Mission Emergency Prep

Guatemala is a dangerous country in many respects.  Mike was robbed at gunpoint when he was returning from the bank with money to run the mission.  We've seen things here that we would never have seen in the United States, where pedestrians are treated with caution and respect.  Perhaps the most challenging day we've had was the day we were close to the epicenter of an earthquake.  Our power was out for two hours or so and we were contemplating what we would do if we had to live without power and communication for a week or so.  Our mission president was out of the country at a mission conference and we had no idea what emergency procedures to follow.

This changed my perspective and if I were a senior missionary entering the mission field, one of the first questions I would ask would be to have a list of emergency procedures and vital contact numbers, including how to easily email the parents of the missionaries as soon as power is restored.

We were comforted by the fact that we have a water dispenser for 5 gallon bottles of water, plus 3 extra bottles at all times.  We have some canned chicken that our children sent us from the States, but without refrigeration our mayonnaise would be useless within hours.  After the earthquake, we decided to keep a few small squeeze bags of mayonnaise in the cupboard for just such an emergency, along with bread in the freezer. We keep lots of canned drinks and bottled apple juice in cupboards that won't be prone to open during a quake or strong tremor.  

We brought a flashlight with us and it has come in handy during power outages.  We always keep it in the same place all the time so it is easy to find when the power is out.  I wish I had also brought two of the round,  battery operated push-on lights that we use during stormy weather at home.  Most developing countries have issues with power from time to time, so the necessity of more than a flashlight is mission dependent.

I carry with me, separate from Mike's cell phone, a list of contact numbers in the event I need them and have no phone access.  I keep U.S. and Guatemala numbers that are critical.

We have all of our missionaries put money aside for emergencies and we ask them to accumulate Q400, which is about $38.  They usually tuck it into a Pringles can and keep it close by in case of an emergency, which would include robbery.  The financero of a mission needs three days to put money on a young missionary's credit card, so if they are robbed this gets them by until they get money added to their cards.  This applies to senior missionaries too, however, as a natural disaster or robbery effects us all in a similar way.  Having $40 or more (in coins and small bills) for emergency food and transportation is very important at home and on a mission.

We always have on hand essential oils that can be used to stop bleeding and to prevent shock.  We buy extra toilet tissue, toothpaste, rubbing alcohol and bandages so we are prepared here just as we are at home.  More importantly, we have provided service for the people in our building so that we have a sense of community in the event disaster strikes.  The guards in our building watch over us with great care because of our close friendship-one that isn't dependent on our being fluent in Spanish.