Day 2
Three years ago, a young man’s life changed in an instant.
At just 28 years old, he was out working an event in Guatemala — doing what he loves as an event coordinator — when tragedy struck. A drunk driver lost control and hit him and his business partner while they were working. The driver survived without injuries. The two men he hit did not.
His business partner suffered injuries that required a wrist surgery. For this young man, the impact shattered his foot and began a long and painful journey that would span a few years.
Over the last three years, he has endured multiple surgeries, chronic pain, setbacks, and unimaginable uncertainty as doctors attempted to save his leg. But despite every effort, the damage was too severe. The difficult decision was ultimately made to perform a below-the-knee amputation.
When we met him here in Antigua, Guatemala, we expected to meet someone exhausted by suffering. Instead, we met someone filled with peace, resilience, humility, and hope.
At 28 years old, he barely weighs 100 pounds. His body has endured more than most people could imagine — physically, emotionally, and financially. And yet, despite everything stacked against him, his spirit remains remarkably intact.
He told us he had made peace with losing his limb.
Not because it was easy.
Not because he wanted this.
But because after years of surgeries and limitations, he was ready for a chance to move forward.
What moved us most was hearing him talk about the future.
This organization will help provide him with a prosthetic once he heals from surgery — giving him the opportunity to regain mobility and independence. When asked whether he looked forward to eventually returning to work, his answer stopped me in my tracks.
He smiled and said he never stopped working.
While his business partner has carried much of the physical workload these past few years, he has continued coordinating and planning beautiful events and celebrations from home. He shared that helping create joyful moments for others became his therapy.
Even while navigating his own pain, uncertainty, and loss, he continued helping others celebrate life.
There was something profoundly moving about that.
This week in Guatemala, we’ve witnessed extraordinary surgical talent from our orthopedic team. But we’ve also witnessed extraordinary courage from patients like him — individuals who continue to fight forward despite circumstances most of us can barely comprehend.
Stories like his are exactly why these medical mission trips matter.
Access to specialized orthopedic care, life-changing surgeries, medications, rehabilitation, and prosthetics is simply out of reach for so many patients here. The work being done through organizations like Faith in Practice gives patients not only medical care, but dignity, mobility, independence, and hope.
And it is only possible because of the generosity of donors and supporters.
Long after this trip ends, we will carry this young man’s story with us.
Not because of what he lost.
But because of everything he refused to lose along the way: his passion, his gratitude, his resilience, and his hope for a better future.
Team Blogger
Anahi Villalon
