News Letter for International Christian Hospice

                                                                                  Fall 2015

  

We send our greetings and prayers to you all!   Although our news is overdue we have much to report in ministry and personal life.  Thank you to so many who have remembered Susan’s brother and our family in prayer.  His cancer is progressing and he is under hospice care in his home.  Susan is so thankful to stayed with him over the past year although she is taking a break and at home presently.  Her plan is to return to Albuquerque to stay with him for the duration and Ron will join her there as well.  This has required us to put ministry travel on hold this year but God is still working through ICH!

 

Divine appointments

 

Calvary Chapel New Mexico has given us the opportunity to network and partner with their mission in Honduras.  God is opening doors with a team who are carrying ICH training information to Pena Blanca this month.  Please pray for this new open door for hospice care in Honduras.

 

Nicaragua missionary Mike Valasi was here in S.C. recently.  Ron and Chuck McCurry, who is our ICH Team coordinator, met to plan ministry for teams in 2016.  Please pray with us as plans are made to build on the foundation of ICH ministry established by previous teams as well as the work done by Mike and Maria Saeli who represent ICH in Leon, Nica.

 

Translation Progress and Testimony

 

God has faithfully been working behind the scenes in Pakistan through ICH.   The translation of our Volunteer training manual is reaching completion.  This fall we again met with the Din family while on furlough here in S.C.   We were able to place other ICH resources in their hands to begin the translation process.  Asaph and Lynn, who live and work in Punjab, report to us that ICH will be a perfect vehicle to reach into the Muslim culture with the Gospel.  The older Pastor Wilson Din and Esmere are still here in S.C. due to health issues.  Thank God they are improving and they tell us they are planning to make ICH their priority outreach when they return to Pk in the next few weeks.  The following is a testimony from the translator who is working on getting ICH into Urdu.

 

“ We are overwhelmed with joy and compassion to read your book while translating.  My wife has recently lost three family members.  She cried many times during our work and is passing through that which you write about.  This is great to see your vision and passion for the work of the Lord.  God spoke to her and put deep compassion in her heart to be a part of this work.  We have some team members who visit the hospitals for care and prayer. We want your advice and guidance… We know that this is the work of the Lord.”

 

ICH at work in South Carolina

 

By now everyone is aware of the devastating flooding recently here in S.C.  Thankfully we were spared any damage in our location here in Irmo.  Some have compared this event with that of hurricane Katrina in New Orleans.   The flood damage aftermath from heavy rain, over flowed rivers and breached dams is massive.   S.C. infrastructure of transportation, electricity and water supply has collapsed.   Interstate highways are slowly reopening but hundreds of bridges and roads are still impassable.  Scores of communities are still underwater and will likely be condemned.  Major hospitals, universities and schools have been without potable water and power.  But God is alive and well!  His body is mobilized and reaching out to those who have suffered the loss of lives, homes and property.  Churches, Christian and humanitarian organizations are trucking in supplies and workers.  This week we took part in reaching out in Christ’s name with a group of believers from many churches.  We delivered food, supplies and drinking water and canvassed neighborhoods for people who need help.  God opened doors for encouragement and prayer as we listened to people tell their stories.   Our daughter and her family live where the road is still flooded and impassable.   They have been marooned but not immobilized.   Thankfully they had no personal flood damage but a few streets away houses were in various levels of submersion, some to the rooftops.  Out of her kitchen she prepared meals and her husband and children served hot food and boiled drinking water to workers and displaced families.  We will remain active here in S.C. in helping those that we can.  It will take many months for life to take on a “new normal” for people who have had such tremendous losses!   Please pray for these folks and for those working to restore life and meet needs. 

 

Future Ministry

 

Please pray with us about the following.

·        Central America ministry travel in 2016.  Requests are being considered in Honduras, Nicaragua, Guatemala and Mexico.  

·        Pakistan mission trip.  Completion of translation of ICH training materials and God’s timing in ministry.

·        Team members to accomplish the work

·        Finances to support ICH work and open doors of opportunity

 

We pray God’s blessings and strength for you as you are His hands and feet where He calls you to serve!

