Guatemala Mission Series: Part 2 - Arrival and Orientation
After arriving to Guatemala City and clearing the supply trunks through customs, the group rode about 1.5 hours by bus to Antigua for the night. It’s always so fun to feel the energy of the group — former volunteers catching up and friendships forming among new teammates. We chatted over our packed dinner of sandwiches and chips, and we got to know each other a bit before the week ahead.
Tip #1 - Pack Snacks
Even if the team provides meals, the timing and amount is not always predictable, particularly on travel days. Energy dense dry goods like nuts, jerky, bars, dried fruits, and individually packed nut butter pouches are popular choices.
Upon arriving to Antigua, we paired off with our assigned roommates and received our room keys. I was excited to be rooming with one of my closest friends for the week. We were previously workplace friends for a few years, but we became close like sisters when we roomed together for a mission in 2018. We’re both now travel nursing, so we’re looking forward to spending a week of quality time together.
Tip #2 - Respect your Roomie
You might be pre-assigned with a friend, or perhaps it’s an opportunity to make a new one! Sharing space with a new person can be hard — take a moment to navigate preferences like shoes on or off, bed closer or further from the to door, sleeping cold or hot, closet/hanger space, wake up times, or showering in the morning or at night.
After a long day traveling, most of us slept hard! We were greeted over breakfast and coffee by our team leaders and in-country board representative. This is the first trip being led by three very dear friends and former volunteer colleagues, so it was extra special watching them flourish into their respective roles and set an inspiring tone for the upcoming week.
Our board representative also shared her experience of “answering the call” — she had accepted a request to move from the United States to Guatemala to serve as an interpreter, and she continued to immerse into service within the organization over the next thirty years. What resonated so strongly with me was her observation that providing a surgical procedure to a patient not only changes that one life, but the effect reaches so much further. She shared how “transforming one life transforms many lives; it brings light and hope” to their family members too, and it continues to spread outward among the community.
After breakfast, we changed buses and began the 6 (ish?) hour bus ride to the rural hospital where we’d be working for the week. We formally introduced ourselves and our roles, and we noted who we’d be teaming up with. We received a brief orientation to the plan for the week, including the hospital’s processes, policies, and paperwork — all the P’s!
Speaking of “p,” one of the most challenging adjustments for each volunteer group has been remembering to not flush toilet paper (there are bins to the side for paper disposal). The staff also reminded us not to drink tap water, nor use it for teeth brushing or let water in the mouth during showers. I’ve definitely had my share of slip ups — and consequences!
Tip #3 - Research Restrictions
Research warnings and limitations of the travel area(s) so you can plan ahead as needed. Can you flush the toilet paper, and is toilet paper provided? Sometimes it’s not in public spaces… Are insects and their transmissible diseases a risk? Bug sprays, wipes, or nets may be necessary. Is the water potable, or is safe water easily accessible? Consider a filtration system for emergencies.
During orientation, we learned most of the scheduled patients have been waiting three years for these surgeries — they had lost their social security benefits during the COVID pandemic, and with it their access to necessary healthcare. The volunteer teams work very hard to find those within the community who need services that the organization can provide. Those needs must then be coordinated with a mission teams’ specific specialties, as different teams come every 1-2 weeks.
I am repeatedly awed by the complexity of each team and shared mission. So many people coming from broadly diverse backgrounds and skillsets, coordinating a massive culmination of efforts toward a unified goal — helping those who need it most. This year, I feel moved to set a specific intention of truly connecting with people. I’ve been trying hard to learn more Spanish to better connect with patients, staff, and volunteers. I hope this intention will add to the shared experiences throughout this mission. More to come!
Tip #4 - Set an Intention
Reflect on what you hope to both give and receive through this experience. Why are you here? An intentionally open heart and open mind may offer something unexpected. It doesn’t have to be profound — even as concise as focusing on being present or learning a number of names can change the experience.
