When God Speaks
When does God speak in our world? God speaks through his Word. God speaks through our words; they can indeed be holy drawers. God speaks through the beauty of nature, the majesty of creation. And, God speaks through the hands and hearts of his people.
Team Estes is twenty-seven strong—hearts and hands—for the people of Poxtoca, a small town in the state of Totonicapán in Guatemala. Our team of doctors, nurses, physical therapists, pharmacists, laboratory staff, translators, triage personnel, wheelchair assemblers, clergy, and Moi, the blogger, will set up a medical clinic that will serve the needs of the local people. For some, traveling from different parts of the United States, this is our first medical mission and the first time in Central America. For other, Faith in Practice has become a yearly adventure.
The patients come to us with hope. Hope to mitigate their pain and alleviate their suffering. Who knows the illnesses or injuries we will encounter this week?
Hope is a theological virtue. Hope is infused in our hearts by God. Hope enables joy despite our trials. McGurgan quotes Pope Francis, who calls Hope a “risky virtue” because it hides in life. She continues, “Hope is not distilled from positivity, success, or comfort. Although hope can feel warm and inviting, it is also demanding. It requires courage, resilience, and trust.”
God also speaks through you, the generous donors of Faith and Practice, and those family and friends left behind who support our efforts with prayers and willing hearts to cover family needs in our absence.
As we venture forth from the normal rhythms of our life, Team Estes assures the Guatemalan people that we act out of love. We are grateful for the opportunity to serve. As they look to us, may they see the tenacity of Christian hope, the boundless love of the Father, and the arms of the love of the Christ we serve.
Day one closed, and it was good.
-Suzanne
Pictures:
Flight pattern from plane
Hotel Villas De Guatemala
Team Estes, 27 Strong, Group Photo
To support this team and their commitment to our patient’s visit:
