International Christian Hospice    Newsletter

April – May 2016

We wish you could have been with us on this trip to Honduras and Guatemala!  Once again we saw the finger print of our faithful God each day, showing His awesome work and gracious love for us and for the folks we were able to serve.

 

Honduras

·        Arrive in Honduras and travel to La Ceiba on North coast with Pastor Francisco, our ICH representative.

·        Follow up visit with Dionisio and his family, who is still using the prosthetic arms, leg and foot.  Thank you again to Kent Turnbow who provided and fitted Dionisio in 2013.  Worn foot and other parts will need updating!

Dionisio with 3 of their 6 children

reviewing problems with arms and leg



looking a replacing foot

·        Ministry in village of Cacoa.  New Christian Vision Church plant is getting established.  ICH training workshop under the mango tree, reading glasses provided for the needy, Ron shared a message and we had a sweet worship with the other believers.

New church plant building

Pastor Jeronimo and family

evening church

Susan speaking

Director Melvin Tejada of Clinica de Ojos and doctor with Ron who have worked together for 12 years helping patients from ICH   

future children's area

Pastor Juan Carlos who lost his eye due to welding
accident. We are trying to help get a prostetic eye

Ron checking eyes after ICH training

·        HIGHLIGHT….Open opportunity for future ministry and Teams.  Needs in the area are:  Evangelism, Construction of new church plant, Orphanage, Medical Clinic, development of microenterprises for believers.   Please pray with us for provision for ICH work in Cacoa!

·        We left North coast and travel to central area in the mountains, Pina Blanca.  ICH training at Calvary Chapel Church to a group of about 50 church leaders and Pastors.  We heard amazing testimonies of their desire to serve the aging, dying and grieving.  Pastor Oscar “We did not know how we could help people who are facing life’s crisis.  Thank you for coming all this way to us!”

Pastors and Ron and Susan

 

ICH training at Calvary church

 


Susan teaching church leaders

Preparing for a reading glass clinic

Guatemala

·       Flight to Guatemala and rented car.  Time with friends at SETECA, Evangelical Seminary, and planning future ministry teams.

·       Driving to Pacific Coast and into the highlands.  Clinic work with Dr. Sergio in small town San Antonio. 

Short hop from Honduras to Guatemala

 

Rental car

 
 

Susan working in clinic

 

Susan helping in clinic in San Antonio

 
 

Hospital at Cocola

 

Normal hazards of driving in Central America

·       Travel to village of Chocola.  Planning meetings with Dr. Sergio and wife Veronica for future teams.    Needs:    Clinic San Antonio: painting of old clinic areas, remodeling.  Hospital in Chocola:  demolition and wall removal for expansion. Evangelism, Bible distribution, Medical Clinic work, VBS. 

·       Guatemala City.  Revisited missionary friends, attended Union Church and encouraged believers. More preparation for future teams.

·         HIGHLIGHT…Praise and prayer for Dr. Sergio who ministers to poor indigenous Mayan people.  Mission team plans to work in San Antonio and Chocola taking shape for August 2016.  Please pray for provision for ICH to work in Guatemala!

 

 

May in U.S. 

·        Project Pakistan.  Praise for eager Pakistani Believers who are organizing and preparing to launch ICH in their country.  Completion of additional Urdu translation of ICH materials. 

·            Promotional meeting to present ICH opportunity in the “10/40 window” to Muslims.

·            Team planning meeting for Guatemala mission team trip in August.  

·            ICH Pastor Francisco ministering in New York, and N.C. to Hispanic believers. 

 

 

Special Needs for ICH

 

We write to you, our brothers and sisters in Christ, to let you know that there is a great need for financial support and ongoing prayer for International Christian Hospice.  Mission work around the world is greatly impacted by the financial support of His family.  God has blessed beyond any of our highest dreams since we established ICH thirteen years ago.   God and taken ICH into places where no other ministry could reach and lives have been changed for eternity.   Financial support is needed for us to continue.  One hundred percent of donated funds go to ICH.  No funds are taken out for our personal support. We would be honored to share with your church or organization.  Please feel free to email us or contact us by phone.  Please share with others you know who might be interested in this unique vehicle of ministry.  

 

intlchristianhospice@yahoo.com   or   ichospice@gmail.com

 

803-781-0656    

 

Thank you for your prayerful interest!  May God continue to give you His peace and abundant blessings!

 

Serving Him together,

 

Ron and Susan

 

                                            

    International Christian Hospice 

     Update  February 2016

 

Deuteronomy 31:8 

                   The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you;  he will never leave you nor forsake  you.  Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.      

 

We are excited that our plans have come together for a ministry trip to Central America this spring!

God has opened the doors for us to travel to Honduras and Guatemala in April.   We will be meeting with folks who are currently doing Christian hospice work and offering our workshops in possibly three new locations.  Also we will be setting up opportunities for teams to return with us later this year.  As always we are stepping out in faith as we rely on God to provide financially and to go before us to prepare our  way.  Please let us know if you would like to participate in any way! 

 

Prayer partners are needed!  Funds for travel, for Bibles and supplies for those to whom we will minister are needed!  How blessed we are to have God’s Family serving with us as we bring the message of hope and comfort in Christ to a dying world! 

 

Our gratitude to you who step out in faith with us!

