Admissions, Alumni, and More

After a week back in Phoenix, I have had time to reflect upon my four day trip to Guatemala as part of MWU's DOCARE medical mission team. The experience remains very powerful and one that I recommend to any MWU alumni or students or volunteers.

Today was the first day of the second week for the MWU DOCARE Medical Mission in Guatemala. The buses loaded up with about 60 MWU students, alumni, physicians, and volunteers for the one hour drive to San Vincente Pacaya, a town located outside of Guatemala City and near the Pacaya volcano. The day was an experience I will never forget.

Buenos Noches a Antigua, Guatemala! It was another gorgeous day in Guatemala with more sights, sounds, tastes, and experiences to enjoy. The highlights for the day were the lenten processional that lasted more than 12 hours and the MWU medical mission orientation meeting.

After arriving in Guatemala City last night, we drove 45 minutes to Antigua, the ancient capitol of the country, and our beautiful hotel, the Lions Inn. First impressions: beautiful country surrounded my mountains and an active volcano; constant singing of the quetzal birds; friendly people; bustling city with shops, open markets, and restaurants of all kinds.

Tomorrow, I head off to the Central Highlands of Guatemala to participate on the Midwestern University team at our annual medical mission. I will spend two days of sightseeing and one day at the clinic. My plan is to find an Internet cafe in town and write blog entries about my experiences and insights from the MWU student and faculty participants.