Ohio Medical Volunteers Visit Yamaranguila

Motley said she mainly helped patients with medication. The language barrier wasn't too much to overcome. "A smile and a hug communicates as much as words," she said.

By Mark Caudill
Mary Ann Stotts actually got to clean people's teeth during a recent medical missionary trip to Honduras. "Usually (on such trips) you're just getting people out of pain," she said.

Stotts, a dental hygienist, was one of three members of Ontario United Methodist Church who went on the mission with members of a Zanesville church as part of Heart to Honduras. The others were Dr. Karen Wagenhals and Jenny Motley, a registered nurse.

Stotts said Honduras as a number of medical clinics but not many supplies. The local contingent took 13 suitcases of medication and bandages, setting up shop in a church in the town of Yamaranguila in the mountainous southeastern portion of the country.

Both Stotts and Motley described the Hondurans as a joyous people. "Compared to what we think we have to have, they didn't have a lot," Motley said. "I was amazed at how spiritual they are. They don't have much, but they give everything to the Lord."

Motley said she mainly helped patients with medication. The language barrier wasn't too much to overcome. "A smile and a hug communicates as much as words," she said.

Stotts said many of the people had dental issues because of the prevalence of sugar cane in the region. The missionaries didn't have material for fillings, and the hit-and-miss electricity often prevented the use of power tools. "Some of the kids were fearful, but we got lots of hugs," Stotts said. "We always ended on a note of encouragement. I would go again at the drop of a hat."

In fact, the Ontario church members will return to Honduras in February to help build a house. "I think it would be great if everybody had one opportunity to see something like that," Motley said. "It really changes your perspective." (12/18/11)

Note: This article was reprinted with permission of the author. It was originally published by the Mansfield News Journal in Ohio.