Chattanooga Medical Team - Guatemala Trip - Day 1

The trip began very early in the morning – we were flying out of Chattanooga.  We knew we had a long day ahead of us as we were flying to Atlanta, then on to Guatemala, followed by a drive from Guatemala City to Cubulco.  The last time I took that drive it took over 8 hours.  Coleman Arnold, the team leader, took this trip back in May and it took him 13 hours. From what I understand they took the short cut over the mountain. (Not a big fan of that shortcut!)

Things went very smoothly from Chattanooga to Atlanta.  We had a 2 hour stopover, so we grabbed some breakfast while we were there.  Eventually we boarded the plane and were on our way to Guatemala.

First impressions – I found it interesting that while in the airport the group stretched out all over the terminal.  I think Coleman and his wife were the only ones sitting next to each other, and most of the group sat in benches by themselves.  They all basically knew each other – most had worked with Coleman or Del.  This group is going  to be a great group.

When we arrived in Guatemala, we went through immigration, and collected our bags, and then headed over to customs.  Knowing that we had medicines and medical equipment, I was wondering if we were going to run into problems.  The dumb gringo act kind of helps, so when the customs agent asked what we had in our baggage, I told him only what he needed to know.  He briefly asked about medicines, but I was able to tell him in my “broken Spanish” that we were a medical team here to help the people of Guatemala.  Jonathan Hernandez and Kristen Hinson are fluent in Spanish, but if he knew that he would have asked a lot more questions, and we probably would have had to spend more time in customs – and possibly pay a “tax” for some of the items we brought in.  Thankfully, God went before us and cleared the path through customs.

As we left the airport, Kenny Hayman, Phil Wilson and Cabot met us outside.  We loaded up and headed to the corporate office.  When we arrived there, we took a brief tour, loaded our luggage on a larger (more comfortable) bus, picked up interpreters and 2 dentists, and headed for Cubulco.

Only 5 hours later, we arrived at the hospital.  Record time! (at least for us – they tell me it is 2 hours if you take the short cut and about 4 hours if you go highway).  The team unloaded and found there lodging.

This is when things get interesting… We have 4 doctors on the team (including Kenny Hayman).  In preparation, our Guatemalan hosts figured that the surgeons and myself should lodge together.  They walked three of the doctors and myself back to the house that I stayed in with the Berean Bible Church Team, and we all got situated.  Then shortly after the 4^th doctor was “escorted” to the house as well.  Kristen Hinson, yes, she is a girl, was supposed to stay in the bed in the living room (separated by a curtain) with the other surgeons.  Her face was priceless.  She did not want to offend them, but she had no desire to stay in a 3 bedroom house with 4 men – especially since she didn’t get a room, she got the living room separated by a curtain.  I couldn’t help but laugh inside as I asked our hosts to allow her to stay with the ladies.  It really was hilarious – at dinner I had to tell everyone else about our almost sleeping arrangement.

We ate about 8:00 local time – 10:00 PM back home, and shortly after headed for bed.  It was a long day, but a very good one.  This is going to be a great team.