Winging It

Monday, June 27, 2016

Winging It

                I am on my way home after another ten days in Honduras.  I have new friends whom two weeks ago I had never met and we have connected well.  I have been to remote parts of Honduras in the LaMoskitia area of the Gracias a Dios Department.  I have engaged with people of a culture and a world far different from the one I live in.  I have watched my teammates interact with these people with a fervor borne of a true and sincere desire to have a positive impact upon their lives.  I have watched other Hondurans interact with people of their country in a desire to improve their lives by bringing them the gift of clean water.  Personally I have engaged with people of a culture far different from what I know and I find a strong desire to return at a date yet to be determined.

                I have experienced and admired the sincerity of my Honduran teammates in their devotion to the God we both serve and I find it inspiring.  Their faith is strong and solemn and joyful. 

                I have experienced dreams and opportunities which challenge me to move on with my life.  I think I am still reeling from Muggy’s leaving some 16 months ago.  Tomorrow would have been our 41^st wedding anniversary, but I will not celebrate as she’s not physically with me, but I will remember.  At some level within me I am letting go and moving on.

                I have talked with sages in my life during this trip about the future.  I have met a man who has impacted my life more in a short period of time than anyone I have ever met.  I look at him at times and listen to him always and I think I am seeing the personification of Jesus.  He is warm and genuine and loving.  He encourages, he helps, he mentors, he teaches both in words and deeds.

I am encouraged to hear that my new friends think I can lead a team to Honduras sometime in the future; I think I will.  I have talked with them of more efforts at reaching out to the people of Honduras to bring them a better quality of life.  We spoke of dependency mentality.  The Hondurans sometimes expect us to support them, to continue to supply them with the things they need.  We debate whether this is good.  When I think of the extravagance of my world compared to theirs I believe that this is what I am called to do and I will be obedient to what God is asking me to do.

Ours was a very ecumenical group.  We encouraged the diversity and we learned from each other; it was an amazing opportunity. The proverbial bottom line for all of us was to help our fellow men and women and I sincerely believe we did!

I am humbled once again by the opportunities I am given to participate in these adventures.  I thank God for the new friends I have, both from my team and in Honduras.  I will be back!

Downtime

It’s Saturday morning, June 25, 2016.  I’m sitting at Helen’s Resort in LaCeiba, Atlantida, Honduras looking out over the Carribbean as the sun paves a golden and silver pathway across the water to the horizon. 

                The team traveled yesterday from Raista and it is an arduous journey.  We were packed and ready for the day by 6:00 am and listened to a short, but powerful devotion from Dr. Ben.  Breakfast eaten and good-by’s said, we boarded the canoes.  I find myself experiencing anew aspects of these trips and wondering which one is my favorite.  The boat ride from Raista to Palacios is, beyond a shadow of a doubt, one of my absolute favorites!

                It is a time of reflection, a time to think, a time to consider.  We have expended our energies over the past few days engaging with people of a culture drastically different from what we know back home.  This team has connected with the people of LaMoskitia powerfully.  If you have been reading this blog since April, you know that I was with a medical team here a couple of months back. 

                The medical team was strong and impacted the lives of over 900 people from the LaMoskitia region, but the connections were not the same.  The team I am with now has connected deeply with these people, in a powerful and deeply meaningful way.  Their lives have been changed; our lives have been changed.  I have watched the members of this team give of themselves out of love for the fellow man and out of a desire to serve God.  I am humbled to be a part of this!!  Part of my heart was left behind in Raista and the hope is that I will soon return.

                I traveled yesterday with the Honduran members of the team; three members from the Water With Blessings and one young man from a youth development organization.  The language of the day was Spanish and I basked in the exposure of listening to the language.  It brings to mind the other language learning experiences I have had in my life.  Exposure.  One needs to spend lots and lots of time listening to the language, learning how to discriminate words.  My Hondurans friends and I had an enjoyable, albeit very long day together.

                I’ve noticed that I recall my dreams almost nightly while in Honduras.  This is very unique for me as I seldom remember my dreams.  I spoke with my Dream Master last night and he suggested that it is because our lives are simplified here.  We do not have the clutter of our day to day lives of back home and therefore, our minds are freed to explore the wanderings of our sleep.  I like it. 

                I feel a very powerful bond with the members of this team.  Many (most) of them knew each other previously, but they have opened their arms and welcomed me into the group warmly.  I will miss them all.

