ICH News     Fall 2012      also        Preview of ministry plans 2013

Thank you for your ongoing interest in International Christian Hospice work around the world.  God is blessing and multiplying the seeds we are honored to plant in His name!

Guatemala Ministry

As happens so often, God’s plan for us differs from what we have on the agenda.  Because of a regional outbreak of Dengue Fever we were unable to go to Hospital Cristiana Santa Fe and work with Dr. Sergio.  There were over 1,000 cases reported, some deaths, and Dr. Sergio and Veronica his wife also contracted dengue.  God was faithful and answered many of our prayers and they now have regained their health and have returned to their home and “jungle hospitalito” to serve their people.  We are looking forward to ministry opportunities with them in 2013 and will be listing ICH trips later in this post.  If you are interested we have a short write up about Dr. Sergio that we can send to you to describe the ongoing projects that you or your church group could plug into.  Please let us know of any interest, it is very worthwhile!

We’d like to mention a ministry that we just became acquainted with called Potter’s House.  Edgar and Gladys Guitz, native Guatemalans, have been working for 25 years in Guatemala City with people who live in and work in the city dump.  WWW.pottershouse.org.gt will give you more information about this unique outreach.   ICH is looking forward in this coming year of partnering with these folks.  The work they are doing is a testimony to God’s life transforming power!

Rich and Barbara Banis, who are also ICH missionaries, flew into Guatemala to join us for 2 very busy weeks of ministry.  We enjoyed a time of fellowship with Dennis and Cindy McCutcheon who run the Vine International warehouse in the City.  They receive containers shipped from Tennessee with medical equipment and supplies donated for over 120 mission and medical clinics all over Guatemala.  The current project we assisted with was assembling wheelchairs to be ready for use.  Go to The End of the Pipeline to read their news and how their very vital work is growing. 

Last year we began working with Sonia Rivera who has opened 7 homes for the aging, Mi Dulce Refugio, throughout Guatemala (www.asocdulcerefugio.org).  I quote her in saying “Our Heavenly Father has permitted us this beautiful job of serving elders who are in need.”   We and the Banis’s have now partnered with 5 of these facilities.  It is a very full day’s drive from Guatemala City to the Peten (far northeast region) of Guatemala.  We stayed in guest housing of El Calvario, Calvary International, www.gotonations.org , in San Benito.  From there we ministered to 3 different facilities, housing about 200 elderly people.  We were so blessed to provide encouragement and end-of-life hospice training for 50 workers and staff who are committed first to our Lord then to providing a sweet refuge for these  needy and homeless folks.  One extra ministry we enjoy that really gets us in touch with the people is the eye screening for reading glasses.  The smiles are worth a thousand words!  We can’t tell you how grateful the workers were to hear our session on “Compassion Fatigue” and to know that we came from so far to encourage them in their usually thankless work.  The monetary compensation they receive is very small, if anything, but each of them are committed to the dear elders which they affectionately call “grandparents”. 

If you have ever imaged the perfect setting for an orphanage we think we found it.  While in the Peten we drove to Rio Dulce.  This river flows out of Guatemala, borders the south of Belise then empties into the Caribbean.  What a lovely, tropical place for Rays of Hope Orphanage.  Mike and Karen Rhea, who serve with Calvary Chapel, have a ranch style home, and 9 very special children.  They range in age from 5 to 16 and are unfortunately, for different reasons, unadoptable.  The home is on 10 acres which they farm raising horses, sheep and chickens.   Besides this working ranch Mike and Karen have extended ministry in a medical clinic, aid to the disabled and organizing the Calvary Chapel Church on their property with the home for children.   We were able to offer an eye screening clinic for the local community there at the church/ranch.  It was a great opportunity to join with the Rheas in serving in their mission field.  Karen told us their plans to open a home for unwed mothers. Please pray with them for more missionary staff to help with the growing work.  www.rayodeesperanza.org to learn more about them. 

