Honduran Impressions

by Wanda Stutts

Honduras - the name of a Latin American country known only to me as a spot on the globe prior to 2/25/09. Now the name of Honduras evokes the following images/impressions

• an 11 year old boy who walked miles on a dusty, rocky road by himself to seek medical attention for a broken arm (broken a week earlier);
• an elderly woman who rode a donkey a long distance with stroke-like symptoms to seek whatever medical attention that was available at the "clinic";
• young people with high blood pressures and little hope for healthy and long-life expectancies;
• "Housing" that would be condemned even in the poorest areas of the USA;
• a people infected with parasites, unsafe drinking water, overcrowded housing, and bodies aged too early by hard manual labor;
• a dry, parched landscape with little food for herds of malnourished livestock and chickens.

Despite these images, the ones that left the lingering impressions that will be forever imprinted in my mind are:

• a humble, gracious, and friendly people grateful for even a pack of Tylenol to give some temporary relief from aches and pains of a demanding and harsh lifestyle;
• children and adults clean and dressed in their best despite living in dwellings that lacked running water and bathroom facilities;
• hugs and smiles from some of the most beautiful children on the planet;
• a pastor whose concern for the spiritual health of his people kept him sharing the Good News over and over again from morning to evening;
• local volunteers eager to assist in any way they could.

These and so many others are the memories that I will carry with me. I have come to respect and admire these people for so many reasons, among them being their hospitality, their work ethic, and love of family. The lessons that I have learned from them have enriched my life in ways I would never have dreamed. As we leave this morning, I am so thankful to God for giving me (and all of us) this opportunity for service and for keeping us safe and healthy.