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.

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!!!