Post by Nancy Besa
Photos by Peter Obetz
Getting from Kansas City to Guatemala City was, as the locals would say, "No hay drama!" No problem! Our flight landed on time, we sailed through immigration and luggage pick-up, but things soon came to a standstill - a two hour standstill - when the young woman handling customs for our medical supplies decided to be thorough, very thorough. So once we loaded up on four waiting vans, we did just that, wait. But we are Medical Missions volunteers and the first rule about being a MMF volunteer is be flexible! (Abby Bernard actually demonstrated that the best when she decided to get some fresh air by crawling out the back window of one of the vans - oh to be young and flexible!) A few opted for an impromptu game of Frisbee while the majority just visited over a few cold beverages thoughtfully provided by our fearless leaders, Stephanie and Keith Sale.
By 5:30 pm were poolside at the lovely Porta Hotel Antigua getting our marching orders for Sunday.Then it was off to a reception honoring the very tired, but still inspired, MMF volunteers who just wrapped week one. This is my first mission to Guatemala, but my third with the Foundation, so it was great to visit with old friends and former mission teammates like Stephene Moore, Joe Cannova, Lyn Shaw, Doug Hagen and George (there's only one George!) Harbeson. After dinner at a variety of wonderful local restaurants, the majority of us turned in early, hoping to refresh ourselves for what will undoubtedly be a busy first day at the Obras.
Good luck Team 2- MMF. I was on Team 1 - MMFlast week and have been motivated beyond my wildest dreams after spending time w/the wonderful Guatemalan people and our wonderful teammates.
Stephanie, Joe, Chris, Tammie and the entire team are to be commended!!
And yes, there is only 1 George!!!!
Posted by: Diana | June 22, 2009 at 12:41 PM