Tuesday, February 24, 2026
Pastor Dave continued with the “4 H’s” that have served as the backdrop for our morning devotions. The 3rd H is heartache. We were invited to share with a fellow team member one of our life’s heartaches.
Over the years, Pastor Dave has found comfort in Ps. 16, “1 Keep me safe, God, for in you I take refuge. 8 I keep my eyes always on the Lord. With him at my right hand, I shall not be shaken. 9 Therefore my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices.”
We hear many stories of heartache from our Guatemalan patients: birth defects, accidents, work injuries, ongoing illnesses, and the resulting frustrations in seeking medical care. Faith in Practice strives to provide the balm to heal not only physical ailments but to comfort them through the heartache they have experienced.
SURGICAL PROCEDURES
Upon arriving at the Obras Hospital Tuesday, our surgeons did rounds on Monday’s patients before commencing surgeries.
The 1st patient for Dr. Apel’s team was Augustin, the little boy we met Sunday who has a partially detached right thumb. The reconstruction procedure of his thumb involved removing the existing detached thumb and moving the index finger over to form a new thumb. This will provide Augustin the ability to grip with that hand.
In getting to know his mother, Ivana, we learned that Augustin was born with several medical issues, the most pressing of which was a closed anus. This required immediate surgery to provide a temporary colostomy to prevent bowel obstruction. He later underwent 2 reconstruction procedures to provide normal bowel function.
In addition to his right thumb issue, Augustin will require further surgeries to address malformations of his left wrist and hand. Dr. Apel plans to address those repairs when he returns to Guatemala later this year.
Following the thumb repair, Dr. Apel’s assessment of the surgery was “Great!” and that Augustin should have full use of his new thumb going forward. Ivana expressed that the surgery and the help for her son were “a dream come true.”
Luis, the man who burned his arm at work, underwent a second surgical repair by Dr. Apel. Dr. Apel’s team removed previously installed hardware and inserted pins to stabilize the hand and arm.
In learning more about his work accident, Luis shared that his company only provided financial support for nine months. He has been out of work 4 years while waiting for this treatment.
We chatted with Paula, a young lady and mother of a 3-year-old toddler, that hurt her shoulder trying to lift a heavy object in the air. She underwent shoulder repair by Dr. Howard.
45-year-old Edgar was involved in a motorcycle accident in 2024. His son, who was driving, collided with another motorcycle, and both were injured. Edgar had a wrist fracture which resulted in a deformity of the wrist and hand. Dr. Apel performed a radial osteotomy, a procedure to repair the fracture with a graft from his iliac crest. Edgar said he found Faith in Practice through a referral from a cousin and on social media.
It is so rewarding when patients come to us with their heartaches and leave with smiles and gratitude. Even though they may not get the answers they wanted, they know that they are cared for and everything possible has been done to help them.
Please continue your prayers for their recovery and for the patients we will see the next 2 days.
Therese Casterline Kiernan – Team Blogger
