Honduras Mission Trip 2011

Mission Trip Video 2011

2011-11-22T15:04:00.000-08:00

Baptism

2011-10-06T13:07:00.000-07:00

You will realize by now that the team returned from this years trip a few days ago. I just wanted to take this opportunity to reflect upon one of the many highlights that happened after we stopped blogging this year.

I (Pastor Richard) was able to preach at the church at Margarita this year, through the translation afford by Norma. This was a great privileged and blessing to be able to share a word of challenge and encouragement based on Acts ch 16.

However it was an even greater honor to be able to Baptize Benton Alden (John and Penny's grandson) later that afternoon. Having spent some time counseling Benton he was baptized amongst a gathering of his family and church family. May the lord continue to bless and keep Benton as he grows in the love of the Lord in the wonderful place that is Honduras.

Feliz Cumpleanos

2011-09-24T17:44:00.000-07:00

Tonight we had the privilege of celebrating a birthday with a family in the community. One small house + 60-70 people(5 men, a dozen women and mostly children) + Loud spanish childrens music + rice and bread and birthday cake + One Smurf pinata = A Honduran Birthday Celebration! After a slow, lazy day we were stimulated to the MAX at this party! The energy was contagious and we all had a great time!

Yesterday began the new labor room project. We emptied the new room of its original items and added some power outlets for all the equipment the room will require. Now we wait....The room will get paint on one wall on monday then a good floor wax on tuesday. Our last day will be spent moving everything in and getting it operational.

Amber and Kathy found a procedure gurney and were able to get it cleaned up and working. This will be great and take the place of the examination table for delivery until the official labor and delivery beds arrive next month.

We had our first tarantula sighting last night just outside the Hoopers room! He was a big one! Kathy also had a huge roach hiding under her bible on her bed! Bugs everywhere!

Thanks for all your continued thoughts and prayers,
The Team

Blessings

2011-09-22T20:01:00.000-07:00

What a couple of days we have been privileged to enjoy. Along with the sweat of hard work comes the joy of blessing others. My question is....who is the one who receives the gift? The giver or receiver? Maybe both! Dry, parched throats with have wet refreshing water....laboring and new moms will have compassionate, competent care.....and all those who helped through finances or prayer will have the joy of blessing others. We all get blessed and that is how our Lord planned it.

Well, the drinking fountains are in fine working order. Richard did NOT injure himself during that project (a true answer to prayer). The patients will have years of blessing from them.

Labor and Delivery/Postpartum Care 101 went off without a hitch. Amber and Lori taught 11 RN's, LPN's and Aids the ins and outs of how to care for a laboring patient through delivery. We pray we can give them the information in a way that is easily understood and the confidence to care for patients properly. After class our blessing was to assist John and some of our students in a delivery of twin girls!

Lots of fellowship happening too! Thanks to our celebrity chef Swell Nell we have had quite the social life. Dinner with the Fields family last night, Missionary fellowship food and service (our very own Pastor Richard officiating!) tonight and Pizza with the Younts tomorrow night....Party, Party, Party!

Blessings to all our friends and family at home. We are missing you.

The Team

Monday and Tuesday

2011-09-20T18:46:00.000-07:00

Please excuse the delay in our update. Our blogger has been under the weather but beginning to feel better now!

MONDAY: Our first official work day! Mike started working in the pharmacy and was also willing and able to donate blood for a labor patient who needed it.

Richard, Pastor Richard and Jerry began the water fountain project. What a blessing that will be when completed.

A pregnant woman was admitted and induced for post-dates and low blood count. She received a unit of Mikes whole blood to correct the blood count issue and started on pitocin which is common for inductions. She began having contractions right away but had no change in her cervix, so the pitocin was turned off and the patient was able to sleep through the night.

Kathy and Nell rode to La Ceiba with John. Monday is his normal "run to town" day. He takes pap smears he has been collecting to the lab. He takes people to town if there is need and on this day he was transporting a baby with a cleft lip and palate, her mom and her moms friend to an appointment to evaluate for surgery. John is so committed to the people of this country.

TUESDAY:

So, the labor patient had a cesarean for a beautiful "round headed" baby boy! He was not coming out the conventional way! Currently we have a labor patient in the hospital expecting twins. We expect her to deliver in the middle of the night.

Kathy, Pastor Richard and Jerry went with John today to the mountain village of Satal. Kathy helped John with his clinic and the guys were building benches for a church that is being planted in there.

Nell was able to spend the day organizing her kitchen and getting all her ducks in a row! She also made the best chocolate chip cookies! Yay!

Well still under the weather so that is all for now. Thank you all for your thoughts and prayers. We all know how blessed we are to get this experience.

God Bless, The team

The Lords Day

2011-09-18T19:32:00.001-07:00

Off to church we go. We went out to the church in Margarita this morning for an inspiring teaching in spanish :) Norma, who is one of the missionary nurses, taught the sunday school lesson. Her spanish is beautiful and it was such a pleasure listening to her. This church in Margarita is the one that our original teams came down to work on. It is amazing to sit in it completed and fellowship with its members. What a blessing.

The kids of the church are so much fun and love us "gringos"! Our cameras are there favorite and if you leave church with your camera intact, you are lucky! Some of us have watched these children grow up. Many of them live in the children's home and have sad and tragic life stories. It is impossible not to want to take them home and shower them with love.

In the afternoon God blessed us with an amazing downpour and the gutter system here in staff housing blessed us with a waterfall! For dinner Nell prepared delicious hamburgers with a strawberry desert to die for! Yes, all you honduras missionary wannabe's....we eat like kings! Last night was the best chicken ever! We are so blessed to have our awesome chef here with us.

Hope all of you had a wonderful Lords day,

The Team

2011-09-17T21:24:00.000-07:00

Your 2011 Honduras Mission Team

Jerry and Nell Mathern, Mike and Kathy Hooper, Amber and Richard Shields, Richard Evans and Lori Bell

Day 1,2 and Fabulous 3!

2011-09-17T20:13:00.000-07:00

Day 1...Put on safety orange shirts that were supposed to be MANGO! Get on flight out of Medford after learning our weighing skills leave something to be desired! Dinner in Portland then loading up just after midnight for our red eye to Houston.

