Monday, August 20, 2018


                   International Christian Hospice       
                     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