 

God bless you,

 

Ron and Susan

803-781-0656

intlchristianhospice@yahoo.com   or   ichospice@gmail.com

 

Tax deductible donations are received at:    ICH/Banis   303 Madison Hts Dr.   Marshall, NC 28753

 

 

               International Christian Hospice Newsletter

                                                                    January 2016

 

 

We serve a God of new beginnings!  “The faithful love of the Lord never ends! His mercies never cease.  Great is his faithfulness; his mercies begin anew each morning.”  Lamentations 3:22-23 NLT 

Please join us as we find hope and comfort afresh in these words to begin this New Year!  

 

2015    Our Journey

Thank you to so many of you who were praying for us in our personal Hospice journey.  The past 3 years have been a season of “caregiving”, health changes and loss for us.  There has been much joy and fulfillment even amid the difficult family responsibilities with which we were entrusted.   In 2013 we were honored to be caregivers together for Ron’s mother in our home until her death in September 2014.  That same month Susan’s brother Bo, was diagnosed with cancer and we began that journey with him.   With Ron’s willing support, Susan was able to care for him in his home through many months of chemo and radiation.  God blessed in this time by strengthening family relationships with Bo’s three adult sons who also live in Albuquerque.  As he began to decline and no further treatment was recommended Hospice of New Mexico joined his caregiving team.  On the morning of October 31 Susan was present with him in his home at his passing.  We once again experienced God’s comforting presence even through the deep sadness and grief.  God gave both of us the gift of being able to share words of comfort, supporting each other and the entire family as Ron officiated in Bo’s memorial service. 

 

In December of 2014 Ron’s brother Frank who lives in Florida was also diagnosed with cancer.  Ron and his sister Arleen made several trips over the next few months to be with Frank.  Praise God that he had successful surgery and now, a year later, is cancer free!

 

During our time “out west” in November we also traveled to California and enjoyed a visit with our son Chad and his family.  Can you see our buttons popping off?  We are so proud of Chad’s successful Navy career! *** Then we completed our 5,000 mile road trip as we drove home to S.C. in time for Thanksgiving.   Our “east coast” family gathered at our home for a traditional Thanksgiving weekend.  What fun we had with the five grands, 8 years down to 2 years old.   Our daughter Michelle has since announced that next year there will be another grandbaby in the photo!  How blessed we are!   ***

 

And one other praise!  Since 2013 Ron has had an ongoing health issue and the VAMC MD suspected that he has a liver problem.  After two years and multiple tests the liver involvement has been ruled out and his issue is under control with diet and medication!  

 

“I say to myself, “The Lord is my inheritance; therefore, I will hope in Him!” Lamentations 3:24

 

Ministry Highlights

 

In 2015 the translation of our ICH Training Manual is now complete in Pakistani Urdo!  We have already heard testimonies from people who have been impacted through ICH in Pk.  Thank you to the Din family and their team who God brought together to produce and proof this edition for printing.  ***

 

Also in 2015 ICH became a member of the South Carolina Christian Chamber of Commerce.  Ron has attended meetings with our ICH Team Co-ordinator Chuck McCurry and we are anticipating future networking with other Christian organizations. 

 

In December 2015 Pastor Francisco Ilias, the ICH Central American Director, arrived in S.C. for a time of ministry with us.  We enjoyed his encouragement and the blessing of his preaching in Pastor Ken Freeman’s church near Columbia. *** What fun to surprise Francisco with a birthday party since he was far from his own family.  ***12 former ICH team members, who have traveled with us to work with him in Honduras, gathered at our home for fellowship.   The next day we drove Francisco to Raleigh, N.C. for another preaching engagement at Iglesia Palabra de Vida.  We couldn’t help but feel the tug on our hearts for the Latino people with whom we have grown to love in our 12 years of ICH ministry! ***  

The timing was perfect to reunite him with Chris and Rachel Embler, Susan’s cousins.  *** In 2007, while we had a team working with Francisco in Honduras, Chris and Rachel came through on their “Walk of Faith” on their way to Peru. (see www.ourwalkoffaith.blogspot.com for their amazing story)  They also returned to work with him twice with teams of youth.  Recently God has lead Chris and Rachel, now with four children, to work with “Gain” ministry which offers respite and encouragement to people who are in full-time Christian service.  They help to operate a retreat center on Okracoke Island, N.C. which offers family accommodations, times of outdoor activities as well as prayer and evening devotions.   (see GAIN on Facebook) 

 

Ahead in 2016

 

Please pray with us:

 

·        for  LaVerne Busbee who has been serving with ICH in South Africa.  She is currently in the U.S. to raise funds and is considering moving her work to India. 

 

·        for  Mike and Maria Saeli who have been serving with ICH in Nicaragua.  They are currently in the U.S. due to health concerns and are anticipating returning to Central America on short-term trips. 

 

·        about additional translation work into Urdo.  Children’s book, and Grief book.

 

·        about opening a dialogue with missionaries to China who have an interest in ICH

 

·        about possible ministry travel this year.  Central America, Mexico and Pakistan

 

·        Financial support for ongoing ICH work around the world

 

·        Staffing and team members

 

Thank you again for the blessing of your friendship and interest in International Christian Hospice.  Please consider what you can do to serve with us in this New Year 2016!  

 

God’s richest blessings,

 

Ron and Susan

 

Ron and Susan Naish, Directors            

803-781-0656

Email:  intlchristianhospice@yahoo.com  

Web site    www.ichospice.org

 

Tax exempt donations received at       ICH  c/o Banis     103 Madison Hts. Dr.    Marshall, N.C. 28753

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                      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