Through Honduran Eyes

I wonder sometimes what the Hondurans see, during our mission trips to Honduras. Do they see God’s love in our faces and in our actions? When we are unable to communicate clearly, does God communicate for us?

I think He does……

A View of our Clinic through Honduran eyes:

We arrived at the medical clinic provided by the North Americans, not sure of what to expect. My family and I desperately needed medical treatment and supplies. In church, we heard about God and how he loved us enough to send His Son to die for our sins. I felt a little twinge in my chest as Pastor Saul prayed, but I wasn’t sure about such a simple sounding salvation.

After church, a nice man took our picture. My kids laughed hysterically as this man, made goofy sounds while trying to make us smile. I didn’t understand what he said, but I saw love on his face.

Next, we were asked about our needs by some nurses. The looks on their faces and concern in their eyes said that they truly cared about our problems. The nurses sent us to the doctors, where they took care of us with gentle hands and loving smiles. They held my children and kissed their faces as they whispered words I could not understand.

At the eye clinic, I was intimidated by the eye machine that looked a little scary. Suddenly, three women had their hands on me and were praying. I didn’t understand their words, but I felt a peace in my heart. After they put the machine to my eyes, they brought me a pair of glasses and a Bible to read. As I opened the Bible and began to read, my heart stood still. “If you say with your mouth that Jesus is Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved….” I had tears in my eyes as I told them the glasses were good and I heard them say “Gloria a Dios”. They were praising God for my sight!

The last stop for us was the dentist. My son was really afraid, but knew that it was the only way to end his pain. A nice lady and man patted his arm as the dentist prepared him to have a tooth pulled. They all looked at my son with love in their eyes. In just a few moments, the tooth was out, my son was smiling and we were on our way.

As we started to leave, some men brought us a bag full of food and supplies. I couldn’t wait to get home and read the Bible they gave us. Then, just as I thought we were free to go, the preacher asked if he could pray with us. He prayed a prayer in Spanish about blessings for my family and finally I understood.

These people were sent here by God. They didn’t just come to give us medical treatment and supplies; they came to show us God. As the preacher finished his prayer, I asked God to come into my life and I was saved! I went home with joy in my heart.

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You may not speak my language…..but I understand your actions.
You listened to my problems…..God listened to my thoughts.
You took away my pain….I felt God’s comfort.
You gave me sight….I saw God.
You gave me hearing…I heard God speak.
You healed my wounds….God healed my heart.
You gave me food….God nourished my soul.
You carried my body…God carried my spirit.
You prayed unknown words….I asked Jesus into my heart.
You truly were the hands, feet and heart of Jesus to me.

Master Communicator

The best part of the MVP Medical Mission trips to Honduras is watching God move through the lives of the Hondurans, as well as the team members. It’s amazing to see around 30 people from various places, backgrounds, careers and personalities become unified to allow God to work through them. It is equally uplifting to see the Hondurans, who come for medical and dental services, be blessed by God as He touches their lives through the love of the team. There are times, when even though we can’t speak their language, God allows us to communicate clearly. Those experiences are breathtaking.

During the September medical trip, I had a moment when God was my only source of communication with a woman in need. Brayan, my interpreter, had stepped away to help someone else when a woman came in for glasses. I knew enough Spanish to carry on light conversation and explain what I was doing as I tested eyes. Anything beyond the basic answers though, and I was generally lost. This woman had sadness in her eyes as she sat in the chair to be tested. I asked her how she was and immediately became overwhelmed with her response.

Spanish is spoken pretty fast, but I have never heard anyone speak as fast as this woman. She started rattling off everything that was wrong with her and everything that had happened in her life from birth up to the present….and she didn’t take a breath! I kept eye contact and a concerning smile on my face as I nodded and struggled to catch a word here and there, enough to understand parts of her story. The parts I got were that she had seizures frequently, death in her family, body aches and ‘brain pain’ (headache). She showed me scars on her head from some of her seizures and I held her crippled hands as she explained her arthritis pain.

Finally, as the woman told me about her struggle with depression, I felt helpless to console her with any words she could understand. I simply said I wanted to pray for her. The other ladies and I held her as we cried out to God on her behalf. I knew that even if I didn’t understand all of her words, God knew exactly the source of her pain and He heard the pleading of her heart. As we finished praying, she hugged us with tears in her eyes and said ‘Gracias’ and ‘Gloria a Dios’. I don’t know what this woman will face in her future, but I’m certain that she felt the hand of God that day…I know I did.

That is just one story of many, where we saw and felt God’s presence take control, when we were helpless in our own abilities. God does some amazing things in the lives of people around us everyday, whether at home, in Honduras or another country. We just have to open our eyes and see who He is bringing in our path and let Him communicate for us, when we have no idea what to say. Isn’t God Awesome?!!

What are you waiting for?

