'Juanna White Satcher receives a foot massage before beginning work Wednesday morning.

Video: Cesar Euribe
April 4, 2000 1:30 PM Barcelona, Venezuela

Anesthesiologist Cesar Euribe talks about getting patients ready for surgery Posted April 4, 2000 (requires QuickTime 4.0)

Mamacita
April 3, 2000 5:55 PM Barcelona, Venezuela

There are misunderstandings. The language barrier causes problems and cultural differences come into play. Elva Williamson knows that left unchecked, these conflicts can undermine a mission and that's where she can help. [. . . read more . . . ]

The sounds of the OR -- Medical and Cultural Exchange
April 3, 2000 1:14 AM Barcelona, Venezuela

Walking down the hall of the operating suite at Razetti Hospital, the sounds of each operating room are a unique blend of instruments of many kinds. Mixed with the expected sounds of patient monitors and the hiss of oxygen and anesthesia machines are the sounds of music. [. . . read more . . . ]

Bobby Satcher and D'Juanna White Satcher
April 2, 2000 6:14 PM Barcelona, Venezuela

Many mission volunteers give up a week of vacation with their families to travel with Operation Rainbow. Two doctors however, have been able to make a commitment to the Venezuela mission while still spending time with their spouse. [. . . read more . . . ]

First Cases - Healing in Venezuela
April 1, 2000 6:03 PM Barcelona, Venezuela

In many of the surgical cases, Operation Rainbow doctors are working side by side with Venezuelan medical residents and doctors, helping them lean new skills and improve techniques learned during their education. [. . . read more . . . ]

First Looks - Assessing the need
April 1, 2000 9:20 AM Barcelona, Venezuela

The hallway in the basement of Dr. Luz Razetti hospital erupted into applause as the team of 20 volunteers from Operation Rainbow made their way to a small room which doubled as reception hall and assessment room. Waiting for the team were potential surgical patients and their families. The expectant looks from each expressed the hope that the visiting doctors, nurses, and lay volunteers would provide change in their lives by repairing the deformities and birth defects.
[. . . read more . . . ]

Delivering the instruments of change
March 31, 2000 6:44 PM Barcelona, Venezuela

Operation Rainbow's mission to Venezuela hit the ground at 8:54 PM Thursday local time, arriving at Simon Bolivar airport in Caracas. The team then transferred to a military C130 for a short flight to Barcelona, on the northern coast of Venezuela. [. . . read more . . . ]

The Universal Language of Caring
F.R. "Fritz" Nordengren - Project Producer

Welcome and thank you for taking time in your life to share the stories contained in this site. What you are reading is the result of work begun in August, 1999 in Armenia. During the mission there, the idea for this site was born.

Now, though the cooperation of the project sponsors, and my fellow producer Tom Burton, we are able to bring our work and the work of Operation Rainbow to you via the web.

This web site gives you, the reader, a chance to participate in a mission to heal children in Venezuela. While you may not be able to attend in person, what you will read here are the thoughts, reactions, and observations of the events, as they unfold. Once or twice each day, the project participants will publish new stories, photographs, and interviews with the team members, patients, and families making this project possible.

The people who you will meet and get to know come from a variety of backgrounds, nations, and families, yet all share a common language . . . the language of caring. We look forward to having you with us March 31, - April 8, 2000.