SUMMER 2019

SEASONAL NEWSLETTER

Welcome to our first newsletter! Following Faith is a nonprofit organization

devoted to equipping the Honduran Bay islands to provide the best medical care
possible. Our team partners with clinics, organizations, and residents of Honduras
to ensure they have the supplies needed to make the biggest difference in the
communities they serve.

MEET OUR TEAM

Kallie Vallecillo is a Registered
Nurse and a Director of Following
Faith. She is currently on mission
in Honduras with her husband and
two children. She attended Charity
School of Nursing and is
graduating from University of
Louisiana Lafayette this Winter.
Brandon Bosarge is a Talent
Acquisition Recruiter and a Director
of Following Faith. He resides in
Louisiana with his wife and three
daugthers. Brandon has a degree
in Cultural Resource Management
and many years of experience in
public relations.
Amy Mendez is a Critical Care
Registered Nurse and a Director
of Following Faith. She resides in
Louisiana with her husband and
two daugthers. She attended
Charity School of Nursing and is
currently enrolled in Louisiana
State University.

FIRST ARRIVAL OF SUPPLIES JULY SHIPPMENT

In June, we received our first large shipment
of medical supplies. Donations courtesy of
Johnny Huffman of Fairhaven Children's Home
in Covington, La. Thank you to Mr.Johnny and
his supporters.
July brought new arrivals of medication and
supplies. The most sought after medications
on Roatan are acetaminophen, ibuprofen
and children's medications. This shipment
provided a couple of months worth of these
for Oakridge Community Clinic. Thank you
to all the donors from Louisiana. You made
this possible! What a happy day! 

"For we walk by faith, not by sight." -2 Corinthians 5:7

 SUMMER 2019

OAKRIDGE
COMMUNITY CLINIC
Oakridge Community Clinic provides healthcare for one of the poorest areas on the East side of Roatan Island,
Honduras. They average about 65 patients a week, with most of their patients arriving via boat. The majority of
their work is blood pressure management, blood sugar control, infection treatment, wound care and pediatrics.
Also, they host doctors from the United States several times a year to perform eye surgeries for locals.

During our first visit to the clinic we realized that the window unit in the pharmacy room was not working.
Buildings and homes in Honduras do not have central air conditioning. They were relying on a standup fan to
cool the room. This room houses all of the medications and with high Honduras temperatures the medications
were at risk of ruin. Through our supporters, we were able to purchase a more efficient mini split unit that could
cool that room plus provide air through a ventilation fan to next room. That room is where all of the procedures,
injections and IV medications are given. Some patients, as seen pictured below, sit in this room for several hours
receiving medication, all without A/C before. It has been such a blessing knowing that the medicine is safe and
that the sick patients are comfortable.

Mrs.Cooper, the clinic director, along with board members, additional staff, volunteers, and supporters work
tirelessly to make sure the clinic serves the community to the best of their ability. The clinic is a staple in the
community and a place people know they can trust. The compassion for Oakridge Community Clinic is inspiring
and Following Faith is honored to partner with them as they continue to bring the vision to life.

CPR GEAR FOR FIREFIGHTERS

It is incredible how God works! The first week in July we ran out of clean water at our home here in Roatan,
Honduras. Being completely out of clean water with two kids wasn't going to be an easy task. Being that it was a
Sunday, Bryan called the local fire department to see if they would be willing to come to fill our cistern to hold us
over until the water company could come out the next day. They gladly agreed to come. In conversation, one of the
firefighters told Bryan that the CPR gear for training their growing team was in such bad shape that it was almost
unusable. Following Faith was able to donate a full set of gear for adult and child/infant CPR. We thank the
firefighters of Roatan, Honduras for their hospitality and service!

"For we walk by faith, not by sight." -2 Corinthians 5:7

 SUMMER 2019
EAST END SENIOR LUNCHEON
On July 24 Roatan Because We Care (BWC) and Live Again Ministries hosted a luncheon for the senior residents
of the island. There were 376 seniors in attendance with the majority of them coming via boat. Everyone spent
the afternoon laughing, dancing, praising Jesus and enjoying a meal together. BWC director, Nidia Webster,
invited Following Faith to be part of this event. It was truly remarkable to see the love and joy in the room.
Each guest received a gift bag and a chance at a door prize. Nidia said at last years event the most sought after
door prize was a stand-up fan and she would love to see that type of excitement again. We were able to donate
four fans to be given as door prizes. Food baskets were given to the two eldest members of each community.
The oldest person in attendance was 103! Also, several guests were gifted tickets for the ferry to meet their
medical needs on the mainland of Honduras. Live Again Ministries provided blood sugar testing kits and
Following Faith supplied gloves, gauze, alcohol prep pads, and a blood pressure cuff. Together we created a
nursing station where each guest could receive blood pressure and blood sugar checks. Many of the guests
even got to take a glucometer home with them! As nurses, we loved the opportunity to spend time talking with
the elderly about their medication, diet, and lifestyles. Overall, this event was spectacular and something we
hope to be involved with for years to come!

EMERGENCY
RESPONSE TEAM CPR
TRAINING
On August 17, the emergency response
organization, Copeco, invited us to teach
a CPR course to their volunteers. This was
the first time many of them have ever
received CPR training. These young men
and women are committed to their
communities and give their time to make
Roatan a safe place. It was an amazing
experience to have a classroom full of
eager students with hearts to serve!
FUNDRAISING
INTIATIVE
Oakridge Community Clinic is a vital part of the
community, and unfortunately  their building  is in
jeopardy of major foundation failure. They are taking in
water and moisture daily. A local engineer told them
they would have to rebuild half of the entire structure
to save their clinic. Without this clinic the community
of Oakridge would suffer. A portion of our fundraising
proceeds are going to the restoration project.

"For we walk by faith, not by sight." -2 Corinthians 5:7

SPECIAL NEEDS
The following medications and suppplies are the most sought after items on Roatan but we are happy to
accept any other items as well. 

Acetaminophen Childrens multivitamins IV needles with catheter, 20 gauge

Aspirin 81mg Loratadine (Claritin) IV needles with catheter, 22 gauge
Ibuprofen Wheelchairs IV tubing
Omeprazole Gauze Butterfly IV infusion sets
Ranitidine Hibiclens soap Normal saline, 1000ml bags
Furosemide (lasix) 10mg Disinfectant wipes Tongue depressors
Hydrochlorothiazide Gloves, size medium 3ml syringes
Atorvastatin 40mg Gloves, size large 5ml syrings
Adult multivitamins Medical tape

OPPORTUNITES TO
GET INVOLVED
Our next shipment will be This fall we will be selling
second week in September. authentic Honduran coffee
If you have any items you
nicely packaged in burlap
would like to donate please
sacks. Please consider
reach out via email,
purchasing coffee to help
Facebook message, or call
support local Honduran
985-634-1433.
farmers and our mission.

If you would like to donate any items or make a montary donation

please use the link below, text to give, or contact us directly.
Thank you for your support!

https://bridgenorthshore.churchcenter.com
/giving/to/followingfaith

Text 'following-faith' to 84321

All donations are tax deductible through Bridge Church Northshore

CONTACT US

kallie.v@followfaith.org
Followfaith.org brandon.b@followfaith.org @Following Faith