“Today is our last day in the operating room here. Each of us has worked hard. It hasn’t always been easy, practicing our usual skills in a new setting, across language and cultural barriers, with new teammates. Many of us are away from loved ones at home. Our patients, too, have called upon their endurance. And we hope that it’s been all for the purpose of something we believe in. That all people deserve wholeness and health. That we can, small kindness by small kindness, restore the world.” – Emily Guimaeras, Prayer Bulletin.
This year, we are humbled to share a milestone: in just five days, our team shattered previous records by transforming the lives of 161 patients and their families. It was a true feat of collaboration as our US-based medical volunteers joined forces with our exceptional Guatemala City medical partners, and the tireless staff at Las Obras. Together, we provided life-changing general, gynecological, and thyroid surgeries—delivering care at little to no cost.
The week was defined by a deep sense of gratitude for the spirit of collaboration that bridged two cultures. For Anesthesiologist Liz Olivera, who worked closely with the Mendéz team, the partnership was the defining moment of the mission.
“It was definitely the highlight of my trip,” Olivera says. “Getting to work in the ORs with the Guatemalan team of surgeons was awesome. They have the best sense of humor and it was a really unique experience to be the ‘foreigner’ of the group. Anesthesia was the same and the vibes were so cool and fun.”
That same spirit of thankfulness extended beyond the OR to every corner of the hospital. Pharmacist Jerika Nguyen found that even the most frantic moments were met with a helping hand. “The Obras staff are so kind and helpful,” she notes. “Whenever there was a traffic jam in the hallway to PACU, they’d always offer to grab discharge prescriptions from me with a smile.”
We must also honor the vital network that makes this care possible: the 300 Guatemalan community volunteers who serve as the mission’s lifeblood. Many travel vast distances to ensure their neighbors in the farthest reaches of the country aren’t forgotten. It was at one of these community clinics that Herlindo and his daughter first found a path toward healing.
For ten years, Herlindo had been confined to a wheelchair, his world narrowed by immobility while his daughter stepped away from her own life to become his full-time caregiver. His surgery was designed to do more than just repair a body; it was intended to restore his independence and allow his daughter to return to her passion as a cook, providing meals for her community once again.
To bridge the gap between their home and the operating room, Faith In Practice provided the essential logistics of hope: transportation to Antigua and a stay at Casa de Fe. This sanctuary offers patients and their families a home away from home, providing free lodging and three meals a day for as much as two weeks as they prepare for and recover from surgery.
The procedure, led by Portland surgeon Andy Cramer, was a resounding success. While meeting with his patients in the recovery room, Dr. Cramer found Herlindo and his daughter. Herlindo was beaming, thanking Dr. Cramer, the whole Faith In Practice team, and God for the chance to heal. Julie Dani stood by his side, leaning in to make sure every word of gratitude reached Andy, and every word of encouragement made it back to Herlindo. When I asked him what he was going to do first when he got home, he didn’t hesitate. “I want to go running!” he said with a huge grin. Then, with tears streaming down his cheeks, he pulled his daughter, Dr. Cramer, and Julie in for a big group hug.
These moments are the heartbeat of the mission. Moments of connection—collaborative efforts in the OR, quiet reflection in the PACU, a warm embrace in the recovery ward—every single person on this team is carrying a story like Herlindo’s home with them. Each volunteer on our team is leaving with a reminder that while the work here is demanding, the impact—for us and our patients—is undeniable. In a week defined by record-breaking numbers, it’s human connections that truly measure our success.
Thank you to everyone on our team this year: Eva Allard, Katherine Bach, Kurt Bitter, Grace Choi, Kathleen Coy, Andrew Cramer, Julie Dani, Ty Erickson, Elizabeth Giannone, Julie Gladziszewski, Emily Guimares, Matthew Hilst, Erin Kracht-Jones, Shannon Lawler, Nathalie Lunden, Ross Martini, Allie McConachie, Rainbow Nelson, Jerika Nguyen, Elizabeth Olivera, Peggy Olsen, Thomas Phillips, Rahul Raghavan, Hamish Rickett, Alice Rickett, Jessica Schray, Tea Shatzer, Katie Stempel, Jessica Strange, Emily Van Vleck, Natalie Watts, Talana Westrum, Jacob White, Martin Woodbury, Lori Woodbury, Patrick Worth, Otis Wortley, Kelvin Yu, Heather Zarour, Molly Zarubin, and Karen Zink.
A special thank you to the entire Dr. Jorge Mendez Team: Rolando Calderon, José Arevalo, Juan Carlos Zea, Rodrigo Mendez, José Mendez, Luis Lombardi, Marco Ortiz, Emilio Yurrita, Carmen Gil, Rodolfo Sinibaldi, Gabriela Anzueto, and Winnipeg Arriaza.
Our deepest thanks go to the staff at Las Obras. You were the backbone of every success we had. From being the first to arrive in the morning to the very last to leave at night, your dedication never wavered. We realize how much work it takes to adjust to new volunteers week after week, but you always make us feel like we truly belong here. Thank you, truly.
Nuestro más profundo agradecimiento al personal de Las Obras. Ustedes fueron la columna vertebral de cada uno de nuestros logros. Desde ser los primeros en llegar por la mañana hasta los últimos en irse por la noche, su dedicación nunca flaqueó. Reconocemos el gran esfuerzo que requiere adaptarse a nuevos voluntarios semana tras semana, pero siempre nos hacen sentir que realmente pertenecemos aquí. Gracias, de todo corazón.
