After the team’s traveling perseverance and a late arrival, they gathered Sunday morning for church. As the internet connection was out, we made a last minute schedule change and ended up doing introductions instead. As we went around the circle, sharing backgrounds and what had brought each of us to be in Honduras this week, it became clear that God gave us this time for his glory- we weren’t missing out on church, this was it!
Some coming drained and weary, some full and eager to pour out, some with many previous trips and looking forward to this one, some out of the country for the first time- all gathered in Jesus’ name and for his glory.
Monday morning clinic started with team members walking around the building praying and worshiping in the hospital courtyard before seeing patients. We had one full clinic day at the hospital and three days out on brigade to provide medical care in local communities. In the communities of Los Pirineos, El Pital, and then Toncontin we hosted the brigade out of the local elementary schools and enjoyed many delicious baleadas cooked by local women in between seeing patients. As Dr. Martin explained, there is something different about the interaction between provider and patient when the provider leaves the building and goes to the patient. The community saw a bunch of Gringos riding in the back of a cattle truck and hiking up to their village and they felt seen and valued.
Many of these patients walk hours in order to get to an appointment at the hospital and in going to them we are able to understand more of their life, appreciate more of their struggles and perseverance, and build a relationship together. We had a great team of specialties gathered, from Urology and Ortho to Dental, and got to serve patients with top level care to which they otherwise might not have had access. There was also a great kids program- with constant soccer games, lots of hair braiding, and bracelet making. We are thankful for the incredible teams who come together from different cities and states to be the hands and feet of Jesus. Thank you City Hope Church and City Life Church for your heart to serve!
