Mission Matters Newsletter – February 2026
 FROM THE DESK OF Executive Director, Dan Mauer February 2026 Happy February — and welcome to the latest edition of Mission Matters! Wishing you a fantastic day and hoping for a wonderful week ahead! There’s a lot happening at Medical Missions Foundation, so take a moment to explore all our upcoming plans.Given the abundance of activities, we can’t present everything here, so make sure to stay connected via our social media platforms and website blog where we’ll share inspiring stories, photos, and updates from the field.  We are truly fortunate to have an incredible group of dedicated volunteers at Medical Missions Foundation, and their unwavering commitment to the communities we serve is truly inspiring.Each month, we aim to shine a light on a volunteer who has made significant contributions to our mission of providing “Health for the World.”In this month’s Volunteer Spotlight, we are proud to recognize the entire volunteer team that embarked on our new medical mission to Kenya.  Our team from Kenya poses for a quick group photo before heading out to screen patients for the week.  Dr. Joel Marwa, a local general surgeon and urologist, works alongside Dr. Stan Augustin to remove a neck mass (thyroglossal duct cyst) from Vinic, 17. Procedures like this require careful dissection in a delicate area of the neck, where precision is essential. Throughout the mission, cases were approached collaboratively, with local and visiting surgeons operating side by side. For patients like Vinic, that partnership meant access to timely surgical care and shared expertise in the operating room.  Kristen Rae Wyre sits with Evans before surgery. In 2023, he was buried when a quarry collapsed during heavy rains. His brother, Dismas, dug him out. Treatment was delayed until payment could be secured, and Bernard—who supports his own wife and children—took out a loan totaling 750,000 Kenyan shillings to cover Evans’ care. More than 550,000 shillings remains unpaid, a significant financial burden in a country where that amount can sustain a household for months. Emergency surgery saved Evans’ life but left him with a urethral stricture requiring a suprapubic catheter and limiting him to light work. This week, Dr. Hadley Wyre performed a urethroplasty to repair the damage. The surgery went smoothly, and Evans is recovering well, hopeful he can return to steadier work and help ease the strain on his family.  During our visit to a local primary school, we met with the teachers and deputy principal before beginning CPR training while the children returned outside to play. Kelly Wolf, our pre- and post-operative RN, demonstrated infant and adult CPR and invited volunteers to practice in front of the room. At first, only the bold stepped forward. Many of the teachers hung back, watching carefully, hesitant to try the techniques publicly. After the formal session ended and the group began to disperse, several of the female teachers approached Kelly more quietly. They asked thoughtful questions and took their time practicing on the infant and adult dummies, testing their strength and positioning with deliberate focus. What began as reserved observation gradually became hands-on learning, one small group at a time.  The morning after her thyroidectomy, Ursula sat upright in her hospital bed as Dr. Stan Augustin carefully removed her bandages and surgical drain. Part of the procedure requires incisions through neck muscles, which can make the first dressing change uncomfortable during early healing. Charge nurse Mosota remained at her side, offering steady reassurance as the drain was manipulated and removed. Ursula endured the discomfort quietly and is expected to make a full recovery in the weeks ahead.  Nurse Elizabeth Hill cares for baby Anthony after an emergency cesarean section performed by Dr. Traci Johnson. Earlier that day, Anthony’s mother had been told her baby was unlikely to survive. When Dr. Johnson learned this, she asked that the mother be brought immediately for delivery. She entered the operating room quiet and visibly burdened by what she had been told. The anesthesia team placed the spinal block, unaware of the prognosis she had received. When Anthony was delivered—alive—the atmosphere shifted instantly. With her eyes still closed, his mother began proclaiming, “I have no words to say. I have no words to say. Thank you. Thank you,” her voice emotive and worshipful. When the team encouraged her to open her eyes, she saw him and exclaimed, “Hey! My baby boy!” He had not yet been named. The mother asked Dr. Johnson to choose a name for him. She smiled and said, “Anthony,” after her husband—and the name remained.  