Day 2...Attempt sleep on red eye flight....fail! Arrived in Houston with a couple of hours for breakfast then loaded our last flight for San Pedro Sula, Honduras. John and Penny were waiting there to celebrate with us that for the 5th year in a row...all bags made it! God is good. Uneventful drive to the grocery store in La Ceiba then on to Hospital Loma de Luz. We dropped off the suitcases we all brought full of supplies at the hospital then off to staff housing for some much needed sleep!

Fabulous Day 3...

Feliz Cumpleanos Miguel Angel! We drove up the mountain road to meet Miguel and his family for a celebration lunch. Our team of 8 plus another 9 and Miguels family of 6 plus another 10 community members met on the side of the road near a river for a birthday feast and cupcakes too! Miguels family walked hours to get to our meeting place, all dressed in their sunday best. Miguelito got lots of attention from his Tia Lori and Tia Amber and all his adoring fans! What a blessing to see this fat, bright, beautiful boy and KNOW he is only there by the grace of God. We will be smiling for days.

After all our fun we had to get back to work, so to the hospital we went to unload all 16 bags full of medical supplies. Pray our trip continues to run smooth and we all stay safe.

Dios Bendigo, The Team

2011-09-14T07:35:00.000-07:00

This past Sunday Sept 11. The team met and packed the donations for the trip.
It took almost 4 hours and 16 heavy bags were packed up. Here are some photos...

Final Planning Meeting

2011-08-18T17:31:00.000-07:00

Tonight (August 18 2011) is the final planning meeting for this year's trip to Honduras.
We are very pleased that past team members Mike and Kandee McClain will be joining the meeting to give much needed input and advise as we draw our planning to a close. With just a few weeks left until departure we have a number of things in place and a few still to nail down.
We are currently a little over a $1000 short of the minimum we need to fund the trip, but there is no doubt that God will supply as He always does.
We are also looking forward to the drinking fountains arriving and supplies filling up the empty suitcases in Pastor Richard's office.
Continue to pray for the team and all involved in these last days of preparation.
Thanks for all your support.
The Team!!

2011-07-05T15:06:00.001-07:00

The team had a great planning meeting last week, which included a phone call with John Alden!!
We are super excited about this year's trip as always and are getting ready. Already there are 9 suitcases in Pastor Richard's office waiting to be filled.
Below is an updated list of needs.
Thank you for your continued prayer and support..

1. Scissors, gauze and rolled gauze for wound care

2. Scrubs, especially small and extra small (expect white & blue)

3. Tape for nurse use

4. IV extensions (up to 4”)

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

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

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

6. Prenatal vitamins.

7. Infant (especially preemie) and children’s clothing to age 8 years

8. Toothbrushes and toothpaste

9. As many dressing supplies as possible

10. Baby supplies (Airway and umbilical disposables.)

11. Disposable endometrial biopsy sample catheters and pap smear supplies

(old slide style, not the newer wet prep kind).

12. Hospital fitted sheets

13. Kerlix

14. Vital sign machine portable monitors.

15. A gram scale for nurses to weigh diapers.

2011-06-16T14:22:00.000-07:00

Below is an article I wrote for our church newsletter about out upcoming trip

HONDURAS MISSION TRIP

September 15 - September 30

It is hard to believe that it is almost time for the annual mission trip to Honduras. This will be the fifth church sponsored trip to Belfate, Honduras and the Cornerstone Foundation mission at Hospital Loma de Luz. This year’s team is the largest we have ever sent, Richard Evans, Richard & Amber Shields, Lori Bell are returning again and will be joined by new team members Mike & Kathy Hooper and Jerry & Nell Mathern.

As with each year your support is how the team get there and are able to partner with our good friends and missionaries John and Penny Alden. The team are currently seeking support from friends, family and work colleagues to secure the supplies and donations necessary to make the trip as much of a success as past years have been.

The team has already supplied sponsorship for one nurse to be trained, and have sent 2 labor delivery beds which were donated.

The team is always flexible to what God has planned while they are there, however plans are currently afoot to supply and install several drinking fountains around the hospital, as well as setting up a labor / delivery room.

As many of you know the team commit to taking all their personal items as carry on, freeing up their checked baggage to transport much needed supplies to the Hospital.

Of course this year there will a great deal of space to fill 16 suitcases!

If you would like to donate then here are some of the supplies that are needed, scissors and gauze for wound care, scrubs, a whole variety of over-the-counter children's meds, prenatal vitamins, wet wipes, infant (including preemie) and children's clothing up to size 5, boxes of toothpaste and tooth brushes (dental care is a great need). Baby supplies (Airway and umbilical disposables.), disposable endometrial biopsy sample catheters and pap smear supplies. (old slide style, not the newer wet prep kind).

Items may be dropped off to Pastor Richard at the church administrative offices or can be given to any of the team members: If you are not sure what to get, we have some medical people who can get meds at cost if you would rather donate funds to the mission trip.

As always, you prayer support is needed and appreciated.

With Every Blessing-2011 Honduras Mission Team.

As always you can catch up with latest news before, during and after the trip at the blog

http://hondurasmissiontrip2008.blogspot.com/

or you can join the facebook group just search facebook for JPC Honduras Mission Trip.

2011

2011-04-28T09:48:00.000-07:00

We are getting ready for the 2011 mission trip to Honduras.
This year's trip will take place from September 15 - September 30 2011.
The Team is made up of returning team members Richard Evans, Lori Bell, Richard & Amber Shields, and first timers, Jerry & Nell Mathern and Mike & Kathy Hooper.
The team meets tonight to pray, plan and prepare.
Please watch this space for updates..

Video Presentation

2010-11-17T11:12:00.000-08:00

This past Sunday Nov 14 the team presented a video and talk about the 2010 mission trip.
You can view the video at the following link..

http://vimeo.com/16780328

Last Blog from Honduras

2010-09-30T18:08:00.000-07:00

Today is our last day here at Loma de Luz. We spent the morning with our little Miguel. He had not been washed since arriving here at the hospital and boy was he "ripe". So, we washed and scrubbed him up and then were able to fix his hair in his MOHAWK! He was so cute!

We spent some time taking pictures and saying goodbye. We just heard that his mommy is coming down with something and has a fever, so pray that she heals soon. She is going to get to take Miguel home in a couple of days and she will need all her strength. Remember, she has 3 other little ones that cant wait to see her!

MIGUEL ROCKIN HIS NEW DO!

