Day 1 - June 14th - Not a Great Start

Our team has about 40 volunteers from across the U.S. This medical mission trip started in 1993 with volunteers from the Gettysburg, PA Presbyterian Church. I learned about this trip a couple of years ago from Phil Winand, a Willow Valley resident. Phil, a retired pharmacist, has helped on the trip for many years. Our group includes many medical professionals and general helpers like me.

I met the U.S. director, Bill Waring, at his home near Gettysburg to catch a ride to Reagan International Airport in DC. Many people from the Gettysburg area still join every year. One of my tasks is to check in a second suitcase full of medical supplies, so I was given the suitcase and the necessary documents.

After driving to Reagan International Airport, our flight was quickly canceled due to storms in Miami. Our only option was a flight out of Dulles at 4:00 am the next morning. The five of us loaded all ten suitcases and miscellaneous bags into the car and drove to Dulles. We tried to get some sleep in the airport before our 4:00 am flight. Not a great start.Read more