Observations of Mission Lazarus by Heather

Today I shadowed a doctor who was treating poor families (mothers with their children came). One child had iodine deficiency, another was throwing us worms, another needed a shot for rheumatic fever, another was there on the pretense of being sick to probably get medication for some other family. That´s not all. We saw several children. Javier, the doctor, 26 years old, would speak to them in Spanish and then talk to us in English telling us the between-the-lines story. One child, a young girl, was sick because her parents gave her dirty water to drink. They dig holes in the ground to find water, but their water is unclean. They drink the water and prepare food with it and get sick. As a result, this young girl vomited and could not
gain weight as she should. Javier said that to not boil their water is simply laziness, on the parent´s part.

Sunday, I went attended an inglesia de cristo (church of Christ) and their were several upon several children there. I guess Hondurans like to have big families (which also keeps them poor because of having more mouths to feed). Mission Lazarus supports 14 churches of Christ within a 3 hour distance. They equip the churches to function on their own. Also, there is much bible incorportated into the daily activities in the school. I have yet to go to the school, however, to see it for myself. Yesterday, I went to the Refudge/Ranch and did office work for the mission. I also met a tia (an Aunt) taking care of a young girl who was rescued and has cerebral palsy. The young girl was skin and bones, but is fatter now and looking more healthy, thanks to the support of the mission.
I have been getting in Spanish practice here and there. I am loving the language. The people are very nice! The countryside is beautiful beyond words. The mountains are gorgeous, more beautiful than I have seen back in the states. The humidity is bothersome, the mosquitos a pest (really good thing I have malaria medication). Our house where the interns stay may have frogs out on the porch and scorpions and tarantulas inside. A met a woman from the states who was bit in her bed by a scorpion! She did not die and is not traumatized by the occurence. Don´t worry, we all check our bed before entering them! I am loving this cultural experience. Honduras is not as poor as I thought. They have radios, cd players, dvds, and vehicles. You can not flush toilet paper down the toilet, though. I forgot a few times... I really do like this place. Today we ate at Wendy´s for lunch. They also have Pizza Hut and Buger King. Anyway, I need to go. I am using Javier´s computer, and he, being a doctor probably needs it back. One thing about the Honduras people is that they will go out of their way to make you happy, even if it inconvienences them.
Heather