                I was doing a happy dance last night.  For the first four days I was here I was consumed with pressure about completing work for my Public Health studies.  I had to prepare and perform a video presentation on toxoplasmosis (a parasite cat feces contains).  On Tuesday evening, I made my presentation to Doctors Ben and Tom and Team Leader Michael on the shores of Ibans Lagoon.  That was the easy part.  Michael video’d it for me and for the next 12 hours I endeavored to upload the files to Dropbox.  Lesson learned:  Use YouTube for these types of efforts.  YouTube alogorithms must be vastly better than Dropbox for video upload.  If you need more info on this, please contact me at hkenson@cox.net  Anyway, I got my grades last evening and I received all A’s!!  Ken is a HAPPY camper.

                The team will rest and relax today, and I’m sure we will recollect and ponder and consider how our lives have been changed.  I stand in awe of the God of the universe and the opportunities He has for us!!

Downtime

It’s Saturday morning, June 25, 2016.  I’m sitting at Helen’s Resort in LaCeiba, Atlantida, Honduras looking out over the Carribbean as the sun paves a golden and silver pathway across the water to the horizon. 

                The team traveled yesterday from Raista and it is an arduous journey.  We were packed and ready for the day by 6:00 am and listened to a short, but powerful devotion from Dr. Ben.  Breakfast eaten and good-by’s said, we boarded the canoes.  I find myself experiencing anew aspects of these trips and wondering which one is my favorite.  The boat ride from Raista to Palacios is, beyond a shadow of a doubt, one of my absolute favorites!

                It is a time of reflection, a time to think, a time to consider.  We have expended our energies over the past few days engaging with people of a culture drastically different from what we know back home.  This team has connected with the people of LaMoskitia powerfully.  If you have been reading this blog since April, you know that I was with a medical team here a couple of months back. 

                The medical team was strong and impacted the lives of over 900 people from the LaMoskitia region, but the connections were not the same.  The team I am with now has connected deeply with these people, in a powerful and deeply meaningful way.  Their lives have been changed; our lives have been changed.  I have watched the members of this team give of themselves out of love for the fellow man and out of a desire to serve God.  I am humbled to be a part of this!!  Part of my heart was left behind in Raista and the hope is that I will soon return.

                I traveled yesterday with the Honduran members of the team; three members from the Water With Blessings and one young man from a youth development organization.  The language of the day was Spanish and I basked in the exposure of listening to the language.  It brings to mind the other language learning experiences I have had in my life.  Exposure.  One needs to spend lots and lots of time listening to the language, learning how to discriminate words.  My Hondurans friends and I had an enjoyable, albeit very long day together.

                I’ve noticed that I recall my dreams almost nightly while in Honduras.  This is very unique for me as I seldom remember my dreams.  I spoke with my Dream Master last night and he suggested that it is because our lives are simplified here.  We do not have the clutter of our day to day lives of back home and therefore, our minds are freed to explore the wanderings of our sleep.  I like it. 

                I feel a very powerful bond with the members of this team.  Many (most) of them knew each other previously, but they have opened their arms and welcomed me into the group warmly.  I will miss them all.

                I was doing a happy dance last night.  For the first four days I was here I was consumed with pressure about completing work for my Public Health studies.  I had to prepare and perform a video presentation on toxoplasmosis (a parasite cat feces contains).  On Tuesday evening, I made my presentation to Doctors Ben and Tom and Team Leader Michael on the shores of Ibans Lagoon.  That was the easy part.  Michael video’d it for me and for the next 12 hours I endeavored to upload the files to Dropbox.  Lesson learned:  Use YouTube for these types of efforts.  YouTube alogorithms must be vastly better than Dropbox for video upload.  If you need more info on this, please contact me at hkenson@cox.net  Anyway, I got my grades last evening and I received all A’s!!  Ken is a HAPPY camper.

                The team will rest and relax today, and I’m sure we will recollect and ponder and consider how our lives have been changed.  I stand in awe of the God of the universe and the opportunities He has for us!!

Back Home?

I am back in Raista and it seems I just left!  Well, I was just here six weeks ago.  It did feel kind of like coming home….or at least to a very familiar place

We left LaCeiba on Sunday morning and drove to Cusuna.  Cusuna is a Garifuna village and being there is like stepping into a National Geographic article.  We met with the local pastor and some of the community agents.  We broke into groups and discussion ensued for lessons learned on water quality, HIV, and communication techniques.

