Before we left for our first clinic day, Kelley exemplified fellowship by becoming our resident braider,
putting half the teams’ hair in stylish and efficient French Braids. While it is such a simple act - serving one's own team - I believe it was in the absolute spirit of this mission.
We are here to be the hands and feet of Christ, whether it be to provide vitamins or make team mates comfortable. For our devotional, we heard "I tell each of you not to think you are better than you really are. Use good sense and measure yourself by the amount of faith God has given you. A body is made of many parts, and each has its own use. That’s how it is with us. There are many of us, but we each are part of the body of Christ, as well as part of one another." (Romans 12: 3-5)
Each day we have skills that we can contribute. Perhaps it's braiding or perhaps it's the ability to diagnose or perhaps it’s the ability to comfort. In each of these ways we help, serve, and honor God.
Today was our first village clinic day in the community of "La Union". We were able to set up in the town’s elementary building, which according to our team veterans gave us the blessing of a spacious set up. The eye clinic and dental clinic each got their own rooms. Despite some minor first day hiccups, everything went smoothly.
Despite the extra space, we still had to deal with limited supplies, compared to what is available back home. Michael, a pharmacist by training, is on his first medical mission but he adapted quickly and gained the nickname "Mr. Creative" when he mixed a formulation to help manage the pain of an elderly man with painful skin cancer on his lip.
At the end of the day, we each told the group about our favorite moment of the day. There were memorable moments and lots of praise to go around.
Sharon, despite many years of service was very impressed with Kathryn and the efficient way she was able to handle the complex problems of whole families. Kathryn was attentive to the whole family, physical, social, and spiritual. She asked what problems the family had experienced and prayed with a grieving mother who lost her son two weeks ago.
We also shared what meant the most to us, and it was a question that brought many of us to tears. For Jeremie, it was an emotional comparison to her own youth and her good fortune at being able to join the team and now serve. For Lori, it was the blessing of having her husband John be able to join her and experience service together in Honduras.
Tomorrow we will be in a new village, and we look forward to bringing in much needed care.
By Lexi Salazar