 

In His love,

 

Ron and Susan Naish

803-781-0656

intlchristianhospice@yahoo.com

 

Tax deductible

Donations received at:    ICH   c/o Banis    303 Madison Hts. Dr.   Marshall, N.C. 28753

 

 

                                   International Christian Hospice News   

                                                                      Spring  2015

“Give thanks to the Lord, proclaim His greatness.  Let the whole earth know what He has done.”

                                                                        Ps. 105:1

 

Central America News

 

Pastor Francisco believes that you are never too young to learn of God’s comfort and peace amid the trials and grief of life.  Our ICH Director in Central America presented hospice care training to over 60 teens.  Youth from all over Honduras attended the winter retreat.  Many of them have had losses in their families and were touched deeply by the reality that their comfort and peace comes through Christ in their lives.  They responded with excitement to the practical information and tips on how to “walk with someone who is near the end of life.”  We pray that God will use this experience to deepen their walk with Him and to reach out to those around them. 

Pastor Francisco and his wife Blanca continue to lead Central America in ICH training seminars and home visitations. 

  

ICH Retreat

 

It isn’t often that we can arrange schedules for such an event.  But we were blessed by a weekend together with two of our ICH missionary couples here in S.C.   Mike and Maria Saeli came from their daughter’s in Atlanta and Rich and Barbara Banis from their home base in Marshall, N.C.   Some of our local ICH leaders, Chuck and Lana McCurry and Don and Sue Smith, also came to enjoy an evening meal.

Our new assistant accountant, Crystal Wilson, spent time working on “the books” with Rich.  The fellowship was sweet with recounted ministry stories of adventures around the world.  What an honor for all of us to have seen lives changed and God’s faithful hand at work!  A special highlight was the sweet time of prayer together praising God and also seeking direction for the future.  Mike and Maria have now returned to their home in Nicaragua.  We hope to have a reunion in “Nica” in the coming months with them.  Please pray with us about our upcoming ministry travel this year.  

 

 

Web Improvements

 

Please check out our website  www.ichopice.org   It has had a new facelift, thanks to Crystal Milliken and Ron.  We anticipate adding more features and links soon. 

Expanding Borders with New Translation

We received an encouraging email from Pastor Aseph Din in Pakistan.  This spring translation will begin on our ICH training manual and several other resources into Urdu.  This is a widely spoken language in a large region of Pakistan.  Please pray for this open door of ministry for ICH in Pakistan.   

Upcoming Ministry Plans

 Thank you for continuing to pray with us about ministry travel to Central America.  We anticipate leading teams to Honduras and Nicaragua later this year.  The dates have not been confirmed but we are considering July and October. 

 

Please pray for:

 

·         ICH volunteers, medical personnel and Pastors working around the world.

·        The people who are dying and grieving who need of Christ’s comfort and peace

·        Open doors for ICH work and workers to meet the needs

·        Current ICH missionaries in Nicaragua (Mike and Maria Saeli) and South Africa (LaVerne Busbee)  

·        Team trips, team members, all logistics involved

·        Urdo translation and ICH future ministry in Pakistan

  

We would like to express our thankfulness to God and to you who stand with us in prayer and financial support!  Thank you to each of you for your faithfulness to God and for sharing His heart for ICH ministry around the world.  This year we particularly are asking for prayer for financial provision for ICH ministry.  As is happening with many ministries financial support has decreased significantly over the past few months.  Please contact us with any opportunities that you may know of churches, organizations or individuals who would like to learn more about ICH.  We are eager to share the vision God has given us to bring physical, emotional and spiritual hope to the dying, and comfort in Jesus Christ! 

With joy serving Him and others,

Ron and Susan

 

Tax deductible donations received at:

ICH

C/O Banis

303 Madison Heights Dr.

Marshall, N.C. 28753

 

                          International Christian Hospice

                                                       Newsletter:  December,  2014

                                                                      New Website is Up!

                                                                      www.ichospice.org    

 

Greetings to all our friends and family!  “Oh come let us adore Him!”  as we remember the Advent of our Savior into our world to bring us His message of redemption, peace and hope! 