We have some other highlights from the trip that we have not written about but have been very memorable. Spending time at the Church in Marguerita is always a blessing. This is the building that past trips has been a focus of our work groups. The kids are so fun and it is fun to see them year after year. They love our cameras and we always take lots of pictures of them.

This is a great story! A very pregnant woman, whose older kids come to the church, had not had any prenatal care. She was on her sixth pregnancy and thought she should of had her baby in August. Penny, as a gift, told her that John would give her an appointment for free and she could hear the babys heartbeat. The woman agreed and thanked Penny. The following day when Penny arrived to pick her up, she stated "Its too late. I think the baby is dead and I'm bleeding." Penny explained then that it was very important to go and see John so she loaded her up in the truck and brought her to Loma de Luz. When John did an ultrasound, he only saw one head but he definitely saw two spines! Off she then went to La Ceiba where, after waiting all day in a hallway, she had a c/s for twins. Two girls! We visited these two cute babies when they were about 6 days old. 5-1 and 5-12. We cant wait to see them next year as 1 year olds!!!

Well, as our trip winds down, we want to thank all of you who have been following these posts. We have felt your thoughts and prayers while we have been down here and we are ready to come back home to be present with you. Continue to pray for this place. There is much sorrow and struggle, but as much love and joy! What a great people. They deserve Hospital Loma de Luz and we are so glad we have been able to be a little part in it!

We leave in the morning to head to San Pedro Sula. Our flight is at 9:15 pm so we have the whole day to travel the 4 hours and make some stops along the way. We are driving a young nurse back to the airport too. She leaves for the states the following morning. She arrived the same day we did and was able to help us with our sick babies! Looking forward to spending the day with her!

All our love,

The Team

Good bye Baby Elder

2010-09-29T20:39:00.000-07:00

Elder Yasir Rivas Ulloa

Aug 5-Sept 29, 2010

We sadly said goodbye to baby Elder today at 3:39 pm. He lost his battle for life on this earth but is now in heaven where he has no pain or sorrow. The picture above is of his sweet little mommy. Her name is Ludin Ondina Ulloa. He was her first baby and she is grieving deeply. He was doing so poorly today and plans were in the works for a transfer. The red in the IV tubing is Ambers blood. She was able to donate blood for elder because his counts were so low. His little body was not able to maintain good oxygen sats and we were trying to get him a little stable so we could transport him to La Cieba to a pediatric intensivist.
We are all very sad. We worked hard to help Elder and were hoping for another miracle. None was to come. With all of Elders chronic problems, in a country that has very little resources, God said "I have a better place for him" and took him home.

This picture we took early in the day today. His grandmother (aubuela) wanted us to take some pictures for the family so we will stop in La Ceiba on friday on our way to the airport. There is a photo shop there and we will print out all our pictures of Elder. We are glad we got this one because he was resting comfortably. So, our pray is now for Elders mom and family. Please pray with us.

The Team

Ninos

2010-09-28T20:06:00.000-07:00

This is baby Elder. He is a 2 month old baby boy that was born approx. 4 weeks early via cesarean section. His mom says that the midwife was "manipulating my organs and made me bleed". So she had an emergency c/s. He was born with a congenital disorder that causes his body not to make thyroid hormones. If caught early, the prognosis is not too bad, lifelong maintenance doses of thyroid hormones. If not detected, this is the result. Elder is only 4 pounds. His head is very small and his brain hasnt been developing. He has large open fontanels (soft spots)and a large tongue. He also suffers lethargy and, what brought him to the hospital, constipation. When he showed up this kiddo was "full of it!" Unfortunately, we have not been successful in getting "it" out. Tonight he took a turn for the worse and developed a small arrhythmia and had an increase need for supplemental oxygen. We are praying hard for this little one. We are asking for another miracle. We just watched one with Miguel! Why cant we have another? We were able to get a name of a pediatric endocrinologist (thanks Greg!) so the pediatrician down here can consult and hopefully find the best way to care for this little guy. So, we will keep you all updated. Elders mom is a 16 year old girl that has been here by herself for the most part. Tonight she cried so hard it would have broke your heart. Pray for her too.

Well, now on to the fat and juicy baby! Miguel is doing so well. We are so happy to see his progress. Today he cried and got mad when his food didn't come fast enough or if he was uncomfortable, just like a healthy normal 20 day old baby! These pictures say 1000 words. We will remove his arterial line (the one in his head) tomorrow and give him a bath. I cant wait to fix his mohawk and take pictures! Oh how we love this baby. When we raise funds for this mission trip we do it with the knowledge that God has a plan for the money and we see where the need is greatest. Well, after making sure the hospital was reimbersed for his oxygen consumption (6 big tanks at 100 limperas (about 55 bucks) a piece, we turned our attention to his hospital bill. Hospital Loma de Luz is the only private hospital that doesn't charge patients prior to admission. Miguel would have simply died if that was how they cared for the community. His family is so poor that besides the clothes on their back and maybe one extra set, the only thing they own is a small dog (which fends for herself) and two chickens. The hospital does charge its patients for care but does it with the knowledge that some bills will be paid in other ways than with cash. They can do work around the hospital grounds to pay back a bill. Some provide some of their harvest to the hospital kitchen to feed other patients. It is a good system that allows the local people to be responsible for their care, yet allows them the kind of care they would never be able to afford otherwise. Miguels bill up to today, without oxygen charges, is $471.74. An amount they could never pay. Miguels family lives 6 hours away (all by foot) and could not work this bill off. Nor do we want him to sell his chickens to pay his bill. They will provide eggs for the family (food for Miguel). God did not spare his life to have him starve or be malnourished. So, thanks to all our great financial support, his bill will be paid in full. Thanks to all our great prayer support his life has been saved! What a blessing you all are. From the bottom of our hearts, we thank you. I wish you ALL could be down here to experience this time. We all miss our families and are looking forward to seeing them, but wouldn't trade this time for anything.

