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Team members included:
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On behalf of my entire team, I would like to express a sincere "Thank You" to the members of Brunswick FUMC for the many prayers and support provided for us during our recent mission trip. On Sunday May 6th, we left the Brunswick Airport to Atlanta and later arrived in San Pedro Sula, Honduras at 12:45 pm CT (2:45 pm EST). At the airport we were greeted by Pastor Randy Webster. We loaded all 21 bags into his truck and our multi-passenger van. We then began our 2 1/2 hour journey up into the mountainous terrain of Honduras. Our bus driver was not quite sure how to get to Subirana, so luckily I was able to direct him on where to go. We pulled into Subirana about 4:00 pm to the house of Rafael and Adrianna Murillo. We unloaded our luggage and settled into our bedrooms for the week.
Thru the generous donations of medical supplies and a purchase from MAP International, we were blessed with the ability to take and donate almost $225,000.00 worth of medicines and medical supplies. The Lord blessed us with an enormous amount of an injectable antibiotic worth almost $180,000.00 which was shared among all of the medical clinics associated with the Methodist Church of Honduras. During our downtime from the clinic, we had the opportunity to fellowship with each other, taking short walks throughout the village, visiting the two stores for a cool and refreshing soda, and also worshiping with the locals during regular services on Tuesday and Thursday nights. Team members were given an opportunity to share in the sacrament of Holy Communion during one of the services. This was a special service as it was also the first time communion has been offered during one of our mission trips to Subirana. On Friday, we closed the clinic and spent the afternoon where we were expecting to take a journey farther up the mountain to visit Don Rafael’s coffee farm. Unfortunately, due to unexpected mechanical troubles, our trip did not happen. This did however, give us ample time to go to the local park and play with the local children. Saturday morning was a sad time as shortly after breakfast our bus arrived to take us back to San Pedro Sula. We had to say our goodbyes to the Murillo family and few friends who had gathered to see us off.
 Upon returning to San Pedro Sula, we spent the afternoon shopping at one of the local malls. That evening, we enjoyed a wonderful Italian meal. Sunday morning, after a short shopping spree at the local souvenir market, we headed back to the airport in preparation for our departure back home. We arrived home around 1:30 Monday morning. |
That evening, we worshiped with the locals. We were welcomed with open arms and lots of praises for coming to Subirana. Prior to the evening service, we had an opportunity to walk to the clinic for team members to see where we would be working during the week.
On Monday morning, we headed to the clinic and began setting up shop after a little bit or re-arranging. Shortly after getting set up, we began seeing our first patients. There were probably somewhere around 30-40 patients already waiting for us that Monday morning. Each time we returned to the clinic, either for the start of a new day or from a short lunch break, the waiting crowds seemed to grow. We were able to see approximately 40 patients a day on the dental section and upwards of 60-70 patients a day on the medical side.
The three nurses took turns evaluating patients to prepare for the dentists, as well as medically and conferred with Dr. Kitchen on possible diagnosis and possible treatments. We saw many patients with gastro-intestinal disorders, upper respiratory infections, and fevers. Dr. Kitchen also found himself to be very busy with the need for minor surgery for huge lypomas or sebaceous cysts’ that were physically affecting patients.