Saturday, October 19

The "Martinsville Medical Mountain" team AKA 1013 departed from Greensboro, NC to San Pedro Sula, Honduras by way of Atlanta. Fourteen volunteers with 20 duffle bags full of medical supplies headed out as the Friends of Barnabas Foundation's mountain medical team.

We arrived safely at La Casa de Alfredo, exhausted and hungry; but ready to jump into the culture! We have four volunteers who are "newbies" to the Friends of Barnabas Mission. Our group is made up of diverse individuals each with their special gifts. We are fortunate to have to musicians in the group who lead us in joyful music.

After room assignments, the volunteers gathered in our favorite room, the dining room and began to bond as a team. The cooks, Margarita and Sandra, prepared a wonderful welcome meal for us and promised there would be more just like it! Sunday promises to be a busy work day as we prepare supplies and medications for the community visits.

Sunday, October 20

Today was orientation day and organization day to get ready for the week ahead! Nury, the Hondurian director gave us a tour of Barnabas House. We met two current patients; 8-year-old Kimberly who is recovering at Barnabas House after cardiac surgery and little 1-year-old Maria who was awaiting surgery.   "They had us at hello!" Our hearts went out to these children and from that moment we knew we were meant to be here!

 

After the tour the team attended a bilingual service at the church next door. This was one of the highlights of the day. We had an opportunity to meet and talk with local residents and other volunteers in Peña Blanca.   There is a girls' academy/orphanage nearby and a number of children from there came to church in a van. It was inspiring and truly spiritual to see so many servants of God bringing their gifts to this area to serve the people.

After another wonderful lunch, the team was ready to get organized! We did equipment inventory, packed supplies and sorted medication for tomorrow's trip to La Union, a small community about an hour away.

Reverend Dennis led us in a closing evening devotional where the group did a laying on of hands for each of us. Many of us are first timers and are apprehensive about the unknown. The prayers we received from our fellow group members helped to allay any fears we might have.

Off to make the world a little better, one child at a time!

The Martinsville Team

Editor's Note:  A list of team members will appear in tomorrow's journal.