I was blessed to make a connection with Mary and Kandy and several children.  We communicated as best we could through sign language and laughter.  My tablet was an item of huge interest in taking pictures and videos.  We headed for the local pulperia (mini converience store) for a soda. 

It was an  amazing experience as I was with about a dozen Garifuna folks, walking through their village to the store, buying sodas.  Across a short distance, several village members sat in hammocks and chairs enjoying the evening and talk.  Of course I couldn’t understand their conversations, but the rapport and experience was thrilling.  A downpour ensued and we all huddled together under the metal awning in front of the store.  It was one of those rare moments in my life that I seek, to be with another culture, making friends, making memories.  The next day, before we departed, Kandy came to our compound and brought me a beautiful orange crab shell and another beautiful sea shell.  I was speechless and wished that I had something I could give her.

We drove for about three hours to Palacios where the road ends.  Here we boarded the long canoes for the two hour ride to Raista.  The river journey is one of my favorite parts of my visits to Honduras.

Seeing Raista made me feel like I was coming home in a way.  We unloaded the canoes, settled into our rooms and rested.  Later, some of us walked the short distance to the ocean and enjoyed the surf.  It’s incredible to see the miles of beach with no one on it!!  Some found it a little disconcerting that the bottom is literally covered with live sand dollars.  I mean, there are thousands, perhaps millions of them.

I think the three and a half days we have been in Honduras was beginning to take its toll on us physically as naps seemed to be in order for several of us.

A good portion of the evening involved final preparation of the lessons plans for the workshop to begin today, Tuesday.

This morning one of our Honduran team members shared a powerful devotion to begin our day.  It is amazing to stand with Honduran believers, not being able to understand a lot of what is being said, but definitely sensing the power of God and the presence of the Holy Spirit.  Let me take a moment here to thank all those who are praying for us on this trip!!!

We are now at the first session of the seminar.  We have broken into three groups and learning is underway.  It is truly a blessing to be here!!!

Return Engagement

A Return Engagement

     It is June 17,2016 and I am on Delta flight 575 from Atlanta to San Pedro Sula,  Honduras. I am traveling with another Alabama Honduras Medical Education Network (AHMEN) team.  For this trip we are focused on education for up to 50 Community Agents from the LaMoskitia region of eastern Honduras.  We will conduct a three day seminar for the agents on topics such as water quality, first aid, long range planning and more.  The hope is that the agents will share the information with residents in their home villages.  We will also present water filter demonstrations and distribution using the Sawyer filter system.

     We will travel by truck and canoe to the remote village of Raista, one of the villages we conducted medical clinics in during the April 2016 trip. Along the way we will add additional members to our team of 12. 

     It has been a very quick six weeks since I left Honduras and it's quite exciting to be back so soon.  In these past six weeks I've been very busy with attention to projects at home and school.

     I am in the next to last semester of my master's program in public health.  One of the courses this summer is Environmental Microbiology with an emphasis on water quality, purification and testing.  Quite a coincidence huh?!

     I honestly never expected to find the wealth of public health aspects to a trip to Honduras, but God has opened a door for me here.  I was invited to participate in this trip and initially balked due to the costs involved.  However, I soon realized that if God was opening a door for me, why should I be concerned about the cost?  He will make a way.

     I am in team leader training on this trip as I envision a time when I will lead a team to Honduras; perhaps comprised of students from the Fort Valley State University Master's in Public Health program.  This is an amazing opportunity for public health professionals and students to experience unique challenges.

     As part of my program, I am accomplishing a field experience project which will examine the origins of AHMEN, the current efforts underway and the in's and out's of participating in an outreach like this. I hope it will serve as a roadmap for others to have these amazing experiences I am blessed to be enjoying.

     We will land shortly and then conduct business at the airport of money exchange, phone service and vehicle rental before setting out for Las Hamacas in La Ceiba for the night.

Bittersweet

So, here I sit in the waiting area at the San Pedro Sula Airport. I'm surrounded by friends whom two weeks ago I had never met and they are amazing people. We have been to the jungles of Eastern Honduras, to LaMoskitia and it was rugged, and challenging, and hot; but we did it! And we've enhanced the lives of many people, but probably enhanced our own lives even more.
....I've found that as you do for others, the rewards come back to you in greater measure. We don't do these things to get, but in the doing we receive. What beauty there is in that!
I am so thankful to each of the members of this team, the experiences we have had, the lives we have touched.... It simply doesn't get any better than this!!!

