Another Day in Paradise

We arrived safely, the flights were good with very short connecting times. Our luggage arrived with us and everything was intact.- thank GOD. Alex and Danny with HTI arrived at the airport iapproximately 30 minutes later and we on our way.

The drive to Antigua was beautiful, warm and relaxing. We learned our first lesson with house numbers. Our apartment house has the same number as one around the corner. Mary Johnson was their to help us adjust. Over the next several days we walked around Antigua and learned our sense of direction, there are 2 volcanoes in close proximity. Neva has been setting up our small apartment very nice, we had a bed, chair, desk and a clothing closet. Small bathroom and cool water showers. Our kitchen area is separate from the apartment and is very nice with a propane stove and refrigerator.


Saturday evening we had dinner with Lisa & Hemmel Dunhum and Julie and it was really great to see and talk about with them. Sunday AM we went to Guatemala City to connect with a surgical team ( ophthalmology and orthopedics ). After waiting for all team members on different flights we were off to Monteanno with approximately 50 members. Many of the membera of the group are Pharmacy and PA students.

The members are working well together and this is a low key trip compared to others and gives us a chance to adjust to being in country and role expectations. This is the first operational trip for ortho and will take a few years (trips) to establish. We were blessed to be able to remove a femoral nail (rod) from a 13 yo girl this morning. The rod had been in place for several years and was starting to migrate out, causing pain.

Many of the students are working the with local school doing physical assessments and the dental team is also doing evaluations for future follow up when the parents are presents and can give permission and participate in their care.

Reasons to rejoice: We are meeting and making new friendships. Carl Agee is well and gone back to work. Carlos and Sylvia with HTI are to be married possibly this summer. The supply container that has been in a Guatemala port since November has been released and should arrive this week. The container has needed equipment and supplies.

God has blessed us to be able to serve these people.