HONDURAS MISSION 2020 DAY 5

Today is Tuesday, January 14, 2020, day 5 of our mission trip this year and day 2 of the clinic.  The word of the day is PEACE. The related scripture for today is from Mark 5:34 and says, “Daughter, your faith has healed you. Go in peace and be freed from your suffering.” And from John 14:27, which says, “My peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.”  Peace is a major issue for us in life.  We search for it, we pray for it, and we imagine it.  The peace Jesus is talking about, though, is not the political and military peace we usually envision in for ideal world.  Jesus refers to peace as a sense of comfort we get from knowing that He is with us through whatever we go through on this earth and that we will be with Him in life after life.  Our sense of peace comes, not from the lack of violence of military conflict, but from knowing God is present with us whatever happens.  It is with this in mind that we use our clinic in Ciudad Espana to improve the peace of the residents in this area, not just by improving there medical, optical and dental health but by also improving their spiritual health.  Today was cool and rainy in the morning but warmed up and cleared in the afternoon.  The weather appeared to affect the turnout for some of the clinic areas in the morning, particularly the medical clinic but we have noticed this same phenomenon in the past.  The eye clinic and dental clinic remain at capacity.  Our dental prosthetics technician has been doing a remarkable job restoring dental function and self esteem to many patients who come into the clinic.  Please see the photos for examples.  There are many success stories of patients who have found glasses which restore their vision after they have an eye exam at the clinic.  This restoration of vision makes it more likely they will be able to get a job, read, go to school and have appropriate self esteem.  We will be giving out 100,000 vitamins to this community this week as well as parasite medication to essentially everyone who comes through.  I would like to say a special word of thanks to Amy, who has been our pharmacist for several years.  Although she initially thought she would not be able to come due to an inspection at the hospital where she works, she was able to come and get the pharmacy set up but had to fly back today.  Thanks, Amy!  Also, thanks Heather for being here to continue in Amy’s place.  Yesterday, a gentleman came in with a prosthetic arm which was more “high end” than most, but, having had it for close to 30 years, it had a lot of wear and tear.  Charley was able to repair and improve it.  We continue to offer the simple artificial hands for forearm amputees.  In both the morning and evening, several of the team visited Helen in the hospital and found her to be doing well.  She has been moved to a larger room closer to the nurse’s station and continues to expect discharge on Wednesday.  We are extremely fortunate to have Maria, a first-year interpreter on our team this year; she has provided great help to Helen and assisted in finding the surgeon and hospital which have been instrumental in Helen’s rapid recovery from the hip fracture.  Our team continues to be healthy other than a few upper respiratory symptoms which came to Honduras with us.  We all continue to be amazed at the beauty of the children and of the country itself as well as the friendliness of the people here.  Please continue your prayers for us and those we serve.  Today’s photos can be found via this link:  https://www.flickr.com/photos/167537108@N03/albums/72157712682565526

May God bless you and keep you and may his peace be with you.  Manána, Roger