Day 4: The Power of Connection and Understanding
Wednesday began with a thoughtful devotional focused on Acts 2:1-13, sharing the story of people from different regions and countries coming together, speaking different languages but finding ways to understand each other while sharing love and hope. The message perfectly captured what we’re experiencing here in Mazatenango: the spirit of connection has no limits, and that compassion was evident everywhere we looked today.
A chicken bus arrived packed with people who had partially or fully amputated limbs, having traveled over four hours each way from different towns and cities just to see our Faith in Practice medical team, be evaluated by our mobility PT/OT specialists, and receive wheelchairs. These wheelchairs will increase their independence and provide life-changing autonomy that will transform not just their daily lives, but their entire sense of possibility. They’d heard about Faith in Practice through their local village municipal worker and FIP volunteer – proof that hope travels faster than any bus and reaches communities in ways we never expected.
The theme of understanding across barriers couldn’t have been more perfectly illustrated through Viviana’s story. She came to Mazatenango with a diagnosis from a local hospital and a history of uterine fibroid surgery from a year and a half ago. Since that time, she’d been living with chronic pain and additional symptoms that were affecting her daily life. What brought her to FIP wasn’t just the medical care – it was knowing there would be women doctors who would ask the right questions, create a safe space where she could share her complete story, and truly listen to understand her needs.
What started as a routine OB/GYN case became something much more meaningful when Dr. Robin Beach and Twyla conducted a comprehensive historical evaluation for Viviana, looking at the whole picture and bringing in information from multiple sources. They even spoke with family members to better understand her medical treatment needs, ultimately providing Viviana with peace of mind and medicine to support her future. The care extended to providing exact instructions in Spanish, so everything was clearly understood.
This comprehensive approach proved lifesaving for another patient who came in for a bladder prolapse. During her evaluation, Robin noticed her ankle and leg were bandaged and asked what had happened. The woman shared that she’d had ankle surgery two years ago at a local hospital and had been walking on it since, but it remained extremely painful. Robin immediately referred her to our orthopedic doctor, Dr. Woolfe, who discovered her leg was severely infected – a condition that could lead to sepsis and even death without proper treatment. She’s now been referred for surgery to address the infection.
Watching both women’s relief as they finally felt heard and properly cared for reminded us that sometimes the most powerful healing happens when we create space for people to be fully seen – just like those travelers who found ways to connect across every barrier to reach us here in Mazatenango.
Team 883
Meg G, Team Blogger
