International Christian Hospice News from Central America
March-April 2011
Never are we prepared for the things God will do when we step outside our comfort zone and travel to places He takes us. But we can confidently say “The Lord Himself goes before you (us) and will be with you (us)” Deut. 31:8. What an honor to be the fingertips of The Body that get to touch, through this vehicle of ICH, those who need to know there is hope, peace and life, even in the face of death and loss. Thank you to each of you who give us your encouragement and prayers. We can feel it every day!
Stories from Honduras
“I have trouble sleeping at night. I am afraid. But then I think about God.” These words were spoken to us by 72 year old Mr. Flores whom we visited while we were in Trujillo.
We have known his family for 5 years and greatly admire their faith and courage. They have lived and ministered on the north coast of Honduras among the Garifuna people (African descent) for many years as they raised 7 children. Today 3 sons are pastors and we were honored to share ICH training in their son Carlos’ church nearby. The next day we visited the Flores family in their home. Mr. Flores has a history of heart problems and had a stroke last fall. Since then he has slowly declined despite the wonderful care of his wife and children. His words that day expressed one of the most common experiences of people who are facing the end of their lives. We were able to encourage him and his family by explaining that many times people are afraid to go to sleep for fear they will not awaken. Even people of great faith experience fear. It is a normal human emotion. The psalmist wrote “When I am afraid I will trust in you.” Not, if I am afraid, but when which signifies that it will happen. Mrs. Flores thanked us for explaining this and other changes to expect. Their faces relaxed with smiles of relief that someone understood what was happening. Susan was also able to demonstrate some simple care techniques to improve comfort for his immobility. How sweet to join hands for prayer before we left. Please pray for this family who are carrying on the Kingdom work among their own people.
Courageous, determined and steadfast are only a few adjectives that describe Dionisio, or Dennis in English.
That evening people had begun to gather in Christ Church New Covenant, in the
poorest community in the city of La Ceiba. We were setting up for our ICH training and expecting people from 3 churches to be attending. Pastor Jeronimo, introduced us to Dennis who attends his new church plant further up the mountain. Dennis was a construction worker and last year he suffered a terrible accident. He was putting rebar into cement blocks and accidently touched a nearby live electric line. He experienced severe burns and damage beyond repair to one leg and both his arms. Today he lives with two stumps just below the elbows and one leg stump above the knee. Yes, he has only one leg and no hands. I forgot the adjective innovative because he adapted his two crutches with small slings for his arm stumps and he goes everywhere this way. He and Maria have 6 children, the youngest baby girl, 4 months, was born 6 months after his accident, and the oldest is a son who is 13. Maria is a professional teacher but has not been able to work because of caring for Dennis and the family. I quote his testimony to us.
“God is faithful! He provides what we need. There were days we had nothing to eat but then a church member or neighbor would arrive at our house with food. I could join the other cripples who beg on the streets, but no, I choose to trust God and work for Him.”
That evening our ICH teaching that God walks with us through our suffering rang true to everyone present. After the service we witnessed a beautiful picture as people shared hugs and encouraging words with Dennis and his family. The next day we were honored by an invitation to their home. From the church, we drove 2 km. uphill on a rugged, rocky road. Then we walked the final 1 km., passing the new home church, and arrived at the steep 50 ft. trail downward to their home. Before the accident Dennis was building their house of cement block on a small ledge of land perched above a river. He had completed the first level which is built into the hillside and is two rooms in which they sleep. The kitchen and laundry area are outside covered by a tin awning. His sons, 13 and 11, are continuing, to work on the upstairs which opens on three sides onto the hillside above and is covered with tin held up by poles. Maria volunteers to teach a free daily kindergarten as a church outreach to this community. In addition, each Saturday Maria and other ladies from the church, hold a Bible class and free lunch, you guessed it, on the open second level of their home for 45 children from the community. They are so willing to work and serve but sadly told us that they have very few children’s teaching supplies. Dennis continued to amaze us as he demonstrated how he draws with a cut off plastic coke bottle fitting snuggly onto the end of his right stump. He attaches a pencil or pen to a piece of old door knob then inserts it into the neck of the bottle. We could not believe the beautiful banner he designed on a square of white sheet for the church. Maria showed us a rusty, old, treddle sewing machine beyond repair. Her dream is an electric machine with various stitches so she can embroider the designs Dennis draws to sell. We felt as though we went back in time to the first century church. Join us in praying for our new friends whom God has raised up to spread His light against all odds in this small corner of the world. 
