SATURDAY BLOG
Team 849 arrived by air in Guatemala City, Guatemala on Saturday, March 22, 2025. We all had on our Faith in Practice t-shirts and we were excited to be met by some friendly, Faith in Practice Guatemalan staff. Team 849 consists of twenty-nine volunteer team members from all over the United States. Our team is tasked with providing medical clinic services to local patients. There was even more green Faith in Practice t-shirts on the plane in that there was another Faith in Practice surgical team on board.
Once all our team members arrived, we boarded two buses and drove to Antigua, Guatemala, for our first night’s stay. What a beautiful scenic hotel that resembled a Spanish hacienda, complete with wonderfully landscaped courtyards and a pool. Mountains and a volcano provided our scenic backdrop. The weather was gorgeous! Guatemala is called the land of eternal spring.
Following a time to unpack, rest and/or walk to the village, we had our first team meeting. Each person was introduced and told their specialty and where they were from. We have an amazing array of volunteers as follows: nine interpreters, nine first-time team members, one team member that is here for her 42nd participation, and all others that have been here multiple times. Members are gynecologists, pediatricians, general medical doctors, orthopedics, pharmacy specialists and nurses. Most doctors will be accompanied by an interpreter, many that came from the United States, but a couple of Guatemalans. There is even a team whose task it will be to put together donated wheelchairs. Team members came from states such as Texas, California, Maine, Wisconsin, Mississippi, Massachusetts, Washington and South Carolina.
Volunteers witnessed a special treat that involved a parade of the local people for lent. Businesses are also decorated with purple sashes on their entries signifying lent.
Following a wonderful dinner, members all headed to bed since we start early in the morning!
Thank you for following Team 849’s blog. We hope you will come back and watch as we experience this wonderful experience each day.
Becky Cade
Team 849 Estes Medical Clinic Blogger