    Returning to Honduras

We take so many things for granted in our lives, for example dental care.  The Lord impressed upon us that ICH has another opportunity to bless our friends Dennis and Maria and their children by arranging dental care for them while we were in Honduras.  We picked them up one afternoon and took them to Dr. Claudia Zalaya who has a dental practice in La Ceiba.  In fact she has given us, and many other missionaries, excellent dental care with her very up-to-date equipment over the past 5 years.  Franklin (13 years old), Edgar (11 years old) and Rosa (9 years old) had never been to a dentist but we were amazed at their excitement and pleasure to sit in the dental chair for their exams and cleaning.  Yes, unfortunately, many cavities were discovered, but Dr. Claudia scheduled each of them for more appointments for the required fillings and ongoing dental care education.  She emailed us later that she allowed Edgar to assist her as she did Franklin’s fillings.  We never know how something so simple can change a life!  She also told us in her email that her husband and family have joined in ministering to this very needy family by providing clothing and other basic things they need.  A special thank you to Dr. Claudia for her compassion and her offer to cover half of the expenses for the dental care herself.

Back in the U.S.

Fall is the time when we have the blessing of returning to our sending church, Biltmore Baptist, in Asheville, N.C., for “Compel 2012” Missions Emphasis.   What an encouragement to spend time with people who are praying for and supporting us as we continue ICH around the world.  Thank you Pastor Kelvin Moseley and all who lead BBC to reach out into the world with the Gospel!  We look forward to the upcoming opportunities to work with teams in Guatemala in 2013.

Thank you also to Bob Slaney for the invitation to “Christ for the World” Mission Conference November  2012 in Smithfield, N.C.  We look forward to participating by sharing about our Christian Hospice work with indigenous people in Central America. It will be great also to visit with family who live in Smithfield, Susan’s cousins Jane and Paul Embler, as well as Chris and Rachel Embler serving in Youth Ministry on Top Sail Island.  We hope to hear more about how God is leading Chris and Rachel since their 2 year walk of faith from North Carolina to Peru. 

2013 Mission Opportunities  (Please pray with us as we plan this coming year’s work!)

Ministry trip to Guadalajara and Cabo, Mexico to work with Pastor Carlos and Sandy Rios.  We will be partnering with 2 young churches and also teaching in a Bible Institute.

Ministry trips to Central America with focus on the indigenous people in Guatemala, Hospital Santa Fe and My Sweet Refuge Homes for the aging.

What are you praying about doing on mission in 2013?  Please consider working with International Christian Hospice as we go beyond the borders of the U.S.  Feel free to call us or email about any interest you may have in these areas of ministry. 

 

    

                                       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              

Donations received

International Christian Hospice Newletter Spring 2012


Greetings friends! We thank the Lord for His faithful presence through the past few months. It has been a time of transition for ICH as well as for us personally. We have moved our home and office to another location but we are still in the Columbia, S.C. area. Our phone and email have not changed. It has required all of Ron’s handyman skills to renovate the new house/office but it looks like things are coming together.

ICH has experienced the financial challenges that many other ministries are going through. We are tightening the budget and being as wise as possible with reduced donations this year. Finances have impacted our travel and ministry time in other countries this spring but the Lord is not limited nor His plans thwarted. We have several things to report about ICH progress in Central America.

ICH in Honduras

Pastor Francisco Ilias, as ICH Central American Director, is continuing to report ongoing work. He is leading his church in very active hospice ministry in the San Pedro Sula area. They are ministering in the hospitals, doing home care and outreach through their church. ICH impact has grown this spring through a weekend ICH conference which he led. The keynote speaker at the conference was Dr. Manuel Aguilar, a director of the largest, national run mission hospital in Honduras. We have known Dr. Aguilar for 5 years and been blessed by sharing a common goal of ministry. He has broadened the scope of impact of the Evangelical Hospital, located in Seguatepeque, which is in the heart of Honduras. The emphasis of his work has grown to include hospice care, palliative care and a focus on those who are dying with HIV/AIDs. Dr. Aguilar and Pastor Ilias together presented a day of education and inspiration to a large gathering of Pastors and church leaders. As a result we have heard reports that many other churches and believers in Honduras have begun reaching out to the dying and suffering in their own towns and villages with a better understanding of their physical, emotional and spiritual needs. Christian Hospice is proving to be one of the most effective, practical avenues for sharing Christ’s love and we are honored to be a part of God’s work in Honduras.