The Team

Baby Elder

2010-09-28T15:49:00.000-07:00

Just a quick note. Please pray for baby Elder. He is the two month old baby with congenital hypothyroidism. He is 4 pounds and has gained no wait since birth. He has a long list of problems but right now he is struggling. He is having difficulty maintaining his Oxygen sats. More info later. I will post pics. Just PRAY!
The Team

Womens Clinic Pics

2010-09-26T18:04:00.000-07:00

These are some pictures of the womans clinic in the Cayos Cochina. Beautiful locations, filthy building. Hey ladies...How would you like to have your next annual appointment here??!! By the way....NO stirups :0

The adventures of Ricardo

2010-09-26T12:24:00.000-07:00

Richard has been very busy this week so far. We have updated you on so much, but this post is dedicated to Richard and his adventures. The biggest project that Richard has been working on is making steel covers or lids for vaults that contain water controls on the hospital grounds. The old vault covers were chunks of 4x6 beams

that spread about 6 across. They were really close to becoming "tank traps" because the termites have eaten 3/4 of the way through them! John had steel waiting when we arrived and Richard got straight to work. He welded a frame with some braces for strength and then covered the frame with a sheet of steel. A key hole then was cut with a torch for access. He has done many other things as well. He has spent time

with his amigos in the bodega(shop)helping out and specifically helped repair a plainer. In the hospital he has already fixed a toilet and an air conditioning unit. He came to Pennys rescue one night and fixed her flat tire (The roads here are so bad, flats are common). Lots of welding still to come. He is going to make some catch basin grates and whatever else comes up which we know will be lots! Please pray for Richards safety with all his projects!
The Team

Cayos Cochinos

2010-09-25T13:44:00.000-07:00

So, we returned from the Cayos yesterday at about 2pm but I will start from the beginning. We left Thursday about 10am from the beach close to the hospital. A boat came and picked us up and took us across to the Islands, about a 30 min. trip (8 miles). We arrived at the home of Lori and Hoss and loaded our personal stuff into their casita (small guest house). Lori and Hoss live full time on the island. They are retired and built a beautiful home overlooking the ocean. We were in paradise! Then we took our medical supplies and headed by boat for the clinic in the next cove over. The clinic was basically a concrete building at the edge of the beach. We opened it up and then spent an hour or so cleaning it up. Eventually, a few patients arrived and we spent some time doing pap smears and treating minor ailments. We closed up about 4 when we were sure we would have no other patients that day. These people are really poor and there health care is minimal. We arrived by boat back at the casita of Lori and Hoss and had a little time for R and R. The three of us actually were able to do some snorkeling using some equiptment our hosts had. the reefs are so beautiful and life is abundant under water! It was really fun and I feel blessed we had some time to just have fun! The next morning we were back at the clinic but all our patients were on the mainland because of the arriving tropical storm Matthew. So, we closed up the clinic at about 10 am and waited for our ride back to the mainland until about 12. When he arrived he had a load of supplies for one of the other islands. Its name is Chachuwatu and is the size of a soccerfield. The island is wall to wall huts and one "tourist type" restaurant. We were able to see the island on the way back because the supplies were for the restaurant. It was really tiny but beautiful. So.... as the storm started rolling in, we were on our way back to higher ground. It began to rain on the boatride and we were all soaked but if we would of left an hour later, it would have been much worse. So, the Lord continues to care for us. Now, as we land at the beach, Penny is picking us up and says "we have to go to the hospital, Baby Miguel is going to pass away.". This is such a change from when we left. We were aware that he had been re-intubated. But, thought he was doing ok. We arrived at the hospital wet from our boat trip and went strait in to see him. He was once again in his mothers arms with just mask oxygen and he was doing fine. Good pulse, good oxygen sats, rooting around acting like he wanted to eat! So after about a half hour of watching him fuss his mom lifted her shirt and put him to breast!!!! At that point we just held the oxygen tube to his face and let him nurse. It was beautiful. This is a baby who is dying??!! What a roller coaster! So, we put him on a nasal canula for his oxygen, turned it way down and watched him act like a normal 16 day old. Still, a miracle. Now it is Saturday. We just returned home from the hospital and I am happy to report he is still stable. He is just starting to get feverish and his respirations are increasing, but we got an order for some tylenol and that should help. He is still such a sick little baby, but he continues to amaze us. Thank you all for all your prayers! Keep praying. Gods not done yet! Richard continues to be Mr. Fixit and is repairing everything in site! God is blessing our time down here this year with miracles and adventures!!!
The Team

PICS

2010-09-25T13:27:00.000-07:00

Well, I have figured out how to get photos on the blog, now I still have to figure out how to put on a caption. So, These are pictures of Miguel Angel in reverse order. The first pic is of him when we were expecting him to die. He was placed in his parents arms and lived! the next is when he was intubated and the last of him was how he looked when we first started taking care of him. The very last pic is a picture of some of the local children that came to the church when Penny had music practice. They all come to hang out and play on saturday afternoons. Somedays they have up to 30 local kids!! They are beautiful.

Off to the Pig Islands

2010-09-23T07:40:00.000-07:00

Well we are happy to be writing you in the morning after sleeping in the night instead of the day! Baby Miguel continues to be a miracle! He was doing very well in the night. We had a 3 hour shift. Because his care in less intensive, some of the missionarys are "signing up" for shifts. He is LOVED! Rosa, his mother, has been pumping to provide him with breastmilk which is the best medicine ever! He is tolerating feeds and continues to have No blood in his tummy.
This morning we are setting off on an adventure. We are traveling by boat to the Cayos Cachinos, The pig islands. They are 6 miles off shore and we can see them from John and Pennys house. We are traveling there to operate a clinic for women. We will be doing what we consider to be annual care, for them its for the first or second time. Also, we will be conducting prenatal exams for all the islands pregnant women. Richard will be his typical Jack of all trades and probably fix everything on the islands!!!! Well, update and pics when we get back!
The Team

MIRACLE! (please read previous post first)

