Team Blog #1 Saturday, 9/11/21
The return of our team to Guatemala and to the people and to the work we have held in our hearts since March of 2019 held two very meaningful experiences.
The first was the receipt of an email from Linda McCarty, the President and CEO of Faith In Practice, expressing her appreciation to the team and relating how our return brings hope and love to the people of Guatemala who have been ravaged by the pandemic.
The second came at 7:26 AM Central Time as we gathered at the airport. The TSA Announcer asked all at the Airport to observe a moment of silence in memory of the events of 9/11. The busyness of the Airport was silenced, and everyone stopped in place, then a TSA Employed sang the Star-Spangled Banner. We were all aware that the freedoms we enjoy allow us to travel to Guatemala to the beautiful patients awaiting our return.
On our arrival in the hotel in Antigua there were many reunions of old friends once again reunited. New team members were welcomed. After a late lunch we were warmly welcomed by Felipe and Tagni, Medical Clinic Director and Coordinator.
Tamalyn, an in-country staff member then gave us an informative program on how Faith In Practice staff continued many programs during the quarantine and even developed creative ways of holding Virtual Clinics with U.S. Physicians and patients.
Afterwards, Elizabeth Bell, a Tour Director and Cultural Icon in Antigua, presented a Virtual Tour of the Churches and historic buildings of Antigua since our safety protocols restricted us to the hotel.
After a delicious dinner shared among friends, we adjourned to prepare for the day ahead.
Misty (Hilda) Porter
Photojournalist
