Day Four
Wednesday’s clinic was another remarkable success. The team operated with seamless coordination and efficiency, energized by the return of a previously ill physician whose presence restored us to full staffing capacity.
At the start of the day, Ariel, Faith in Practice’s Director of Patient Care, shared valuable insight to the reality of the community we serve. “We are in Jutiapa, located in the southeastern region of the country. The population is approximately 500,000, and of that number, 63% live in poverty. They are in great need of care and support. There is only one hospital in this entire department, and it is dedicated exclusively to critical emergencies. What we are providing here is a significant donation for the people of Guatemala.”
His words served as a poignant reminder of the profound impact our mission can have. In Jutiapa, many adults prioritize their daily work over their personal health, seeing each day’s labor as an opportunity to support their families. This sacrifice, while necessary for survival, often comes at the expense of long term well-being.
Later on in the day, I stepped outside to take in a breath of fresh air. There, I encountered a frail man walking with a pronounced limp. When I asked if he needed assistance, he began to share his story. Three years earlier, he had been in a devastating accident, leaving a deep wound on his left calf. The injury had never fully healed, and recently it had reopened, leading to a severe infection spreading through his leg. He explained, with quiet urgency, that he had traveled a long distance to reach us, hoping for help.
It was heartbreaking to tell him that the clinic had already closed for the day. Still, I assured him that if he returned in the morning, we would do everything within our means to provide him with the care he desperately needed. His resilience—and the fact that he had overcome such physical difficulty to reach us—was a powerful reminder of why we are here and why this mission matters.
Tomorrow is our last day at the clinic, and the anticipation of what it will bring buzzes in the air. Excitement mingles with the bittersweet touch of nostalgia as we prepare to close this chapter, carrying with us the skills, lessons, and lasting impressions left by the people of Guatemala.
Andie Prince, Blogger
