Packing for Guatemala is similar to the Olympics. There are different events, each with their own degree of difficulty and challenges. We feel like gold medal winners when we can successfully pack what we need within the confines of the 50# weight limit/suitcase. We have been training for this for years. With every trip we learn a little more and tweak the playbook. This evening the swapping begins. Some items for the mission trip need to arrive early, other things can

The countdown begins. Actually it never really ends, only resets. The countdown starts again, usually when we are in the airport on our return to the States. Only 365 more days until we are back in Guatemala. This past 18 months have been a blur for me. My mom broke her femur and required round the clock care, I returned to college, I started a second full time job, my heart was being temperamental resulting in a brief hospital stay and additional testing and procedures,