The coastal town of Tela has a new national hospital. Pastor Francisco, our Honduras ICH Director, contacted this hospital and arranged a meeting for us with the Directors. God’s hand has opened a new door for hospice training that we did not expect. The nurse education director, Berna, admitted that the staff see so much suffering and death on a daily basis and do not know what to say or how to help the families. They have a very progressive community health program with staff and volunteers particularly serving a high population of AIDs patients. They provide home care and education in several nearby villages. Everyone was excited as we discussed plans to return later this year to offer hospice training to the hospital and community health staff.
Before we leave Honduras we must tell at least one travel story. It is a two day trip to Trujillo from Seguatepeque where we store our car with missionary friends. But before we could begin our travels Ron had to have the clutch changed, again. You may think this is not a very good advertisement for Ford Escape since this is clutch number 3. Besides a defective clutch, you just have to understand the rough mountain roads and the high elevations that we travel when we are in Central America. Ask Ron if you want to know more about a hot clutch and transmission going up a rugged grade at 6,000 ft.+. Thankfully God provided a very good mechanic and crew to do this 3 man job before we hit the road.
We are always pleased when Lourdes Argueta, our translator and ICH Volunteer Director, can join us for ministry. Thank you, Lourdes, for sharing your semester break from teaching English at the Unitversity.
She is such a trouper! It is a two day trip from Segua. to Trujillo. During the final leg of this journey we came upon a bridge which had been washed out last summer during a tropical storm. The solution offered by the Hondurans was a raft propelled by an outboard motor which would hold two cars at a time and cross the river. Ron reluctantly followed instructions and backed our car onto the raft and was joined by another car. Hastily Ron instructed us in escape measures because we all had visions of capsizing while we road inside the car on the raft. This was their method of getting people across too. Thankfully we can report that God delivered us safely to the other side. Thanks for the prayers!
Adventures in Guatemala
We said goodbye to Pastor Francisco and Lourdes Argueta in San Pedro Sula, Honduras and began our two day drive and border crossing to Guatemala City. Thank you Dennis and Cindy McCutcheon, who serve with Vine International, for your warm hospitality. We were delighted to exchange the dark chocolate we delivered to them from the states for a comfortable bed and hot shower when we arrived at their home in Guatemala City!
Thank you to First Baptist Church of Lexington, S.C. for the gift of Celebrate Recovery materials in Spanish. Yesinia Valasquez is following God’s call on her life to be a Christian Counselor. For the past 3 years she has worked with us each time we came to Guatemala as a translator and very important leader on our teams. Yesi gasped when we handed her the Celebrate Recovery materials because she had just learned about this program last week. A professional counselor in Guatemala had recommended this program to her as a Christ-centered solution to help people with addictions. But she had no access to these materials. At that time the books were bumping along in our luggage in Honduras. We love it when we get to see God “connect the dots!”
That day Yesi was also instrumental in helping us to purchase 392 Bibles from the Bible Society of Guatemala.
Thank you to the many people who donated $946.00 to 
purchase Bibles for students in a small highland village! It was the most enjoyable shopping trip we have made in a long time! The director of the Bible Society was so delighted with where the Bibles were going that he took pictures and told us to check their web page for our story. We will also be sending him some of the distribution photos you will see here.
