In accordance with the policies of Adventist Hospital Cebu, we observed Saturday as our day off after completing the morning rounds to assess our surgery patients from day two for clearance to go home.

With the rounds completed, we were free to explore Cebu and reflect on our first week of Rotaplast. Gratitude came to mind for several members on the team as we read the thank you’s written by the families of our patients after the first two days of surgeries. Here’s a sampling of the heartfelt messages to the Rotaplast Medical Team, Abounding in Love, Rotary Club of Cebu Port Centre and Adventist Hospital Cebu:

  • “I know that my thankful message is not enough to pay all of your duties. You are the blessings from heaven come in this world, thank you very much. From the deepest side in my heart, salute all the doctors from the deepest side of my heart….
  • “Thank you for the opportunity to be part of the free surgery of my son Isiah…I heartfeltly thanking those people behind the surgery and for those who help me through to get this chance…especially the doctor who performs the surgery.”
  • “I am writing this letter with utmost gratitude and appreciation for the exceptional care and support you provided to my son during his recent operation. Words cannot fully express the depth of our gratitude for your collective effort especially for Doctor David for ensuring the success of the procedure and the well-being of my beloved son.”
  • “Thank you so much to (the doctors and staff) for caring and all the patience. I so happy to see my daughter so beautiful now. Please keep helping people. God Bless.”
  • “We’re over the moon grateful for the awesome care and support you showed to my little brother. You didn’t just change his appearance, you’ve touched our hearts…”

The notes were just part of the expressions of gratitude. Parents approached during rounds to thank all members of the Team, some with teary eyes and a warm embrace. Needless to say, the teary eyes were contagious. A final note of gratitude must be given to the organizations and individuals who brought us here! To Evelyn Abad, 30 years and counting in Rotaplast, to Rotary International District 5300 for funding the 2024 Cebu Mission, to Rotary Club of Cebu Port Centre for their incredible support over the last 19 years with Mission coordination in our host city, to Abounding in Love for locating so many families in the Philippines and providing the resources to allow them to travel to receive the surgeries, to Wrap A Smile, a Rotary-based organization in Maine who engages quilters from all 50 states and also foreign countries, to create colorful quilts which are then donated to organizations, such as this Rotaplast mission. Finally to the Adventist Hospital for opening their home to our Rotaplast team!