Are We Making a Difference?

Because we had a light clinic day yesterday, we got back to Cofradia earlier than expected.  We had plenty of time to shower, to eat (yummy fried chicken!), and to relax.  All of us were in bed before 10:00.  It felt luxurious!

This morning we ate breakfast, had our devotional time, and loaded up the bus for La LaBranza.  Luke 9:2 Ministries has held clinics here many times through the years.  After a 90-minute bus ride, we pulled up in front of the school and found a crowd of people lined up and waiting for our arrival. 

For a couple of days, I have been wondering, “Are we making a difference here in Honduras?”  “Is what we do worth the time and trouble?”

Shortly after arrival, I heard someone call my name.  Dr Ponce, Susan Davis, and Susan Nally were walking down the line of waiting patients and I followed them.  They wanted me to see a special little girl they had spotted in the line.  Her name is Marbelín Nicole.

When we were here 3 years ago, Susan Davis examined this little girl when she was only 2 years old.  Marbelín’s stomach was hard as a rock, and she was throwing up worms.  Yes, you heard me right…parasitic worms.  She was also severely dehydrated.  Susan, a pediatric nurse practitioner, had the equipment she needed to immediately give Marbelín IV fluid.  Lots of fluid.  We rushed her to a local hospital (along with her mom) and left her there to receive treatment.  Unfortunately, the hospital did not help her.  Dr Ponce found out about it, and took Marbelín and her mom to another hospital where they performed emergency surgery and removed 400 worms from her stomach. 

The surgery saved her life.  Without medical intervention, she would have died.  And here she is, today! She is a happy, healthy 5-year-old visiting our clinic with her mom and brothers and sisters.  For this family, we made a difference.

After lunch Dr Ponce pointed out a gentleman to me.  “Do you remember him?  He’s Antonio, the man we bought the horse for several years ago.”  Crippled from birth, Antonio’s dad wanted to kill him.  His mom refused, and his dad walked out on the family.  Today, he can get around and help care for his mom because he has transportation - the horse we bought for him.  For this family, we made a difference.

 

Saraí came into the clinic today, too. Saraí is 11 years old. She had a sore on the side of her cheek that she wanted to have treated.  After her examination, Susan realized that this sore came from an abscessed tooth.  Brent, our dentist, said it was a very rare occurrence he’d only heard about, but never seen with his own eyes.  

He was able to remove the tooth and the decaying roots. We treated the infection with an injectable antibiotic to make sure it does not spread to other parts of her body.  For Saraí, we made a difference.

Through a translator, I asked several patients how long it took for them to get to the clinic.  Several ladies told me they walked over 45 minutes to get to the clinic.  Some, only 5-10 minutes.  But, they came. For many, it’s been more than a year since they saw a doctor.  And they came.  Why?  For some, it is an event.  They dress up, the children play together, and it’s like a big party!  For others, the free medication they receive is a huge financial blessing.  For a few, there is the uncertainty of not knowing when they will have another chance to see a doctor or dentist.  Regardless of their reason for being here, I’m convinced we are here for a reason.  We are here because we are making a difference.