Hazieh, not yet a year old, prepares for umbilical hernia repair as Dr. Stan Augustin oversees and the anesthesia team carefully secures monitoring and airway support. During our time in Nyamira, seventeen hernia repairs were completed, many for young children like Hazieh. Before surgery, Sara Myers DNP, CRNA played hide-and-seek with him in pre-op while his mother held him close. She studied his face intently, offering small smiles, steadying herself as she prepared to hand him over to the surgical team. Moments like these are quiet and ordinary in a hospital setting — a parent watching carefully, trusting others to care for what matters most. Make sure to check out the complete details of the mission to Kenya on our website blog. Volunteer With Us! Tickets are NOW available for 2026 Art for the Children! Following the HUGE success of our 2025 Art for the Children, plans are underway for our 2026 event! And, because of the limited space of our venue, TICKETS WILL SELL OUT QUICKLY!  If you plan to join us on March 28th at the amazing, (not open to the public) Armacost Car Museum, it is strongly recommended you purchase your tables and tickets early.  Join us for a fun evening of great food, cocktails, dancing and of course your opportunity to bid on exquisite artwork from the most talented artists around. Other items including signed sports memorabilia, gift certificates and more will also be available for auction. Saturday, March 28, 2026 6:00 p.m. – 10:30 p.m. (Cocktail Attire)Armacost Car Museum Grandview, MOSchedule of Events:6:00 p.m. Complimentary Cocktails & SilentAuction7:00 p.m. Dinner, Presentation, & Live Auction Purchase Tables and Tickets Here  Volunteer OpportunitiesThere are numerous and exciting opportunities to get involved with Medical Missions Foundation! How would you like to contribute? Volunteer on a mission – While many of our volunteers have a medical background, it’s not a necessity. We welcome non-medical volunteers to assist with patient check-ins, engage in art projects, manage social media, and provide general mission support. Volunteer at Fundraising Event – Our golf tournament and Art for the Children always need helping hands. Volunteers can assist with event setup, guest check-ins, and various other tasks. Volunteer on a Committee – Medical Missions Foundation has five committees seeking volunteers: Marketing/Communication, Fundraising, Finance, Missions, and Operations/Warehouse. Volunteer in the Warehouse – Join us on the second Saturday of each month for “Warehouse Day,” where we’ll sort through donations and supplies in our warehouse. Volunteer With Us! Mark Your Calendar  Keep up to date on all our events by going to the calendar page of our website.March 28th – 2026 Art for the ChildrenApril 11th – 2026 Mission to San Lucas Toliman, GuatemalaJuly 11th – 2026 Mission to Antigua, GuatemalaSeptember 3rd – 2026 Mission to Gulu, UgandaAll of what we do is made possible through donations from generous patrons like you. Please consider making a donation today so we can continue providing much needed healthcare to children and families.Donate Today Have a Great Week Everyone!Well, that about covers it for today. Look for a brand new issue of Mission Matters on the first Friday of every month! In the meantime our Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter pages are active and a great place to catch all the very latest news and information about Medical Missions Foundation — so stay tuned and be sure to check back regularly! And please feel free to contact me directly with questions, concerns, or to find out more about upcoming missions, events, and fundraisers.  Dan Mauer Executive Director Medical Missions Foundation 8363 Melrose Drive Lenexa, KS 66214 p: 913-338-0343 dan@medicalmissionsfoundation.org  About us We believe that Health for the World is possible. Because of that, Medical Missions Foundation sends teams of doctors, nurses, and support staff to provide surgical and medical care to underserved communities around the world. All medical mission participants are volunteers dedicating their time and talents to provide critical care. More about our missions. Where we work Since 1996, Medical Missions Foundation has completed missions in 14 different countries: India | Guatemala | Mali | Philippines | Uganda | Romania | Ecuador | Mexico | Cuba | Vietnam | Croatia | Panama | China | United States. Click here to learn more. Our Mission Our mission is to provide surgical and medical care in underserved communities throughout the world and to positively impact the lives of children and their families. Click here to learn more. Our Contact Information Medical Missions Foundation 913.338.0343 MedicalMissionsFoundation.org  |