When I
got word last word last week that I had been selected as the National EducationAssociation’s Applegate-Dorros Peace and International Understanding Award
winner, a wave of emotion came over me.
While I consider myself a pretty awesome Spanish teacher I recognize
that I am receiving this award in recognition of my work with AHMEN in Honduras. What legitimacy for projects
and teams that we already knew were making a difference in everyday Hondurans’
lives!
In
addition to the tears of pride and joy which coincided with grieving for the
loss of one of Jasper, Alabama’s finest, Joe Earl Williams, intense motivation
began to flow through my bloodstream “like a broken down dam, as Mr. John Prine
would say. The validation I felt only
heightened my sense of urgency to help more Hondurans live more just
lives. I knew that this year’s Río de Agua Viva team had to be the most meaningful yet.
And
after attending our virtual team meeting last night, I knew it would be. I mean, just look at this list of volunteers!
Ken Hanson – A retired USAF officer now dedicating his spare time
to missions in La Moskitia, Ken recently also obtained a master of public
health degree. He leads the “accountability
program” for both the Río team and Bruce McFadden’s
Jungle Team.
Etta Hanson – What a delight!
Etta is a Registered Nurse exuding purely positive energy. She will be joining McFadden’s Jungle Team
with her husband Ken in April as a water assistant and then join the Río team in similar fashion.
She will also be teaching First Aid.
Autumn Tuoruton – Autumn is a high school student in Walker County,
Alabama. When I listed “Women’s
Empowerment” as one of the topics the community agents requested she asked “What’s
that, I think I want to do that one.”
You got it, Autumn!!
Anna Redmill – An expert in equine behavioral therapy, Reiki and
Yoga, Anna is going to be a huge asset to this team. She will use her talents to teach community
agents wellness and holistic healing to complement the teachings of the next
volunteer mentioned.
Caden Camp – Already the most popular teacher in Raistá, Caden will go deeper into the specifics of acupressure. Her lessons from 2016 are still being used by
community agents to provide relief for patients with a variety of
ailments. She and Anna will work as a “holistic
healing arts” team.
Gail Jenkins – Gail boasts an impressive resumé of global perspectives. A
former Peace Corps volunteer and part-time missionary to several different
countries around the world, Gail will bring a wealth of knowledge and
experience to this team. She will be
teaching the prevention of mosquito-borne illnesses (highlighting ZIKA) and
working with the next volunteer in the area of women’s reproductive health.
Cindy Messer – Cindy is a midwife and has taught midwifery to
everyone from high school graduates to PhDs and physicians. Her dynamic lessons will provide an extra layer
of safety, security, and comfort to mothers living in and around Raista,
permitting them to deliver near their homes instead of traveling afar to reach
a trained health official.
Eric Peterson – Eric is a professional photographer in every
sense of the word. Honduras is blessed
to have his eye for detail, natural beauty, and compassionate heart. We are lucky to have him document the magic
of this team.
Gregory Thompson – I believe fate led Greg to this team. He just so happened to run into AHMEN General
Coordinator Dr. Tom Camp while in Honduras a year or two ago. Camp noticing the potential of wunderkind
Greg insisted he pray about joining this team.
Greg will be teaching and leading research conversations on how to help
the community agents lead community-wide efforts in boosting the local economy.
Madison Lachney – I haven’t met Madison yet,
but her work as an environmental studies major in Louisiana will mix well with
Autumn’s lesson on women’s empowerment.
I know from our brief communication that Madison is a positive,
passionate, and excited volunteer..just what we like!
Dr. Ben Coplan – I don’t consider the Río team complete without our resident pediatrician and one of the
most interesting and pleasant men I know.
Dr. Coplan’s talk on the first minute of life trains community agents to
better manage the crucial first moments after a baby delivers; he also inspires
this team to make every moment count.
This year Dr. Coplan is adding the sustainable appropriate technology of
homemade splinting to his repertoire.
Dr. Tom Camp – What could be said about the jewel that is this
man? He is the definition of
congeniality and kind-heartedness. His
passion for and tireless efforts helping people are a constant reminder to all
those around him that we can all do more.
Dr. Camp will be teaching ZIKA awareness and prevention, how to foster a
community-wide mosquito prevention program, and working with Etta and Dr.
Coplan in First Aid.
Our
successes, our achievements, and our impact on the world are built on the backs
of those who came before us. This is
true for me and the reasons why I have been selected a prestigious award from
the NEA; it is also applicable to this team.
We have come a long way since our first Río team in 2013. The blessings upon this egalitarian,
ecumenical team continue to amaze me.
Favor is truly upon us, and in the words of my friend and Río team alumni King Tall T, “Go God.” However, I think God may be saying “Go Río!!”
This
year’s team is pretty full. We have two
more members making final decisions today to join our brigade. The limits of adding any more get quite
tricky. Nonetheless, if you would like
to serve on this team as a fundraiser, donor, or prayer warrior, contact me
today! It is not just the traveling
members who make this team what it is.
It is all of us who play a part.
Together,
wwe are the difference.
