Day 4 – Team Thompson 881 – Wednesday, November 12, 2025
“You are living faith through practice, not merely in words, but in presence. So, ask yourself, how can I bring balance where there is imbalance? How can I bring light where there is suffering? How can I carry peace within myself so that I may offer peace to others?”
Today, our team of dedicated medical providers—doctors, nurse practitioners, nurse midwives, registered nurses, and physical therapists—continued to embody the spirit of service. Each volunteer has stepped away from their daily practice at home to offer compassionate care to the people of Guatemala through Faith in Practice. Many return year after year, bringing not only their skills but also their hearts. The cases we encounter here often differ greatly from those seen in the United States, reminding us of the power and necessity of global health outreach.
Dr. Stephanie Barlin met with a male patient diagnosed with neurocysticercosis (NCC)—a parasitic infection of the central nervous system caused by the larval stage of the pork tapeworm. Humans can acquire NCC by ingesting pork tapeworm eggs, which hatch in the intestines and travel through the bloodstream to the brain, where they form cysts. Although Dr. Barlin’s patient had been treated previously with antiparasitic medications and steroids and no longer has active disease, he continues to suffer from severe migraines because of the disease. During his visit today, we were able to provide medications to help manage his symptoms and improve his quality of life.
Dr. Stephanie also shared a case about a woman with a history of rheumatic heart disease who was diagnosed with both aortic and mitral valve stenosis—severe complications resulting from her condition. Her doctors recommended open-heart surgery, but she was understandably nervous about undergoing such a major procedure. Seeking reassurance, she requested a second opinion, so we arranged for her to be evaluated by a heart surgeon. Dr. Stephanie noted that rheumatic heart disease is quite rare in the United States today. This is largely because group A strep throat infections are routinely treated with antibiotics, preventing the disease from progressing to such an advanced stage.
Dr. Janice Baker shared the story of an elderly farmer who came to the clinic with a large lesion on his ear. The condition had begun as a small spot four years ago but had gradually grown, despite receiving more than 40 antibiotic injections from Guatemalan physicians who believed it to be an infection.
Sadly, the lesion has since started to spread to his face, and part of his ear has eroded away. Upon examination, Dr. Janice determined that the man’s condition was not an infection at all—it was skin cancer. The team referred him to a plastic surgeon for further evaluation and treatment, and we are hopeful for a positive outcome. In the United States, a biopsy would likely have been performed early on, allowing for treatment long before the cancer advanced this far.
Our countries may differ in access to quality healthcare, yet what binds us is the shared humanity between patient and healer. Every patient we encounter renews our calling—to bring healing to pain, and to serve with unwavering faith, compassion, and hope.
Ruth Lacey, Volunteer & Blogger
