After discussion and prayer, a local group that regularly does mission work in the Central American nation of Guatemala has decided that they will return to that mission field this month despite the dangers posed by renewed concern for the surge in Covid.
The trip is scheduled for the end of this month. Its organizers began to hesitate to continue planning when case numbers of the Omicron variant of Covid-19 soared after Christmas.
The 13 team members learned that if they test positive prior to departure from Guatemala, they would have to quarantine for an 14 additional days there. The group was faced with whether or not to reschedule for a time later in the year. There was currently an opening for early April.
But after team members said they tthought and prayed, they made the decision to go ahead with the planned trip which had already been rescheduled from last year when the original strain of Covid was flaring up.
The local group began several years ago as the Howell-Waits team, named for Glenn Howell, former pastor of First United Methodist Church of Magee, and Tony Waits, another long-time mission volunteer and trip coordinator. The team works with the Baptist Medical and Dental Missions International, BMDMI.
Local members of the group are Dr. Rudy Runnels, Linda Williams, James Smith, Rev. Tony McDonald of First United Methodist Church of Magee, Dr. Glenn Howell and family members. All members are Mississippians with the exception of a one volunteer from Greenville, Texas.
The destination for this year’s mission trip is Taxisco, Guatemala. The flight to Guatemala will depart on a Tuesday morning from the Laurel /Hattiesburg Airport and return the following Tuesday.
Currently the weather in Central America is warmer and not in the middle of the rainy season. According to Bill Stillwell, director of BMDMI, the mission location is near the Pacific Ocean and humidity is high, not unlike Mississippi during the summer.
When the group arrives on site, members will have different assignments. Dr. Runnels expects to provide medical screening for residents of the community. The other group members will be tasked with building homes for locals to improve their living environment. The goal for this year is to construct two and maybe three homes while in-country. The weather will be a major determining factor in what can be accomplished.
The group also plans to make repairs to existing structures if possible. Members are encouraged to bring hammers, nail aprons, work gloves and other equipment for work during the trip.
Team members are responsible for the $1,800 fee to participate, which includes air fare, lodging and food while in Guatemala. The only other cost is for incidentals.
The group hosts a golf tournament locally to raise funds, coordinated by Dr. Runnels. Proceeds from that tournament go toward materials that are used while in Guatemala.
In addition to the Guatemala location, BMDMI provides annual mission trips to Nepal and Nicaragua. For additional information about trips or about this program you may contact Dr. Runnels locally or Goggle BMDMI.