Returning to Civilization

Awake

        One becomes aware of waking, perhaps alerted by the distant crowing of roosters, the raucous sound of myriad birds in the surrounding jungle, the distant roaring of the ocean, or a gecko greeting the start of a new day.  The acrid smell of fires burning permeates the air.  Dampness is ubiquitous, the pillow wet from sweat, a clamminess upon the skin.  It's morning in Honduras.

       These were my thoughts the last morning I awoke in Raista....at least for this trip. Saturday was our travel day back to civilization.  Our bags were packed and near the dock by 6am, breakfast eaten and adios said we were into the canoes and on our way.

       There was a quiet solitude as we headed for Palacios.  Everyone seemed caught up in thoughts about what's been done and what we've experienced.

       Upwards of 700 patients treated medically, perhaps another 200 for dental work.  Minor surgeries performed, bones set, lives saved and changed, and meds dispensed. Potentially 900 lives provided with clean water and now plans for more training and education.

       I am in awe of how 20 individuals, many of whom have never met each other, can come together for two weeks in pretty extreme conditions, heat, humidity and on the go for long days and there has yet to be a single, significant tense moment.  Kudos to each and everyone on this team!!

     Today the team will play a bit.  The plan is to enjoy a day of zip lining, hot springs and massage.  I am certain it will be thoroughly enjoyed by all.

       So, here I sit, on the shores of the Caribbean, listening to the waves crashing and being blessed to be alive, to be here, to be used of God in this manner.  

       Blessings one and all!!!

This is Why

And This is Why

It is Friday evening.  This afternoon, the last two cases proved to be very serious.  One was a young boy with a broken arm.  Dr. J. Performed in true emergency room fashion under the watchful eye of her mentor, Dr. W.

The more serious case was the 15 year old young woman who presented with a severe case of intestinal worms, "ascariasis" causing a bowel obstruction.  The doctors and nurses treated her with IV fluids and collaborated on a course of action.  

The decision was for our Honduran surgical oncologist, Dr. M and our pastor guide, Mario to travel by canoe to Palacios where they will transfer to a truck.  They will then drive to Tocoa and spend the night, departing at 5:00am for a hospital in LaCeiba where surgery will be performed sometime on Saturday.

These events demonstrate the life and death situations this team encounters.  I will post pictures in a couple of days when we have returned to the semi-modern world of internet connectivity which is not limited.  

Dancing King

Like a Piece of Candy

I previously mentioned that we were entertained Thursday evening by several of the local Moskito individuals with guitar, drums and dancing. It was one of those experiences in one's life in which one finds themself deeply appreciating taking the time,  the energy and the resources to step outside the norm of everyday living.  

The dances were enjoyable to watch, but I do believe there were those of us who could not wait to take our turn in demonstrating our prowess in dance steps.  Shortly, at the beginning of one of the dances, the women asked for a volunteer from the audience.  Well, enter our Tom, the bird man, senor chachalacca; who is "always quick with a joke, or to light up your smoke but there's someplace that he'd rather be...".  Tom has shown himself to be an extremely knowledgeable and fun person to have on our trip, so he broke the ice and was the first gringo to dance.

As the dancing progressed, the number of gringos entering did also and it was then we were to hear the quote of the trip.

There's a very young man with us on this trip, a 22-year old who is a scribe in Florida hospitals.  We are all quite impressed with his willingness at his young age to be involved in an effort such as this. But, he does,  at times, seem a little shy and reserved....until tonight.

Following one of the dances, we were all catching our breath and drinking ample amounts of mostly water.  Dr. J, truly one of our favorites, expressed surprise at the fact the young scribe had actually been out dancing.

He replied, "They picked me out like a piece of candy!!"

Go ahead!  Try and tell me we ain't having fun!!

 

Down Day at Raista (Thursday, April 29, 2016)

Raista Planning Conference

Yesterday found us back in Raista.  This was to have been our travel day from Las Maria's, but the water levels on the river were too shallow for the canoes to go further upstream so we took a down day. 

  The travel on the river can be very challenging and one must be prepared for it.  It is hours and hours of sitting in the tropical sun on boards for seats.  It is arduous.  Our trip down river took us six hours to cover about 30 miles.  I thought this was bad until I met one of the missionaries who lives 130 miles up river!!  He told me it previously took 24 hours to make the journey, with his wife and children in the canoe.  He found this untenable so he built a boat with a covered section and put a 40 horsepower motor on it and can now make the trip in seven hours.

