Honduras!

Sunday we attended a local church. The believers in this part of the world all pray out loud together when the leader begins to pray--which is an awesome and humbling thing to experience!! In my basic Spanish knowledge, I have a hard time understanding when one person is speaking. I cannot understand multiple Spanish voices--but how great is our God, that He can understand us in our myriad of voices!! He understands, He speaks our language, and He desires that we fellowship with him! 

The message was on Matthew 6:25-34; where God tells us not to worry about our lives and that He will provide. Monday we discovered that recently the pastor has been struggling to find work--and his message resounded even deeper the need to trust in God and believe that He will provide. 

Having our daily needs met isn't something you and I likely struggle with. For the Chorti, they do have to wonder where their next meal is coming from and when it will be. My usual "concern" with food is how soon can I eat again and what would I like to eat. 

We had our first clinic yesterday at Gotas del Sangre. (Drops of blood). This village in the past has lived up to that name, with the group hearing of several murders having taken place since our last visit. Thankfully, over the last few years that has improved. We saw 150 people!! I was amazed by their patience and politeness as they quietly waited to be seen by the staff. 

There was a mother with her child awaiting us as we arrived. Her young girl's left eye was almost swollen shut. How many days has the little girl suffered already? Is her vision already affected even if we can reduce the swelling over the next few days?

I saw another girl who had one eye smaller than the other-the actual iris and pupil were significantly smaller. I imagine she has no sight out of that eye. How do people treat her? She is four or five years old; how will people treat her down the road? 

We treated many for lice--and I was scratching my head as I fell asleep last night! Hopefully out of empathy--I'd rather not bring those critters home!

Generally people's blood pressures here run lower than my patients back home. I was shocked to take a young teenage girl's blood pressure and discover she has high blood pressure! We referred her to a "local" clinic (local--within driving distance however an extremely long walk for one without transportation) and I hope she is able to follow up. Getting pregnant will be quite dangerous for her---and is continuous treatment even a possibility for her?

We are off to another village; Las Medias I believe. Please continue praying!