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Returning to a Piece of My Heart
A Missionary Testimony by Dr. Marcela Dolores Farrer
When I think about the San Pedro Medical Mission in Guatemala I find myself sitting with a simple, yet profound question:
Why?
Why have I returned to San Pedro thirteen times since 2018?
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Is it the morning routine?
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Walking to the clinic with a warm cup of rich Guatemalan coffee from Cristalinas in my hand?
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Is it the comfort?
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The wonderful meals prepared for us by the incredible staff at the Convent?
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Is it the music?
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The pure, joyful spirit of the children’s choir filling the church during evening Mass?
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Is it the connection?
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The chance to bring home more of Carolina’s beautiful, beaded creations?
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Or is it the passage of time?
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Watching my sponsor child grow - from a tiny five-year-old into a beautiful, inspiring thirteen-year-old girl?
Every single one of those moments is a treasure. But if I am being completely honest with you, they aren't the only reasons I keep packing my bags.
I return because San Pedro is where I go to heal.
This mission gives me the rare, sacred chance to grow—culturally, spiritually—and to bring care to communities that truly need it. But the truth is, every trip reminds me exactly why I went into medicine in the first place.
In the busyness of daily life, it is easy to lose our way. But San Pedro reinvigorates me as a physician. It grounds me. It strips away the noise, makes me less selfish, and forces me to recognize the endless blessings in my own life.
The people we serve in San Pedro may lack material resources, and they desperately lack medical care. But let me tell you what they do not lack. They do not lack faith. They do not lack gratitude. And they certainly do not lack joy.
One of the most meaningful moments of my life happens there. It’s the moment an elderly woman steps forward, wraps her arms around me, and holds my hands tight. She looks into my eyes and begins to pray for me—not in Spanish, but in the beautiful Mayan language of Tz’utujil.
We don't speak the same language, but in that moment, our souls understand each other perfectly.
Encounters like that—those quiet, powerful, holy exchanges—are the real reason I return. Twice a year, I leave my home thinking I am going to give, but I arrive in San Pedro only to receive an infusion of the Holy Spirit directly from the patients and the local community.
There’s a passage from 1 Peter 4:10 that captures the very heartbeat of why we are all here:
“Each of you has been blessed with one of God's many wonderful gifts to be used in the service of others. So use your gift well.”
That scripture, and this mission, are the living reflection of my values as a Christian—to give back, to serve, and to extend the gentle, healing ministry of Christ.
And that is why San Pedro is not just a place I visit. It is a piece of my heart. And it is why it continues to call me back, year after year.
Project San Pedro: A Mission of Hope
A Sponsorship Testimony by Joely Leguizamon
My name is Joely Leguizamon, and I would like to share a bit of my experience as a sponsor for Project San Pedro.
My husband, Deacon Alejandro Leguizamon, and I have had the blessing of sponsoring four children through Project San Pedro-two boys and two girls. Looking back, we can honestly say it has been one of the most rewarding experiences of our lives.
When we first became sponsors in 2018, while serving as missionaries for the Guatemala Medical Mission with the Diocese of Charleston, we knew we wanted to help provide an opportunity for a child to receive a quality Catholic education. God had other plans, and we ended up sponsoring four instead of one. What we did not realize was how much these children and their families would enrich our own lives.
My initial thought was to sponsor a girl, since girls have fewer opportunities in some cultures and often stay home to help mom with household chores or care for younger siblings. That's when we chose Elena, whose beautiful smile captivated me. My husband wanted to sponsor a boy because boys too often don't go to school, as they start working in the family fields at a young age. We saw Jose's picture and his chart, and we were certain God was choosing him for us too.
During the fourth medical mission, we decided to sponsor Clarita and later Agapito. We sponsored Agapito since kindergarten, and now he is in fifth grade and doing great.
Over the years, we have watched two of these children grow from young students into remarkable young adults. We have celebrated their milestones, encouraged them through challenges, and rejoiced in their successes. Through letters, visits, and conversations, their parents have become like family to us. What began as sponsorship has grown into a relationship rooted in faith, love, and mutual gratitude.
One of the greatest joys has been seeing the impact of a Catholic education. Two of the children have gone on to college and are making the most of the opportunities they have been given. It is inspiring to see how a simple "yes" to sponsoring a child can help open doors that might otherwise have remained closed.
Project San Pedro is about much more than financial support. It is about hope. It is about investing in a child's God-given potential. It is about sharing Christ's love tangibly and becoming part of something much bigger than ourselves.
We often think that we are the ones giving, but the truth is that we have received far more than we could ever give. We have formed lifelong friendships, witnessed God's providence at work, and experienced the joy of walking alongside these families in faith.
We are deeply grateful to the Diocese of Charleston and Project San Pedro for making this ministry possible. It has truly been a blessing to be part of these children's lives, and we pray that God will continue to guide them as they use their gifts to serve Him and others.