Hello, and welcome to this Antigua adventure! We’re the Robinson family, 32 members strong and championed by our beloved Wendy Robinson and Peter Hincle.
Around 9 pm last night, we pulled into our beautiful hostel, Casa de Las Flores. Those of us joining Faith in Practice for the first time were quickly struck by the exoticness of this place. As I read a book by candlelight, I could hear the volcano rumbling in the distance. It’s called Fuego, and its immensity grabbed my imagination. It was a world, unlike anything I’d ever experienced.
Waking up this morning, I learned that Guatemala wasn’t quite as different from home as I had thought. I realized within minutes of getting up that the distant rumbling of Fuego wasn’t a volcano at all. It was actually cars driving on the cobblestones outside.
This morning we were greeted by a beautiful breakfast spread prepared for us by the staff at Casa de Las Flores. After some meetings to coordinate the week, we walked to “Las Obras,” the chapel where Faith in Practice operates. Seated patiently in two large courtyards were hundreds of Guatemalan friends in need. Half of our team quickly got to work over at triage, examining as many patients as possible and scheduling all the surgeries for this week. The others worked to set up our five operating rooms, surveying the equipment and preparing for the next four days of surgery.
Upon walking in on the 200+ patients and accompanying family, the seriousness of what was happening became apparent. Though cheerful, the slightly hushed atmosphere
makes it clear that everyone involved will do what they can to help this process move quickly and efficiently. From the patients to the volunteers to the incredible Guatemalan staff, everyone is willing to help the process run smoothly
To wrap up today, I wanted to share a thought about the name of this place––”Las Obras.” I don’t speak much Spanish, so I had to look up the translation. In English, “Las Obras” means “The Works.” It sounds like John chapter 9, when Jesus tells the disciples that the blind man didn’t sin to become blind. “Neither hath this man sinned nor his parents, but that the works of God should be made manifest in him.” The works of God are being made manifest in the people here in Guatemala. God is in the faces of the patients in need, in the actions of the medical staff sacrificing to be here, and in the spirit which fills this whole place. This place is named after “the Work” of God, made manifest through those who are giving of themselves to be here and through those who so desperately need healing.
-Ben Calvert
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