More news from Teguc

Hola friends and families,
Just had a call from Jefe Clements. All the team members and all the luggage made it to Tegucigalpa. (For you newbies, even when the team arrives intact, sometimes all the luggage doesn't. It is a good year if all the luggage arrives when the team arrives!) Tonight the team is busy repackaging meds from large quantities to dispensable packs for the clinic. I know that Gloria, Tim, Nehemias and Louisa are taking good care of everyone as they prepare for the trip to Las Mercedes tomorrow. Hopefully, there will be photos sometime soon if Jefe's Blackberry continues to work.
Stay tuned.

Hola Tegucigalpa!

Just received word that the Exploring Medicine group has arrived safely in Tegucigalpa, Honduras.

Keep this page marked for updates throughout the trip.....

From Duke,
Alyssa

Scenes from Packing Day

Saturday was a busy morning.

Everyone pitched in to transport,unload and de-bulk supplies for the trip. We are always amazed by the amount of packaging that comes along with medical supplies.

Reminders about weather and the early departure were posted. Megan directed packing of the soccer equipment from Operation Passback.- this is our first year working with that project.

The final weigh-in looms as we try to stay within the poundage limits.

Five hours and counting

The countdown is on! I have just finished packing and have only 5 hours till the whole gang meets up for the drive to the airport. I just wanted to take a few minutes before I get some shut eye to thank all of you that have supported the members of the trip prior to our departure. I would especially like to thank my Sunday School Class at Grey Stone Baptist Church for their donations of toothpaste, toothbrushes, soap, and shampoo. Your generosity will provide 3 different communities many daily necessities that we take for granted. With great excitement and anticipation comes some anxiety. For me, the anxiety is the communication barrier. My Spanish is un poco. Yet I am excited to have this opportunity to immerse myself in a different culture and to learn from my professors, peers, and those in the local community. Thank you all for your thoughts and prayers for our team over the next ten days.

Laura

Bags are packed.

Ok, not really, but i'm getting there....PROMISE. At this point saying I'm excited would be an understatement. Last nt Bob, one of our fearless leaders, was nice enough to point out that only a few select pilots are allowed to land into Tegucigalpa's airport. As you can tell, it looks like it may be a tricky landing. Hopefully we don't find the pilot stumbling out of the bar in Houston as we board the plane. If so, you may be hearing about Continental flight 756 on your local news. Barring any catastrophe, I am most looking forward to the new experiences we are about to encounter. Well, off to do that packing now.......MAYBE :-D

--Clay D.

Almost Departure Time

Things are getting real! Today the team got together to pack the supplies - medicine, soap, toothbrushes, toothpaste etc. - we'll be taking with us to Honduras. This made the trip move from something exciting happening in the future to a right now reality! I'm unbelievable excited. America has become such a multicultural mix of people that I think trips like this are important for everyone interested in medicine. It's so easy for us to dismiss the very real differences between how we practice and what people of other cultures expect from their providers. I hope that we can come back from this experience with our minds open so that we will be better equipped to handle the multitude of different people we'll encounter in practice.

Now to brush up on my Spanish!

Excitement, apprehension, excitement again!!!!

It's approximately 11 or 12 days 'til we leave. i mean, who's doing the math anymore, really? well, im pretty sure i can speak for all of us when i say a stream of emotions has arrived. one minute i'm excited, the next apprehensive, then excited again. this will be a new experience. one filled with many rewards and challenges (i.e. my poor grasp of espanol, dealing w/ the heat/humidity again.....been out of florida for far too long, and experiencing life like i have never had to experience it). As Americans we have had the luxuries of indoor plumbing, produce stands, MASSIVE grocery stores, machines that wash our clothes and dishes. This has led to a population with a lack of knowledge of agrarian labor. Gone are the days of our forefathers. We've grown to become a country of instant gratification. Adapting to a life without luxury, albeit for only 9 days in Honduras, i believe, will be the greatest challenge encountered. However, as cliche as it may sound, there is no doubt in my mind i will return a different person. Someone with different perspectives on life. I will no longer take the little things for granted. I will slow down and enjoy the world around me. I only hope i will be able to at least make a small contribution in someone's life. It may be selfish, but i feel i will be gaining far more than i'm able to provide.

--Clay D.
Honduras 2010