International Christian Hospice
News Letter Spring 2018
News Letter Spring 2018
Paul writes to the Corinthian believers…”I passed on to
you what was most important and what had also been passed on to me. Christ died for our sins, just as the
Scripture said. He was buried, and he was raised from the dead on the third
day, just as the Scriptures said.”
There is no greater nor profound truth for us to remember
as Easter approaches! Please join with
us and all Believers in praise and thanksgiving to our Lord and Savior Jesus
Christ! He is Risen Indeed!
We remain in awe that God has called us to serve Him
through ICH as we begin our 15th year. How honored we are to know and share the true Source
of peace and comfort with people who are dying and grieving around the
world.
Ministry Trip to Honduras February and March 2018
Department of Santa Barbara
This was our first opportunity for ministry in the
Department of Santa Barbara. During our
6 hour drive in a pickup truck high into the mountains we were greeted by beautiful
vistas of coffee highlands around every curve. We were hosted by Pastor Daniel Rodreguez, his
wife Marilyn, his parents and two sons who own and live on a 14 acre coffee
farm, “Finca de Rosario”. This week it
is the end of harvest, which they reported with smiles, that it has been a very
good year for their coffee. Now they are
processing the final coffee beans for their own use. All 3
generations work the farm as well as serve in their community church.
That evening we
went to the church for a special Tuesday service and presented an ICH training
seminar to 60 people who arrived mostly on foot. Later that night, after we returned to stay
the night in their home, Pastor Daniel commented that the message we brought to
his church was very encouraging. He now feels that he is more prepared to be
“on mission” knowing how he can share the Gospel and reach those who are sick
and dying in their mountains. His words and his compassion for his people
reminded us of the parable Jesus told.
The Good Shepherd has the 99 sheep in the fold. But he values and cares so much for the 1
missing lamb that he goes out and searches until he finds it, bringing it to
safety.
Needless to say all our meals were generously served with
the freshest coffee you can imagine!!
The ladies prepared our food in their simple kitchen as they do each day
over a wood fire and plancha surface. We enjoyed our fill of fresh handmade
tortillas, plantains and beans. As we left the family repeated their warm
invitation to us to please return and “their home is our home”.
Department of Copan
Another 6 hours of driving brought us to the small city
of Santa Rosa. We were hosted by a family
with guest rooms attached to their home.
Matthew and Marianne Spangler have founded Legacy of Hope ministry to
house and place foster children into Honduran homes. This is a pioneer work which they began 11
years ago. They oversee several foster
families who are caring for children until they find “forever families” within
their own culture. They are currently
housing 7 foster children, have 4 children of their own and lead a very busy
household. They are currently working
with Honduran government Child Protective Services to introduce a plan and
promote foster care education which is a new concept in this culture.
Our ICH training Seminar was presented in a local Church “Ministry
of Gospel and Prayer” that evening.
Pastor Jose leads a growing and energetic congregation. The 48
leaders who attended were eager to learn and be equipped to reach out into the
homes of people who are dying and grieving.
Department Atlantida
We spent one weekend in the coastal village of
Cacao. It was a blessing to present
Pastor Jeronimo and his wife with 50 Bibles and a large supply of Bible study
and Gospel booklets for their church. They were so thankful and told us they
have a new outreach and now they can distribute Bibles when they visit in homes
in a nearby village. It is amazing to
see the zeal and “mission mindedness” of the believers in Honduras. They are immediately ready to share when God
provides the resources.
After worshipping in Christian Vision Ministry Church we
had the opportunity to spend the day in another orphanage in this village. Pastor Jeronimo, his wife and 2 children,
temporarily are living there and caring for 14 additional children, ages 3 to
13. The older couple who founded this
mission orphanage are currently in the U.S. with serious health problems. Several of the children have lived with Papa
and Mama Jones since babies and this is a very difficult time for all of
them. Please pray for God’s plan and
provision for this special place, for the Jones and these precious children.
Department Yoro
We were invited to present our ICH Seminar at Bethel
Evangelical Church in El Progreso the day before flying home. God never ceases to amaze us. He truly goes before us and prepares our way
(Deuteronomy 31:8). We never know who
will be in our audience and this evening there was a special family
present. They had suffered a tragic and
violent loss 4 years ago when their thirteen year old daughter was kidnapped
and killed for ransom. It was nightmare
for the entire church and community. The subject of death and grief which we
discuss in our ICH training offers an opportunity for people to share their
stories, their tears and their burdens.
We shared our many scripture promises of God’s heavenly reunion He has
in store for all believers. It was an
emotional evening but a precious time spent with fellow believers learning how
to reach those around us who are in need.
Prayer requests:
·
Pray for the people who will receive Bibles and
the Gospel
·
Pray for the two Orphanages, the children and
staff
·
Pray for the trained ICH Volunteers in their own
communities
·
Pray for ongoing financial support for ICH and
future ministry opportunities
As we focus on Easter we praise God for the power of the
Resurrection! It calms our fears and opens
our hearts to the eternal life for which we were all created. Only in Christ is there hope and assurance
that this temporary life with all its suffering and tragedy will fade in
comparison to what He has in store for those who place their faith in Him.
God Bless you and your Family! Thank you for your interest and prayers for
ICH!
Ron
and Susan Naish
Donations received at
ICH/Banis 303 Madison Heights
Dr. Marshall, N.C. 28753
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