Day Five | Guatemala 2026

Day Five: Wednesday, March 25, 2026 ⎸ Surgery Day 3

This morning, the air was filled with the most beautiful music of the birds. One of them is the Cenzontle, a clay-colored thrush or robin nicknamed “bird of four hundred voices”. This morning, the garden creature is known for its ability to mimic other sounds. A welcome wake-up indeed.

Before leaving for the hospital, our morning devotions gave us time to consider the connection between our faith and our actions. This week, we’ve seen faith put into action from the overflow of our hearts.  But not surprisingly, we have received far more than we have given.

The second question the doctors ask is, “How is your pain?” ¿Cómo está tu dolor?” The most common response: “poquito”. Very little. Amazingly, most patients go home 1 day after surgery after passing physical therapy. With the education and support Faith In Practice (FIP) provides, our patients have responded very well. In addition to arthritis surgery in adults, Team Hope In Motion has been blessed with 2 phenomenal foot and ankle surgeons. They have performed many club foot correction procedures over the past decades to help children walk with their foot/feet on the ground for the first time. It’s amazing to see them provide this level of hope, literally step by step.

Patient Stories:

Auner, a sweet 5-year-old, came to us with bilateral club feet, a congenital deformity affecting the muscles, tendons, and bones. With surgical intervention and re-casting, he should be able to walk and run like other children with continued follow-up.

Irma has a strong-as-nails spirit, yet she is sweet, kind, and soft-spoken. By trade, she is a bookkeeper who also cares for her mother, who cannot speak due to a stroke. Irma has experienced long periods when she could not walk. The after-effects of polio have a profound impact on the neuromuscular system, compromising balance, strength, and a person’s ability to walk. 

As of today, Team Hope In Motion has completed 78 operations. Our patients are our inspiration. 

God is good.

—

Julie Berend