I was invited to join a seminar planning meeting called by Dr. Camp, hosted by the missionaries and attended by Pastor Willington.  The subject was a training seminar to be conducted in June here in Raista.  Willington has approximately 50 individuals from many villages who will come together to learn long range planning, minor medical techniques, water quality and other subject matter. The audience for the seminar consist of villagers who show potential to be community leaders.

Another activity yesterday was the preparation of the pig.  Our Cuban dentist, Illisio bought a pig while in Las Maria's.  Our pig traveled to Raista with us (Dr. Bob and the pig became fast friends as the pig lay on the bottom of the canoe at his feet for the entire trip downriver!). Yesterday was the preparation day for our piggy.  I won't go into gory detail but will leave it to your imaginations.  Doctors Illisio and Bob spent all day around a pit fire, swapping stories and listening to radio out of Mexico to cook the pig.

So, last night was a banquet of sorts with lots of roast pig, yucca, rice and beans, pico de gallo, beer, and sodas.  A special cake was prepared by the hotel cooks.  After dinner, a large bonfire was lighted and we enjoyed a wonderful time of traditional Mosquito dances to which most of us participated in.  If you knew Muggy, you will know she was very proud of me last night as I couldn't get enough dancing!!  (Hey Dance Team, we need to dance again!!)

Earlier in the afternoon, a few of walked to the ocean and rollicked in some powerful waves.  At one point, as I waded through the water I wondered what I was walking on.  Reaching down, I found two handfuls of live sand dollars!  There must have been thousands of them....all alive!

This was a truly a memorable day and I am thankful for the continued blessings God provides in my life.  I am certain that this trip has forged life long friendships.

Las Marias Clinic

Las Marias Clinic

We conducted two days of clinics at Las Marias.  The physical toll is showing on the team members, but everyone remains upbeat and focused on the job at hand.  The doctors set up examination tables in one room of the two room schoolhouse.  Registration is conducted under a canopy in the schoolyard.  The other room houses the pharmacy which is a very busy place.

While the doctors and staff are seeing patients, another team set out to distribute the Sawyer water filtration system.  This simple system effectively filters out organisms down to .01 microns.  It has been said a child dies from dirty water every 20 seconds somewhere in the world.  Reportedly, it was previously every 15 seconds, so progress is being made and this team is part of it.

Our team consisted of two Honduran pastors, one fluent in seven languages as he visits many of the villages along the river. If it is in your heart to support two men with vitally important ministries both for the spiritual and physical needs of the people in this part of the world, please contact me and I will tell you how to help.  (Hkenson@cox.net). Support to either of these pastors is greatly appreciated!  

The leader of this group and overall AHMEN (Alabama Honduras Medical Education Network),  Dr. Tom Camp was with us.  He is an affable and genuine man with a huge heart for the people of Honduras.  If a reader is so inclined, look up AHMEN on the Internet and peruse the many ministries of this organization....because Dr. Tom Camp has passion.

The two Las Marias school teachers were with us and their support for the water filter distribution program was invaluable.  These two individuals, a young married couple from the area, provide a level of "buy-in" to the program which goes a great length toward acceptance by the community.

The last two members of the team were Robert and me, two men who have chosen to be a part of something bigger than themselves and simply want to help.

The first stop we made was at the neighborhood store.  Compared to grocery stores in our world it is not much but it is the largest store in the village.  The storekeeper was very receptive to listening to our presentation and her store is an excellent meeting place.  On the second day we had an audience of approximately 30-40 men,  women and children.

In the two days in Las Marias, we distributed 50 filter systems.  As we ask them to share the water from each system with two other neighbors and we conservatively estimate each house at six persons, we guess-timate upwards of 900 people will now have clean water to drink.  

It is EXTREMELY satisfying to be a part of a team making such a difference

Raista- Day One

Friday,  April 22, 2016 - Raista, Honduras 

We are at Raista after a very long and challenging travel day.  We traveled east across the northern coast of Honduras. As we traveled, the roads became progressively worse.  We finally ran out of pavement and then the driving became more challenging and very, very thrilling.  Eventually we ended up driving in mostly sand near the beach until we reached Cereboya.  I can honestly say, the driving I did today is the most fun driving I've ever had in my life!  It was challenging, but I did have a big grin on my face most of the way.