2010-09-22T20:03:00.000-07:00

Miguel and God decided he NO longer would like a breathing tube and he pulled it out with a quick jerk of his head. So.....we prepared. His heart rate went down to 60 and his oxygen level down to 50s-60s. This was the end. Sandy was present and we had all just had a long talk about what to "do". There are so many issues down here. He was not doing well. We found blood in his stomach and stool. He was not improving. Then you have to think about the family. They walked 6 hours from the mountains to get him help. They left their 3 other children at their home in the care of their pastor. If he dies, he must be burried in 24 hours. They would have to walk home with a dead baby, possibly in the middle of the night or maybe he heals but has subsequent disabilities from his low oxygen levels durring his illness. Lots of things to consider when choosing what to do. So, we called his pediatrician to come. We sent Penny to locate the Miguels dad. Sandy ventalated him with a bag and mask to try to keep him alive until the father arrived and we could speak to the parents together. We all cried and began saying our goodbyes to our sweet Angel. Then, the miracle. With the baby in dads arms supported only with an oxygen mask....He kept his pulse and oxygen levels up at normal. We were waiting for him to fall into the arms of his Loving Creator, whom he belongs to anyway....but he kept breathing..his oxygen level stayed up...his cheeks stayed pink and we all stood in amazement. MIRACLE - in front of our own eyes! Now, as I write this (actually I wrote this at 8ish this am), Miguel Angel is in the arms of his mother (something that has not happened for 6 days) and in the hands of his heavenly Father (something he has enjoyed since his life began). We wait. Will this miracle last another hour, day or lifetime? is he still here so his momma can hug and kiss him and say goodbye in a beautiful calm way? is he here because the Lord has big plans for him? we do not know nor do we pretend we have the answers. It is just a miraculous reminder the God is in control, not us. We get to participate in his story however. It is sometimes sad, sometimes happy, always miraculous.
God Bless you all
The Team

quick update. It is 930 pm and Amber and Lori are heading down for a short shift with Miguel. Yes, he is still with us. Doing well at this hour. Still cant tell you what Gods plan is with him, but we are along for the ride! Thank you for your prayers.

What a couple of days....we mean NIGHTS!

2010-09-22T16:42:00.000-07:00

Recap of night #2 with Miguel Angel:
Our 12 hours with Miguel started at about 5 pm on the 21st. He had been intubated (a tube into his lungs) and he was being manually ventilated (someone sqeezing a ambu bag to give him air). So began our night of "bagging". The plan was to take turns through the night bagging. We planned to take 2 hour shifts (Amber and Lori) so that we would beable to get some more rest. We had only slept for 5 hours since our first night shift, so at 11 ish, the "non bagger" would sleep and then be awakened to switch. This was very difficult on the bagger. Knowing that if you fall asleep, the baby will not get air is a good motivator though. Still, it was hard but well worth it. We also didnt know if we would be relieved for day shift so some sleep was impairative. The night was lon but thankfully we got some day relief at about 7am. A honduran nurse (equiv. to an RN) was available to come in extra and be Miguels 1:1 care provider. After instructions in spanish (not very good:)) She understood and we were able to leave knowing he was in good hands. Dr. Sharron the pediatrician would be around and Sandy the nurse anesth. also. When we arrived back to the house, Richard was getting ready for work...Oh yeah, did we tell you Richard is working??!! More on that later!:) Well, apparently we were tired because we slept for 7 1/2 hours! Woke up at 430 pm feeling well rested. Thank you Lord!
Now, on to night #3 with Miguel:
We started our shift a 7 pm. Sandy was here and our report was that the baby was stable. No fever durring the day. He was requiring less oxygen but fighting the ventalation (good...but requires more taping and ajusting) We would like him to rest as much as possible until we extubate him, but he is a fighter and we love that about him. So the night went like this: We bagged him. Both Amber and Lori stayed up (again...well rested!) and we prayed. At about 2 am, his IV stopped working. Dr. Sharron came down after we attempted several times to get a new IV in and she tried too. Unsuccessful, so the question was...Do we place a central line? Our answer was yes. The real answer was maybe. Will the baby tolerate a proceedure like that. Will it change anything? Also, we found blood in the babys tummy. Not a good sign. So, baby Miguel got a hair cut for Iv access in his scalp. He has the coolest mohawk you have ever seen. Makes him look TOUGH! He has been receiving his antibiotics intra-muscularly and his feeding was turned off. We worry that he isnt getting any fluids. By morning, our relief arrived in the form of a nurse from the states who is here with another team and did not intend to do any clinical care. Her team is painting and repairing doors in the hospital. Not her though. She was a little nervous to care for such a sick baby since she has been in administration for many years but we reassured her and set her up for a good day. Then, it was time to make a plan. What do we do from here. How long can we keep this up in light of the fact we are supposed to travel to the islands tommorrow for clinic x 3 days. We knew we would have to cancel that trip or just one of us go....we couldn't just leave him with no one to bag him and just let him die because we had other plans. We were over his bedside explaining this to Penny and then it happened. Miguel Angel extubated himself (pulled out the tube.).........

Quick Update

2010-09-21T17:01:00.000-07:00

I have lots of things to say but dont have enought time to say it all. Baby Miguel Angel is stable. Maybe doing better but hard to be too optimistic. Continue to pray. He is getting some breastmilk through his feeding tube now and his xray today looks much better. Hopefully extibation in the morning. We will write a full update tomorrow. Thank you all for your love and prayers. I could "feel the love" last night. Blessings, The Team

