Sunday: Triage, Teamwork, and the First Steps Toward Healing
Our first full day in San Felipe began early at 6:00 a.m. with a peaceful devotion led by our chaplain, Sarah. Her message was simple but powerful: stay calm in troubled times and prepare for challenges through the faith of Christ. We are the angels coming from the sky, bringing miracles of healing and hope. It was a grounding way to begin what would be a full and meaningful day.
After devotions, Fito (one of our incredible Faith In Practice staff members) gave us a rundown of the day’s plan. Then we gathered for our first breakfast together, fueling up for the work ahead before loading onto the bus bound for Hospital Hilario Galindo.
Upon arrival, we were warmly welcomed by the hospital staff. After introductions, we were given a tour of the facility: the operating rooms, pre-op and post-op areas, the clinic, and the emergency room. One of the most impactful stops on the tour was the Casa de Milagros (the “House of Miracles”). This space provides patients a place to stay before and after surgery so they don’t have to make long, difficult journeys on the same day of their procedures. It’s a small but powerful example of how this mission is built around dignity and care.
As we wrapped up the tour, we paused at the hospital’s front entrance, where patients were already waiting. Sarah led all of us in a short prayer with everyone gathered—patients, families, and staff. It was a beautiful moment of unity before the work began.
Getting to Work
With prayer behind us and purpose ahead, we got to work. We unpacked our supplies and split into our respective teams:
Surgery & Anesthesia headed to the operating rooms to organize equipment and prepare for the week
Nursing set up the pre-op and post-op areas
Jeff (our pharmacist) began organizing medication trays and establishing workflows
By around 11:00 a.m., we opened the pre-screening clinic and began triaging patients. Our two surgical teams are focusing on ENT and general surgery cases this week. Each patient was evaluated by the surgical team, then met with anesthesia to ensure there were no complications we couldn’t safely manage at this facility.
This is where our interpreter, Jeff H. (not to be confused with Jeff F. from pharmacy), and our bilingual team members became absolutely essential. Their ability to bridge language and cultural gaps made the process smoother and more personal for every patient we saw.
A Taste of Guatemala (Literally and Figuratively)
Midway through the day, we experienced our first afternoon rainstorm—or as some called it, a “super shower.” It came down hard and fast, soaking the grounds and cooling the air. It was a reminder of the rhythm of life here: intense, beautiful, and unpredictable.
We wrapped up around 3:00 p.m. and headed back to IRTRA. The evening was a welcome mix of rest and connection. Some team members went for a walk or run around the park, while others gathered in the vineyard to reminisce about past missions and share stories. These moments of reflection are just as important as the work itself. They remind us why we’re here and how much we grow through service. Dinner was a comforting plate of lasagna, followed by chocolate ice cream for dessert. After a long day of conversations and setup, we turned in early—ready for the first day of surgeries tomorrow!
Austin, Blogger
