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