GUATEMALA MISSION TRIP - JAN 7

We begin with a morning quote from Carol Rave after we had successfully walked through customs without one bag being opened or any questions asked. “I had asked people especially to pray that we would be able to get our many suitcases through customs without a hitch. What a wonderful blessing that God opened the door so wide that not even one suitcase was searched. All the work of listing the drugs, their dosage and expiration dates was well worth it. Thanks be to God for this huge blessing

WATCH THIS VIDEO OF US IN ACTION

The video shows us at the Crowne Plaza loading our suitcases on to the bus that we would be taking to San Pablo (via Zacapa)

Our team at the Crowne Plaza Hotel. After our 6 am arrival and a smooth sail through customs, we met Josie and Sabrina (translators) and also had breakfast at the Crowne. The picture was taken by Ann (a former professional photographer from Columbia, Missouri)

 

WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING FORWARD TO?

• I’m anxious to eat some Guatemalan food. My memory tells me that it is pretty good.  Carl
• I’m looking forward to seeing how the  clinic and VBS will run . Myra
• Meeting the people there and learning about the culture. Angelica
• Seeing the places we have been talking about for the last few months. Tina
• Right now making it through the trip and getting the clinic organized tomorrow – then sleeping! Jeanne
• Maybe meeting people we met last time we went…. Scott
• Working for the people in Guatemala and learning more about the people. Tabitha
• Reconnecting with people that I have met and making new relationships. Diane
• Meeting people and picking up a few useful phrases in Spanish. Mary
• Seeing the friends  from last time and learning more about San Pablo and its people Carol
• Seeing the country and meeting the people we will be helping. Dale
• Learning more about the people of San Pablo and helping them with their health issues.  Todd

I think that we were in a daze for most of the day. Leaving O'Hare in Chicago at 2 am got us here in time for breakfast, but the sleep on the plane was kind of pitiful.

We ate lunch in Zacapa, about a three + hour ride from Guatemala City. This is the site of a Lutheran school that was founded about 60 years ago by LCMS missionaries.

We've dropped things off at the hotel in Zacapa, and have now arrived in San Pablo where we will be doing the clinic, building, and some teaching. The man in the white t-shirt on the left is Niko, the supervisor for our house building work. The woman in white with the long hair is Mierna, and active Christian person in this community and for whom we are constructing the home.

Jeanne Boettcher (left), Todd Rave, and Tina Weege are making packages of vitamins for use by the children. We had to bring large containers of medication and vitamins, but now need to downsize.

Alexander, 10 years old, was one of the first kids to come to investigate what was happening at the community building.  

You figure this one out!

 Basic,  common type homes. Many of the people live in homes that are much, much less than this one.

We're in a very beautiful, mountain area, but it is so very dry. One of the team members said that it resembles Utah, Colorado, California, or Arizona.