Roatan!

I returned today from Roatan, the largest of Honduras' three bay islands. I spent the past week there working in a free clinic, La Clinica Esperanza, for the "pobrecitos" of the island. I stayed with Miss Peggy Stranges, the nurse who started the clinic out of her kitchen 5 years ago, and it has grown so much that they are now in the process of building a hospital. Peggy is an independent missionary to Roatan - and completely trusts in the Lord to provide the money and the workers for the hospital as she remains faithful to her calling to provide quality healthcare to the islanders. In the new hospital they will have a birthing center and a small pediatric in-patient ward. They are constantly in need of volunteer healthcare workers to come alongside the Honduran doctors and nurses - to teach them how to better treat their wide range of patients (from pediatrics to geriatrics - to minor surgeries in the clinic.. to those with psychological needs... they treat EVERYTHING!)

We saw anywhere from 25-40 patients per day - with problems ranging from the common cold.. to hypertension and diabetes.. to scabies and lice.. to all sorts of wounds and infections. We generally saw the patients on a first come first serve basis (unless there was an emergency). The patients would line up early in the morning, and sometimes wait 4 or 5 hours to be seen. We charge 20 Lempiras (the equivalent of 1 dollar) for the visit and any medicines supplies they walk away with. I helped check in and triage the patients, clean and dress wounds, assist the doctor and nurse in various surgical procedures, and translate for the volunteer doc, nurse, or pharmacist that didn't speak Spanish. It was an incredible opportunity to serve the people who live in Roatan! I felt so important - and helpful - as the patients would look at me with big eyes, desperate for the doctor to understand what was wrong so they could be treated... hopeful that I could understand them and translate the problem to the doctor or nurse...

Roatan is an interesting place to visit - full of tourist places because of the constant presence of cruise ships and vacationers.. and places like West End and West Bay are gorgeous vacation spots.. but not too far away - there are areas like La Colonia Belfate or El Swampo (two of many on the island) that experience extreme poverty. While I was there, we found out that they haven't had any water in La Colonia for over a month! It was a hard realization for me, that as we were telling someone that they need to keep their wound - or whatever - clean.. using soap and water - that for most of them, it is a choice between rice and soap. When they come to the clinic, they put on their best clothes, which isn't saying much for the majority of people who came. I have never been in such a position in my life - the patients gave me such respect for skills that I don't have.. but the little I do know about healthcare is so much more than any of them.
This whole experience opened my eyes for how healthcare might look in a third-world country. The public hospital on the island doesn't even have running water in it. I am overwhelmed by how many needs there are.. and how the needs provide numerous opportunities to help, to educate, and to love people who are less fortunate that myself.

When I wasn't in the clinic working, I spent my time sitting in a hammock overlooking the water on Miss Peggy's porch reading (I completed 3 novels!)... snorkeling (yes, it was an AMAZING reef.. and it really does look like it in Finding Nemo when the reef drops off!)... playing with dolphins (you can be jealous)... and enjoying being out of the routine and busyness of the city life in Ceiba. I am coming away from this trip very refreshed and encouraged! I am so thankful I've had this experience as it is one that I will carry with me for the rest of my life!


...and who can forget a view like that! ;)