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Hello Missionaries!

This email will talk about random thoughts:

  • A few years ago Carol Hildebrand came with us and had a great idea for things you might want to bring for our trip.   Space in suitcases is at a premium since we pack many of our supplies in your suitcases, so her suggestion was perfect for those of you who would like to bring gifts to the people we are serving.  Carol said:

“I’m so uplifted thinking ahead about it. Thurs. I meet at the Kimbell Museum with 25 friends and I’m asking them to bring scarves they don’t wear or need or want. They pack flat and I found that on trips a bright scarf put a smile on the ladies faces. Since most are Catholic or Orthodox they wear them to church.”

Perfect!   Two years ago one of our group, Paul,  made an effort to bring baseball caps.  Another idea is matchbox cars or small toys.  The common thread for all of this is small, light, and easy to pack.

    • We are all allowed to individually bring in $500 of used equipment or supplies without incurring a hefty tax through customs.  If we bring things in that we plan on taking back with us we just declare that to be the case and they will flag your passport to be checked upon leaving (you are thinking medical equipment here).  There they will verify you do, indeed, have that packed to go back out with you.  If you are bringing in the $500 worth of stuff you should know that the value is anything you say it is and is not tied to the cost of the material, and you need to have the materials listed on a form that I am attaching to this email.  The items currently on that form are for example only so remove them from any form you are bringing.  Place the form on the top of your stuff in your suitcase.  It will only be referred to or seen if they decide to inspect your bag which almost never happens.  Rita, Bob, Ted and I will have supplies that we need to distribute to most of you to be packed, and we will have that list to give you as well.  Because all of this is happening as we get ready to check in, here are couple of important requests:
    • Be at the airport 3 hours before the flight (yes, three hours) but do not check in until you meet with Byron and Debi.   International flights require a two hour advance check in and we will be juggling lots of luggage packing. Please really be there three hours ahead.   We will pack some of our supplies into everyone’s bags, create a list of what we packed and board as group so that we can be sure everything is taken care of.  Terminal D has great restaurants and you can plan on getting some dinner there to fill the time in before boarding.
    • Pack what you need, but nothing more. Please limit your bags to one for you and a carry on.  As I said, we will use your bag to put some of our supplies into if needed.  Some of you will be asked to bring an extra bag for  which we will pay for the airline baggage fee.  All bags must be less than 50 pounds.  Extra bags not only cost more on the flight, but we will be transported everywhere we go so we need to keep our baggage to a minimum.
    • Earplugs… yes you really will need them (or a sound machine)
    • Bug stuff… yes you need that too if you plan on going out to the villages. Deet is the best to get.
    • Sheets and towels will be available.   This year’s new hotel is very nice…. hardly what you are used to having stayed in when we came on prior years.  Everything you expect from a nice hotel will be available, but like nice hotels they charge for extras so those will be your responsibility should you choose to ask for them.  Laundry is available to you onsite … that will help with packing lighter.  Bring some kind of laundry bag to put your clothes in.
    • You can wear scrubs everyday but most folks change into civilian clothes at night.  That is your choice.
    • It will be a bit chilly at night so at least bring a light jacket.  Check the weather before we leave to get an idea of what San Lucas weather is like if you are concerned.
    • You will want sturdy shoes for Antigua and its cobblestone streets.  There is no place for high heels of any kind.  Flip flops aren’t a great idea either except around the mission itself (not worth it in my opinion)
    • Games are fun for nighttime gatherings.  Bring them if you like.  Bibi and I are domino masters (in our own minds.)
    • Extra money…Just a reminder that in Antigua you are free to do what you like.  We could set up some tours for the group that will be optional and there is plenty of other things to do as well.  There is a big tourist market and lots of cool little shops as well as plenty of dining options.  All of the expenses in Antigua with the exception of your hotel room are up to you, as is the transfer to the airport (so you can pick you time when you would like to go).  If you are on a flight with several other folks either the hotel or I can help you figure out group transportation arrangements which will be less costly than an individual cab.  I would estimate that expense to be somewhere in the $40 range with a lot of variation depending on the size of the group.
    • They will be able to exchange money at the Mission in San Lucas.  It is important to have money that is in perfect condition for the exchange. No one in San Lucas or Antigua will let you give them American bills that are in less than very good condition. The usual maximum amount you can exchange in San Lucas per day  will be $100 and that should be plenty for whatever you need.  More can be done if you let them know in advance that you want to do that.
    • You will probably want to have a small amount of Guatemalan money on  you when you head down there… $20 should be plenty.  There isn’t a necessity for that, but we usually stop at a place to get drinks and snacks on the bus ride to San Lucas and it will be easier to have cash, but they should take credit cards, although no guarantees on that.  You will have other, better options  for getting Guatemalan cash in Antigua on our final weekend so don’t worry about that early on.
    • We could set up a walking tour of the historic sites in Antigua on Friday afternoon. We did that last year and it was a good one. If we can do this it will be a good way to get a feel for the city when you first get there.  We will need to know asap if you will be interested in this.  Once we know a level of interest we can find out if it is possible and what the fee would be.  You will be able to decide whether or not to go after you get that information.
    • We will have an optional dinner on Saturday night that you are welcome to attend but we will need to know a firm commitment as soon as possible in order to get the reservation.  It will possibly be in the old convent called Santo Domingo and is a really interesting and beautiful place to visit, possibly in the restaurant we went to last year, or possibly we will look into a new location as well.  If you would like to go please let me know so I can get a head count and we will set it up.  Everyone will be responsible for their own expenses there and it is a bit pricey, but very nice.  Why don’t we say to let me know by Sunday night on the trip at the very latest if you would like for me to get you a reservation.

That is all for now. Everything is looking good for a very productive, rewarding, and fun week.

May God bless our efforts,

Byron