Filling both the clinic and our heart for Guanaja
Today was our second and final clinic on Guanaja for this inaugural trip. It was a day filled with patients, busyness, and joy. From the beginning, we knew that our day was impactful as we arrived at the clinic and saw about 40 people waiting at the door for arrival. As he walked in, we saw all of their faces light up as they had gotten word from friends and family about our temporary home base.
What was unique about being in the same location was witnessing the change that we were making. We had people come from our first day of clinic back to clinic on day two whether to update us or allow us to do a procedure that we couldn’t initially.
For example, on the way to our first day of clinic, we stopped along the road and picked up a man who had been involved in a fishing accident hurting his neck and knee rendering him barely mobile. Each step that he took required an exorbitant amount of effort as he would wince in pain with every breath. During our first day of clinic, our team was able to drain his knee, outfit him with the proper braces, and give him medication and vitamins to help the best we could. Sometimes, teams send patients out the door, and may never see them again only hoping for the best. But, this man came back. When he arrived at the clinic today, he looked 20 years younger as he was no longer in agonizing pain. He was so thankful and grateful for what we had done for him, so much so that he brought our team a bag full of mangoes. He also went to Dr. Rob and thanked him and took a photo with him to remember such a moment. When we were talking about the story after dinner, most of our team could not believe the change that had occurred over a 24 hour period. If we were at a different location, we would have never seen him, and he would be another patient that we are hoping the best for. But beginning to see that healing process was so unique and special.
Another story about this continual care that we saw was when the house visit patient, Michael, showed up to the clinic. Having heard his story, our triage team knew who he was as soon as he came through the door. As he and his family approached, he was smiling and beaming with excitement, and was saying hello to everyone that was in the room. After checking him in, he was able to see our team and be cared for, and loved on even more because we were there. These are the moments that make teams feel invigorated and purposeful, as we are seeing the direct fruit of what we are planting.
After a very long yet successful day of clinic, we had a final Guanaja team meeting after dinner. During our discussion, much of the conversation was centered around the benefits of being able to serve an area for consecutive days and what else we could do with this trip. Even though this Honduras trip is in its infancy, the team eagerly discussed ways to improve and build, and continue to serve an area into which we have now poured our time, energy, and care. As we leave for Roatan tomorrow, each team member now has a piece of Guanaja in their hearts as they leave a piece of their hearts here in Guanaja.
Galatians 5:13-14
“You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh; rather, serve one another humbly in love. For the entire law is fulfilled in keeping this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.”