And when the road ended, we were there... Our first clinic day started in La Masica. On the way up the mountain, we were able to touch the clouds and see the beautiful countryside.

To see the people waiting for us when we arrived in the community was an eye-opening experience. The men from the community helped unload the bus and once our stations were set up, we got started. The gratitude of the villagers was evident. Several patients were referred for further evaluation for heart murmurs, hernias and to our Extended Care Program, which provides care for children beyond the services available in the medical mission team clinics.

Terry's special memory of the day was Maria, a 79-year-old family matriarch who arrived with her daughter and granddaughters (seven in all). Maria was short of breath and having abdominal pain. Other than a nebulizer treatment for her wheezing, we had limited options other than Tylenol and famotidine. She reminded Raphael, Terry's interpreter, of his grandmother. Later in the day, we saw her and she said she didn't want to live anymore. We prayed for her healing and for peace. Maria found a place in Terry's heart and Terry gave Maria her cross. May God bless and keep her always.

 Maria

The spirit of the children captivated the hearts of team members. Katey feel in love with Christiana who loved bubbles and Haley did the same with Emma. The families seen in the clinic today demonstrated both joy and love of family.

Several team members had the opportunity to make a home visit with some of the community leaders. It turns out that in Honduras, distance estimates aren't quite the same as ours. Apparently, it was a mile round trip and uphill both ways! Eleven children lived with their widowed mother in a home with no bathroom. The mother earns a living by taking in laundry. Prayers were said for this family and this experience really helped us to see what a tremendous impact we have on these people's lives.

Team members in the eye clinic today had a powerful opportunity to witness people being able to see and read for the first time!

The team saw:

216 people in medical

18 people in dental with 23 extractions

25 seen in eye clinic and 25 pairs of glasses being given out

131 seen in deworming

27 given fluoride treatment

21 vitamin A treatments

9 referrals

We're excited and looking forward to what tomorrow brings!