Tuesday, August 27th - El Cerron Taulabe
Today, we were reminded very quickly of how fragile life is, and how grateful we should be for the time we have here. With that sentiment on our hearts, we eagerly traveled into El Cerron Taulabe. The views from the mountain were awe-inspiring; and to our relief, the community's elevation resulted in a much cooler working day. When we arrived, the entire community was present and waiting. In true Honduran fashion, the men formed a line to assist with unloading the bus. This was extremely good news to the team, as the stairs from the bus to the school house were basically a vertical climb.
The "welcoming ceremony" for the team began with members of the community offering songs and applause for the team and our Lord; followed with a prayer by Melvin Martinez, a valuable employee of Friends of Barnabas and a much appreciated member of our team. Individual prayers were also offered by Charles and Cindy with translation provided by Carlos and Bessie. Thereafter, everyone quickly manned their stations and prepared for our first patients of the day.
Almost immediately we were faced with an emergency. A 78-year-old woman, weary from her walk to the clinic, fainted and fell into the arms of Bessie. Almost our entire medical staff dropped what they were doing and began attending to her - vitals were checked, cold compresses offered as well as water and a breakfast bar. Soon it was determined that although frail, overall, the woman was in good health.
Once it was established that our Seņora was okay, it was back to business as usual. All four clinics had quite a busy day as indicated by our numbers:
258 patients were seen in the medical clinic;
27 patients consulted with the dentist (Mike Turck) and were relieved of 43 dead or decaying teeth.
30 patients were fitted with 30 pairs of glasses restoring their gift of sight; and
66 patients, mostly children, received deworming, fluoride, and vitamin A treatments
With a heavy storm looming in the distance, we packed up with great haste and departed for our home in Peņa Blanca for dinner, devotions, and some well-deserved rest. (The Internet WAS affected by the deluge, thus the delay in our journal.)
Keep the prayers coming; they are clearly at work here in Honduras!
Wednesday, August 28th - Aguas de la Reyna
For some, today was the introduction to a TRUE Honduran mountain road, and for others, a bumpy ride down memory lane. While taking a brief stop for a cultural experience to pick and eat guava, a young girl on horseback stopped to socialize with the team. Her gentle smile and warm spirit proved to reflect the overall personality of the entire community. This community was clearly smaller than the others we'd seen, but due to accessibility and road conditions, the need was clearly the largest. Their church was a single room concrete square and their school, a three room concrete box. The nicest area in the village was their soccer field, full of lush green grass and horses lining the edge.
Upon arrival, the team witnessed the emotional reunion of Zenaida, one of our Honduran nurse/translators, and Soany, a young girl Zenaida met the first time Friends of Barnabas visited this community. At one time, Zenaida brought this beautiful little girl into her home for two months to get her weight up and give her the nursing care she needed to become healthy. Soany learned to walk while in Zenaida's loving care.
While the overall numbers were lower; we must reiterate that the level of need was greater. The smaller size of the community allowed for longer consultation times with our medical staff and a greater level of fellowship with the people; including a multi-national soccer game, manicures, and conversations.
164 patients were seen in the medical clinic;
17 patients consulted with the dentist (Dr. Mike) and were relieved of 19 dead or decaying teeth;
10 patients were fitted with 10 pairs of glasses restoring their gift of sight; and
19 patients received deworming, fluoride, and vitamin A treatments.
As we are traveling a long distance this morning (Thursday) for our clinic, we secured Internet at a BEAUTIFUL road side paradise where we are having breakfast as we send this. Please trust and believe we are truly among the most beautiful of God's countryside and people! How fortunate for us to have this opportunity!
Keep your thoughts with us as we go forth to serve, demonstrating "the love of Jesus Christ in action!"
