Service trip creates sense of gratitude
By Renee Webb, Globe diocesan news editor
Posted January 31, 2002

Response to a Honduran mission trip last spring by Gehlen Catholic High School students was so positive that an adult trip was organized this year. In early January 16 adults, the majority from Le Mars and Remsen, took part in a mission trip to Honduras.

Richard Seivert, guidance counselor at Gehlen, said, "Last April we sent nine students and four adults. They got so much out of it and all said their lives were changed. In May, I started hearing from many of the parents that they wanted to go sometime." By June, he was making plans for an adult trip.

A contact in Honduras had been established with two missionary sisters from Michigan - Sister Valeria and Sister Barb - in the village of El Guante when one Gehlen student went on a medical mission trip in February of last year. That trip gave birth to the Gehlen student trip in the spring. Seivert's brother, Frank, led the student and adult trips as he had participated in other mission trips.

Initially, the adult trip was to be a simple service trip where they would work where needed. After a medical doctor made plans to go on the trip it became a medical mission as well.

Dr. Desiree Langel, a native of Le Mars and 1977 graduate of Gehlen, decided to go on the trip after hearing many "endearing and enlightening" stories from her niece Erin who took part in the student trip last year. The dermatopathologist who practices at the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis also recruited three physician friends from the Mayo Clinic to make the trip. In addition, Marty Bohnenkamp of Le Mars, who is in his last semester of medical school at the University of Iowa, offered his services.

The medical team set up clinics on six days in six different villages. Doctors with the Le Mars group and those working in triage saw about 1,300 patients. Many of these people walked hours to get to a clinic.

Tom Ryan, a pharmacist from Le Mars who is a member of St. Joseph Church, estimated that he filled over 3,000 prescriptions, some being over-the-counter such as Tylenol.

"They all had headaches, stomach and muscle aches," said Ryan, who was surprised by the number who had stress related symptoms. "We have work stress, but I think their stress comes from daily living. They do have a hard life in the rural areas. Some had water, some didn't. A few had electricity." Cities, on the other hand, had everything as in the United States.

In the rural areas in particular, he said, despair could be seen on the faces of adults but the children were very happy. Ryan pointed out that it made him more sympathetic to immigrants, knowing they are only looking for a better life and a way to support their families.

Mary Arens, spiritual life director at St. Mary's High School in Remsen, made the trip with her college-age daughter, Sarah. They were part of the medical team, working in triage where they took people's blood pressure and temps. They also dispensed vitamins, medication for parasites and scrubbed children with scabies.

"I did not travel to Honduras with hopes of a life-changing experience. I purposely went with no expectations," explained Arens. "Because of this, I was not prepared to be in the midst of what I witnessed. As I reflect back, seldom do I see just one Honduran face, rather a mass of hundreds of faces - men, women and children wearing the look of devastation and despair as they wait for hours under the baking sun to visit a doctor."

Two people from Le Mars served as interpreters at the clinics.

Langel described it as an incredible experience, a once in a lifetime opportunity.

Tom Loutsch, a parishioner at St. Joseph Church in Le Mars, was one of five men from Le Mars who made up a construction team. Their work focused on the church of San Rafael in El Guante where they installed a new sub-floor and tile, installed new wiring and lighting, and repainted the interior with 30 gallons of paint. He also worked triage for a day.

He pointed out that he decided to go on the trip through the support and encouragement of his wife, Deb and his sister. After deciding to go, he left it in God's hands and was blessed with money for the trip from his sister and her friends, a bountiful crop and improving livestock market.

"I feel that we are to be disciples of Jesus and this was a good way to spread his word and show other people we care them," said Loutsch, whose son took part in the student trip. He added that he was the one who benefited by making the trip.

Arens said, "I was struck by how we as Americans accept everyday gifts whether materialistic or spiritual with little or no gratefulness in comparison to those of a country such as Honduras. Because the Honduran people are not able to center their lives around the materialistic world, their lives are deeply rooted within their spirituality. Due to poverty, disease, and hopelessness their lives are placed in God's care not their own."

While in Honduras, they were invited into some homes where they saw a major contrast ranging from beautiful houses with colorful tiled walls to those with dirt floors. Loutsch pointed out that the people were either rich or poor - no middle.

Several people and organizations back home helped make the trip a success. Donations allowed them to bring along medicine, medical supplies and equipment valued at about $10,000. They also brought cash to purchase additional supplies. Among those who made donations were people from the parishes of St. James and St. Joseph in LeMars, Remsen St. Mary's student body, Gehlen students and staff, and individuals.

"I know that I touched a number of individuals in Honduras. I know that I touched these individuals in some small way, in a medical way, on a single day in their life," said Langel. "In return, I know that these individuals touched me in a big way, in a way that will remain with me for many years of my life. They taught me the value of simplicity, the beauty of a warm and appreciative spirit."