Honduras 2009

Although it does not seem long since our team returned from Honduras, it is time to start thinking and praying about the 2009 trip.
If you were inspired by the work that took place, feel a calling to join the team this time around, or just interested to hear more then please come to the meeting.
We will meet in room 201 of the education building at 11.45am on Sunday January 11th, for information sharing and gathering.
We would love for you to join us.

Presentation Video Final Part (Short Version)

Presentation Video Part 4 (Short Version)

Presentation Video Part 3 (Short Version)

Presentation Video Part 2 (Short Version)

Presentation Video Part 1 (Short Version)

This is a cut down version of the presentation video we showed at Jacksonville on Nov 16. There will be 5 parts in all and they will be posted one at a time over the next few days. Enjoy!

Presentation

Just to let you all know that the team will be making a presentation all about the trip on November 16th. This will take place at Jacksonville Presbyterian Church, (that is Oregon by the way, not Texas or Florida) following the second service.
It will be from around 11.45am - 1.00pm. Photos, Video, Stories and more to be shared.

Also the team would like everyone to know they have been praying hard for the situation in Honduras. As some of you may know there has been some of the worst flooding ever in the area in the 2 weeks since we arrived back in the USA. Our thoughts and prayers as always are with those who are living and working in these very difficult circumstances.

2008 Team Photo

On our way back

The team is leaving today via road for La Ceiba, we will then fly tomorrow, on again 6 flights, arriving in Medford around 9pm
Thank you all so much for keeping up with us and praying for us. There will be many more updates when we return.

More photos

The team sing in Spanish at the Sunday church service












A window in progress









Pastor Antonia and his family with the laptop we gave him







Kandee on her way with Dr Don to his schools outreach

More news from Honduras

Sunday saw us gather at the church and what a great time it was. There was a lot of singing. The team had rehearsed two songs in Spanish and with the help of Rosemary on guitar the team proceeded to singing to the congregation. Yes it was video taped and some of you may be blessed enough to see it some day soon. The children lead us in much more singing too. Then the time came for Sunday school and the children and teachers left for their classes. Pastor Antonio shared a wonderful sermon, which the team understood to varying degrees depending upon how much Spanish each of us understood.
The afternoon saw more work at the church, which was a productive time, the team felt that with being already a few days behind we needed to use Sunday afternoon on this occasion.
The rest of the week so far has continued to be a time of work at both the Hospital and church and also a time of meeting people. The building of relationship is vital to any mission and the team all feel that deeply.
We have been experiencing a great deal of rain!! although unlike some other parts of Honduras we have not suffered any major flooding, and so far the river has been passable, although it was high last night (Tuesday) when we were returning home from the church.
We are looking forward to the rest of this week and getting done whatever God has in plan for us.

photos

Taxi from the airport, note the bags on top no rope holding them down!!









Driving from La Ceiba to Belfate










View from John and Penny's home






Mike, Richard and Pastor Antonio place the first piece of steel.





John and Mike deep in discussion






Singing rehearsal

The storm passed us by

Yes you read it right, the storm missed us, we have had rain, but not the winds, and we have been able to cross the river everyday!! A lot of filing has been done by the ladies, and work on the window screens has been progressing by the gentlemen at slow but productive rate. Amber was over the moon the other morning as she was able to assist in a birth here at the hospital. She has also been out and about with John visiting and working in some of the villages.
Thursday evening saw us join with the missionaries and staff for the chapel service, we had a wonderful time of popcorn prayer, this is described as when anyone can grab a prayer request which has been given and pop it out in prayer. The other thing is that you don't have to pop just once!
All the donations have been unpacked and given to their homes, and what a blessing they will continue to be long after we leave.
Last night the team invited some the local teenagers to the house to have dinner, singing and pedicures. A wonderful time was had by all and we are now hopefully ready to sing in church, in Spanish on Sunday.
Today (Saturday) saw 1/2 a day of work at the hospital and church, this evening there will be a showing of the Jesus film in a local language called Garifuna. We will be using the video projector which we brought with us as a donation to the mission here.
There is so much more and we are leaving out a lot, but wanted you all to know how we are getting on. There will be more news soon.

