El Capulin - Midweek Reflections- Healing Work and Heartfelt Words

 Wednesday, July 17, 2025

Today we woke up excited to be halfway through our week and anticipating another meaningful day of mission work. After taking a group photo with the Honduras team, we loaded onto the bus for our 1.25-hour trek northeast to El Capulín—a newer community in the program, sponsored by Reveille UMC. Compared to yesterday’s village, this one was more accessible and noticeably more modernized.

I’m a first-timer on this trip and this has also been my first chance to take part in medical missions abroad. I was graciously invited by Dr. McAtee to join the team as a Spanish medical interpreter after we met while volunteering at the Crossover Clinic in Henrico. I’ve always loved learning languages, and when this opportunity came up, I felt a strong pull to say yes. Praise the Lord because every day has been filled with rewarding moments.

When we arrived in the village today, a young girl—about 10 years old, whom we’ll call Isabel—ran up to Valerie and me. She introduced herself, asked our names and ages, and gave us both hugs. Like many others, she was genuinely grateful that we had returned. She even pointed out at least four team members she remembered from last year. Her memory and enthusiasm were heartwarming.

We began the day with morning prayer and then launched into our clinics. The medical team started by seeing seniors and expectant mothers, followed by families with young children. Meanwhile, the dental and vision clinics shared a space creatively divided by bedsheets strung from clotheslines. Our patients ranged from a young child with autism—who couldn’t speak but used his own sign language understood by the other kids—to an older child with multiple disabilities who arrived in a wheelchair.

Throughout the morning, Isabel kept peeking into the clinic to see when we’d be free to play. I worried she might leave before we had the chance, but as it turned out, she and her dad were among the last patients. She stayed to eat lunch with me, and we chatted about her family and her interests. Valerie joined us, and we found some nail polish— which Isabel happily used to paint our nails in bright colors. Afterward, we all played games until it was time for the children and their families to leave.

Our mission isn't just to provide temporary relief, but to promote preventative care and patient education that can improve long-term health and quality of life. That’s why I love FOB’s mission. We aim to empower communities with tools and knowledge, not just quick fixes—helping address underlying issues so that real, sustainable change can happen. But what’s equally powerful is the impact these communities have on us. Their resilience, hospitality, and warmth leave lasting impressions on our hearts. In every handshake, every conversation, and every hug we’re reminded that transformation goes both ways. We may come here to serve, but we leave changed, too.

After dinner, our devotion focused on a dive into who our organization is named after— Barnabas. Scott taught us that Barnabas, whose name means “son of encouragement,” was a trusted companion to Paul and a constant encourager in the early church. He was known for walking alongside others, especially when they needed support the most. We talked about how each of us needs a Barnabas in our lives—and how we’re also called to be that friend to others, even new ones. It was fitting, then, to receive such loving, uplifting messages from our own “Barnabases” back home. The letters were filled with encouragement, Scripture, inside jokes, and heartfelt reminders of why we’re here. Midweek fatigue is real—but those words came just in time to lift our spirits and remind us that we’re not alone in this work.

Thank you all for your continued support, encouragement, and prayers. We couldn’t be out here making a difference without you!

~Haven