Spring/Summer 2013
News from International Christian
Hospice
Can you imagine a doctor performing surgery on you when
suddenly the power goes out? What
happens to the lights, the monitors, the anesthesia machine? We have no worries here in the U.S. We have dependable power sources to start
with then there are massive generators systems for back-up in every health
providing facility. But in other
countries it is so different. At any
moment, day or night, the electricity will shut off. The power outage could last for a few hours
or go as long as days. We have shared
with you in previous newsletters how God has opened a partnership for us with
Hospital El Santa Fe in Guatemala. Dr.
Sergio Castillo is the primary health care provider, clinical consultant, surgeon
and (sometimes) the anesthesiologist all rolled into one. The
medical care Dr. Sergio and his wife Veronica provide has improved the health
and saved lives of thousands of indigenous Mayans throughout the southwestern
region of Guatemala. Over the past 4
years ICH has worked along side Dr. Sergio to introduce the Quiche’ people to
hope in Christ. Through the local
churches we have trained hospice volunteers and workers with education and
skills to take back to their villages and towns.
Following a meeting with Dr. Sergio and Veronica (while
their family was visiting here in South Carolina in December) God gave us a
desire to negotiate the purchase of a generator that would power the hospital in
case of electricity outage. Ron shared
this need with our friends at Lexington Baptist Church (LBC). Don and Sue Smith and Chuck McCurry have been
ICH team leaders from LBC for 4 years.
Chuck and Don presented the need to their church and God blessed with a
decision by the missions department to purchase a generator. In March the generator was purchased and
shipped to Vine International in Knoxville, Tenn. Vine
International Vice President Dennis McCutcheon and his wife Cindy live in
Guatemala City at the “End of the Pipeline”, literally. They run a warehouse and negotiate receiving
containers of medical supplies for missions.
The new generator is, as we speak, in route to Guatemala! Dennis will arrange transportation for it to
arrive at Hospital Santa Fe soon. LBC
did not stop at their very generous financial gift. 10 men are forming a mission team to go to
Guatemala in August to install the generator as well as do other much needed
work on the hospital. There have been so
many steps and pieces to bringing this project together. Only the Master Planner could oversee every
important detail. We serve an awesome
God! We are humbled that He allows us to
see His hand at work and ICH can participate with Him! 
Honduras came to us this spring! In April Pastor Wilmer Moreno from El
Progreso, Honduras visited the U.S. for the first time. God has blessed us with a friendship with
this wonderful brother in Christ and co-worker in ICH. Pastor Wilmer and his wife Lesly have been
leaders in hospice training among the churches in Honduras and Belize since
2005. We had a great time visiting with
him at his brother’s home, Ricardo, in Hickory, N.C. We also were introduced to one of the most
vibrant Hispanic churches we have ever seen!
Ricardo, along with his congregation, have renovated an old furniture
business transforming it into a beautiful place of worship called El Camino
Church. In the future they are planning
to offer a Bible Institute for higher education among the Hispanic population
of their community. We are so honored to
get to see God’s kingdom growing among all nationalities of the world both here
and abroad.
It was three years ago that we first met Dionisio, Maria and
their 6 children in La Ceiba, Honduras.
We related Dionisio’s story in previous newsletters. He was in a construction
accident that resulted in his loss of both arms and one leg in 2009. Efforts were made to get prosthetics in
Honduras for him but it was not possible.
Ron’s heart went out to Dionisio and he made two mechanical arms that
needed some improving for effective use.
God knew the desire of Ron’s heart and He had an even better plan. God connected us with Kent Turnbow of Turnbow
Prosthetics in Indiana whom we introduced in last year’s news. Kent is also an amputee and uses a leg
prosthetic. We are so excited that Kent
will be joining us in Honduras in September!
Over the past year Kent has raised funds for the very expensive parts
required so that he could personally make the prosthetics Dionesio needs. God also provided the funds for Kent to make
this very important trip. We cannot tell
you how awesome it is to be a part of God’s plan that will change a man’s life,
not to mention his whole family!
Dionisio and Maria have shown such strong faith in God that they know He
loves them and continue to serve him regardless of the circumstances. May we all learn from their examples of trust
in God even in the face of unbelievable challenges. We can’t wait to share our report about this
part of our upcoming time in Central America.
Planning meetings, preparing training materials, computer
emails, telephone calls and team meetings are just a few of the things that we
have been up to over the past few months.
It is amazing how much must happen as we prepare for ministry time in
another country. Below is an abbreviated
version of our agenda for the 6 weeks we will be working in Central America.
Arrive in Honduras, secure our car from storage and
prepare for travel.
Drive to Guatemala, prepare for the LBC team arrival.
LBC team working at Hospital Santa Fe for 10 days. ICH workshops in 3 locations.
Drive through El Salvador to Nicaragua.
Several days of work with Mike and Maria Saeli, ICH
missionaries in Nicaragua.
Welcome Rich and Barbara Banis who are joining us to work
in Nicaragua and Honduras.
Drive with the Banis’s to Honduras.
Welcome Kent Turnbow, from Turnbow prosthetics. He will be in Honduras for a week fitting and
training our friend Dionisio with two arms and a leg.
Partner with national ICH leaders, Pastor Francisco and
Pastor Wilmer in Honduras presenting ICH workshops.
Please make this list a part of your prayers for us in
August and September.
Another blessing on the horizon is a new ICH web site
currently under construction! Please
pray!
On a personal note, God has blessed us with travel to
visit with family in California and New Mexico.
Our children and grandchildren gathered at our home for a family reunion
also this summer. Then our quiver became
a little fuller with another new grandson, born July 1. We cannot thank our faithful Heavenly Father
enough for His grace, protection and provision for us and for ICH!
Praises and Prayers
Praise for God’s provision of a generator through LBC for
Hospital Santa Fe in Guatemala
Praise for team members joining us on mission in August
Praise for successful planning and preparation for
ministry time abroad
Praise for God’s faithfulness in giving ICH opportunities
to share His love
Pray for generator transportation and logistics
Pray for team preparation, travel, protection and
successful accomplishment of projects
Pray for Ron and Susan for safe travel, endurance and
divine appointments in His will
Pray for ICH ministry to grow in the hearts and hands of
the national believers abroad
Pray for God to call others into His work with ICH
God bless you and give you His peace and presence as you
serve Him where you are!
Ron and Susan Naish
Directors and Founders of International Christian Hospice
803-781-0656
Tax deductible donations received at:
ICH
303 Madison Heights Dr.
Marshall, N.C.
28753