I had the great pleasure of having Bruce riding shotgun in my truck.  He's the organizer of this team and trip and he knows a tremendous amount about Honduras.  He shares, I listen, I ask questions and he answers.  

Our stops during the day included one for meat for our trip.  We are such a large group that we must carry our own food as these villages could never feed a group as big as ours.  

We eventually reached the eastern coast and the part of Honduras where the Garifuna live.  These people are descendants of slaves from Africa who live pretty much separately and have their own language.

We finally arrived at the village of Saba. This was to be our jumping off point for the next leg of the trip.  The children of the village came alive as we drove in, followed by seemingly the rest of the village to assist us with transferring our gear to 35 foot canoes.

After loading the canoes, we all boarded the canoes and set out on the river for nothing short of a glorious and serene boat ride up the river to Raista.

Raista is a village where we are spending a couple nights.  This hotel exists because of Eco-tourism.  Apparently, the burning and logging of mahogany in the biosphere is hampering the Eco-tourism development.  

The village is located on a strip of land about three city blocks wide with the lake on the west and the ocean on the east.  It is a gorgeous setting.  I took a walk this morning to the ocean, meandering through a wonderland of odd vegetation, chickens walking about, the raucous sound of the many birds and even a small herd of horses who suggested I mind my own business.

I stood on the shore and saw mile upon mile of vacant beach with the comforting sound of the surf rolling in and I was the only one there.  I enjoyed a few moments of quiet time with the Lord.  It may sound odd, but I felt as though I was experiencing a garden of Eden moment.

I am blessed beyond measure to be experiencing this adventure.  I am with a group of people who are all about helping others and it is a joy and honor to be a part.

Blessings!!

To the Rain Forest!!

Friday, April 22,2016 -  I'm sitting on a patio overlooking the Atlantic Ocean on the north coast of Honduras near the town of La Ceiba.  Two team members are lounging in hammocks in front of me and the sound of the waves gently crashing on the shore is accompanied by the melodious sounds of the many birds.  This is one of the moments when I consider the blessings God has given me and I am humbly and deeply appreciative!!

In about one hour, we will load up the trucks and head east for remote parts of the country.  I anticipate losing cell service sometime today so this will likely be the last post for about 6 or 7 days.  I lounged a few extra minutes in bed this morning, considering the challenges which may lie ahead.   I'm excited to see what these next few days will bring.  I'm excited to learn more about myself.  I'm excited to see what God will show me.

Blessings to all!!

AHMEN is in Honduras

Just east of La Ceiba Honduras this morning, April 21, 2016 near the town of Sambo's Creek.  Last week I stood on the Atlantic beach in Daytona; this morning I stood on the beach of the Atlantic in Honduras!

I met up with several members of the team at the airport yesterday. The team is largely medical personnel, the majority of whom are doctors and nurses.  I've been privy to some very interesting conversations already.

We arrived in San Pedro Sula about 1130 local time.  Honduras operates on Central Standard Time.  We chilled at the airport for a few hours, exchanging money and renting vehicles. We have five Nissan 4-wheel drive, diesel trucks to transport the team and all the gear to our destinations.  I was asked to be a driver to which I was happy to do.  The conversation about driving in Honduras was humorous. "Full contact" driving was one reference.  I told them I like driving in Brooklyn and Manhattan and I was hired!!

I cannot say that I ever anticipated just how applicable this missions trip will be to my Masters in Public Health (MPH) program at Fort Valley State University.  It's as if everything that I've been studying for the past year and a half is being shown to me real world with this trip..

Last evening, over burgers in a Burger King in La Ceiba, I listened to two doctors discussing what to tell patients about the Zika virus and how to treat them if they do, in fact, test positive for Zika.

This morning I listened to discussion about sustaining medical efforts which are put in place by one organization or another.  People tend to revert to the ways they have always done life.

How does one sustain an effort in a community such as those we will be visiting.  This team previously gave a water filter to a hotel in a small village.  When they came back and asked where it was, the response was "Oh, it's protected over here for when the gringos come back." Or the woman who was set up to sell glasses, but all her friends come in and want them for free and pretty soon, she has nothing left. 

