Adios Honduras

Today is the final day of clinic. We're having bittersweet feelings, obviously missing home but also sad to say goodbye to such an awesome team, our wonderful Lions Club hosts, our interpreters, and the Hondurans who have been so friendly and welcoming. In two short weeks, we have developed bonds and friendships that will last a lifetime. If only we could pack our new friends and favorite volunteers in our suitcases and bring them home with us to share with you -- we know you'd love them, too.

Everyone worked so well together from the first to the last day that even the language barriers didn't get in the way. It was common to hear Italian, Spanish, German, and English being spoken at the same time on any given day in clinic. The vast diversity on our team allowed us to learn so much about ourselves and each other. And the international flavor of our team reminded us that smiles and laughter can say more than words ever could.

Yesterday was our busiest day with over 1,900 helped. Our team also had the opportunity to visit the surgery clinic and see the surgeons from Vision Outreach International in action. We're in awe of what they're doing here. Above, surgery patients are having their eye patches removed in their post-op visit. Below, surgery is being performed -- check out the video image of the eye on the right.

In fact, we were able to see Raymundo, one of the patients who had surgery two days ago. Team member Laura Barnes (below) did the big reveal (took his bandages off) and Raymundo couldn't stop talking about how well he could see. Three years ago, Raymundo was in a farm accident and lost his vision. It was the same year his grandson was born so Wednesday marked the first time he was able to see his grandson clearly. All because of the work the two teams are doing here in Honduras. Raymundo is just one of nearly 200 people helped at the VOI/Lions Club clinic.

As we close up clinic and pack for home, we want to leave you with a few more smiling faces. This will be our last post since we'll be celebrating with our Lions Club tonight and then leaving at the crack of dawn to catch our flights. We're looking forward to seeing all of you and sharing more stories in person. In the words of team member Christian Meinert, this experience has been UNBELIEVABLE!!

Above is Massimo Benna (Segusino, Italy) handing out sunglasses to everyone on Wednesday.

Here is Dr. Shirley Hong (San Francisco, CA) getting ready to check one of the thousands of patients she's seen the past two weeks.

Dr. Nehal Patel (Amherst, NY) is always ready with a smile for us and for the people she sees.

Rosanne Nietupski (West Chester, OH) has become an autorefracting wiz.

Dr. Dan Feuling (Beaver Dam, WI) scopes a patient and most likely shared his great sense of humor with her and many others.

Dr. Nga Lu (Winnetka, CA) takes a quick time with her interpreter and a OneSight recipient.

Our team also included the fabulously talented photographer Mark Lyons (above) who has been capturing the faces, emotions, and locations of OneSight missions for several years. Over the course of three full days of shooting, Mark has taken nearly 4,500 photographs. He's also perfecting his Spanish and has been using espanol throughout the trip.

Here are just a few shots taken of Jamie Muriel Castro. Mark visited a school and met Jamie Castro, a smart child who was having trouble reading. She was a minus-2.00 in the right eye and a minus-3.50 in the left. With her shiny new chabellas, Jamie will be able to see in school and at home. Mark assured us this young girl will wow her teachers with even better grades.

The video below was taken on one of the first clinic days when Randy Smith (Mason, OH) was trying to get the crowd to do the wave. We thought waving was appropriate today as we say so long to San Pedro Sula.