April 26th, 2009 by INMED
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We just returned from a walk around town.  Sundays are the slowest days in clinic, which provides a nice break.  A group from Colorado Springs was here last week working on construction and youth ministry here in Ahuas and other towns in La Moskitia (accessible by water or air).   They worked closely with one of the 3 pilots in town, Jorge.  He is Dr. Norvelle’s cousin and it was fun to meet him last week.  He visits the States frequently because his wife and 2 daughters live in North Carolina.  Unfortunately, he doesn’t have a great impression of Minnesota.  The only time he has ever been in MN, he was on his way to Iowa for a speaking engagement at a church and had a horrible sequence of mishaps.  His flight arrived late in Minneapolis and the next one out to Iowa was too late to make it to church so he just stayed in Minneapolis.  However, his credit card had just expired so he didn’t have money for a hotel room, so he had to spend the night in the airport!  Then he flew back home the next day – a completely wasted and frustrating trip.

We’re learning to expect frustrations as well – in travel arrangements, communication of information and expectations, schedules, lack of breadth of knowledge in tropical diseases, cockroaches, and illness (Carrie was sick for a couple days).  But, as we approach the end of our time here, we both agreed today that we are glad we came and that God has taught us many things about life in 3rd world countries, the universality of the Gospel, the state of healthcare both here and in the US, patience, trust, and prayer.  It’s difficult to write about everything that is happening (and it will probably take years to fully realize all the effects of this month), but we look forward to talking to all of you in person. Hasta pronto ! Andrew & Carrie

April 20th, 2009 by INMED
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It´s another Monday here in Honduras (which means another chloroquine pill, ie malaria prophylaxis).  Carrie changed modes from administrator assistant to schoolmistress today, giving lessons in la historia, matematicas, y literatura to 2 fifth graders (Dr. Rudy´s son and niece).  Andrew had his busiest day of patients yet and is on call tonight.  There are deliveries on average every other night, so there´s a 50-50 chance of a woman coming in tonight and other emergencies are always a possibility.  It was a tough day today – we´ve been taking care of a malnourished 1 month old with sepsis who died today.  Families are very supportive here and all usually live nearby so it was good to see so many caring members to support her mother.  Please keep their family in your prayers.  On the other end of the spectrum, a 101 year old woman also passed away yesterday.

We enjoyed singing songs in church yesterday as well as with Greta, the youngest daughter of the family who hosts us for dinner each night.  ¨Eres Todo Poderoso¨ (You are All Powerful) y ¨Te alabare¨(I Will Praise You) are her favorites. Hope all is well with all of you at home! Andrew & Carrie

April 17th, 2009 by INMED
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We arrived safely in Ahuas, Honduras, on April 7.  It´s hard to believe it´s already the 17th!  We are settling in to our routine and finally finding a few minutes to borrow a computer and write a post.

Our day starts around 5am when either the sunlight streaming in our window or the zoo outside (roosters crowing, parrots squawking, dogs barking, geckos chirping (I don´t know how to describe the sound they make) wake us up.  Sometimes we go for a walk or run, sometimes put in earplugs and try to sleep for a bit longer.  Devotions with Dr. Rudy and his family are at 6:30, then breakfast, then start hospital rounds at 7.  During the day, Carrie works in the administrative and accounting office updating their accounts and financial records.  She enjoys trying to decipher illegible handwriting in a foreign language and then asking questions in that foreign language to clarify!

Andrew rounds on hospital patients  (lots of births, trauma and injuries, a woman with a stroke, a woman with appendicitis that we operated on, a boy who tore open his scrotum on a nail head, etc). Then clinic during the day – although it is not really a clinic, it is an ER because people don´t have appointments and they show up any time of the day or night. Interesting stuff – many people with malaria, parasites, injuries, pregnancy, etc. Completely different from what I´m used to.

The food has been good, the people are hospitable (we eat breakfast and lunch with Dr. Rudy´s family and dinner with a family in town), the weather is hot, 80’s to 90s but not too humid and nice in the morning and evening.  And yes, Mom, we´re slathering with sunscreen.

Overall, there have been many challenges and frustrations, but God has provided and we´re being led to grow. Carrie had some nausea on the ride in the tiny airplane from La Ceiba to Ahuas (just the pilot and us 2 with our headsets and microphones) but otherwise no major medical problems.  We´re looking forward to the next 2 weeks here as well as to returning home to see all of you!  Vaya con Dios, Andrew and Carrie

April 5th, 2009 by INMED
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My wife Carrie and I are all packed up and will be flying out in the morning.  Not only are we packed for Honduras, but our entire apartment is packed because we’ll be moving the day after we return!  We have a mix of emotions right now – preparing and packing and tying things up at work have all been stressful but we’re learning to cast our cares on the Lord.  Pray for us as we depart tomorrow! Love, Andrew & Carrie

April 2nd, 2009 by INMED
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Hello! My name is Andrew . I am a resident physician at Abbott-Northwestern Residency Program, and I’m starting my INMED service-learning experience at Clinica Evangelica Morava in Honduras beginning in April 2009.