New Smyrna Beach to Chuisamayac

THE (tentative) PLAN:

      This group of 12 missioners from New Smyrna Beach will carry their friendship, love, message, and medical care to the village of Chuisamayac, Guatemala.  They plan on departing the church parking lot very early on Saturday, June 14, for the drive to the Miami International Airport.

     A 2½ hour flight to Guatemala City is to be followed by a four hour bus ride, but of course the actual time of this trip could be quite different than what is planned.  One never really knows just how the roads and the bus will perform…..

     Staying at the Hotel Bambu in San Antonio, Guatemala, the missioners hope to find an adequate “grocery store” to buy supplies for the coming workdays.  Sunday will be spent attending a nearby church, and then trying to organize whatever building or structure will be used for the actual medical clinic in the village of Chuisamayac (reported to be about a 30-minute bus ride from San Antonio).

     The group will hope to provide some basic medical care to the rather destitute area around the village, passing out vitamins, ibuprofen, worm medicine, antibiotics, eye drops, and skin creams.  Many donated pairs of glasses will be offered, and some villagers will probably see the world better for the first time.  It is expected that the donated toothbrushes and toothpaste will be distributed to people who have never had any before this time.  There will be donated T-shirts and caps for almost everyone.  Coloring books and (Spanish) Bibles will be distributed to the kids.

     A “tourist day” is planned for the group on Saturday, June 21, and will probably involve a visit to the country’s big lake, Lago de Atitlan, said to be one of the most beautiful, majestic parts of the entire world.  With three volcanoes surrounding the lake, boat tours to villages along its shores are said to be breathtaking.

     Spending the final night of the trip in Guatemala City, the team will be ready for its early Sunday departure for America, and the return to all the luxuries, conveniences, and…… the mundane work and chores of life in New Smyrna Beach.

     All 12 will again be reminded of what’s important in life.