Upcoming Ministry Opportunities in Central America

ICH teams will be ministering in Guatemala and Honduras in the months of July and August this year. In Honduras we are planning ministry work in Seguatepeque, Santa Barbara, Tela, La Ceiba and San Pedro Sula. In Guatemala we will be working in Guatemala City, Chocola, San Antonio and the Peten. We anticipate a very packed schedule as our team members from both North and South Carolina join us. Thank you for your prayers for safe travel, logistics and effective ministry for the Kingdom. Please let us know if you would be interested in joining us for a mission trip.

We thank our Heavenly Father for each of our friends, prayer partners and supporters! International Christian Hospice is an extension of you so please join us in any way that you are able. We’d love to hear from you!

In Christ’s love and service,

Ron and Susan Naish

Donations accepted for ICH at 303 Madison Heights Dr. Marshall, N.C. 28753

International Christian Hospice Christmas Greetings
December 2011
Worldwide people are celebrating an event that was planned by God before all time began. God with us, Emanuel, Jesus Christ, Jeshua are all names of the God-man who is the true pivotal axis of all creation and history. The creator became a man. This small statement is the ultimate evidence of God’s love that is able to transform our hearts and lives. Our feeble words cannot convey the gratitude and worship He is due! May we join our praise this Christmas with Paul who wrote in Romans 11:36 “For from Him and through Him and to Him are all things. To Him be the glory forever. Amen.”
What a memorable year 2011 has been for ICH and for us personally! Blessings of work, travel, opening new places of ministry, seeing what God is doing in other countries. Blessings of family times, new friendships made and old friendships deepened, joy (we welcomed another new grandchild) mixed with grief (we said good bye to a dear loved one). How sweet to have walked through this year with our faithful Lord going before us and sustaining us each step of the way!
God’s timing is perfect. We returned from our ministry work in Central America in September. Many of you knew and prayed for us during these recent months. It has been a treasured time for Susan as she spent most of September, October and November with her sister Ellen in Asheville. God allowed her the honor of being present with Ellen as she fought through her final weeks of life. Ellen’s faith, courage, grace and dignity in the face of advanced Parkinson’s disease will be forever ingrained in our memories. All of us who love her still feel the bittersweet emotions of deep sadness in missing her but joy in her triumphant, victorious entrance into God’s presence on November 22. Thank you to all who prayed for our family, visited, sent cards and flowers or attended Ellen’s memorial celebration December 3.
We also want to thank everyone for your support for our family as Ron’s cousin Laquata Cordell went home to the Lord on November 23. She, with the loving support of her husband Gary and family, courageously battled cancer for 2 years. Her funeral was a celebration that she had found the ultimate healing in her Savior’s presence. Powerful messages were given by two Pastors on November 26 urging everyone to be prepared for death as Laquata was.
Both Ellen’s and Laquata’s lives and their passing testify to the scripture above from Romans that they received all things “from Him (Christ), and through Him and give to Him the glory forever.”

ICH Year End Summary 2011
People impacted by ICH 1,117 (includes families, volunteers, Pastors, medical personnel, students)
Churches and communities ministered to 64
824 copies of the Bible distributed
Gospel presentations 5 government schools and Community VBS with 400 children
Eye screening clinics 250 served

Ministered to 5 different people groups

Opened new work with 2 Homes for the Elderly in Guatemala

Opened new work with 2 Community Development organization

Teams Hosted from U.S. 3

Projected Ministry Plans for 2012
Ministry work in Central America in April and May. Hosting teams for hospice training, eye screening clinics, home visitation, expansion of work with staff and residents in Homes for the Elderly.
Ministry work in Central America in July, August and September. Hosting teams, VBS, Bible distribution, eye screening clinics, Homes for the Elderly, hospice training.
Expanding partnership with Hospital Sante Fe and Dr. Sergio Castillo during spring and fall work in C.A.

Thank you to everyone who has participated in God’s work through ICH in 2011!
May God bless you and your family as we celebrate and remember the birth of our Savior, the King of Kings!

Serving Him with you,
Ron and Susan