Day 1: Anderson Team in Antigua
Today was the first official day of our Surgical Mission in Antigua, Guatemala, and we had an amazing start. Dr. Anderson led a full team of 42 incredible people—surgeons, nurses, techs, and volunteers—all here with one shared purpose: to serve the Guatemalan people with kindness and compassion.
We began the morning with a devotional that really set the tone for the week. One of our nurses, Darlene, shared how special these trips are—not just for the patients we care for, but for all of us, too. She reminded us that even though we hear so much negativity in the news, there is still so much good happening in the world. These moments—coming together, serving others, seeing people’s faith and resilience—help us remember that goodness firsthand. It was the perfect way to start our day.
After breakfast, we headed over to Las Obras Hospital for triage day. There was a buzz of excitement as our surgical teams organized supplies and prepped the operating rooms. The surgeons began meeting with patients to plan out the week’s surgeries, and our mobility team began building wheelchairs.
By the end of the day, the wheelchair brigade had built over 40 wheelchairs—each one for someone who will finally be able to move around on their own again. It was incredible to see the teamwork and care that went into every single one. The team also had the chance to meet and talk with several families. One family shared how their young son had recently experienced a severe health decline, leaving him mostly paralyzed on one side of his body. They had traveled hours to seek help and guidance on how to care for him and adapt to this new way of life. Our local partner, Byron, has been building and fitting wheelchairs at Las Obras for the past 12 years. His expertise guided our volunteers, ensuring that every chair is customized with care and dignity for its new owner.
Throughout the day, in between the busy moments, there were quiet ones too—volunteers praying with patients, offering comfort to anxious family members, or simply sitting and listening. Rachel shared how her faith felt especially present today, seeing how people who had traveled for hours put their trust in our team. Tomorrow, the surgeries begin!
Magdaline Kuhn, Blogger
