Germania 1

Wednesday, April 24, 2024

Sus Manos spent Wednesday, Day 3 of Clinics, in the mountain village of Germania 1, a sister community to Germania II. They were actually incorporated into one community in 1996. The name comes from the fact that the communities were established by Germans.

There are an estimated 280 community members grouped into 75 families, mostly employed in agriculture . 95% of the homes are made of wood with cement floors. 100% of the homes have flushable toilets. All homes cook on an indoor wood burning stove.They are currently working on a water project. Water has to be stored in tanks or purchased. There is no water source that has been tapped into for community use. Trash is disposed of by burning.

The community school has 5 students in kindergarten and 30 in the elementary school classes. The teacher travels from another community daily to teach.  3% of women and 7% of men are illiterate. These are mostly older adults. 

The closest health center is 5.6 miles away, and costs $4.88 to take the bus to Siguatepeque, which comes three times per week. All prenatal, post-partum and infant deliveries happen at a maternity clinic in Taulabe. There is no midwife in Germania 1. There is a "healer" in the community that uses massage to treat ailments. 

The leadership states respiratory problems and dengue are frequently seen in the adult population, with respiratory, skin issues and diarrhea frequently seen in the children. Hypertension and diabetes are on the rise. One adult has epilepsy, and one child was born without an eye.

Our team had a meaningful day filled with numerous special moments. Throughout the day, as several mothers were being served in the dental clinic, Scott M did double duty holding babies. He was especially moved by a previous four year old child that he helped in the fluoride clinic. As Scott held the child, he placed stickers on his hands and placed his cross necklace around the little boy’s neck.

Courtney B saw a man in his 50's presenting with back pain. He was visibly shaking and tearing up as she was talking to him about his injuries. The patient explained that he had been assaulted, and although he had reported this to the police, nothing had been done about it. He was left in pain and was unable to work. Courtney was able to refer him to Dr. Moncada and referred him for therapy. Courtney presented the man with her cross and a prayer shawl. Although the gentleman could not read, Courtney‘s interpreter Bessy read the message on the paper to him. They shared an emotional hug as the man expressed his gratitude.

There were two elderly men in their 90s treated today. Vanessa saw a 97-year-old man. He could not see, but otherwise seemed to be doing well for his age, was clean and neat, and was being cared for by his daughter. Cathy saw a 94 year old man who presented with body aches. At age 94, he still worked in the fields pulling coffee beans. He goes to work daily and says that he doesn’t want to stop working, because he feels like if he were to stop working, he would die. He was given a muscle rub and acetaminophen and was referred to the eye clinic, where he saw Charles and was given both distance glasses and readers, as well as a cross.

Donna H led devotions last night after dinner, during which she shared an incredible example of God’s gifts and timing. As a dentist and wife of a long time FOBF missioner, she had a heart providing dental care that extended beyond teeth extractions. She wanted to provide cleanings and fillings, but portable units and very expensive and not easily transported. For years she had supported her husband on his many mission trips, while also wanting to provide this dental ministry, and had prayed for God to open doors for her to do just that. In 2023 she reached out to her medical equipment connections and inquired about purchasing equipment for this purpose. The price of the equipment was very expensive, and she wondered if and how she might be able to go about acquiring the necessary funding. Within a week, she found her answer. A dentist in NC  who serviced the military, was offering his used portable units to her, valued at $15,000 each, at no cost! There was one caveat. They needed to be gone by that weekend. Donna and her husband David were undeterred as they rented a moving truck and drove to NC that same week to retrieve the machines, then delivered them to Friends of Barnabas in Midlothian, VA, who shipped them to Honduras. Donna was finally able to travel with the team this year and with the help of her dental assistant Shaun, has used the machines to offer cleanings and fillings within the mountain villages of Honduras.

This week we have had three dentists in the dental clinic, one of whom is a recent dental school graduate and has a heart for this organization and the work we do. She has a vision of getting more involved. This conversation has ignited a spark within the dental team to look for additional ways to serve the dental needs here in Honduras. Donna feels confident that the whole time she was wanting and waiting to serve, that God was working to make this happen.  Donna reminded us all last night to keep focused, take heart, and not to be afraid to ask for what we want. Dream big, because God has a plan for us. While we are waiting, God is working.

~Erin