 

Please join us in heartfelt thanksgiving to God as International Christian Hospice celebrates the completion of our eleventh year of ministry.   Here is a list of some of the milestones we are remembering:

 

·        ICH ministry presence in 12 countries worldwide

·        7 missionaries on staff  (1 new associate to be introduced)

·         10,000 +  pastors, volunteers and medical staff equipped with ICH training

·        22 teams joined us in international ministry trips

·        2 vehicles worn out in Central America but no accidents (smile)

·        1000+ Bibles distributed

·        Unknown number of people who have trusted Christ as a result of ICH work worldwide

 

•     To date 8569 views of our Bog world wide

 

May all this be to our gracious God’s praise and for the His Kingdom!

 

 

Fall news 2014

 

September - On a personal note, we said good bye to Ron’s mother as she passed away in September.  Thank you to each of you who upheld us in prayer during this time.  It was a blessing to have cared for her in our home for ten months.  Ron and our whole family miss her but have great comfort knowing she is at peace and experiencing joy in the Lord’s presence!   We have been on the receiving end of hospice care through the past few years as death and grief has touched our lives personally.  God is using these precious experiences to keep the passion alive within us for ICH ministry!  He gives us comfort so that we can comfort others….2 Corinthians 1:3-4. 

 

Susan & Ron at our home with Ron's Mom, Augusta died Sept. 17, 2014

October- It was a delight to have a reunion with longtime friends from Biltmore Baptist Church in N.C.  Randy and Diana Foote and Mike and Pat Whiteside spent a precious time of fellowship and encouragement with us in October.   We go way back to “pre ICH days” as we served with them on a mission team to Guatemala.   God has interwoven all of our lives with Alyce Gillam who is the Missions Director at Lexington Baptist Church.  Our hours together were spent sharing memories, testimonies of God’s faithfulness through tough times and prayer for His future plans for each of us.  Thank you, dear friends, for your encouragement and the gift of your time! 

Mike & Pat Whiteside, Alyce Gillam, Ron & Susan, Diana & Randy Foote

 



November- God blessed us with donated medical equipment which we were able to send “down the pipeline” to Guatemala in November.  We delivered an electric hospital bed, walkers, wheelchairs and stools to Knoxville, Tenn. to the collection warehouse of Vine International.   Here Bruce White prepares pallets and packs shipping containers.  We are happy to know that these items will help people in mission hospitals, nursing homes and clinics where medical supplies are very limited.  Prayerfully, we anticipate these items will be received in Guatemala City by Dennis and Cindy McCutcheon (at the “end of the pipeline”) who will process and distribute them to the needy.   Please pray for them and for Vine International.  So many people depend on these provisions for desperately needed medical care!

 

 
 
We serve a God who never ceases to amaze us with new opportunities that were not on “our radar” at all!  Several years ago we met Kenny Young at a mission conference.  He and his family were working in China.  They have returned to the US and now run a ministry, The Alcoves, in Greenwood, S.C.   Over the past year Kenny met some new friends living in Greenwood.  Pastor Wilson Din and his family are from Pakistan.  We responded to Kenny’s invitation and spent a day visiting with the Dins.  He and his wife have been believers and ministered in Pakistan for many years.  A year ago Mrs. Din was diagnosed with breast cancer and she has been receiving care and treatment in Greenwood.  Praise God that she is cancer free now!   They anticipate returning to Pakistan in a few months to continue their work.   They openly shared with us about their frightening experience facing her life-threatening disease.   God has used this experience and given them a desire for a new avenue of outreach.  The women in Pakistan, because of the culture, rarely admit to their husbands or family any personal health problems.  Health care is usually not accessible to women because of cost and distance.  Diagnoses of cancer is typically untreated and the Dins have many unbelieving friends who have faced sudden death.   Their question to us was “how can we better help these women and also bring the love of Christ to them?”   We shared the goal of ICH for physical, emotional and spiritual help for the dying and grieving.  We all grew excited as we discussed the opportunity to train fellow believers in Pakistan for hospice ministry.   Please pray with us about this open door and the possibility of ministry with the Dins in 2015.    

Pastor Din & Mrs. Din meeting with Ron and Susan

 

Our annual Board of Directors meeting was held in November in Asheville with Rich and Barbara Banis.  ICH is so blessed to have the expertise and skills which they have gained through decades serving as missionaries.  It was a unanimous decision to welcome Chuck McCurry into a new position of ministry.  Chuck has served with us internationally for six years as a Team Leader and ICH Trainer in four countries.  He now will be developing the Public Relations department of ICH.  Please pray for him in this new outreach which will inform our local communities, churches and civic organizations of the work ICH is doing around the world.   Chuck will be avaiIable for speaking engagements, workshops and conferences.  It is the goal of ICH that more people will become aware of the need for taking God’s love through Hospice care beyond the borders of the U.S.   If you are a member of an organization, or have a personal interest in learning more about International Christian Hospice please feel free to contact us, Chuck Mc Curry or Rich Banis.   All of our contact information will be below as well as on our web page. 

