The Main Team Arrives

The team all showed up by about 7:00 am and we experienced some baggage embargo challenges that allowed only 2 pieces per person. We had 11 extra bags that we had filled with medical supplies. At the airport we had the nurses help by identifying the critical items in the open luggage spread out on the floor in front of the baggage checkin. While we were "negotiating" with the ticket agent a gentleman overheard the discussions.  He was a Continental Elite flyer going to Guatemala, and suggested that the airlines bump up two of us to first class as his "buddies" at no addded costs. This allowed us to now have 3 pieces per the two of us at now 70 lbs a piece.  Since he and his wife traveling with him had only one piece - yes we got on six more pieces this way and since 3 of us could take on 3 more we ended up with 9 suitcases to go - so we emptied out two and literally forced into the 9 all of the medical supplies - so we got everthing to Guatemala. However the most delightful thing is that the good gentleman who helped us is Bob Hentzer, President of the Christian Foundation for Children and Aging working with Projecto Hermano Pedro (Project Brother Peter) which affiliates with the same hospital where we are working.

 

We arrived in Guatemala and had an interesting time while trying to work through the red tape at the airport.  Stephene Moore, Mission Coordinator and Joe Cannova, Mission Medical Director, flexed their muscles and soon we got into three vans and were on our way to Antigua.  The road to Antigua was filled with "chicken busses" and beautiful scenery.  After about an hour we arrived in Antigua and settled into the  beautiful Hotel Porta Antigua.  The entire team gathered in the courtyard for an orientation, where we soon were amazed to learn that several team members, Vonnie Kane, RN, Doug Hagen, MD, Tammy Neblock-Beirne, MD, and Stephene Moore, RN, had been on 10 plus missions!   The group disbanded for the night, explored Antigua's nightlife, and went to bed, ready to have breakfast at 6:30am and anxious to begin working at the clinic on Sunday morning.

 

Submitted by Larry Lerner and Susan Krigel