Jeff Rizor, MD meets a new neighbor, who was born during our absence between clinics. 2008 was the final year for us to work in northern Honduras. With both happiness and sadness, it became a reality that our work was done: the communities now had a visiting Honduran doctor and RN; the villages along the river were thriving. So much had been accomplished since Hurricane Mitch violently tore through these mountains in 1998. We had only been a small part of this success; it was the perseverance and vision of the villagers that allowed them to reclaim their homes and lives. It was a pleasure indeed to help, to observe, and to share their happiness.  Peacework remains in southern Honduras annually - we have much to do! A typical day in northern Honduras....where we had  our eighth annual clinic in 2008: Peacework Medical Projects volunteers awaken to raucous roosters crowing, and the sound of the community's corn grinding machine from which the daily tortillas are ultimately produced. We camp in the school yard, immersed  in the heart of the village. The villagers have warmly welcomed us into their lives, and it seems every year,  relationships are strengthened along with our resolve to serve this village and its twelve surrounding neighbor communities. The locally grown coffee, which we enjoy with breakfast, has returned since the devastation of Hurricane Mitch in October 1998. This location was chosen in part because following this natural disaster, these communities survived just enough to remain in existence, but would not thrive without help. Peacework came to help, and we remain. After a group breakfast and work assignments for the day, we see our patients lining up for check in. Our Honduran volunteers take their names and concerns, give the internal parasite medicine that so many need, and direct them to a health education lecture. The topics, presented by a community leader, change throughout the day, and it's not uncommon for an individual to spend hours listenning! Each village has their day to visit the clinic, which is comprised of: health education, primary care medical exams, optometry, dentistry, gynecology, acute treatment, and pharmacy. A mobile veterinary clinic, staffed by two US veterinarians, leaves the village and heads into the hills, loaded with their day's supply of vaccines and surgical equipment. An RN and medic staff the triage desk and take vital signs and separate the truly ill to the front of the line. Everyone will eventually be seen by a physician or PA, and receive a history and physical exam. From there, either treatment will be given on site, or a referral made to the hospital in the city that receives our patients. Our pharmacy is stocked with donated medicine, or medicine purchased from donated funds, and an RN and helper keep this busy spot operating. After seven years, many of the patients are known to us. They typically receive no other care during the year, and our attention is important. It is a fact that the morbidity and mortality of cervical cancer has been slowed considerably by our introduction of Pap smears into this part of the country. An RN and a PA will see over 40 women daily for Paps. Before, there had been few or none performed. Also, in our screening exams, we are sometimes able to detect congenital problems in children that can be treated, or intervene in chronic diseases before they become too far progressed. Most often, though, an exam reveals a healthy child or adult who is just happy to see us again! The busy day is relieved by a break at mid day for lunch, and a quicker coffee break later in the afternoon. When approximately 150 patients have been seen, the electric generator is quieted, and the US and Honduran Peacework volunteers head back to camp. With an hour or two before dinner and dark, volunteers may go for a hike, a swim in the river, or just stretch out and nap for a moment of personal space. Dinner is an important time to talk about the day, to try to make the next day work more smoothly, and to identify problems and strengths. The famous "Hurricane" picante sauce and the coffee flows. Peacework volunteers are not known for keeping our opinions to ourselves...and the discussions sometimes continue back at camp under the stars. The nighttime sky is our entertainment, with shooting stars, distant satellites, and usually at least one volunteer who thinks he knows the names of constellations. Many bad jokes have been told and forgotten in the dark of what we call Star Beach. After a week of work, we load up in a van for the 100 or so miles to the Caribbean town of Tela. There, we are truly tourists- we eat, drink, boat out on ecotours or horseback riding, go deep sea fishing or on the hunt for the best internet cafe. The work seems far away from here, but on Sunday afternoon, we always seem eager to return to the familiarity of the village.  We return to the US rewarded with the reminder of why we pursued medicine in the first place: to help others who need it most. Here, it happens.