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Hoosier United Methodist News Archives
| Hoosier United Methodist News |
April 2001 |
Honduran volunteers use their skills at home
By Matthew Carlisle
HUM Staff Writer
A Honduran boy, not more than 10, is brought into the makeshift medical tent. Dr. Allen Handt, former Indiana Director of Public Safety finds a severe cut on the boy's arm. He had been cutting wood with a machete, one of his daily chores, explains his frantic father. Robin Andres, development officer for United Methodist Metro Ministries, Indianapolis, recalls this account from a recent medical mission trip to Honduras. Due to the speedy work of Indianapolis police & fire department volunteers, the boy was given desperately needed medical attention. If not for the team from Indianapolis, what would have been the boy's fate? "Simple, he would have died, " replied Andres.
For the second year, Metro Ministries and the Indianapolis police and fire departments cooperatively sent a team of volunteers to Tegucigalpa and mountain villages of Honduras. Originally proposed by the Rev. David Peñalva, pastor of Vida Nueva UMC in Indianapolis, the project involved collecting more than $35,000 (sent in two shipments in 2000 and 2001) in medical and emergency relief supplies to this Central American country still suffering the effects of Hurricane Mitch. Moreover, the local fire fighters and police officers who agreed to participate in the project would take 20-weeks of Spanish classes prior to leaving for Honduras, enabling them to work effectively while volunteering there.
Andres explains, "It was always the intent of the program, that volunteers would be able to use what they had learned in their work back home." Because of his experience in 2000, Indy police officer, Terry Humerickhouse, was able to question a Spanish-speaking witness at a murder scene last year. Officer Humerickhouse's quick work led to a swift arrest.
In 2001, fund raising garnered $51,000 to support the medical supplies and travel costs needed to send the 36 volunteers to Honduras. From Feb. 14-23, the group was able touch 2,600 Honduran lives. Unlike in 2000, four students and one teacher from Indy's Secina High School were part of the work team and raised $6,275 dollars to fund their trip.
One week after returning, "Plans are already being discussed for a third trip," says Robin Andres.
Last updated January 14, 2004