El Tontolo

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Monday, July 13, 2026

Today, we headed to El Tontolo, where we found families waiting peacefully for the clinic to begin. As we set up, the children sat calmly on their parents' laps—not a single peep was heard. The entire setup was a beautiful, coordinated effort between our team and the local community. It made me reflect on the constant angst we experience back home in the US, where flared tempers and hostile words often erupt over minor inconveniences.

Inside the clinic, Marc and Jim kept everyone entertained with a fluoride application demonstration—which somehow left a few young boys with hilarious mustaches! Meanwhile, Kandi discovered the pure magic of the pill crusher for vitamins and deworming, wishing she had owned one decades ago when her own children were small. Dorothy and Alianna handled weighing and measuring, bringing pure delight to both themselves and the children.

The medical clinic operated like a well-oiled machine, ultimately serving 50 families. Throughout the entire day, not a single person expressed frustration or impatience. By afternoon, the clinic was alive with the beautiful sounds of boys laughing as they flew paper airplanes, girls giggling while coloring and getting their nails painted, and children chasing bubbles in total delight. We come to Honduras to share our medical expertise, but I truly believe we have far more to learn from the Hondurans about civility, mutual support, and genuine gratitude.

Teresa Allen                   Jim Huddle                     Ryan McAtee

Michelle Crow               Claire Kaugars              Janet Pinson

Alianna Crow                 Dorothy McAtee           John Salmon

Phil Dawson                  Miriam McAtee             Mary Michael Schweiker

Marc Hinch                    Rob McAtee                    Kandi Stilley