Sunday, February 22, 2026
Our team began the day with breakfast and the wonderful Guatemalan coffee.
In preparation for our busy day ahead, we met for worship and a message from Dave Jobe, our team pastor.
Pastor Dave explained the team philosophy of Mike Vrabel, head coach of the New England Patriots, which is four H’s: history, heroes, heartbreaks and hopes. Like the Patriots, we can become a cohesive team through getting to know each other on a deeper level. We can take this concept a step further in relating to our patients. By taking the time to talk to them and learn their individual stories, we can demonstrate that they are loved and cared for.
Following devotions, we headed to the Obras Sociales Hospital where our surgeries will be performed. Along the way, we observed Lenten preparations for the day’s processions, including alfombras, the elaborate decorations in the streets made with flowers, dyed sawdust, sand, fruits and vegetation.
At the hospital, our medical providers received instruction on surgical procedures and how to fill out patient forms. It is an added challenge to our doctors to work in a different environment than they are comfortable in at home, not to mention in a a different language.
Following our meeting, we had the opportunity to meet our patients for the week.
Pastor Dave and I, accompanied by Sandy Litsche, our interpreter, conversed with Luis, a man from Jutiapa, Guatemala. He traveled five hours for a follow-up procedure to a surgery performed by Dr. Apel last year.
Luis had an accident at work four years ago where his gloved hand was caught in a chain connected to an oven. His glove came off and his hand was stuck in the over for 30 minutes until he was able to reach a switch to turn the power off. He suffered damage to his left hand and severe burns to his arm. He expressed he is thankful to God that no tendons or nerves were damaged.
He spent 11 days in a hospital in Guatemala City. For three years, he only received topical treatment. He investigated private care, but the estimated cost was Q250,000. He has been unable to return to work. A neighbor referred him to Faith in Practice, and he had his first surgical procedure three months later.
A fellow patient who traveled with Luis, Maria, sought medical care after experiencing severe pain in her abdomen. They found cysts on both of her kidneys. Maria is the mother of 7 children.
A delightful 15-month-old boy, Agustin, is being seen for both right and left extremity deformities. The planned procedure is to repair his right thumb, which is almost completely detached. He was quite excited to receive two toy cars to play with and to show off his newly learned walking skills.
We look forward to commencing our surgeries tomorrow and watching God at work in our patients’ lives and in our hearts.
Therese Casterline Kiernan – Team Blogger
