We slept in this morning with a “late” breakfast at 6:30 a.m.! (The normal schedule is 6 a.m.) Each day following breakfast, we take time out for worship and prayer led by Pastor Dave before setting out for the Obras Sociales Hospital.
We sang the song “10,000 Reasons,” which appropriately starts with, “The sun comes up, it’s a new day dawning.” For every team member and patient we will meet, it is a new day. For someone who has been waiting for a procedure for weeks, months or years, it is a day they’ve been praying for. Today we met Edgar, who has been waiting for seven years for surgery on his knee. He was scheduled in 2020 … and then COVID happened.
Pastor Dave will be covering the five senses this week from a Biblical standpoint. Today’s message centered on touch and the story of the bleeding woman who was cured by touching Jesus’ garment. This week we will be touching people physically, spiritually, and emotionally, and in the process, they will leave a lasting touch on us. Hugging someone, reassuring them, and letting them know they are loved by God is part of our mission here.
We all walked through unusually crowded streets to the hospital. It is the Lenten season, which is observed in Guatemala with buildings adorned in purple and white banners, beautiful flower carpets, and processions with elaborate floats. This morning one of the processions went by the hospital. The large floats are carried by people from various parishes, dressed in purple robes, who transition in and out from under the floats at each block. It is truly a fascinating experience.
This was our triage day, where the caregivers meet the patients, evaluate their condition, and determine their suitability for surgery. Tomorrow, Monday, will be the first surgical day. We will have five operating rooms available for procedures this week.
Even with a language barrier, one can sense the anxiety and trepidation on the faces of the patients, especially children and their concerned mothers. Once they talk to the doctors, though, the patients find hope and encouragement. Their hugs, smiles – the sincere, from-the-heart, gratitude – touches our hearts! Edgar’s wife hugged us and said we will meet again someday in Paradise. What a wonderful thought … that we will see these patients again in Heaven!!
-Therese Kiernan
To support this team and their commitment to our patient’s visit:
