Day 5
As our week in Antigua comes to a close, we’ve found ourselves reflecting on everything we’ve seen. Each day has been full but today gave us a chance to pause and take it all in.
From the beginning, one thing that has stood out is the work that our interpreters do. Their job goes far beyond translating, they bring comfort and faith to every patient who comes through the doors. Before each surgery, they would take the time to sit and pray with every patient and their family, helping calm their fears and remind everyone that they are not alone. Their empathy and encouragement helped bring peace to each person before their operation.
Dr. Eng reflected this morning on a passage from Matthew 25: “For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink” He reminded us that this verse captures the heart of what we’re doing here—serving others in their time of need to share our love with others. He shared how our team’s approach to care feels different from any other mission he’s been on. “We’re treating the whole person, not just the physical needs, but the emotional and spiritual ones too. He also addressed how impressed he has been by the hospital and its staff—their dedication, skill, and faith are woven into everything they do. Las Obras is such a special place.
Pam shared something similar, saying that what makes this group unique is how deeply we connect with each other and our patients. Our bond as a group helps us to support each other during this week. “The way our team interacts with the patients is different,” she said. “We sit with them, we listen, we answer their questions, and we take the time to make sure that they know we care. Not everyone does that—and it makes such a difference.”
Dr. Kuhn reflected on how much impact this mission has on the lives of the people we care for. “We’re doing something that truly changes someone’s outcome,” he said. The patients we see are often having major surgeries that give them a second chance at life that they may not have had without the opportunities that Faith in Practice provides. Many of these surgeries allow the patient to be able to walk, work, and care for their families again.
For Mackenzie, one of our first time volunteers, this trip reaffirmed her calling. “I’ve always known I wanted to go into medicine,” she said, “but being here—seeing these doctors, how they treat their patients, and the difference they make—made me certain that this is what I want to do with my life.”
Meanwhile, the mobility team wrapped up an incredible accomplishment— approximately 140 wheelchairs built, setting a new record for the mobility clinic! The teamwork and dedication that went into that number says everything about the heart of this mission.
Some of us had the chance to visit Casa de Fe, a place that has been quietly supporting the mission’s patients since 2003. Casa de Fe provides beds and meals for patients and their families while they receive care at the hospital—sometimes for days or weeks at a time. It has almost 100 beds for Las Obras patients. Donations to Casa de Fe cover the cost of meals, transportation to and from the hospital, and even helps patients get home to their remote villages once they’ve recovered.
Antigua has left its mark on all of us. Looking back on this week, it’s hard to describe what this mission has meant to each of us. This trip wasn’t just about surgeries, wheelchairs, or medical care. It was about presence—sitting beside someone in fear, holding their hand before surgery, praying with families who had traveled for days, and offering hope where it was needed most. We came here to serve others, but we’ve been changed in return. The faces, the stories, and the faith we witnessed will stay with us far beyond this week. It’s a reminder that even the smallest act of kindness can ripple into something much greater— through service, we find grace, and through grace, we find purpose.
Magdaline Kuhn, Blogger
