Trip to Rio Tinto - Part 1: Getting There

On Wednesday morning Gary started working on his database project at the office, but David and I joined the Samaritan's Purse team who were heading out for a time of working in a Garifuna village called Rio Tinto on the northern coast of Honduras. This project is one where they offer free HIV testing along with counseling both before and after the test. They use what is called a "rapid HIV test" where the results are known after only 15 minutes.

But getting to this village is no simple matter. We left the house before 6am, loaded up two four-wheel drive vehicles, and drove for about three hours. First good roads, then bumpy roads, then through a river.

Then we got lost on rutted trails inside a palm oil plantation, then driving on an abandoned railroad track, then on a railroad track bridge. That's when we got to phase two, the river cruise.

The river bank was extremely muddy, so it proved easier to load up the launch by lowering the cargo over the side of the bridge with a rope.

The twelve of us rode in the fiberglass launch for just under an hour. This was the time for sunscreen, hat, and sunglasses. It was also a time for birdwatching, but of course the sound of the outboard motor scared a lot of the birds.

Once we arrived at the ocean, we got out of the launch and walked about a mile to Rio Tinto but this fine specimen of a horse brought its cart along to the river and picked up the stuff--plastic chairs and table, coolers, other equipment.

The staff set up shop and immediately started taking names of people who wanted HIV testing. At first it was only young women; later, the men showed up. About 40 people were tested over the next 3-4 hours. While they were busy working, David and I entertained ourselves by waling on the beach and riding a horse.

Tomorrow, more photos of our time at Rio Tinto.