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Mission Trip to Honduras

February 4-14, 2000 was again an experience of a lifetime. Joel Scanga and I left a cold snowy Indiana at 1:30 a.m. on the 4^th as we embarked on Joel’s and my 3^rd Honduran adventure. One would think that now that we’re veterans we’d be less excited, but that adage isn’t true as each trip is an altogether new and different experience.

Our team (the blue team) was headquartered in Esparta, Honduras. It is mainly an agricultural area. The milk was delivered every morning in front of where we stayed. Many different milk cans and containers continually arrived, mostly via horseback. One farmer had a tractor and cart (sometimes a bicycle) with no refrigeration, sterilization, or pasteurization that we certainly expect and are accustomed to in this country. They milk once a day by hand (meaning no milking machines).

Our blue team was comprised of our eye team, a medical team, pharmacist, and dental team. Of the ten days that we were in the region, we saw approximately 2,200 patients.

Our eye team was privileged to purchase an auto refractor for this year’s trip. What a fantastic machine! With it we were able to read approximately 430 patients’ eyes and then prescribe glasses to them. It is one of the most rewarding and wonderful feelings when you place glasses on their eyes and they are able to see. People would wait for hours to see us and many times we’d work from 9:00 a.m. until 8:00 p.m. to accommodate the crowd, for we wouldn’t be in the village again. We also purchased 20 dozen reading glasses and 20 dozen sunglasses. Many of the people, particularly the men, need sunglass protection against the intense sun.

The weather this February was the most rain and mud I’ve ever seen. I can’t imagine what Hurricane Mitch was like. Many days we were fording streams with water up to the truck’s headlights. It was a real adventure.

I’m always anxious to go back to Honduras. The people have a richness that just envelops all of us. They’ve nothing comparatively to us (material goods) but yet they seem blessed with everything from within themselves. We receive so many hugs, smiles, tears, love and thank yous that we always want to go back and get more.

I’d be blessed and honored to share pictures and experiences with you about our 2000 Brigade to Honduras with Pro PAPA America. If you’re interested in a medical mission trip we’ll be going again in March of 2001. Call me (724-349-3168) for information. I most certainly appreciate your monetary donations to help defray the costs of the auto refractor and glasses which were purchased. I also appreciate and need your used glasses.

God’s Blessings and Love,
Kay B. Smith
19 Erica Drive
Indiana PA 15701
724-349-3168