Susan O'Donnell
Ministries
Mission Statement
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Honduras Journal
  
August 1, 2001: DAY THREE
It is the third day and I am so overwhelmed by
it all. I often sit and look at the world around me here in Honduras and wonder
how can I possibly describe to you with mere words what my heart is seeing,
hearing, and learning? I have never felt so incompetent in my life. At times my
heart is so full I think it will spill over out of my chest, and moments later
it is broken by the things I see and hear about these people and their
struggles. I can only pray that I can use my words and God can move them to your
heart so that we both share the experience together! I want you to experience it
with me, so you can know how great the need is for the ministry of the Mercy
Ships the people have here.
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Removing eye patch from Jesus
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Meet my new amigo Adan
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The morning began with my taking the bandages
off Jesus' eye. HE COULD SEE!!! He could see so much better than before. This
man we had seen being led into the clinic the day before was now walking away so
fast that his son Patricino had to rush to catch up to him! It was a joy to see
him striding off with his new Bible under his arm and a new life stretching
before him, thanks to the ministry of Mercy Ships!
Then I met my new friend Adan. As you can see
from his picture, he is a sweet, happy man who is quick to smile and fast to
start a friendship! But as you learn more about his life, your heart begins to
break for him. Adan has lost one of his legs at the knee because of a machete
accident and the other leg was crushed by a falling palm tree and was amputated
at just below the knee. So, Adan walks on his kneecaps, with the help of
crutches too tall for him. He says it is not so hard on the grass, but on the
road it is painful to walk on his knees. But, he can't afford a wheelchair and
in the rough terrain of his neighborhood it would be hard to wheel himself
around, so he continues to endure on his little crutches.
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It hurts to watch Adan struggle to
walk.
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Embarrassed by his living conditions,
Adan still welcomes us.
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His eyes have been bad for years. He had
cataract surgery four years ago, but couldn't afford the lens implants and so
has been nearly blind since then. It is almost impossible for him to get around
without legs and without sight. He lives in a ramshackle shed at the back of a
house in Puerto Cortez. The little house is tiny, and leans so badly that Adan
is afraid when he's in it, that it will fall over on him. I was afraid to step
inside for fear I would topple it. It can't keep out the rain, and after seeing
it, I am afraid a stiff wind would surely destroy it. He gets his water from an
outside faucet at the front of his house. His kitchen consists of a small
kerosene stove with an open flame. That is difficult enough for a sighted
person, but for someone with Adan's vision it is very dangerous. I am so glad
that Mercy Ships' doctors will be able to restore Adan's sight! But I have to
admit, as I stood in the doorway of that tiny shack with Adan and thought of all
that I have and how little this sweet sweet man has, I could barely stop the
tears. Even now sitting here on the ship the tears come again. But, this little
man who has suffered so much and who has so little to show for it continues to
talk about his faith in God and to remind himself and us of how much God cares
for him! My heart is broken, and at the same time it is filled with the wonder
of all of it!
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Adan's water source is a little spigot
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Adan's humble kitchen
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The glasses he wears were bought 9 years ago for 20 limpera (just over a
dollar). A local dentist has helped to repair them over the years and you can
see the white glue that literally holds them together now. But, thanks to the
generosity of people like you and the work of the Mercy Ship here in Honduras,
Adan has received his first of two new lens implants and will receive a new pair
of glasses after his other eye surgery. That may not sound like much to you and
me, but to Adan it is a new way of life. He will be able to see to get around on
his own, and will be able to care for himself again.
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Like, Paul has learned to be content
with little.
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This image will stay with me forever.
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What a lesson I am learning from this poor,
little, humble man. What a lesson I am learning from the people on board this
Mercy Ship. It has certainly earned its name.
Tomorrow we are going to the orthopedic hospital
to see the work that Mercy Ship doctors and nurses do there, and if there's time
we are going to see the orphanage where Mercy Ship crews are helping to rebuild
the foundation. AND, they've promised me I can help dig a well in a village
nearby! I have so much to share with you. I guess I will just have to wait until
tomorrow.
Hasta Manana, Mis Amigos!
Remember you are loved,
Susan O'Donnell
KSBJ-Honduras
P.S. Please pray for the Mercy Ship, for those
who work here on board and for those who are coming to get help. I miss my time
with you there, but am so grateful for the lessons I am learning here aboard the
Mercy Ship in Honduras.
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