One experience from El Porvenir that stays in my mind involved our host, Juan Juarez.  We had been staying with Juan and his family for a few days when he suddenly appeared with a large envelope and handed it to us.  We opened it to find x-rays of his skull.  This evidence of modern technology seemed so out of place in the small cinderblock house, which apparently had not books, furniture or electricity.  It was hard to even picture Juan in a medical facility capable of such technology.  I immediately wondered where he had gone for this, what had prompted him to go, how did he get there, what was his reaction to this screening, and how were the expenses handled.

While in El Porvenir a certain, blank-faced young girl around the age of nine or ten seemed to follow me wherever I went.  I soon discovered that her name was Daylie (English spelling).  She was a beautiful young barefooted girl who wore a brown headband and the same dress each day.  We seemed to have a special bond and I was delighted to find her by my side almost everywhere I went.   We became friends even though communication was almost nonexistent.  After lunch one day, Daylie wanted me to visit her home so hand in hand we walked up the hill to where she lived.  Unlike most of the other villagers, Daylie's house did not have concrete walls but had a strong type of paper sheeting on the outside.  Their horse stayed tied up right outside the opening to their home.  As I was led inside, I noticed that their floor was a dirt floor and several family members were there to be introduced by her mother.  Her father grabbed the only plastic chair and cleaned the seat off for me.  I felt very welcomed and then Daylie brought me her three new puppies.  What is remarkable is that I could not figure out how the family had enough food to eat much less food for their new pets.  It was evident that Daylie was proud of her home, family and pets and I felt the love that was present.  As our mission group piled into the range rovers the next day to leave, the very last face that I remember seeing was that innocent, sweet, adorable little Daylie who I will forever love and never forget.

The Honduran people came to the medical clinic to see the American doctor by the hundreds.  The first afternoon most El Porvenir residents received treatment and medicines.  The following few days, people from surrounding communities walked for several hours, mostly mothers carrying nursing babies with several younger children, walking barefoot on rocky muddy paths.  Many waited several hours with the children and then walked several hours back home. 

Ross Boyer registered names and symptoms.  Once inside the medical staff, Dr. Richard Young, Nila Wehrenburg, Doogie Mason, and Lindsay Moore (interpreter) checked vital signs and took care of medical problems.  Open sores were cleaned and dressed and abscesses were drained.  Some patients had pelvic exams and other medical procedures.  One little girl had a week old broken arm and the doctor had to break it and again before he could set the break.  Local men went into the woods and found sticks for a splint.  The brave little girl did not have adequate pain medication and although it was obvious she was hurting, she did not cry.  Over 1000 people were served, and each with compassion and personal attention.  The pharmacy, located in the room next to the clinic, dispensed medicines prescribed and ran quite smoothly.

Although many events left a lasting impression, one stands out among the others.  On the second day of the clinic, Dana Eddings came into the clinic and retrieved double dosages medicine and went outside and talked with a middle age couple who had the biggest smiles that I have ever seen.   Since this was not the usual procedure and seldom did men come for medical care, the pharmacy staff was curious as to why Dana was personally taking care of the couple. We questioned him after the couple left. He said the man had a swollen prostate gland and could not urinate.  It was obvious he was embarrassed about the condition and was in a lot of pain.   Without medical intervention and not being in a situation to be cauterized, this man in just a few days would be in critical condition.  The care, respect, and thoughtfulness Dana gave this couple will always remind me of why people become missionaries.

May we start by giving God the glory for telling us what He was going to do for a small village called el Porvenir.  He invited FCC to participate and well we did.  God planted the seed, people became interested and the trip was planned.  Contributions came in and God put two young ladies together to help us, our Lindsay Moore and Lissette Gonzales from NJ.  What dynamic ladies God gave us to lead this power packed medical and construction team.

Upon reflection I realize how many things we are blessed with that we take for granted, disposable diapers and cloth for diapers for that matter, feminine hygiene products, underpants and bras, clothes, toilets, water to drink, Mountain Dew, beds, batteries, tape, just to name a fraction of things that come to mind. And speaking of tape, we heard of a man in another village down the mountain that was very sick, too sick to travel to see us. Dr. Young left with some men in the 4-wheel drive to go see him. They brought him back and took him to a house as we made a make-shift bed. Dr. Young and I gathered our supplies from the hospital and went to the house. We were not able to touch him in any way until the town "healer" had greased him. She took oil from a bowl and rubbed him all over and she hummed and prayed something in Spanish. He was having severe abdominal, head and neck pain. I gave him some oral pain killers, a shot of an antibiotic, and started an IV to give him fluids. Unfortunately, our supplies lacked tape to secure the IV catheter. We asked for tape from the locals and no tape was in the village. Someone stated that the only tape we brought was Duck tape! So needless to say, we found yet another purpose for Duck tape! I knew the girls that I work with in the Pediatric ICU unit would get a kick out of that!

Because we had no way to run labs or tests, we can only speculate that this man had an abdominal virus. We came to that conclusion after Dana, Ross (my interpreters for this event) and I got sick with the same symptoms the next day. We graciously passed it around the group at Roatan Island where we relaxed after the trip.

I will never understand why we have and others do not, for I surely have done nothing to deserve the many riches we have. The family unit is so dear and precious to them. They have something far greater than money could ever buy. My faith will never be as strong as those wonderfully gracious people we met. They know that God will take care of them, and they are truly happy people without all the bells and whistles. The family we stayed with had 4 children, two of them of diaper age (but had no diapers). All of them, including the parents, slept in one TWIN bed with the kids without diapers! We brought more luxuries in our suitcase than they will have in a lifetime. I don’t think that I will ever look at my life the same again.  Thanks for listening.

It took me some time to get in touch with my feelings and about missions in our church. This mission trip came at a time that was convenient for me to participate and with the encouragement from family and friends; I was led by the Spirit.   I wanted to do something for those who could not repay with material or monetary means.

The Honduran people work very hard just to exist, and the children must grow up quickly.  In the village of El Porvenir, the people were so friendly and everyone smiled at us.  The family units are especially strong and the villagers take care of each other.  All during the night I could hear the children coughing, and I was glad the medical team brought medicine.  Sometimes it was difficult living in the absence of things, but the Spirit of Christian Love carried us.  The team was much better as a group than we would have been individually.  Sam and I helped Juan finish the roof on one of the houses.