Witnessing Miracles in Motion
For physical therapist McKenna Shives, serving with Team Hope In Motion has been a journey of purpose, gratitude, and connection. Five years ago, she joined the team for her first trip to Guatemala, and what she found there changed her life forever.
On the recovery floor in Antigua, McKenna provides physical therapy to orthopedic patients as they take their first steps toward healing. Her days are filled with helping patients with post-operative exercises, wound care, and gait training, while ensuring they have the assistive devices they need to walk again. “We collaborate closely as a healthcare team to provide the best care for all patients,” she shares.
But for McKenna, the work goes far beyond the physical. “Serving alongside so many amazing healthcare professionals working together to ensure a better life for the patients is my favorite part of Team HIM,” she says. “Through this team, I’ve gained so many role models, mentors, and friends.”
Each mission trip leaves a deep impression. “During the trip, I was able to witness lives being changed as 65+ surgeries were performed,” McKenna recalls. “The patients’ stories of resilience, faith, strength, and the love they embody despite their circumstances are beyond inspiring.”
What stands out most for her are those sacred first steps; moments of triumph and joy shared between patient and caregiver. “Getting to take the first steps with them after surgery and witnessing how happy and hopeful they are is something I will never forget,” she says. “I can’t thank the patients enough for allowing me to take part in a small portion of their recovery.”
For McKenna, this week in Antigua is holy ground. It’s a place where compassion meets courage and where faith becomes action. “These patients come from many miles away to receive life-changing care,” she explains. “No matter what they’ve been through, they always have a smile on their face and such thankful hearts. I truly get to witness miracles as patients arrive in indescribable pain and walk out of the hospital filled with joy and hope. My heart is forever changed, and their lives have impacted me more than they know.”
