Ten years ago, Professor Antonio Castellanos of Siguatepeque lost his son to diabetes. This opened his eyes to the urgent need for a diabetes clinic in Siguatepeque, especially one that served the poor. So he founded the Diabetes Association of Siguatepeque, and he began seeking funds to build a diabetes clinic. The local Lion’s Club provided some initial funding, and the city of Siguatepeque donated land for the new clinic. The land is situated in a location that will be easily accessible for most of the people in the city. A missions group donated some funds and building materials to begin constructing the clinic.
Unfortunately, the foundation of the building was laid improperly, which brought construction to a halt. Then the project ran out of money. However, Prof. Castellanos did not give up. He has had a long-standing friendship with Luis Vega, a director of the Society of the Good Shepherd. So he came to Luis and told him about the situation with the clinic. Luis shared the matter with the directors of the Society. The directors talked over the matter, and determined the Society could donate $30,000.00 toward the building. This covered the foundation, walls, windows, roof, and electrical connections.
Even after this, there were still further financial needs. So Prof. Castellanos tirelessly called on additional missions organizations, private doctors, civic groups, and wealthy individuals in order to raise the remaining funds. These individuals and groups have donated time, furniture, equipment, and money to make the clinic possible.
The beautiful thing is that the diabetes clinic has been, and always will be, a group effort. For example, during the construction, the municipal firefighters connected their hoses to fire hydrants to provide the property with an adequate water supply until the workers were finally able to obtain a permanent water hookup. A doctor in Tegucigalpa (the nation’s capital), several hours away, was in the process of retiring. So he donated to the clinic his office desks and blood pressure machine.
These are just a few examples. Nearly all of the medical personnel at the clinic donate their time for free. The clinic provides low-cost lab work and $4.00 diabetes consultations to the public. Most of the time, patients are provided with free donated medicine. Dr. Diana Castellanos works and lives in San Pedro Sula (two or more hours away), but she labors tirelessly to get as much medicine donated to the pharmacy as possible. Prof. Castellanos’ other two children donate their time to operate a pharmaceutical dispensary at the clinic. When they cannot offer free, donated medicine, they provide medicine at the clinic’s cost.
It is extremely important that diabetes patients keep free from oral bacterial infections that can migrate to other parts of the body. Therefore, the clinic provides extremely low cost dental fillings, extractions, and other dental work for patients. Like the medical doctors, the dentists donate their time at the clinic free of charge.
Although there are still some rooms to finish in the building, we were filled with joy to have the grand opening of the clinic a little over a week ago, on November 14. As it turns out, November 14 is National Diabetes Day in Honduras, so the timing could not have worked out better.
As my children and I were driving to the opening ceremony, we went past the government subsidized dialysis clinic in Siguatepeque. I explained to my children that when diabetes is not treated promptly and correctly, about 30% of the patients will end up with kidney failure. These people usually end up needing to receive dialysis several times a week, and their quality of life is in constant decline. That is one reason why there is such a desperate need for this diabetes clinic.
Two directors from the Society, Luis Vega and Dixy Barahona, provided the spoken messages at the opening ceremony. Luis Vega talked on the theme: “Unless the Lord builds the house, the builders labor in vain” (Ps. 127:1). Dixie Barahona reminded everyone of God’s provision for their needs. He told the group, “Don’t worry about what is still lacking for this clinic, for we have a rich God.” The ceremony ended with Luis praying for God’s blessing over the clinic and all the people who come there for treatment.
It was a God-honoring event and a testimony to the faithful giving of our donors. The clinic will almost certainly save an incalculable number of lives. It will also extend the lives of others and enhance the quality of life for many more. It is a tremendous witness to the loving God we worship and to the love shown by Christians who serve our God.
Julie Nyhoff de Valladares
The Society of the Good Shepherd, P. O. Box 122, Amberson, PA 17210 • (717) 349-7033
Click on the following link if you would care to make a donation to the work in Honduras: Honduras Donations
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