In consideration of where I am at in my Public Health studies, I am being directly exposed to the challenges of community public health.  The discussions include words on surveys, databases, point source water quality, coliform levels in water supplies, test kits, FDA limitations, cultural differences between patients and medical personnel trained in different countries.  This is an amazing field experience and I am anxious to learn all I can.  

This team is going to a part of Honduras which seldom sees trained medical personnel. The ultimate destination is the village of Las Marias, about 6-8 hours by canoe up the Rio Platano into the rain forest. This is an extremely ambitious undertaking and takes an incredible amount of preparation, to include grocery shopping here in La Ceiba as the villages we are visiting do not have adequate food supplies to feed a group of 20.   

 

Alabama Honduras Medical Education Network (AHMEN)

AHMEN is the Alabama Honduras Medical Educational Network.  We are a faith-based nonprofit organization working for the benefit of the people of Honduras.  Although faith based, we are not affiliated with any particular religion or denomination.  AHMEN has been active in Honduras for about 17 years and has fielded a very large number of teams to many different areas of the country.  AHMEN now concentrates efforts on the North coast of Honduras, eastward from the city of La Ceiba.  These are areas not usually attended by the many other mission groups venturing to HN annually.

This will be our teams’ seventh annual medical mission trip to locations in La Moskitia.  La Moskitia is a term used to describe this area which has been the historical home of the indigenous Miskito Indians.  The easternmost Department (State) of Gracias a Dios is far from any population center of HN.  Consequently, it is far from any of the meager support of the Honduran government.  We decided to bring medical clinics to La Moskitia because we wanted to serve in an area that was just too remote for 99% of missionaries to work in.  In all honesty, we were all looking for a little excitement and adventure also!  This area has now become this team’s focus.

There are several distinct groups of people living in La Moskitia.  Our patients include mostly Miskito and Pech Indians as well as Garifuna and Ladinos.  Almost everyone speaks Spanish in La Moskitia, although youngsters and old people may only speak in their indigenous languages.  We can almost always get by with Spanish although sometimes it does require more than one layer of translation. 

The La Moskitia mission is longer than any other AHMEN trip.  The travel times and distances are greater than most.  Once we arrive in HN, it takes almost over a full day of travel in pickup trucks to get to the end of any possible vehicular travel.  You will get a good view of this beautiful country, its mountains and forests, Caribbean seashore, cities and small towns.  At that point we board large powered canoes for a two-hour river trip to our base of operations, and first clinic site, in the Miskito village of Raista.  Our next clinic village is Las Marias, located about eight hours up the Río Plátano through the rainforest and jungle.  This area is part of the Río Plátano Biosphere Reserve, a UNESCO protected area and the largest expanse of tropical rainforest outside the Amazon.

We see hundreds of patients at our clinics.  Because of the skill levels of our medical staff, and the materials we bring, we believe are able to really make a real difference in the health of our patients.   We do far more than just hand out Tylenol and vitamins.   We bring good medical care to the jungle. 

Our team membership varies yearly, but there is a core of “life-ers” that come every year.  We have doctors, nurses, PAs, lab techs, dentists, pastors, med students, social workers, translators even a CPA on occasion.  We also have had people with absolutely no medical experience.  Everyone has an important job with our team.  Last year our team was composed of volunteers from eight different US States and four different countries.  Several team members are retired.  Our ages have ranged from the late teens to the mid 70’s.  I would say that better than 50% of our team is over 55 years old.  

The tuition or team fee is based on projected total expenses for the trip.  Once you arrive in HN the Team fee pays for all transportation (4WD truck rentals, boats, boat drivers and guides), lodging, meals, and the large amount of medicines and supplies we use during our clinics.  Leftover medication is donated to a free hospital serving the people in the small Garifuna village of Ciriboya.  Traditionally we do invite local Honduran and Cuban healthcare workers to join us.  They provide their time and skills and we provide their food and lodging.  None is paid for their services.  There is no profit for anyone, and we all equally share all the expense.    

We project the cost of this mission trip to be $1350, not including your travel to HN.  Everyone pays their own way.   We have no available monies set aside for scholarships.  We can assist you with successful methods to acquire your fees and expenses.  Many team members have been struggling students, retirees and others who have received generous donations from their churches, family and friends, even through crowd funding and local civic groups.  There have been cases in the past where team members have assisted another team member financially.  We are still almost five months away from the trip.  There is plenty of time to decide to join us.  Expenses are, of course, tax deductible as AHMEN is an IRS registered 501(c)(3) charitable organization.  