 

Please remember in prayer our other missionaries serving with ICH.  LaVerne Busbee ministers in South Africa.  Mike and Maria Saeli serve in Nicaragua.  Also please pray for more people to join ICH in reaching the world with hope and comfort in Christ.     

 

What is ahead in 2015?

 

Please pray with us as we are looking at ministry travel plans for the coming year.  We are anticipating taking teams again this year to Central America and considering new work in Pakistan.  We will be posting these opportunities in our next newsletter.  Please let us know if you have an interest in working with ICH in anyway. 

 

God bless you with His peace and joy as we serve Him together!

 

Ron and Susan Naish, Directors and Founders

803-781-0656

intlchristianhospice@yahoo.com

 

Tax deductible donations received at:    ICH c/o Banis   303 Madison Hts. Dr.  Marshall, NC  28753       Richard and Barbara Banis   828-242-3090   rbanis60@yahoo.com  

 

Chuck McCurry

803-348-0243    chuck1946@hotmail.com

 

 

 

 

  
 
 
 

                            International Christian Hospice News  
                                                      August 2014

                                                Ministry in Guatemala

Chickens and dogs warn us in the predawn darkness that sunrise is at 5:30.  By 6:00 people begin to gather at the “hospitalito” entrance to wait their turn for the medical and vision clinic.  We have commented often to each other about the amazing patience and good humor the Mayan, indigenous folks exhibit.  Their simplicity, contentment and relaxed pace of life is very appealing compared to our North American standards!   

Dr. Sergio and Veronica have been serving these people for 15 years, while rearing their 4 daughters in the high coffee lands and jungle of western Guatemala.  It has been such a huge blessing to have the second year of partnership of Lexington Baptist Church with ICH working in this beautiful, but needy location.  Below is a list in summary of the variety of ministry opportunities God gave us.

·        continuing construction on a house for Dr. Sergio’s family including installing electric circuits, and building a support base for a water storage tower

·        medical and vision screening clinics in two locations including prayer, sharing the Gospel and counseling

·        children’s VBS ministry

·        Youth evangelization and Bible distribution on the neighborhood soccer field

·        visiting 2 homes for the aging in the region, giving small gifts to the residents and sharing ICH information and encouragement with the staff/caregivers

How honored we were for opportunities to minister to people we met at the clinics who were suffering.  One woman had recently been given a terminal diagnosis.  Another older couple cried in grief over the recent, accidental death of their grandchild.  A young married couple were grieving over their recent miscarriage.  Our job began with listening to the stories of pain and grief, embracing and sharing tears in Jesus’ name.  We were then able to speak words of hope and comfort found only in Christ.   God has given ICH unique opportunities to walk with people experiencing pain and loss and our LBC team came away from each day feeling as though we were the ones receiving the blessings!

The scripture teaches that some of us have the role of planting Gospel seeds, others of us water but God is the One who harvests.  It was an honor to participate with God in each of these steps throughout our days of ministry.  We made “salvation bead bracelets” and shared God’s plan with over 150 children in VBS as well as teens on the ball field in the evening.  We distributed Bibles to families who had none and also to teens who expressed spiritual interest.  How exciting for our mission team to see precious fruit in His harvest as 4 people came to faith in Christ during this week!

Thank you LBC mission team for your hard work, dedication and flexibility in every situation we encountered!  Our week of ministry together would have been impossible without those of you at home praying and those who gave financially.   We thank God for all of you!

                 

Staff Training at MY SWEET REFUDGE near Mazetenango,      Guatemala

 

While staying in Antigua after the team left, God directed our paths to cross with Mr. and Mrs. Wei from Taiwan.  They have been living in Guatemala for 3 years.  Mr. Wei is directing the finances of Taiwan in partnership with the Guatemalan government.  During our conversation we were able to hear about their Budhist beliefs then we were able to share about Jesus’ life, death and resurrection in which we put our trust.  Please pray with us for this couple and for the truth of Christ’s love to reach into their hearts. 

