It’s Day 5, marking the end of our surgical mission in Retalhuleu. Our morning began on a musical note with Dalfina Campos, Bob Malinsky, George Otieno, and Lewin Wawire leading us in our daily songs, today’s including “City of God” and “One Thing Remains.” Pastor David Jordan guided our daily devotional, reinforcing the idea that serving others deepens our faith, as expressed in Psalm 16:11. Through service, we uncover new potentials and challenges, all while embracing God’s blessings. His plan for our lives entails a life of abundance in His presence.
As we concluded our surgical duties for the week, Alin Bartek and I visited the nearby daycare center. Our goal was to bring some joy to the children there. We were warmly greeted with hugs and bright smiles, which filled my heart with immense happiness. It was a beautiful moment to share God’s love with these children. We distributed various toys we brought, including doctor and dentist kits, coloring books with crayons, bubbles, Pop Its, fidget spinners, stuffed animals, and more. These children spent their entire day at the daycare because both of their parents worked long hours to support their families. Initially, the government had funded the program, but they could no longer do so due to the financial strain caused by COVID-19. Fortunately, the hospital provided the necessary financial support to keep the daycare running.
Later that day, Gissel De La Cruz, Stephanie Macaluso, Anthony Macaluso, and I returned to the daycare center, bringing more gifts, such as colorful pens and bracelets stitched with “Jesus Loves Me.” The students enthusiastically showcased their talents by singing and dancing, and we reciprocated by teaching them the English rendition of “Old MacDonald Had a Farm.”
Following our hospital cleanup, we gathered for a final team dinner at our hotel. Dr. Erik Askenasy took the time to personally thank each team member for their service. His voice quivered with emotion as he spoke about his father, Mr. Paul Askenasy, who had made this trip extra special by joining us as the team’s interpreter and assisting at the wheelchair clinic. Dr. Erik Askenasy’s heartfelt words especially resonated with me, as I was also sharing this profound experience with my father, Dr. Canh Nguyen. For all of my life, I have been watching my father serve in Guatemala year after year, and it is a true blessing to finally accompany him to see the work that he does and witness firsthand the impact our team has on the lives of our patients.
Afterward, George Otieno shared an engaging story about a woman who baked bread daily, emphasizing the age-old lesson that our positive or negative actions eventually return to us. For the past three years, George has been crafting his YouTube channel known as “Fishmonger Stories.” Thank you, George, for generously sharing your gift of storytelling with us!
Ivonne Anzueto, the president of the board member of Fe en Practica, concluded our final evening with an inspiring speech. In her closing words, she highlighted the remarkable transformations that occur each year on this trip, impacting not only the lives of patients and their families but also our loved ones back home, who support us during our absence. She expressed her hope for our personal transformation, blessings, and happiness. Ivonne ended the night with a powerful statement: “Guatemala is your home. So, welcome home. Welcome home to Faith In Practice. Welcome to us.”
-Audrey Nguyen
