Day Seven | Guatemala 2025
Day Seven: Friday, March 7, 2025
This week, our team achieved something incredible: 98 total surgeries for 94 patients! Can you believe it? A milestone that exceeded past years and left an undeniable impact on so many lives. From hip and knee replacements to foot and ankle procedures, every surgery was a step toward restored mobility, independence, and hope. But beyond the numbers, this week was about transformation—both for the patients and for every person who played a role in their healing.
Our final day was a little more laid back. Yoga didn't start until 6:15am and it was a pretty short day at the hospital. While the orthopedic teams remained on call and checked in on their patients, the physical therapy team took center stage. With each careful step, patients who had undergone surgery just days before were now standing, walking, and beginning the journey to reclaiming their lives.
One particularly special moment was when Dr. Berend and Dr. Klaassen visited Marco at his home. Seeing him not just recovering but already looking forward to returning to work was a powerful reminder of why we do this. His family’s gratitude was overwhelming, reinforcing the truth that these surgeries are more than just medical procedures—they are life-changing moments of renewal.
With the last check-ins completed, our team took time to embrace the culture and community of Guatemala—some exploring, others gathering for a well-earned celebration. It was a day to reflect on the tireless work of not just the surgeons but also the nurses, pharmacists, and everyone who made this week possible. Not to mention our heroes of the day….
Today’s Hero: the Physical Therapy Team
We need to shout out our PT team today for getting our patients back on their feet! It's amazing watching these people go into surgeries, and being able to walk in the next day or two. The PT team spends a lot of time with each patient, caring, guiding, and helping them through the recovery process. Thanks to PT, our patients are set up for success as they leave the hospital and move forward with their lives.
Victor’s Story: A Life Transformed
Victor’s journey began at just seven years old when he fell from a guava tree, injuring his hip. His family tried everything—traditional remedies, an unsuccessful surgery—but for more than 20 years, he lived with a four-inch leg discrepancy, enduring physical pain and emotional hardship. Through a divinely orchestrated encounter, he found his way to Team Hope in Motion, where he underwent a corrective surgery in 2023. The results were extraordinary. His leg discrepancy was reduced to just a centimeter, but the most remarkable transformation wasn’t just physical—it was in his confidence, his spirit.
Now, two years later, Victor heard we were coming back to town, and had to come say hi! :) We love reconnecting with former patients and hearing about their lives post-surgery. Now, Victor has graduated from university, started a family, and dreams of a future where he can give back to others. What an incredible story!
That’s a Wrap!
Every moment—the prayers before surgery, the first steps post-op, the smiles of grateful families—was a reminder that this mission is about more than just medicine. It’s about restoring dignity, faith, and the belief that a better future is possible. As we prepare to leave, we do so knowing that while our time here may be ending, the impact of this week will be felt for years to come.
Thank you to everyone for following along in this journey and supporting Team Hope in Motion every step of the way!
God bless,
Randy
If you’d like to join us in providing the life-giving gift of mobility for those in desperate need, please click below to make a donation today.