We are in awe of our loving heavenly Father who selects his special children in a remote village, which no one has heard of, to receive in their hands His story of love! We cannot thank Him enough for the honor of placing the Bibles in the eager hands of Quiche’ (Kee-chay) children. Pastor Eligio met us last August as we taught ICH at a small mission hospital on the southern edge of Quiche’ territory. He had recently been appointed by the government as director of 3 national schools in the highland area called Xojola (sho-ho-la). We agreed that God has placed him in this position “for such a time as this”, to quote the book of Esther. Pastor Eligio is Quiche also so he made such a beautiful connection with the teachers and children. He told us that less than 5% of the families represented in the schools had a Bible in their homes, and even less attended any church (Catholic or Evangelical) which required one hour walk down the mountain. As we entered each classroom Pastor Eligio gave a short lesson about the Bible, “the Book of all books.” We have no doubts that the power of God’s word was carried into 392 homes that day. We only wish each of you could have been with us for this huge blessing!
“7,777 ft., the perfect elevation,” to quote Dr. Hugo Gomez. He welcomed us into his office and home in the city of Quetzaltenango, or Xela (shay-la). Dr. Gomez has been partnered with Lexington Baptist Church for many years and thanks to Chuck McCurry, one of our ICH Team Leaders, God orchestrated a very important divine appointment. Dr. Gomez is the CEO of Global CHE Enterprises. Community Health projects such as clean water wells, agriculture, local medical clinics, education and microenterprises encourage empowering of the indigenous people to improve their lives right where they live. In the process, relationships with local mayors or community leaders has proven to build trust and opens doors for the Gospel. Currently CHE has 30 Christian Educators who are directing projects from Mexico to Panama. Dr. Gomez was excited to learn about ICH and we made plans to provide hospice training to leaders in his organization as well as to anyone interested in the community. How wonderful to see this man of God giving hope and a future to so many through CHE. “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” These words right out of Jeremiah 29 express the heart of our loving God and sound just like the ministry He has given CHE. Please Pray for CHE, ICH and Lexington Baptist Church as we plan to join hands in August serving the people of Guatemala in the Xela area.
While we were in Xela we reconnected with an indigenous Bible Seminary, Hands that Harvest and Help. We look forward to another ICH training opportunity in August and spending more time with our friends the Muellers and Dieners.
It never ceases to amaze us how many passionate men and women of God we are honored to meet! Sonia Rivera is right up there among those who have a calling that is transforming Guatemala. After two weeks of fasting, prayer and singing on the street in front of the Ministry of Health’s office in the capitol she was granted an interview. Her request was for funding to continue what she has begun on her own: more homes to care for the elderly and homeless. Four years ago we visited the first “My Sweet Refuge” home in the far northwest region of Guatemala known as the Peten. Now Sonia is operating 7 homes in different places throughout Guatemala. A few months ago she was granted enough money from the government to open 6 more homes in new locations, no strings attached. This is unprecedented in this country so again we see the hand of God caring for the forgotten ones. You cannot drive through any town in Central America and not see people who are living in the streets who are elderly, sick with no family or home. Most people just look the other way. But God sees them and He has given Sonia His vision and heart. ICH is honored to be able to offer hospice training for the staff of My Sweet Refuge homes who face death and loss every day. Dates are set and a plan is underway to begin this work in August. How could we expect anything less from someone as determined and convinced of her mission in life as Sonia?
If you have ever tried to work cross-culturally with a language barrier you can appreciate this gift God has given us. Often one of our most difficult logistical challenge is finding good translators to help us and our teams teach and minister. In this photo you will see four Bible students at a seminary (SETECA) in Guatemala City desire to do new ministries and travel, are bilingual and best of all, want to work with ICH! There are actually two others also, making six in all, and we are looking forward to working together in August and the future as God leads. Please give thanks for this blessing along with us!
Coming in 2011
May-June
Team training for State Street Baptist Church of Columbia, S.C. who are opening hospice work in Peru. Team training for work in Guatemala.
July, August, and September
Ministry work in Guatemala. Three team opportunities to accompany us for hospice work, eye clinics, medical clinics, community development and children’s ministry.
October-November
Ministry work in Honduras. Team opportunity to partner with Tela Hospital in initiating hospice services and education. Church and hospice family practical support which would include construction and microenterprise assistance. This will depend on team member’s expertise.
Please know we are so thankful to those who support ICH through prayer, interest and donations.
God bless you!
