Fall/Winter 2025 9 but simply to watch. I became something of a novelty—“the doctor with a stethoscope,” letting kids listen to their own heartbeats or look in my ears. We handed out toothbrushes, played soccer and shared laughter. Their lives are simple, but their joy was profound. One touching moment involved a young boy sitting alone in another clinic, wearing a Detroit Tigers cap. After he had watched us work for hours, I invited him to listen through my stethoscope. My two older children speak fluent Spanish, so I called one and let them chat with him on speakerphone. It was the first time he’d ever used a cellphone—and his face lit up in pure amazement. That smile still stays with me. But not all memories were easy. On our first clinic day, I saw two 2-year-old children who were unable to walk or speak—likely due to complications from early illness and lack of oxygen. Both likely suffered brain injuries but had no access to physical therapy, neurologists or early intervention. Another 5-year-old clearly had signs of autism spectrum disorder, yet no resources existed in the school system to support her. These were the hardest moments, knowing what should be done and being powerless to provide it. And yes, I had my own moment of “tourist medicine”—contracting both E. coli and an amoeba in the final days of the trip. With the help of medication from our team, I recovered quickly, though I returned home 13 pounds lighter (not the weight loss method I’d recommend!). God calls us to give our time, treasure and talents. This trip reminded me just how much we have—and how much we can give. The joy of service Looking back, I’m deeply grateful for the opportunity to serve—not only the people of Guatemala but also the 17 incredible medical students who gave their time and energy to care for others. They paid for the trip themselves and came ready to learn, work and make a difference. I left Guatemala with a renewed sense of gratitude for our own community. Here in Yankton, we’re blessed with access to health care, support services in our schools and therapies that help children reach their full potential. This trip reminded me how lucky we are—and how important it is to share those blessings whenever and wherever we can. Need a pediatrician? David Withrow, MD, FAAP, is a pediatrician at Yankton Medical Clinic, P.C. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Withrow, please call 605-665-5538 or visit yanktonmedicalclinic.com/scheduling. I left wishing I could’ve done more— but also deeply grateful for what I was able to give. —David Withrow, MD, FAAP
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