Saturday, March 28, 2009

International Christian Hospice Newsletter
January -March 2009

“…and now, O Lord, give us, your servants, great boldness in preaching Your word…They testified powerfully to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and God’s great blessing was upon them.” Acts 4:29, 33

Dear Family and Friends,

God has chosen to place all of us in an exciting and crucial time of history! Many people today are tempted to live in doubt, fear and depression over the world’s current financial and political situation. In Acts we read about the first century church which faced a very similar world, if not a worse. We read the response of believers in the above verse which was to pray, asking God for greater boldness and then they powerfully testified. They made a choice, unaffected by finances, society or the current political system. As a result they experienced “God’s great blessing”. Many Christians today are mistakenly looking for security in “health, wealth and prosperity” rather than something much greater that God has in mind. What were the great blessings of God these first century believers experienced? We find the answer as the story unfolds that thousands came to faith in Christ and the first century Church began to spread world-wide. Will we take this challenge despite what we see going on around us to pray for great boldness to testify powerfully the message of hope and resurrection to a dying world? International Christian Hospice chooses to take this challenge! Even in light of the difficulties of our times and the challenges we face in ministry Christ and His love is transforming lives of people who are facing death and families who are grieving. Thank you, family and friends, for your bold prayers on our behalf! We know that you are praying because God is showing us daily His hand at work in ICH. We believe that what is being accomplished through ICH around the world is “God’s great blessing.”

We don’t want you to miss any of the exciting things God has been doing. We will try to condense these three busy months and give you the highlights.

January-Honduras and Stateside

  • · Wednesday night ICH training as 10 week series at Lexington Baptist Church, S.C. Thanks to Chuck McCurry, Team Leader, as facilitator and other team members at LBC for teaching.

Honduras

  • · Meetings to encourage our Honduran ICH workers and plans made for opening work in 4 new locations
  • · Home ministry with 2 people who were dying and their families
  • · Meeting with the DeBose who direct Grace Life Ministries and Seminary
  • · Meetings with the Director of Evangelical Hospital, Dr. Maritinez and also Dr. Aguillar, staff MD. Discussion continues about partnering for a future ICH Care and Training Center in Sequatepeque.
  • · Looking at potential property and buildings for ICH Care and Training Center which adjoins the hospital property.
  • · Meeting with Chet Thomas, Director of Aldea Global, a national organization with 600 community health promoters who are being trained in Christian Hospice care.

  • · Met with a new Russian friend, Anya, who is a missionary to Honduras. She is now also helping us with translation work for our upcoming trip to Ukraine.

  • · Traveled approx.1,200 miles in Honduras in our faithful Ford Escape. Preparation for return in August with LBC team.



    February- Dominican Republic and Stateside
  • · Translation of ICH written materials into Russian began by friends in Columbia, S.C. Special thanks to Irina Ponomarev, Ludmilla Falter, and others.
  • · Meetings with Drs. Francisco and Diane Sabado in Santo Domingo, DR
  • · Meeting with staff at Virology Clinic in DR working with over 1,000 people with HIV and AIDS. Plans made for future additional training.
  • · Team members Dr. Arleen Jennings and Linda Craig, RN joined us in ministry in DR.
  • · Participated in 2 medical outreach clinics to Haitian refugees.
  • · Presented 3 ICH training seminars in DR.
  • · Meeting with Director of Nazarene church of DR for future hospice training.


    March
  • · Praise God! We received our official confirmation from the IRS of our non-profit status! This has been a long process begun last March and all donations, written to International Christian Hospice (ICH) are now tax deductible.
  • · Preparation for ministry trip in April to Ukraine and Moldova. Final work on material preparation and translation.
  • · Meeting in Knoxville, Tn. with Dr. Martinez and wife Norma who are visiting in the US. Discussion and prayer continues for possible partnership with Evangelical Hospital in Sequatepeque, Honduras.
  • · Welcome to Lavern Busbee who will be accompanying us to Moldova in April for field training. Lavern will be going to South Africa later this year as an ICH representative working with AIDS orphans and families.
  • · Planning meeting at Biltmore Baptist Church for team going with us to Guatemala in July.
  • · Safe arrival of medical equipment via container to Honduras. Thanks to Dr. Mario Fu and Team Co-ordinator Lourdes Arguita for pick up and delivery to Ever, our young paraplegic friend. Ever continues to decline but remains strong in his trust in God. Thanks for your prayers and donations!



    We know that you have been praying because we have seen God’s hand at work in taking the ministry forward. New doors are opening for International Christian Hospice to fulfill our mission. Please continue to pray!




    Prayer Needs
  • · Preparation (for us and those we will minister to), travel and ministry in Ukraine and Moldova in April
  • · Discernment for growth and answering requests for ICH in many new countries
  • · Wisdom for God’s timing and plan for partnering with Evangelical Hospital in Honduras for a Care and Training Center
  • · ICH annual Board meeting in May in Columbia, S.C.
  • · Financial needs for continued ministry


    We are honored to serve Christ and to represent you in His name. God has led us in founding International Christian Hospice and walking beside Him in faith for the past 5 years. Please partner with us in prayer and giving so that people around the world will have the opportunity for peace and comfort in Christ as they face eternity.


    Serving Him together,

    Ron and Susan


    Tax deductible donations can be made to: International Christian Hospice
    145 Chillingham Rd.
    Irmo, S.C. 29063

    Contact Information: ronnaish@bellsouth.net
    ichospice@gmail.com
    http://www.ichospice.org/
    http://www.ichospice.blogspot.com/