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.