Guatemala Avant Board Meetings

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Trip start
October 10, 2024
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- Day 1
- Thursday, October 10, 2024 at 5:49 AM
- 🌙 57 °F
- Altitude: 545 ft
- United States Tyler Pounds Field 32.350521, -95.40924132°21’2” N 95°24’33” W
Leaving Tyler!
October 10, 2024 in the United States ⋅ 🌙 57 °F
Yesterday we took granddaddy to El Fenix
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- Day 1
- Thursday, October 10, 2024
- ☁️ 79 °F
- Altitude: 5,023 ft
- Guatemala Guatel 14.621055, -90.52794114°37’16” N 90°31’41” W
Arrival into Guatemala City
October 10, 2024 in Guatemala ⋅ ☁️ 79 °F
We had a FULL flight down to Guatemala City. There was an option to get another flight plus 650.00 each, but that would mean we would have to fly through Miami - and with the recent hurricane Milton, we didn’t want to think about going through Florida.

We took the shuttle to the Barcelo Hotel where we dropped off our 2 large pieces of luggage and it’ll be there until we return next weekend after the board meetings. Glenn and I walked to the Media Cancha Restaurant. Glenn visited at length with the owner (former semi-pro football player from Argentina) about catering the meal on Friday at SETECA. We enjoyed the delicious steak dinner. Yep, I ate too much. The soup was delicious along with the salad and steak.

We took an Uber to the hotel to collect our small luggage then to SETECA to settle into our 1 room apartment for 2 nights. Next we the rush hour traffic to see Bob Henriques and visit with him, give him the jellybeans we purchased at Walmart and to retrieve an old luggage that we’ll use for the rest of our journey. A visit with Steve and Elisa Sywulka then the 1 hour drive to Antigua in the dark. We visited with 92 year old Paul and Ruth Philippi in their home. Glenn was able to exchange his dollars to Guatemalan Quetzales.

We returned back to our apartment. Nice place. Noisy. But I was tired and that didn’t make a difference.Read more
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- Day 2
- Friday, October 11, 2024 at 8:45 AM
- ☁️ 66 °F
- Altitude: 5,023 ft
- Guatemala Guatel 14.621072, -90.52794714°37’16” N 90°31’41” W
Day 2 & 3 Getting Ready
October 11, 2024 in Guatemala ⋅ ☁️ 66 °F
We had 3 zoom calls (My Bolivian ladies, worldwide member care call, and our friend Phil).

We spent much of the afternoon purchasing snack foods for the 28 folks that are a part of the upcoming Avant Board meetings. We went to the DollarCity which is the equivalent of the Dollar Tree.

We checked out of SETECA and moved over to the Barceló Hotel. We walked over to the Piaz and purchased some more items.

We found Coke flavored Oreos. Pretty good!

We also walked to Torre supermarket to get some last minute stuff. I’ve been working on the Welcome bags. Glenn had to print up the breakfast menu for Tuesday so Casa del Mundo would be ready for the large group for breakfast/brunch. Supper at Pizza Hut. And I’ll call it a day!

Ready for the board members to start arriving on Sunday afternoon and evening.

We did sneak in a massage. Feeling tons better tonight. Ready to serve the Avant board!Read more
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- Day 4
- Sunday, October 13, 2024 at 9:02 AM
- ☁️ 64 °F
- Altitude: 4,987 ft
- Guatemala Plazuela España 14.601087, -90.51811214°36’4” N 90°31’5” W
Day 4 Church and Board members Arrive
October 13, 2024 in Guatemala ⋅ ☁️ 64 °F
Glenn and I walked 1/2 mile up to Union Church. This was the church that John and Gail were ministering at for many years. It was good to fellowship with folks again.

We walked up Reforma to the DollarCity store to buy some more items. Then back to the Hotel.

Glenn went out to the airport as each group of board members arrived. The Soderlings and Gary E. arrived on the AA and DL flight around noon. He met and greeted them at exit and helped them get on the Barcelo shuttle service. We ate at the Sports Bar with them and had some great conversations. Mike Soderling is on the Avant board. He and his wife Chris lived here in Guatemala for about 10 years. Their son, Ian was valedictorian with our Gary’s CAG class 2007.

There were 3 more waves of Avant members that arrived at 7:00pm, 8:30pm and 10:00pm. Glenn was down at the airport to receive them. Then when the board members and spouses arrived here at the hotel, I greeted them with their Welcome Bag full of goodies, waterbottle.

I went to bed before Glenn came up to the room around 11pm. Oh, yes our room is 702. The corner room that looks out over towards the airport. This way I can watch the planes take off and land.

Notice the parking lot. How they stack the cars on top of each other.

My favorite quote I heard yesterday.

“Everybody is going somewhere, but nobody is going anywhere by accident.”Read more
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- Day 5
- Monday, October 14, 2024 at 9:39 PM
- ☁️ 61 °F
- Altitude: 5,164 ft
- Guatemala Río Panajachel 14.738064, -91.15996414°44’17” N 91°9’36” W
Day 5 Drive to Lake Atitlan
October 14, 2024 in Guatemala ⋅ ☁️ 61 °F
After a breakfast at Barcelo, we headed towards the lake. First stop Chimaltenango at GBS to hear a history and impact of the school in the community.lunch at Rincon Suisse. I had a crepe because my stomach wasn’t feeling well. I switch to Glenn’s car.