Ron and Susan Naish Founders and Directors of International Christian Hospice
Tax receipts available for donations sent to: ICH 303 Madison Heights Drive Marshall, N.C. 28753
All donations
Never are we prepared for the things God will do when we step outside our comfort zone and travel to places He takes us. But we can confidently say “The Lord Himself goes before you (us) and will be with you (us)” Deut. 31:8. What an honor to be the fingertips of The Body that get to touch, through this vehicle of ICH, those who need to know there is hope, peace and life, even in the face of death and loss. Thank you to each of you who give us your encouragement and prayers. We can feel it every day!
Stories from Honduras
“I have trouble sleeping at night. I am afraid. But then I think about God.” These words were spoken to us by 72 year old Mr. Flores whom we visited while we were in Trujillo.
We have known his family for 5 years and greatly admire their faith and courage. They have lived and ministered on the north coast of Honduras among the Garifuna people (African descent) for many years as they raised 7 children. Today 3 sons are pastors and we were honored to share ICH training in their son Carlos’ church nearby. The next day we visited the Flores family in their home. Mr. Flores has a history of heart problems and had a stroke last fall. Since then he has slowly declined despite the wonderful care of his wife and children. His words that day expressed one of the most common experiences of people who are facing the end of their lives. We were able to encourage him and his family by explaining that many times people are afraid to go to sleep for fear they will not awaken. Even people of great faith experience fear. It is a normal human emotion. The psalmist wrote “When I am afraid I will trust in you.” Not, if I am afraid, but when which signifies that it will happen. Mrs. Flores thanked us for explaining this and other changes to expect. Their faces relaxed with smiles of relief that someone understood what was happening. Susan was also able to demonstrate some simple care techniques to improve comfort for his immobility. How sweet to join hands for prayer before we left. Please pray for this family who are carrying on the Kingdom work among their own people.Courageous, determined and steadfast are only a few adjectives that describe Dionisio, or Dennis in English.
That evening people had begun to gather in Christ Church New Covenant, in the
poorest community in the city of La Ceiba. We were setting up for our ICH training and expecting people from 3 churches to be attending. Pastor Jeronimo, introduced us to Dennis who attends his new church plant further up the mountain. Dennis was a construction worker and last year he suffered a terrible accident. He was putting rebar into cement blocks and accidently touched a nearby live electric line. He experienced severe burns and damage beyond repair to one leg and both his arms. Today he lives with two stumps just below the elbows and one leg stump above the knee. Yes, he has only one leg and no hands. I forgot the adjective innovative because he adapted his two crutches with small slings for his arm stumps and he goes everywhere this way. He and Maria have 6 children, the youngest baby girl, 4 months, was born 6 months after his accident, and the oldest is a son who is 13. Maria is a professional teacher but has not been able to work because of caring for Dennis and the family. I quote his testimony to us.“God is faithful! He provides what we need. There were days we had nothing to eat but then a church member or neighbor would arrive at our house with food. I could join the other cripples who beg on the streets, but no, I choose to trust God and work for Him.”
That evening our ICH teaching that God walks with us through our suffering rang true to everyone present. After the service we witnessed a beautiful picture as people shared hugs and encouraging words with Dennis and his family. The next day we were honored by an invitation to their home. From the church, we drove 2 km. uphill on a rugged, rocky road. Then we walked the final 1 km., passing the new home church, and arrived at the steep 50 ft. trail downward to their home. Before the accident Dennis was building their house of cement block on a small ledge of land perched above a river. He had completed the first level which is built into the hillside and is two rooms in which they sleep. The kitchen and laundry area are outside covered by a tin awning. His sons, 13 and 11, are continuing, to work on the upstairs which opens on three sides onto the hillside above and is covered with tin held up by poles. Maria volunteers to teach a free daily kindergarten as a church outreach to this community. In addition, each Saturday Maria and other ladies from the church, hold a Bible class and free lunch, you guessed it, on the open second level of their home for 45 children from the community. They are so willing to work and serve but sadly told us that they have very few children’s teaching supplies. Dennis continued to amaze us as he demonstrated how he draws with a cut off plastic coke bottle fitting snuggly onto the end of his right stump. He attaches a pencil or pen to a piece of old door knob then inserts it into the neck of the bottle. We could not believe the beautiful banner he designed on a square of white sheet for the church. Maria showed us a rusty, old, treddle sewing machine beyond repair. Her dream is an electric machine with various stitches so she can embroider the designs Dennis draws to sell. We felt as though we went back in time to the first century church. Join us in praying for our new friends whom God has raised up to spread His light against all odds in this small corner of the world. 