Bedside Vigil

2010-09-20T14:48:00.000-07:00

I am composing this thought at the bedside or our now 11 day old pneumonia patient. His name is Miguel Angel. He is a beautiful Honduran baby with lots of dark hair and big eyes. He is so sick. I learned his name today so that if he dies, I want to say I knew him. Amber and I are praying hard and doing all we know to do to help him and he is fighting for his life. It is 1:35 am and Amber and I cant leave his bedside. We have been here at the hospital all day already. We were able to sneak a quick nap in this afternoon...I know what your thinking....NAP?! Well, let me tell you it was much needed. Since my last post, Amber and I returned to the hospital in the evening to respond to a crisis with Miguel Angel then we went back home for 2 hours of sleep. Up at midnight to return to help John with a delivery (Healthy baby girl at 0105 9/19) then back home for a few more hours of attempted sleep (Amber had Richards snoring, I had a monkey howling at me all night!). Up at 0730 to head back to the hospital....Whew! So, we needed our nap! Ok, back to baby Angel. He has continued to decline with more episodes of decreased oxygenation and color changes. We have to "bag" him in order to bring his sats up and we have had to do this more and more. God brought us to Honduras for baby Angel. Of this I am sure. The nursing care here in Honduras is very different than in the states. the Honduran nurses do NOT have the same training as we do and are unprepared to care for such a sick baby. Plus, they are incredibly overwhelmed with patients currently. It is now 0206 on September 20th. He is doing better. Equiptment down here can be unreliable. You have to make due with what you have. we were using a very old and used baby saturation probe that only gave us an accurate reading when the wire was in one place. Very frustrating when you have such a sick kiddo. Richard went on a hunt and miraculously found an adult finger probe that, with some manipulation by Amber, worked much better. Now, we are running out of O2. The oxygen compressors which are supposed to produce 5 liters dont appear to be working that well. Everytime we have weaned Angel to 5 liters or less we try to switch to the compressor to conserve the cannister oxygen. When we do, his sat levels drop and we have to start all over again. So, he has to stay on the cannister O2 and we pray it will last until someone brings the new full cannisters. 0520 am, Making progress with Angel. We just had to leave him alone! He is septic (infection is in his blood) so stimulation causes him to desaturated. Sats are stable however, when he is resting and not stimulated. He is even sucking on his oral catheter (a tube into his mouth down to his stomach). What a good sign. A little ray of hope. Thank you Lord. Now if we can just keep the Honduran staff from messing with him! So, now it is 4 pm on the 20th. Amber and I slept from about 930 to 2ish. When we left Angel, the pediatrician was in and our replacement was an american nurse anesthetist (sp?) so we could sleep well knowing he was in good hands. But, he also wasnt doing as well he had been because of all the morning noise and activity. (blood draw, xray, ect.) Quick report from Richard is that he is fairly stable. We will be heading down soon to check on him. Our prayer is for healing for baby Angel. This is a hard place to live and he is strong, but he is still just a newborn. He needs all our prayers. The Lord has a plan and we are fully ready to participate in the plan as he sees fit. We just so want that plan to be healing. Well, this is the end of a very long post. I tried to import pics but with no success. Will definitely be checking with my geek friends to try to figure it out. Have lots of pics to share so far.
Hug your children, kiss your family, and count your blessings....The Team

Busy, Busy, Busy Day

2010-09-18T20:19:00.000-07:00

Whew! Day one is over and my goodness it was a busy one! Amber and Lori hit the ground running this morning and spent the day at the hospital doing a number of things. We helped care for a 10 day old baby with GBS pneumonia. The family walked 6 hours carrying a sick baby in order to get medical attention. This kiddo is SICK! He has had a couple of episodes of very low sats and requiring some manuel ventilation (bagging) to bring his sats up. Nurses....you would be freaking out. I want to transport him to our NICU. I would if I could. He is getting all that we can provide. IV antibiotics, IV fluid and now has a makeshift "rebreather" in order to maintain sats. Pray for him. He has all that is available so its gonna have to work. We also helped with suturing for a machete wound to the shin and a laceration from a motorcycle accident. We also did some wound care today! something Lori hasnt done since nursing school, and Amber hasnt done for years. Lots of learning. Its been great. Our "jack of all trades" Richard was busy preparing for his big steel project. Church tomorrow and prep for the week. The plan is for some Ob/Gyn clinics in the mountains and out on the islands. More updates to come and hopefully we can figure out how to add pictures!!!! Keep watching. God bless you all. We ask for continued prayer for our safety and that He will use us in a glorious way.

Leaving on a Jet Plane

2010-09-16T14:18:00.001-07:00

The team were dropped off for their flight day today. Due to low cloud at San Fran their first flight was canceled. So instead of flying through New York, they will be flying via Houston. And so the adventure begins!!

Packing

2010-09-16T14:15:00.001-07:00

Last week the team packed all the wonderful donations ready for the trip. They are so grateful to everyone for the wonderful thoughtful gifts.

3 weeks to go

2010-08-24T11:29:00.000-07:00

Well there are 3 weeks to go until the team leave for this year's mission trip..
Here are a list of needs. We have not had much come in so far, so if you can donate we would really appreciate it!

1. Gauze and rolled gauze for wound care
2. Scrubs
3. Tape for nurse use
4. IV extensions (up to 4”)
5. A variety of over-the-counter meds especially children’s.
(if you are not sure what to get, we have a some medical people who can get meds at cost if you so choose to donate funds to the mission trip...Thanks!)
6. Prenatal vitamins.
7. Infant (especially preemie) and children’s clothing to age 8 years
8. Toothbrushes and toothpaste

The team will also be involved in a project to repair road grates at the hospital.

If you have other items you think will be of value please check with the team. Space is more limited this year due to the small number of team members

Plans sometimes change

2010-03-25T17:55:00.000-07:00

Well it has been a while since the last update we know...

The story so far is that we currently have a confirmed team of 3 for this years trip.

Richard and Amber Shields and Lori Bell.

In other news John and Penny are in the US for the next three weeks. John will be visiting Jacksonville this coming weekend. He will share about the work in Honduras after the second service this coming Sunday March 28 (Palm Sunday).

The current team and past team members are looking forward to also spending time with John while he is in Jacksonville.

It is also hoped that maybe a few more people will feel the Lord calling them to go on this year's trip.

The team take this opportunity to wish everyone a very blessed and Christ filled Easter..

Planning and Preparation for 2010

2010-01-07T10:39:00.000-08:00

Yes it is that time already. The possible team members will be meeting on January 24th at 11.45am to gather information for the 2010 Honduras Mission Trip.

So far some members from previous years are planning on returning to Honduras, while others cannot make it this year due to other commitments. A few fresh faces are also thinking and praying about making the trip.

John and Penny will be in the US in July and plan to visit Jacksonville too.

So keep an eye on this page and the facebook group for more information as it comes to light.

Presentation Video

2009-11-02T19:41:00.000-08:00

Here is this year's presentation video, just press play below. Enjoy!

Honduras Mission Presentation 2009 from Richard Evans on Vimeo.

2009 Team Photo

2009-10-07T11:07:00.001-07:00

Home

2009-10-03T10:26:00.000-07:00

The team arrived home around 12 midnight. A smooth travel day! Thursday night was spent in close to the airport and included our final dinner together and sharing time. This year John and Penny shared in this final evening. Everyone was deeply blessed by the fellowship time. The team are looking forward to presenting about their trip on Sunday Nov 1 at 11.45am at Jacksonville Presbyterian Church. Please join us if you can, we would love to see you there. Thank you for all your support and prayers during this year's trip.

Final days

2009-10-01T04:58:00.000-07:00

Yesterday saw the final full day of work for the team. Amber and Lori were in the hospital nursing. Tom worked on mechanical items and Richard, Richard and Mike finished the fan in John's labor / delivery room, and some water and light work at Dr Shaw's. The evening was taken up with an open house dessert to which many of the missionaries and their families came. A great time of fellowship was enjoyed by all.