It started raining as we drove down into Pana.

We had a short history of LBN and the lake from Steve Sywulka. Played around of Chronology. Fun.

Hoping the weather is better tomorrow.Read more
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- Day 6
- Tuesday, October 15, 2024 at 6:07 AM
- ⛅ 57 °F
- Altitude: 5,079 ft
- Guatemala Río Panajachel 14.736512, -91.16028614°44’11” N 91°9’37” W
Day 6 Sunrise and breakfast
October 15, 2024 in Guatemala ⋅ ⛅ 57 °F
TravelerI’ve now been here and not just seeing it in photos! Yay 💜
10/16/24Reply
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- Day 6
- Tuesday, October 15, 2024 at 10:53 AM
- ☁️ 72 °F
- Altitude: 5,079 ft
- Guatemala Río San Buenaventura 14.740722, -91.16733614°44’27” N 91°10’2” W
Day 5 part 2
October 15, 2024 in Guatemala ⋅ ☁️ 72 °F
We took the 4 hour drive back to Antigua. I feel asleep on the bumpy road.

We had dinner at Tenador.
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- Day 7
- Wednesday, October 16, 2024 at 7:55 PM
- ☁️ 66 °F
- Altitude: 5,003 ft
- Guatemala Santa Isabel 14.55193, -90.73376314°33’7” N 90°44’2” W
Day 6 Antigua, Guatemala
October 16, 2024 in Guatemala ⋅ ☁️ 66 °F
As the board had their closed meeting, Glenn and I took Jack, Lori and Douglas to visit Paul and Ruth Philippi. Lovely visit. They told us how they met. How they got their house and some of their work.

We then walked thru Santo Domingo hotel where Glenn picked us up. We had lunch at Hotel Antigua. A short 1 hour nap.

Then a tour of the ruins of Capuchinas. Interesting!

Dinner at Hector’s Bistro. Glenn drove the van. Then took Mike R to clinic to get some medication for his cold.Read more
TravelerIf I ever get back I hope to spend a little more time in Antigua
10/17/24Reply
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- Day 8
- Thursday, October 17, 2024 at 7:24 AM
- Altitude: 5,013 ft
- Guatemala Santa Isabel 14.551722, -90.73373314°33’6” N 90°44’1” W
Day 7 Board meetings
October 17, 2024 in Guatemala
We had meetings. David Ruiz spoke then Hugo Morales about the Guatemalan Christian church.

We had dinner at Santo Domingo (no pictures).
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- Day 9
- Friday, October 18, 2024 at 8:28 AM
- ☁️ 68 °F
- Altitude: 5,013 ft
- Guatemala Santa Isabel 14.551722, -90.73374214°33’6” N 90°44’1” W
Day 8 Final day at SETECA
October 18, 2024 in Guatemala ⋅ ☁️ 68 °F
After breakfast, I traveled to the city with the Soderlings, Douglas Livingston and Sharla. We made a quick drive-by our old neighborhood then to the airport to drop off Mike and Chris.

Next stop was the airport then on to Barcelo hotel. Our room was sent quite ready so Sharla snd I waited snd visited in the lobby.

In the meantime, Glenn rode with the others to SETECA, city dump and CAM grave site.

The group had a tour of TGNA radio station snd lunch catered by Media cancha. After a few hours of rest there was a celebration of 125 years of the Central America Mission work here in Guatemala and dinner.

The group returned to Barcelo hotel around 9pm. They were completely exhausted and yet grateful for their short 5 day visit here in Guatemala.Read more
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- Day 10
- Saturday, October 19, 2024 at 9:34 AM
- ☁️ 72 °F
- Altitude: 4,970 ft
- Guatemala Parque Independencia 14.59683, -90.5185714°35’49” N 90°31’7” W
Day 9 Helping folks
October 19, 2024 in Guatemala ⋅ ☁️ 72 °F
This morning, Glenn took the Gladmans to GUA at 3:30 am. He came back for 2 more hours of sleep. Then I joined him on the 6:30 am run taking 5 or 6 more folks to catch their flight.

Then we went down for breakfast to eat and chat with others. Glenn and I along with Natalie enjoyed the pool and Jacuzzi.

We quickly changed and packed and saw the last bunch of members catch the Barcelo shuttle.

15 minutes later, Phil called us to tell us that Terresa left her pink phone in room 906. Glenn quickly ran up to her room and found it. Yeah. Now to get in the van and fight the noon traffic along CA1. 40 minutes later we handed the fone over to Phil and Jack.

Next stop, we drove to SETECA to pick up Glenn’s black Avant shirt. Then to Oakland mall. Wow has it ever changed. New addition and Christmas decorations up. We enjoyed a late lunch at Skillets. Salad and then a birthday brownie.

Now making plans to get our 3 pieces of luggage and 2 carryons each to the airport and return the Hiace van we have been renting.Read more
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Trip end
October 19, 2024