By Cindy Gladden,
Record Staff Writer
The Marthasville Area Chamber of Commerce sponsored its annual Prayer Breakfast Wednesday, March 9, at St. Ignatius Community Center.Proceeds from the annual event benefit the Washington Overseas Mission.Trips to Honduras began in 1992 with a small contingent volunteering to bring health care to an impoverished area.In February more than 40 people from Franklin and Warren counties traveled to San Antonio, Yoro, and San Antonio, Cortes, to serve more than 5,000 patients, offering health and dental care.Dr. Tim Long, founder of the organization, said volunteers provide their own travel funds. There are no paid employees of the charitable organization.A special “women’s brigade” will return in May to bring needed care to the women of Honduras.“We pay for transportation for the women to come to us and for their follow-up care,” said Dr. Long. “Many walk from two hours away to get a diagnosis. Once they are diagnosed, we go get them and coordinate their care.”The organization also provides fluoride treatments as part of its dental care. Dr. Long reports that a lot more teeth are being saved now, rather than just being pulled.Jan Long said they get great support from area communities, including items such as handmade quilts, children’s dresses and gift bags. They also receive help from Schroeder Drugs, which provides discounted pharmaceuticals.More than $800 was raised during the annual Prayer Breakfast.Guest speaker this year was storyteller and retired pastor Paul Schwartzkopf. Schwartzkopf is a retired pastor of the Evangelical Lutheran Church, serving many years in Illinois. He and his wife, Ann, now reside in New Haven.Schwartzkopf said he comes from a family of storytellers. After retiring, he even enrolled in area storytelling courses, improving his skill.“Storytelling and preaching are very different,” said Schwartzkopf. “In preaching you use a deductive presentation with three sub points. In storytelling, you save the point until the end.”The organization’s mission statement says it “seeks to improve the health and quality of life of the people of Honduras” and “strives to have a lasting positive impact on the people of Honduras, in matters of health, education and community development.”To learn more about volunteering or donating to the organization, visit overseasmission.org or follow Washington Overseas Mission on Facebook.Paul Schwartzkopf, of New Haven, was the guest speaker during the annual Chamber of Commerce Prayer Breakfast Wednesday, March 9, at St. Ignatius Community Center. The breakfast raised funds for the Washington Overseas Mission. Cindy Gladden photo.
