Gracias, Honduras

It's so good to be home. It's so good to cuddle with Elise and read the stories that I know by heart. I'm really excited to make dinner for my family and watch Jeapordy tonight. This is my comfort zone, and it's good to be back.

But, it was good to be away. It was good to be challenged to give up the comforts of home in order to serve people who have very little and need so much. It was good to meet new people and learn to trust and depend on them in ways I just don't have to at home.

I didn't change the world by spending a week in Honduras. I didn't save any lives or do anything heroic that anybody will remember. I assisted in hand surgery, hours and hours of hand surgery to repair, release, or graft tendons that were injured in accidents and machete fights. Because of a broken health care system, our patients needed some help to fix their injuries. We did that, and we hope that they heal well.

God becomes bigger to me when I go far away, and as I settle back in to my routine at home, I hope that God stays bigger, and that Honduras remains close to my heart even though it's very far away.

two days left

I'm counting down the days. Only 2 more days until I'm Honduras-bound with some of the best doctors and nurses in west Michigan. We're leaving on Saturday morning to fly out of Detroit and eventually land in San Pedro Sula, Honduras. From there, we'll take a bus south to Gracias. On the map below, San Pedro Sula is near the north western border of Honduras, and Gracias is a 4-5 hour bus trip south. Gracias isn't on this map, but if it were, I think that it would be a little north west of la Esperanza.


Our brigade, which is part of the Lukes Society, is going to be working in nearby villages as well as a surgery center in Gracias. Some of us will be doing eye surgery and hand surgery, others will be traveling into the nearby towns and villages to provide general medical and dental care, and others will be doing some gastroenterology. I know a few of the members of our brigade, but I'm looking forward to serving and meeting lots of new people.


My awesome husband is staying behind, taking off from work, and spending the week at home with Elise. I'm going to miss them both like crazy, but I'm sure they'll have a great week together.


Please keep our team in your prayers. Some specific prayer requests include: travel safety, health while we're there, energy to complete the schedule planned out for us, and the opportunity to share the love of Jesus to the people who we are caring for.

2010 came with a beautiful freshly fallen snow! Bryan and I decided to take advantage of the sunshine and powder on new year's day and go out snow shoeing. Elise got to spend a few hours at her grandma and grandpa's house, and Bryan and I enjoyed our time together. I may be the only one in west Michigan hoping for more snow, but it would be great to get out again this year. Thanks, Mom and Dad!