This is an exciting endeavor with a chance to continue to make differences in the lives of neglected and disadvantaged people.  At the same time you will experience cultures and environments which are sadly beginning to undergo the inevitable changes we are seeing in our world. 

Here’s a YouTube link to a slideshow of photos taken on the last one or two trips into the jungle.

 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PSnXehyWTBw 

 Here is the La Moskitia team page on the AHMEN website.   

Honduras and a Medical Mission Trip

The Journey: Part II - Honduras

I’ve considered what to call this new blog, and believe that it will be “the Journey: Part II - Honduras”.

Perhaps a short explanation of how I came to be embarking on this journey is appropriate.  Two years ago I conducted The Journey: Part I with a five week stay in Colorado. That trip was very much a spiritual journey and provided a greater understanding of self. During that trip, I believe God began preparations for the passing of my wife, Muggy Hanson.  As it turned out, this was indeed true. 
 I joyfully returned to Georgia in May 2014 and reunion with Muggy.  The remainder of that year found us visiting several hospital emergency rooms and extended hospital stays.  Muggy left the hospital the last time in February 2015 and came home in hospice.  She lingered a mere 12 days before joining her Savior in Heaven.

So, the remainder of 2015 was a time of deep grieving, sorrow and incredible support from friends and family, some amazing counselors, and the grace and mercy of God.

Sometime in November I received an email from the United Methodist Volunteers in Missions (UMVIM) offering an opportunity to join a team going to Honduras.  Muggy and I have long had a desire to participate in missions's efforts.  We have been to Mexico, Nicaragua, and Belize as well as Katrina Relief operations.  

I prayed about the trip and felt it was something I should, I needed so I committed to joining the Alabama Honduras Medical Education Network (AHMEN).
(Please see the next blog item for details on AHMEN.)

Let me elaborate a bit.  

I’ve chosen to be actively engaged in the spiritual aspect of who I am and that, to me, opens up huge opportunities for growth, learning, experience and, hopefully, understanding.  These intellectual and physical pursuits were all the more important now that Muggy is no longer with me.  My perspective is God allowed me to spend almost 45 years with her, but for some reason in the midst of it all, she's not with me now.  It's very important to me to find out why.  To maybe understand a little better, a little deeper what God has for me for the rest of my life.
And so, I'm driven to do something which I perceive to be pretty daring.  I'm going on a two week missions trip with a group of folks I've never met before.  We are traveling to Honduras where we will travel by 4-wheel drive until the roads run out and then drive on the beaches to a small village.  We will then load all the supplies and gear into powered canoes and go up river two hours to another village where we will set up a clinic.  After concluding the clinic there, we will load up the canoes again and go six more hours into the rain forest to very remote villages in what is known as the Rio Platano Biosphere Reserve, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
I believe this is going to be one heck of an adventure!!
Why am I compelled to write these things?  I do so because it enables me to better and more deeply understand what I’m experiencing.  Why am I compelled to share these things with others?  Ahh, that is a good question.

I begin from the assumption that anyone who reads this is interested in what’s being said.  I’ve been told by several individuals that they have enjoyed my blogs in the past. (For other blogs I’ve done, check out www.charmin13.blogspot.com or http://hanson-road-trip-america.blogspot.com/  or http://journey2014kwh.blogspot.com/ 
I’m thankful and humbled by such comments and thoughts.  Writing, in and of itself causes me to much more carefully consider what it is that I’m thinking because I am taking time to accurately (or, at least as accurately as possible) put my thoughts into words on a page.  As we all know far too well, our lives are fast-paced and far too often we live life at a superficial level.  That sounds like a judgment.  I don’t mean it that way.  It’s simply that life is demanding and fast and many times does not allow for deeper consideration of what’s going on in each of our lives.  I’ve been given a gift in having this time of solitude and I willingly choose to share my thoughts and experiences with whoever may be interested.

o

There are a multitude of facets to the “why” I am here. 
I want to gain understanding about myself, about me without Muggy, about God, about what my future may hold.
I will do my best to keep these entries relatively frequent although I know there aren't very many cell towers in the rain forest!

So, if you’re interested, come along with me on this journey.  If you care to share what’s written, please feel free to do so.  I have established settings on this blog to allow for comments, but a lot of times the comments don’t show.  I have not figured that out yet but I’m working on it.  If you care to comment, please do so.