Sunday, August 7, 2022
The En Sus Pasos (“In His Steps”) team arrived in Honduras Saturday afternoon. It took a little time for us to get 14 large duffel bags filled with essential medical supplies through Customs at the new Comayagua airport, but we were finally off and on our way to the Friends of Barnabas compound – our home for the week.
Compared to the oppressive heat most of us have experienced at home the last couple of weeks, we were met with unseasonably cool temperatures – a refreshing respite after a day that dawned early for this group of travelers.
For five members of our team of 12, this is their first time on a Friends of Barnabas Mountain Medical Team. Others have participated at least a couple of times, but Charles, our team co-leader, is back for the 14th time! He really lives the Friends of Barnabas motto, “Honduras is calling, and I must go.”
Saturday night, we celebrated team member Jenn’s birthday, complete with cake and candles. When you’re a team, you’re a family.
Sunday gave us the chance to settle in at Alfredo’s House. We explored the beauty of the grounds, including the garden and orchard that supply us with a bounty of fresh fruits and vegetables all week long. Patti took us on a tour of the Barnabas House, home of the Extended Care Program. The ECP serves children with serious medical conditions.
Sunday was also training day. Team members learned more about the areas where they will serve this week, and we all got a tutorial on the electronic medical record (EMR) technology that just went live earlier this year.
Preparing “well bags” for the families we will see this week was another part of our day. The nearly 300 bags are filled with acetaminophen tablets, antibiotic cream, cortisone cream, and a supply of Tums. You get a whole new perspective when you realize that basic items we reach for in our medicine cabinets or run to the store to pick up without thinking, are so valuable to these families that they will walk miles to receive them.
Our hearts were touched by a “blessing of the hands” ceremony to end our day. This was a tangible reminder of our mission to be the hands and feet of Jesus, and to serve many with open hearts and minds this week. As we ready ourselves for the first day of clinics, we know that the blessing will be ours.
~ The En Sus Pasos team