Wednesday Oct 15

Our first full day here, and the rains have really come! Yes we are here in rainy season and the weather is not good. However this is not stopping us. Following breakfast and devotions the day started in earnest. Kandee, Amber, Shirley and Kay went down to the hospital and started to unpack the donations we brought with us. Mike, Richard and Richard were intending to head for the church to begin construction on the window screens. However the weather would not allow us to cross the river. We have discovered that there is a tropical depression on the way which may result in winds up to 70 MPH....
The byword here is flexible, we need to know that the Lord will use us in whatever ways He sees fit. Richard Evans took apart a wooden construction that need to be dismantled. Richard, Richard and Mike along with Penny made a visit to the Children's center, when on a failed attempt to cross the river. The women attended the women's bible study this evening and the men continued to work on various construction preparation. Mike and Kandee prepared a wonderful meal this evening which we are sharing with John and Penny as this is being typed.
More tomorrow
Every Blessing
The Honduras 7

We made it!!!

So the team finally made it today all the way to Belfate. We left Medford on Sunday, and were due into Honduras the same night, and then on to Belfate on Monday. However we left Salt Lake City late due to a snow storm.
We arrived in Houston late and missed the connection by 5 minutes.
We spent the night in Houston and it meant a 24 hour delay total.
Well must run
More later

Video from last nights packing party

Packing Party

With only a few days to go now until we leave for Honduras, the team met to pack our check in bags. The many supplies, medications, clothes, GLOVES!!! were all packed into 12 bags, all weighing around 47lbs. This is more than likely the last entry until we get to Honduras. Enjoy the photos and keep checking back.


Items before packing














Even more donations









Richard & Mike hard at work











Shirley packing too

















Richard,Richard,Mike,Kandee,Shirley,Kay,and Amber with Their pocket prayer shawls, all packed and ready to go..

Gown Makers

One of the many items we will be taking with us to Honduras, will be hospital gowns.
These have been lovingly made by our quilter / sewing group.
Below is a photo taken today of the group and some of the gowns.

Less than 2 weeks to go

It is hard to believe that in less than 2 weeks the team will leave for Honduras. The time is flying. The team met again this Sunday and many more plans were put in place. The donations we have received have been great.
The team is aware of those who will be praying for us while prepare, there and return. The materials to be taken with us are currently over taking the home of two of the team, and the office of another. Everything from twin bed sheets, to laptop computers, medications, medical equipment and clothing. We are so grateful for everything that has come in so far and continues to arrive. The donations of money too have been amazing and will enable the work of the trip so much. The building work, at the church, the medical care of the hospital, and the mission in general. We are so thankful to God for the provision of what is needed.
The team will gather to pack our bags on October 9th. These are the bags full of donations and materials that are so needed in Honduras. Our personal things will be taken as carry on, so that we can fit everything else in the check baggage.
We will be posting photos from the packing party!! Also many photos will be taken while we are away and uploaded on a regular basis while we are away.
Please KEEP ON PRAYING!! and checking this blog.

An update..

The Honduras mission team met this past Sunday, to continue to plan for the trip which is now only a little over two months away! They had many updates from John and Penny Alden. The preparation for the trip is now well and truly underway. The list of needed donations has altered slightly and is below. The team continues to ask for your prayers in the run up to leaving, they are all very excited.

1. Gauze and rolled gauze for wound care

2. IV pumps-a universal type that will take different types of

tubing

3. IV pigtails or extensions (up to 4”)

4. Boxes of non-sterile gloves, all sizes except extra small

5. Disposable bed pads

6. Thin, white wash clothes

7. Machines to take vital signs 8. Enema kits

9. A variety of over-the-counter children’s meds

(if you are not sure what to get, we have some medical

people who can get meds at cost if you so choose to

donate funds to the mission trip...Thanks!)