The coastal town of Tela has a new national hospital. Pastor Francisco, our Honduras ICH Director, contacted this hospital and arranged a meeting for us with the Directors. God’s hand has opened a new door for hospice training that we did not expect. The nurse education director, Berna, admitted that the staff see so much suffering and death on a daily basis and do not know what to say or how to help the families. They have a very progressive community health program with staff and volunteers particularly serving a high population of AIDs patients. They provide home care and education in several nearby villages. Everyone was excited as we discussed plans to return later this year to offer hospice training to the hospital and community health staff.
Before we leave Honduras we must tell at least one travel story. It is a two day trip to Trujillo from Seguatepeque where we store our car with missionary friends. But before we could begin our travels Ron had to have the clutch changed, again. You may think this is not a very good advertisement for Ford Escape since this is clutch number 3. Besides a defective clutch, you just have to understand the rough mountain roads and the high elevations that we travel when we are in Central America. Ask Ron if you want to know more about a hot clutch and transmission going up a rugged grade at 6,000 ft.+. Thankfully God provided a very good mechanic and crew to do this 3 man job before we hit the road.We are always pleased when Lourdes Argueta, our translator and ICH Volunteer Director, can join us for ministry. Thank you, Lourdes, for sharing your semester break from teaching English at the Unitversity.
She is such a trouper! It is a two day trip from Segua. to Trujillo. During the final leg of this journey we came upon a bridge which had been washed out last summer during a tropical storm. The solution offered by the Hondurans was a raft propelled by an outboard motor which would hold two cars at a time and cross the river. Ron reluctantly followed instructions and backed our car onto the raft and was joined by another car. Hastily Ron instructed us in escape measures because we all had visions of capsizing while we road inside the car on the raft. This was their method of getting people across too. Thankfully we can report that God delivered us safely to the other side. Thanks for the prayers!Adventures in Guatemala
We said goodbye to Pastor Francisco and Lourdes Argueta in San Pedro Sula, Honduras and began our two day drive and border crossing to Guatemala City. Thank you Dennis and Cindy McCutcheon, who serve with Vine International, for your warm hospitality. We were delighted to exchange the dark chocolate we delivered to them from the states for a comfortable bed and hot shower when we arrived at their home in Guatemala City!
Thank you to First Baptist Church of Lexington, S.C. for the gift of Celebrate Recovery materials in Spanish. Yesinia Valasquez is following God’s call on her life to be a Christian Counselor. For the past 3 years she has worked with us each time we came to Guatemala as a translator and very important leader on our teams. Yesi gasped when we handed her the Celebrate Recovery materials because she had just learned about this program last week. A professional counselor in Guatemala had recommended this program to her as a Christ-centered solution to help people with addictions. But she had no access to these materials. At that time the books were bumping along in our luggage in Honduras. We love it when we get to see God “connect the dots!”That day Yesi was also instrumental in helping us to purchase 392 Bibles from the Bible Society of Guatemala.
Thank you to the many people who donated $946.00 to 
purchase Bibles for students in a small highland village! It was the most enjoyable shopping trip we have made in a long time! The director of the Bible Society was so delighted with where the Bibles were going that he took pictures and told us to check their web page for our story. We will also be sending him some of the distribution photos you will see here.We are in awe of our loving heavenly Father who selects his special children in a remote village, which no one has heard of, to receive in their hands His story of love! We cannot thank Him enough for the honor of placing the Bibles in the eager hands of Quiche’ (Kee-chay) children. Pastor Eligio met us last August as we taught ICH at a small mission hospital on the southern edge of Quiche’ territory. He had recently been appointed by the government as director of 3 national schools in the highland area called Xojola (sho-ho-la). We agreed that God has placed him in this position “for such a time as this”, to quote the book of Esther. Pastor Eligio is Quiche also so he made such a beautiful connection with the teachers and children. He told us that less than 5% of the families represented in the schools had a Bible in their homes, and even less attended any church (Catholic or Evangelical) which required one hour walk down the mountain. As we entered each classroom Pastor Eligio gave a short lesson about the Bible, “the Book of all books.” We have no doubts that the power of God’s word was carried into 392 homes that day. We only wish each of you could have been with us for this huge blessing!
