It’s been ten years and I'm beyond excited to return. We were there during the war in 2009. We’re on a plastic reconstructive surgical mission for Gaza this upcoming week.

As we entered all eyes were on us; hope, anxiousness, will we be able to help. That's what I saw in the eyes of the mothers, fathers, and patients in the waiting area. Alhamdulillah, we saw 61 patients.

The best diplomacy is by serving others. As the patients learned we were from the United States, you saw a smile like no other. Pre-conceptions were out the window. We were human and not looking at embargoes, conflict, and politics.

Thanks to our donors, we were able to bring five duffle bags full of highly specific supplies for reconstructive plastic surgery and anesthesia medications. Not cheap by any means.

Embargoes only hurt the people and, in this case, destroy a healthcare system while the powers that be do their politics. We were able to break barriers, share handshakes with fathers, and hugs of joy with mothers whose hopes were becoming realities. One mother raised her hands to the heavens and prayed for us, for the donors in America, for our parents and grandparents to be blessed. It was emotional and moving.

We are so blessed and, at times, ungrateful. If our child is hurt, we don't have to worry. We talked about how life is so fragile, how it can be unfair, how people in challenging situations find the drive to persevere.

God bless and remember, be grateful.

We took in some valuable life lessons; the will to survive, how to persevere, how not to allow circumstances around you to break you down. We learned so much from our Palestinian friends. It's hard to explain, and while our focus has been serving others, we're the ones taking in life lessons.

Long day today. We had multiple issues requiring multiple different procedures.

• Reconstructing hands

• Revising scarred ears

• Using tissue expanders on distorted anatomy beyond recognition

• Repairing congenital abnormalities

• Removing scars

We have one doctor operating non-stop, working surgical techniques in a system where not everything typically available is there. But not helping is not the answer. It’s amazing to see doctors use their God-given talents to help those in need.

It's been emotionally challenging taking in all we are seeing.

Empathy truly goes a long way and helps heal where, in this case, operative correction isn't possible. Merely being human and feeling for patients may be the best form of healing when medicine can't.

Amidst it all, we learned so much from local doctors and patients. What it truly means to be resilient, how to persevere, how to continue always to have hope despite all the political/conflict-related issues involving Gaza.

The highlight was operating on our cutie Gufran; we operated on her hand earlier in the week. Her condition has resulted in her not being able to use her eyelids to close her eyes. Of course, this is going to lead to blindness. This is not a routine case by any means, but as the Palestinians do, you find a way. Every mission I've been on, there is always one moment, one patient, who remains a memory. Indeed, operating on Gufran will be an everlasting memory.

As always, the last day is hectic. Ten cases scheduled. It's impossible to say no as parents came in yesterday asking if we could help them. It was a fantastic week. 41 lives changed by way of reconstructive surgery, making new friends, and a million lessons regarding life, perseverance, and resilience.