10. prenatal vitamins

11. Vitamin C (500 mgm)

12. Provera (5 or 10 mgm)

13. Wet wipes

14. Infant (especially preemie) clothing

15. Small lap top computer

Partial list of needs

As last year, the team members have committed to taking their personal luggage as carry-ons and checking two suitcases full of items needed at the hospital and by the missionary personnel. When our missionary hosts, John and Penny Alden, visited in May, we were able to establish a list of what is especially needed. Church members are already asking what the needs are, so the team would like to share them with you. Donated items will be greatly appreciated and can be delivered to Kay at the church office. The following is a partial list of currently needed items by Hospital Loma de Luz and/or our missionary hosts, John and Penny Alden:

1. Gauze and rolled gauze for wound care

2. IV pumps-a universal type that will take different types of tubing

3. IV pigtails or extensions (up to 4”)

4. Boxes of non-sterile gloves, all sizes except extra small

5. Disposable bed pads

6. Fitted sheets for hospital beds and thin towels for patients

7. Oxygen concentrators and pulse oximeters

8. Machines to take vital signs

9. Enema kits

10. A variety of over-the-counter children’s meds

(if you are not sure what to get, we have some medical people who can get

meds at cost if you so choose to donate funds to the mission trip...Thanks!)

11. Wet wipes

12. Infant (especially preemie) clothing

13. Power Point projector for Aldens for trainings

14. Small lap top computer and printer for John

Goals and Benefits 2007

The team's goals/benefits from the 2007 Honduras Mission Trip were 4-fold:

Spiritual Growth - closer to the Lord and his Word, aided by our daily devotions

Personal Growth - time spent in meditation & reflection, a much quieter environment, even if so very busy helping others - just different focus environmentally & socially

Team Bonding - this was an amazing process and grew naturally as we traveled, ate, worshiped and worked together

Getting to know and appreciate the missionaries and Honduran nationals - we learned to appreciate all the missionaries do as they share their entire days to serve the Lord and others

Interestingly the goals set in the spring of 2007 (below) are very similar to what happened in the end

- To assist and serve the Alden's

- To explore the possibility of a long-term partnership with their ministry

-To serve the people of Balfate, Honduras

- To grow in our understanding of God's work in Honduras and Latin America

- To build friendships with team members

- To grow in our understanding of our faith and spiritual gifts

A review of 2007 and a look forward to 2008

The lives of the team were greatly enriched last October when they went on a first-time church mission trip to Balfate, Honduras. While this trip took them out of their comfort zones, it truly was a life-changing experience in many ways. For one, in the two weeks they were there, the six-member team was able to provide a variety on hands-on assistance for any number of projects such as basic plumbing and electrical work in the missionary hospital, assistance with the ground breaking ceremony for the new church in nearby Margarita, general maintenance and construction work at missionary homes, nursing duties in the hospital, art work with Honduran children, medical library organizational work, and the list goes on. For another, they were able to meet and work with a great group of missionaries, especially their hosts, John and Penny Alden, who have become good friends.

The experience in Honduras last year was so positive that they decided before they left last year to sign on again for the proposed 2008 Honduras Mission Trip.

When Associate Pastor and last year’s team leader left in March of this year, Mike and Kandee McClain found themselves becoming the 2008-team leaders, so their lives have become even busier.

The team is asking for prayer support for the trip scheduled for October 12-25. Any travel to a third world country comes with some trepidation, and, yes, prayer support is very helpful. The team is seeking assistance for several projects that they will be working on while there. The new church they helped get started last year is now constructed, but it needs an installed window screening as mosquitoes and other bugs are prolific in Honduras. Also, the church is without pews, benches and tables. They hope to start constructing them while there but will need to purchase materials. And, if funding allows, they hope to get a much-needed 700 square foot parsonage started. The church members are very able and enthused about putting “sweat labor” into these and other projects, but with an unemployment rate of at least 40% and average annual income of $600-800, funding even minor projects is virtually impossible.

As a final note, this year’s seven-member team will be taking their personal luggage as a carry-on but will each check two bags filled with a host of needed medical and dental supplies and equipment as well as baby clothing.

We thank you in advance for supporting us.



Blessings,


The 2008 Honduras Mission Team

Photos from the 2007 trip

The 7 member team met this past Sunday to continue to plan for the trip in October.
Much planning and praying took place and we are even beginning to think of a packing party!!