Today the team begin the journey home, first traveling to stay over night near the city and then flying all day on Friday. The time here has been amazing, challenging and blessed. We all cannot wait to see family and friends and yet feel the tug on our hearts as we depart from those here that we hold so dear.

A Day at the Dump

2009-09-30T05:13:00.000-07:00

Tuesday saw four of the team (Amber, Kandee, Lori and Tom) Accompany Lisa to her ministry at the Dump. 2000 people live and work at the dump. The ministry aims to serve the children living there, by sharing the gospel and feeding them, and supplying care, hope and love. The team that went were deeply effected and will be reporting their experiences and insights soon

Photos from the dump

Church at the dump

Lisa Bradley

Serving Lunch

More Photos

2009-09-29T05:37:00.001-07:00

Photos from Pastor Antonio's visit

Final Painting Work

The Weekend

2009-09-28T05:10:00.000-07:00

Saturday and Sunday were as good as the rest of our time here. Work at Lisa's house is on pause until Monday when we will finish the paint job and some minor repairs. Our heart while here has been to bless the missionaries in order that they may be even more able to continue their ministries.

On Saturday night the team hosted Don & Suzanne Rumbaugh. Dr Don shared with us about his ministries. He is connected to many of the surrounding villages and is able to share the gospel in many unique and creative ways. As always the team were challenged and encouraged by this time of sharing.

During the early hours of Sunday morning Amber accompained John to La Ceiba to transport a laboring patient with high blood pressure to a hospital where she could have a C section. They left at around midnight and returned at 4am.

Sunday morning was spent of course at church in Margarita, We were blessed to again hear from Pastor Antonio, (John's translation helped us a lot). Last week was Romans 9 this week Romans 10.

This will probably be the last time we hear Pastor Antonio preach, as he and his family finish their three years here this December. They have been an incredible blessing to the church and people here, and also to the teams we have sent here in 2007, 2008 and 2009.

As a farewell to Pastor Antonio and family, the team hosted them on Sunday night and a good time of food (thanks to Mike and Kandee) and fellowship was enjoyed.

Saturday Photos

2009-09-26T10:50:00.001-07:00

Some photos from Amber's trip out today.
Music Class and a visit to see the child she delivered last year.

Photos of the Labor and Delievery Room Amber and Lori are setting up for John

2009-09-25T14:02:00.000-07:00

Curviews and Lack of them

2009-09-25T13:34:00.000-07:00

Over the past few days we have not really been effected by the curviews. It has meant that travel to the city was not possible and some folk had gotten stuck away from here. The missionary conference was cancelled so everyone is around here instead of being gone this week. This meant that last night we did have the Thursday evening service, during which Pastor Richard led communion. Something he had been looking forward to.

The team have continued to be busy with painting at Lisa's despite the rain in the afternoons delaying some of the work. The yellow paint ran out today and more is on the way as John, Penny and Kandee have been able to travel to the city today. Lori and Amber travelled with John yesterday to one of the Clinics in the Compo.

More news when we have some, the painting should be done on Monday and then there a number of other jobs to be done.

Stuck Truck Videos

2009-09-23T16:18:00.000-07:00

Here are the videos of when we got stuck in the mud

Part 1

Part 2

more painting and the polictical situation

2009-09-23T15:54:00.000-07:00

Sorry for the lack of updates, as some you maybe aware by now the polictical situation down here has come to a head in recent days. The former president has re entered the country and is hauled up in the Brazilian embassy. What it means on a practial level for us is that there is a curvew in force. And we are unable to travel to the city at the present time. This has not however stopped us from working locally.
We have continued to paint Lisa's house and work at the Hospital goes on aswell. Lori and Amber have been sorting out John's delievery room very nicely indeed.

We will see how things are by the end of the week. Hopefully there will be some movement and we maybe able to get out and do some shopping!
Tonight we are having some of the missionaries over for dinner, which is part of our ministry here to give them a break and share fellowship.

Here are some photos for you to see how and what we are doing.

A day of painting

2009-09-22T05:01:00.001-07:00

Monday was the first full day of work at Lisa's house. There is much prep to do, and then some major painting. Below are some photos of the work in progress.
Meanwhile Kandee, Amber and Lori continue to work at the hospital. Having a few problems uploading their photos but will have some up soon.
Enjoy

Richard Preps the house for the painting

Tom Pressure washes the walls ready for painting

Mike Paints the entrance way

The first wall painted

Stuck on the mountian

2009-09-21T06:12:00.000-07:00

Yesterday was an amazingly eventful day. The service at the church was great as always. Having John to translate Pastor Antonio's sermon was a great help. The girls helped in Sunday school with the children.

The afternoon saw us go up into the mountains to minister there. We travelled up and had a wonderful time. Dr Don's songs and stories really hit a chord with the children. This was followed by a great game of soccer.

On the way down the mountain we got stuck in the mud and we have some video and photos to share very soon. We survived and have some great experiences to share soon.
More later.....

2009-09-20T05:52:00.000-07:00

Lisa's House which we plan to paint while we are here.

The Guys discuss painting plans

Suitcases about to be unpacked

Dr Jeff being given Equipment which had been donated

Arrived!!!

2009-09-19T05:52:00.000-07:00

Just a quick note to say we all arrived safely. We left on time on Thursday from Medford, via Seattle and Atlanta onto to San Pedro Sula. It was wonderful to be greeted by John and Penny and then drove to Befate (5 hours). We stopped on the waay to shop for the 2 weeks.

Today we will unpack the supplies and tonight we have a church service.

More news soon.

Last Night & Tomorrow

2009-09-16T06:33:00.000-07:00

Yes it is Wednesday September 16 2009, which means last night the packing party took place. 14 suitcases were packed with donations! Each team member will take 2 suitcases and their personal items, clothes, etc will be in their hand luggage. We are so grateful for all the wonderful donations that we are able to take with us again this year. Please pray that they all arrive safe and sound and on time.

Tomorrow is our travel day, flying from Medford to Seattle, then to Atlanta, before finally flying to San Pedro Sula. Please pray for all connections to go well, both flight wise and people wise. Last year we had many opportunities to share with people on the journey, we look forward to this again this year.

Well more soon, keep checking back.