“7,777 ft., the perfect elevation,” to quote Dr. Hugo Gomez. He welcomed us into his office and home in the city of Quetzaltenango, or Xela (shay-la). Dr. Gomez has been partnered with Lexington Baptist Church for many years and thanks to Chuck McCurry, one of our ICH Team Leaders, God orchestrated a very important divine appointment. Dr. Gomez is the CEO of Global CHE Enterprises. Community Health projects such as clean water wells, agriculture, local medical clinics, education and microenterprises encourage empowering of the indigenous people to improve their lives right where they live. In the process, relationships with local mayors or community leaders has proven to build trust and opens doors for the Gospel. Currently CHE has 30 Christian Educators who are directing projects from Mexico to Panama. Dr. Gomez was excited to learn about ICH and we made plans to provide hospice training to leaders in his organization as well as to anyone interested in the community. How wonderful to see this man of God giving hope and a future to so many through CHE. “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” These words right out of Jeremiah 29 express the heart of our loving God and sound just like the ministry He has given CHE. Please Pray for CHE, ICH and Lexington Baptist Church as we plan to join hands in August serving the people of Guatemala in the Xela area.While we were in Xela we reconnected with an indigenous Bible Seminary, Hands that Harvest and Help. We look forward to another ICH training opportunity in August and spending more time with our friends the Muellers and Dieners.
It never ceases to amaze us how many passionate men and women of God we are honored to meet! Sonia Rivera is right up there among those who have a calling that is transforming Guatemala. After two weeks of fasting, prayer and singing on the street in front of the Ministry of Health’s office in the capitol she was granted an interview. Her request was for funding to continue what she has begun on her own: more homes to care for the elderly and homeless. Four years ago we visited the first “My Sweet Refuge” home in the far northwest region of Guatemala known as the Peten. Now Sonia is operating 7 homes in different places throughout Guatemala. A few months ago she was granted enough money from the government to open 6 more homes in new locations, no strings attached. This is unprecedented in this country so again we see the hand of God caring for the forgotten ones. You cannot drive through any town in Central America and not see people who are living in the streets who are elderly, sick with no family or home. Most people just look the other way. But God sees them and He has given Sonia His vision and heart. ICH is honored to be able to offer hospice training for the staff of My Sweet Refuge homes who face death and loss every day. Dates are set and a plan is underway to begin this work in August. How could we expect anything less from someone as determined and convinced of her mission in life as Sonia?
If you have ever tried to work cross-culturally with a language barrier you can appreciate this gift God has given us. Often one of our most difficult logistical challenge is finding good translators to help us and our teams teach and minister. In this photo you will see four Bible students at a seminary (SETECA) in Guatemala City desire to do new ministries and travel, are bilingual and best of all, want to work with ICH! There are actually two others also, making six in all, and we are looking forward to working together in August and the future as God leads. Please give thanks for this blessing along with us!Coming in 2011
May-June
Team training for State Street Baptist Church of Columbia, S.C. who are opening hospice work in Peru. Team training for work in Guatemala.
July, August, and September
Ministry work in Guatemala. Three team opportunities to accompany us for hospice work, eye clinics, medical clinics, community development and children’s ministry.
October-November
Ministry work in Honduras. Team opportunity to partner with Tela Hospital in initiating hospice services and education. Church and hospice family practical support which would include construction and microenterprise assistance. This will depend on team member’s expertise.
Please know we are so thankful to those who support ICH through prayer, interest and donations.
God bless you!
Ron and Susan Naish Founders and Directors of International Christian Hospice
Tax receipts available for donations sent to: ICH 303 Madison Heights Drive Marshall, N.C. 28753
All donations
