Chattanooga Medical Team - Guatemala Trip - Day 7

We head back to the city today, and we have received good news – Fuego is settling down and they expect it to be stabilized by tomorrow morning.  We are thrilled with the news, and we are planning to go to Antigua tomorrow.

We headed home a little after 9 this morning – we had breakfast at 7, but by 8 many of the team members were going shopping at the local market, so we left a little later.  We had a great send off as all of the hospital staff stood outside and waved as we pulled away.  Within about 30 minutes of leaving we approached Rabinal – a little larger city than Cubulco, and traffic was at a standstill.  Sure enough, since tomorrow is Independence day here in Guatemala, we had the distinct privilege of watching a local parade.

We jumped out of the bus, and walked down to the corner where the parade route was turning.  We were able to see the kids dancing and playing instruments.  Our team (mostly wearing their team t-shirts) cheered and clapped for the parade as it passed.  A couple of bulls got lose and Steve almost got gored by a bull horn, so it was very exciting.  It lasted about 30 minutes, but we really enjoyed it.  I told the team that Kenny Hayman had set up the parade for our honor.  Yeah, I know – you can hardly believe anything I say…

We arrived back in Guatemala City without incident about 5 ½ hours after leaving.  Not bad for a parade stop, a food/ice cream stop, and 2 drop offs of the dentist and Kenny Hayman.  Much better than the 13 hours it took Coleman, and the 8 hours it took Berean Bible Church.

We got to Thelma’s house and unpacked our stuff into our rooms.  After about 2 hours of relaxing and playing a few hands of phase 10 we went out to dinner with Brian and Mary, Chad and Marliana, Kenny and April, Phil and Jen, and Nico and his wife.  Karina and Mary joined us along with Marleny as well.  We stayed at the restaurant for over 3 hours.  The team talked and laughed.  We had a great time just relaxing and rehearsing what God had done over the past week.

It is late and we are heading off to bed – tomorrow is Antigua – my favorite activity, shopping!!  I know we are going to have a great time, but we need an early start to beat the festivities that will be going on for Independence Day.

Enough for tonight – more tomorrow…