This is the Week

2009-09-14T04:57:00.000-07:00

Yes! This Thursday (Just a few days away)the team leave for Honduras. The packing will take place on Tuesday, and boy have we got a lot to pack. Donations have come in thick and fast towards the end of the time before leaving.

This past weekend at the Mexico yard sale, an Italian soda stall brought in some extra money for the Honduras mission trip. A huge thank you to those who worked the stall so faithfully for two days.

Richard's office hardly has room for Richard anymore with suitcases and donations.

There have been a number of Skype calls back and to between Oregon and Honduras of late and the team has some more idea of what they may be doing during the trip. For example, tune ups of motor scooters and generators, street grate repairs, mudding of walls, house painting, nursing and of course hospitality for the missionaries.

With all of this list of activity it has to be remembered that anything can happen, the team aim to be at God's command and go where He leads while there.

The team were prayed over during the second service on Sept 6 by mission elder Sherry Watson, who did so beautifully in Spanish. The team asks for prayer support while on the trip and looks forward to updating everyone while there, and when they return.

God Bless...

Facebook Group

2009-09-01T07:40:00.000-07:00

You can now follow the team on facebook too. Just search facebook for JPC Honduras Mission Trip, apply to join and if you have a facebook account and you will soon be approved to join the group

See you there!

Meeting

2009-08-23T18:40:00.000-07:00

OK, so the team met today for the final time before the packing party! It is hard to believe that we leave for Honduras in a little over 3 weeks. We know that the Lord will provide for all our needs. We do however need people to donate the needs!! We have almost enough suitcases, just need the items to go in them.

Still not sure of exactly the work we will be doing, but we know God has it in mind and that is what really counts.

The packing party will be Sept 15 and we fly out on Sept 17!!

We would really appreciate your prayers and thoughts as we enter the final stretch of preparation.

2009-07-16T10:24:00.000-07:00

Plans continue to unfold for the 2009 Honduras Mission trip, the third church sponsored trip to Belfate, Honduras and the Cornerstone Foundation mission at Hospital Loma de Luz. The 7-member team from Jacksonville Presbyterian is now focusing on sending out letters to friends and family seeking prayer support and financial assistance for several needs at the hospital, the church that John and Penny Alden have planted in nearby Margurita and a local bilingual school.

Like the last two years, the JPC mission team will be taking their personal luggage as a carry-on and then checking two bags filled with a host of needed medical and dental supplies and equipment as well as baby and children’s clothing. Some specific needs are:
cast cutting blades (there is no shortage of broken bones on Honduras’s north coast), scissors and gauze for wound care, scrubs, a C-arm fluoroscope machine, a whole variety of over-the-counter children’s meds, prenatal vitamins, wet wipes, infant (including preemie) and children’s clothing up to size 5, and boxes of toothpaste and tooth brushes (dental care is a great need). If you would like to donate any of these items, you may drop them off with Richard Evans at the church administrative offices or give them to any of the team members: Richard, Rick and Amber Shields, Tom and Lori Bell, Mike and Kandee McClain. If you are not sure what to get, we have some medical people who can get meds at cost if you would rather donate funds to the mission trip.

As always, you prayer support is needed and appreciated. Specifically, we would ask that you pray for a lessening of the current political tensions in Honduras.

With Every Blessing-2009 Honduras Mission Team

Whole Bunch of News

2009-04-03T15:33:00.000-07:00

Yes we have not posted anything for ages, and yet so much has happened.
In brief:

John and Penny were in the US for some time this year, welcoming a new grandchild to the world. During this time, John kindly visited us here in Jacksonville and shared with the children of the church in both the service and Sunday School. (what a blessing) He also shared with a gathering of adults on the Monday evening of his weekend with us.

The team met and now the members have been confirmed for the 2009 trip.
Returning members of the team are Mike, Kandee, Amber, Richard, and Richard. New members this year are Lori and Tom.

We are in the process right now of purchasing tickets and from April 30 we will be learning Spanish!!

The next team meeting is set for April 19 following the second church service..

Please continue to prayer for us as we get really excited over this years mission trip September 17 - October 2

Planning for 2009

2009-01-11T13:53:00.000-08:00

Excellent news! We had our first meeting of 2009 to plan for this year's mission trip to Honduras. The team from last year were joined by a few new faces who are praying about joining this year's trip. Some of team 2008 are planning to return for sure, while others are still waiting upon the Lord to know if they will return this time. Many items were discussed, ranging from past experiences, cost, possible dates, and work that may be needed when we go. Also Mike and Kandee leave tomorrow for a trip to AZ, during which time they will meet up with John and Penny who are over in the USA for a short time.

Also we have decided this year not only to have a theme bible verse, not only t'shirts, but a theme song. The song is Here I Am by Downhere.
check out this video of the song we found on youtube.
Please keep checking back for more details soon.

Honduras 2009

2008-12-18T16:41:00.000-08:00

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)

2008-12-13T12:48:00.000-08:00

Presentation Video Part 4 (Short Version)

2008-12-01T09:36:00.000-08:00

Presentation Video Part 3 (Short Version)

2008-11-30T06:53:00.000-08:00

Presentation Video Part 2 (Short Version)

2008-11-26T18:18:00.000-08:00

Presentation Video Part 1 (Short Version)

2008-11-25T11:10:00.000-08:00

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

2008-11-07T15:05:00.000-08:00

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

2008-10-26T14:22:00.000-07:00

On our way back

2008-10-24T09:05:00.000-07:00

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

2008-10-22T16:14:00.000-07:00

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

2008-10-22T07:56:00.000-07:00

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

2008-10-18T14:21:00.000-07:00

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

2008-10-18T12:46:00.000-07:00

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

2008-10-15T18:34:00.000-07:00

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!!!

2008-10-14T17:06:00.000-07:00

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

2008-10-10T13:32:00.000-07:00

Video from last nights packing party

Packing Party

2008-10-10T13:05:00.000-07:00

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

2008-10-03T15:42:00.000-07:00

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

2008-09-30T11:47:00.000-07:00

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..

2008-08-07T15:08:00.000-07:00

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

2008-06-26T14:56:00.000-07:00

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

2008-06-03T12:37:00.000-07:00

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

2008-06-03T12:33:00.000-07:00

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

2008-06-03T11:55:00.000-07:00

2008-06-03T10:48:00.000-07:00

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!!