Day Two | Guatemala 2026

Day Two: Sunday, March 22, 2026 ⎸ Triage and Set Up Day

What began as a small surgical mission in 1991, with Joe and Vera Wiatt traveling to Antigua to perform small surgical procedures at the Las Obras Sociales del Santo Hermano Pedro Hospital, has blossomed into the Faith in Practice (FIP) of today.  27,000 Guatemalans are helped and served annually; 1,700 surgeries are performed each year; 2,000 volunteers from around the Globe partner with Faith in Practice to make this happen. The FIP team has tirelessly communicated with and prepared patients-in-need for our evaluation today. X-rays, blood work, travel, & family preparation have all been in full swing. 

Our day began with sunrise and a poolside workout. Fuego, one of the active volcanoes, was puffing smoke in the distance.  Coffee was brewing, and bacon was cooking. The sweet taste and smell of morning. The Lord is at work. One team member was moved to be baptized this morning. It was a poignant reminder of God’s work, cleansing us from sin and separation—a true joy to watch.  

Our team devotional this morning was from Isaiah 43:1, “But now, this is what the Lord says, He who created you, Jacob, He who formed you, Israel: do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine.” We talked about how being known and loved by God allows us to know and love others.

We walked the few blocks to the hospital, where the staff welcomed our team, Hope in Motion (HIM), to triage day. On the way, our walk was filled with sights and sounds of Semana Santa, the last Sunday of Lent. Colorful Guatemalan dress, meticulously made plant ‘carpets’, and people accompanying the dirge music filled the streets as the band and the people processed.

Today, we had the humble privilege of seeing over 100 patients in need of surgical care for hip, knee, foot, and ankle deformity. We will begin tomorrow with 6 operating rooms, 25 cases planned, 9 surgeons, 7 anesthesiologists, and 43 health care professionals working together. 

 Another discovery — the people of Guatemala love hugs. As we prepare for tomorrow, we thank God for His provision. We ask Him for wisdom and skill in our work. We are grateful and excited to know our patients’ stories, to see the Lord transform their lives, and to see their dignity and physical ability restored.

—

Julie Berend

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