News from Honduras Summer 2012
Think
outside the box!!! We are learning not
to be surprised when God gives us unexpected opportunities. Who would have thought we would be molding
casts in a dirt floored home in Honduras?
This is how our story of Dennis, the triple amputee, continues. We first
met him in church at one of our Hospice training seminars. Although his is not a typical hospice
experience he and his family have experienced tremendous loss that has changed their
lives forever. Please scroll back in our
blog to read about Dennis’s injury and his family’s faith in July 2010 and July
2011.
Our good friend in Columbia, S.C., Ben Amberg,
was the first to meet Kent Turnbow of Turnbow Prosthetics in Illinois. Kent read our blog story and was impressed
with Ron’s creativity in making Dennis some homemade mechanical arms. The Lord has given Kent a desire to make
plastic prosthetics for Dennis. Several
telephone conversations later he mailed us a package which we carried here with
us in our suitcase. It contained
plaster, stockinget,all the supplies we needed as well as a custom made
instruction video in which he personally demonstrated and talked us through
molding casts for fitting prosthesis. This is definitely a new skill for us! First Dennis, Maria and the children watched
Kent’s video on our computer so they would know what to expect and then we
began. Working with each stump, two arms
and one leg, Ron applied the plaster.
The children laughed as they tapped the hard plaster their daddy was
sporting. After Ron gently removed the molds we recorded needed measurements of
arms and leg dimensions. Meanwhile Maria
prepared a meal from some groceries we brought along and we relaxed and enjoyed
the fellowship with these dear believers.
How humbling to observe Maria serving her husband by feeding him and
dressing him. They expressed such
gratitude not just in words but through the smiles and light of hope we saw in
Dennis’s eyes. Maybe he will be able to
feed himself, stand upright or pick up a tool someday with prosthesis. Please pray that we can get the molds back to
the states intact and into Kent’s capable hands. Pray for the proper design and the logistics
involved and for donations to cover the cost of the three limbs. Thank God with us for allowing us to be His
hands and feet and demonstrate the reality of His Word in Jeremiah 29:11 “ For I know the plans I have for you, declares
the Lord, plans to prosper you and now to harm you, plans to give you hope and
a future.”
Lexington
Baptist Church ICH mission team joined us here in Honduras for a week of
ministry. Divine appointments meet us
unexpectedly. But God is not surprised. ICH has the unique opportunity to serve those
whom the world would pass by. We were
transporting our team caravan style through the mountains in our Escape and
Pastor Francisco’s Isuzu when his car began to overheat. God provided a shady spot to pull off the
road complete with a water barrel and a man selling plants. The engine cooled and water was added. In the meantime, Dr. Teresa Emmons, a native
Spanish speaker from Lexington, struck up a conversation with Carmito. He had recently experienced the death of his
16 year old son. Through financial problems he also had lost his house that had
stood where we were now parked. He
admitted that he attended church in the past but he was too angry with God to
talk to Him now. His grief was written
all over his face as he asked “why?” We
admitted to Carmito that we don’t have the answers but we know God sent us
directly to him that day because He loves him and God wants to give him comfort
and peace. Life will never be the same
without his son. He will always love him
and miss him. What an honor to lift this
hurting man up in prayer on the side of the road. Please pray for Carmito as he rebuilds his
life after so many losses.
That week
was a very full schedule of Hospice training seminars. Thanks to the LBC team that was led by Chuck
McCurry we were able to teach and equip 160 people to minister to the dying and
grieving in their towns and villages.
Our attendees consisted of Pastors, educators in the public schools,
high school students, church leaders and medical staff. We worked with churches in 2 regions of the
country. In addition, and not
technically hospice related, we include a
“bonus” ministry God has given us. Usually an hour prior to our ICH seminars we
offer eye screening and BP screening for the community and the church
folk. This has become so special because
we can give a personal touch to each person we serve by praying with them
individually. It is amazing the stories
that people will share to a listening ear!
One particular case stands out.
Jessica is 22 years old. She had meningitis a few years ago and during
the surgery to place a shunt in her brain her optic nerves were damaged. She regained her health but lost 75% of her
vision. The eye doctors told her there
was nothing that could be done. We made
no promises but offered to bring her name and case to the MMI Eye Mission in El
Progreso, about an hour bus ride from her.
You can read our blog story in 2010 about little Wilson whose vision was
restored through God connecting the dots and we were honored to be one of those
dots. Thank you to one of our team
members, Joyce Turpin, who provided funds for Jessica’s initial eye exam. Please pray with us that God will restore her
sight. 
Special
thanks to all of our 2012 LBC team which also included Bob Gunter and Gaylan
Emmons. Each one on the team were
invaluable to hospice ministry in Honduras. God has
multiplied ICH over the past few by leading
many special people to join us in our
mission.
Please
continue to pray for us on the next leg of our mission. We will be driving to Guatemala to work for
the month of August.
Thank you
each for your interest in and prayers for International Christian Hospice as we
continue to bring hope and comfort in Christ to the dying and grieving. 
In HIS service,
Ron and
Susan