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            
 

This past Sunday we attended Lamb of God Evangelical C.A. church with missionary friends Paul and Ruth Philippi.   Paul and Ruth first came to Guatemala in 1956 and will soon celebrate their 61^st wedding anniversary!  We have enjoyed their friendship and hearing about many exciting things God has done in Guatemala through the years.  Thank you, Paul and Ruth, also for allowing us to stay in a small apartment on their property!

Pray for ICH Future Ministry Opportunities

Please join us praying about plans for mission opportunities in November of this year.  Also we are looking at the calendar and considering requests for ICH work next year, 2015.   Thank you again for your interest in what God is doing around the world through ICH.  Please contact us if you would be interested in joining us in ministry as a team member either short or long term. 

Serving Him together,

Ron and Susan Naish

170 Bethview Dr.

Irmo, S.C.  29063

803-781-0656

 

Tax exempt donations received at:

ICH

c/o Rich Banis

303 Madison Heights Dr.

Marshall,  N.C.  28753

 

                      More Photos of team working with children at Hospital Santa Fe

                       International Christian Hospice      Spring 2014 News

 

You are probably as happy as we are that spring is finally here and winter is over!  How amazing and surprising the past several months have been for us.  We have so much to be thankful for as we celebrate with believers around the world that our Savior conquered death!  His gift of eternal hope and life gives us peace as we live out a personal hospice journey in our own home with Ron’s Mother.  May marks 7 months that we have cared for her and have been blessed with precious time with her that we never expected.  Thank you to many of you who have prayed for us and for Mom N!  We can tell that God has been near each day.  He has sent loving support and help through Abbey Road Hospice here in Columbia, S.C.   

We celebrated Global Missions with Lexington Baptist Church in March.  2014 is our 9^th year in partnership with LBC and mission teams who have gone on ministry trips with us to 4 countries!  Thank you to Chuck McCurry and Beth Freeman for your work in helping us to present an ICH booth at the Mission Fair.    We are confident that those who expressed an interest in our ministry will “pray, give and go” as God leads them!  

It has been refreshing to host two friends from Central America in our home this spring.  Both these ladies have been critical to ICH work as translators and also hospice volunteers.  In March Lourdes Arguetta was in the area for mission conferences representing Honduras.  She has worked as an ICH representative and volunteer in her country for 10 years.  Her parents and younger sister now live as residents in Louisiana and Lourdes is on visa visiting them.   She spent all of 2013 on mission traveling throughout South America with “Volunteers Without Borders” in evangelism and church planting.   Please pray for Lourdes as she continues to seek the next mission opportunity God has for her. In April  Gabriella Santizo came to stay in our home.  Gaby served with us in Guatemala as translator and ICH team member over the past 3 years.  Please pray for her as she seeks God’s plan for post graduate education in the area of Christian Counseling.  Gaby tells us that working with ICH has given her a vision for the emotional and spiritual needs particularly of the dying and grieving.  She is considering the program offered at the seminary of Columbia International University so please pray with her about God’s plan and provision for her future.  She has returned to Guatemala but we hope to see her again there in August as she serves as our translator for our upcoming ministry trip to Dr. Sergio’s hospital with the LBC team.

Ministry Opportunities for 2014

 

Guatemala in July and August

We are looking forward to returning to Guatemala and serving in the Quiche’ region at Hospital Cristiana Santa Fe.   Dr. Segio Castillo runs this hospital and 3 other clinics that serve the poor, indigenous population in western Guatemala.  Lexington Baptist Church will be continuing the ongoing relationship with ICH and Dr. Sergio in a multifaceted ministry.  We will offer ICH training, work with local Old Folks Home, construction on the hospital and VBS.  Please pray for us and the team as we prepare. 

Thank you for your interest, prayers and support for International Christian Hospice.  God is alive and at work around the world!  What an honor to be a part of His mission of comfort and peace to those who are facing the end of life.

Blessings in His name,

Ron and Susan Naish

Founders and Directors

International Christian Hospice

803-781-0656

 

Tax deductible Donations accepted at:

ICH

303 Madison Heights Dr.

Marshall, N.C.  28753