David Bercot. The work of the Society of the Good Shepherd began in January, 2000, when my nine-year old son, Isaiah, and I flew to Honduras. The night before we left, a friend gave me the name of a very special person in Honduras, Luis Vega. The Mennonites were building a children’s home outside of Siguatepeque, and my friend said that Luis Vega served as a go-between for them.
When we reached Siguatepeque, I looked up Luis Vega. The rest, as they say, is history. I told Luis about our vision for a microloan ministry, and Luis put together our initial board of directors in Honduras. With God’s help, he got the ministry rolling for us.
I soon learned that Luis seemed to know just about everyone in Siguatepeque, and just about everyone knew him. This proved to be a great asset, not only with our microloan ministry, but also when we expanded our ministry to constructing rural health clinics. It seemed like Luis knew people everywhere, not just in Siguatepeque.
But a month ago, Luis suffered a mild heart attack, narrowly averting a more severe heart attack that could have cost him his life. Luis was in his vehicle, crossing the main highway. While he was crossing it, he blacked out for just a few seconds, but that was enough to cause him to have a minor collision with a motorcycle. Luis offered to help move the damaged motorcycle to the edge of the road.
Afterwards, Luis realized he had strained his back in lifting the motorcycle. So he had his daughter Becky drive him to his chiropractor, a man who not only practices chiropractic, but also sports medicine. Taking one look at the pale color of Luis’ face, and noting that his behavior was not normal, the chiropractor quickly surmised that he had either just suffered a heart attack or was on the brink of one.
He told Luis’s daughter, Becky, to immediately drive Luis to Luis’ local cardiologist, Dr. Lazaro. The chiropractor also personally called Dr. Lazaro to let him know Luis was on his way over. Dr. Lazaro right away did both an electrocardiogram (EKG) and an echocardiogram on Luis. From the results, he told Luis that he was in a very dangerous situation, and that he should have an ambulance drive him immediately to the hospital in San Pedro Sula where Dr. Samosa works.
Dr. Lazaro had previously worked with Dr. Samosa, one of the preeminent cardiologists in Honduras. Dr. Samosa is not only a friend of Dr. Lazaro, but he was also acquainted with Luis. (Is there anyone in Honduras who doesn’t know Luis??).
Being his usual self, Luis chatted and witnessed with the ambulance attendants during the two-hour drive to San Pedro Sula. That night, Dr. Samosa, assisted by Dr. Lazaro, did heart surgery on Luis for two hours, during which they put in four stents. Later, Dr. Samosa told Luis that he had barely averted a fatal heart attack.
We all sense the Lord’s hand on Luis throughout this whole episode. If not for the minor motorcycle accident, the chain of events would not have happened that led to the surgery that saved Luis’ life.
Luis spent two days in the hospital, witnessing to nurses, doctors, and staff. He is now back home recuperating. The doctor ordered him to rest for at least a month. He is allowed to go outside now and then for short trips to the store, etc. But he is not allowed to do any heavy lifting or travel right now. The prognosis for the future looks good.
Luis has spent nearly his entire adult life in ministry. As I’ve mentioned, he has been the main human player for the Society of the Good Shepherd and our ministry in Honduras. He has also ministered as a traveling evangelist, a go-between and assistant to the Mennonite children’s home, and the primary translator for various evangelistic teams that frequently come to Honduras. He and his family also regularly host various medical teams and church groups who come to Honduras.
Because he has devoted his life to the kingdom of God, it means that Luis has few monetary resources. Blessedly, the surgery cost “only” $25,000, even though it was done by one of the top cardiologists in Honduras. The same surgery in the U.S. would have cost much, much more.
However, $25,000 is a fortune in Honduras, and there are no government health programs that cover heart surgery. We told Luis that we would try to raise funds to cover some or all of his surgery. So we wanted to bring this need to the attention of our readers. If you would care to make a donation towards his medical bills, please make a notation on your check “for Luis.” If you are donating online, go to this link: https://scrollpublishing.com/donations-for- luis-vega/. You can also donate by calling (717) 349-7033.
“A Samaritan, as he traveled, came to where the [injured] man was; and when he saw him, he took pity on him. He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he put the man on his own donkey, took him to an inn, and took care of him. The next day he took out two silver coins and gave them to the innkeeper. ‘Look after him,’ he said, ‘and when I return, I will reimburse you for any extra expense you may have’” (Lk. 10:33-35).
The Society of the Good Shepherd, P. O. Box 122, Amberson, PA 17210 • (717) 349-7033