Today was our day out. The majority of the team got to enjoy childrens day at Faith Home by watching a program by the school children, as well as have a pizza party with the Faith Home children, house parents and missionaries.  It was an amazing day for all.  

A few of us joined Saul and Larry Warren as they traveled around to check on past hearing aid patients.  Larry adjusted their devices as needed and re-supplied them with batteries.  He also fit a new patient at one of our stops in Santa Rita. The look on her face is unforgettable!  She arrived as a timid, scared looking girl who dropped her eyes as if ashamed. As she began to hear sounds, perhaps for the first time, she raised her head to attention and grinned from ear to ear, almost engulfing her face.  She looked at Larry expectantly and almost begging for another sound, then another until suddenly she was looking at her mom with a glimmer of tears in both their eyes.  The lonely secluded world of silence would be hers no more.  The girl could hear!  Glory to God!

Just as in eyeglasses this week, I saw that the restoration of someones senses, puts an amazement in their mind and awe in their hearts.  No matter what tools we are using to facilitate the gift or what person is standing before them.....it is a gift from God.  It is a miracle!

One of the stops today was to check on our special little girl Sadia, in El Banano.  We traveled down the bumpy grown up path through the tall grass to the structure that Sadia and her family were staying in. We got out of the vehicle spraying for bugs and gathering up the groceries we had brought for the family. Sadia's face lit up as she saw us and we hugged and greeted her and her family.  

Larry went to work on her hearing aid and I began to look around. I had been here only a few short months ago and not much had changed except more tall grass and bugs. However, as I looked at the structure they call home, it was as if I was seeing it for the first time. A block building with no windows or doors.  Only two rooms.  One had doorways covered with raggedy sheets and I assumed that was where they slept.  I wondered about the bugs that were tearing their way through our deep woods bug spray.  How could they sleep with the life sucking prey all over them?  

Then I looked at the other room. Through the open doorway I saw......NOTHING.  no furniture, no food or supplies.    I walked around and looked further.  No pipes or source of running water.  No bathroom.  No shower.  I looked in horror at their lice infested heads and scabies covered bodies and the reality set in.  I turned and broke into tears. 

I cried out to God.  I know there are millions of people in the world living in the same and even worse conditions.  And I know that I can't help them all. But this is Sadia!  We know her. We love her.  We watched God give her the ability to hear. I refuse to turn away and pretend this isn't real.  I refuse to remain unchanged from this reality.  I refuse not to move when God breaks my heart for what breaks His! 

When we returned to Faith Home we gathered some lice shampoo, scabies treatment and other items to be delivered to Sadia.  I  trust that God is not finished with our connection to this special little girl and I know this is not the end of her story.  

Everything done and seen this week, we were empowered to do from God, to give Him the glory. Pointing people to him didn't end with the clinic and it didn't end with today.  It never ends until ALL PEOPLE have heard about our Savior Jesus Christ.  It doesn't end until we complete the task set before us and tell of His love.....to the ends of the earth.  We MUST be His hands, feet and heart. 

We all have a story to tell.  Does your story lead the hearts around you to Christ?  You may not feel called to go on a mission trip or live in a foreign land, but you are called to tell the ones around you who God is and what He has done. You are called to do what you know to do with the needs placed before you.  What are you waiting for?

Move in me

Today was the last day of clinic. It seems like this week has flown by, but yet there were so many unforgettable moments, I wonder how it all happened in just four days.

I have been learning the song ‘Muevete en Mi’ (Move in Me) in Spanish this week. It is an awesome prayer song that I first heard in Choleteca Honduras in 2002 and several times since then. As the Hondurans sing this song, I always just close my eyes and listen. While we worked in eyeglasses this week, Brayan taught me how to sing it. This morning, after we sang ‘Holy Ground’ in English, the Hondurans sang ‘Muevete en Mi” and I was able to sing along with them. Overwhelming!

Later in the day, a woman came into the eyeglass clinic with an odd prescription. The only pair of glasses that would work for her had a messed up earpiece. After a frustrating 30 minutes of searching for replacement arms and changing them out, I finally gave the completed glasses to the patiently awaiting woman. She was so happy and just kept thanking us. We had heard this woman singing a little earlier, so I asked if she would sing for us, not expecting what song she would choose. I was in awe when she started singing ‘Muevete en Mi’ with the most beautiful voice. It was as if she knew what my soul needed at that moment. It sounded like an angel singing. I was in tears as I listened. Instantly my soul, as well as my tired body was refreshed.

The Spirit of God is in this place
the Spirit of God is moving in this place
…is here to comfort
…is here to liberate
…is here to guide
the Spirit of God is here

Move in me Move in me
touch my mind, my heart
fill my life with your love
Move in me, God's spirit
Move in me

What we have seen....

As we reflected on our day, several team members shared heart-wrenching stories of this day. It made me think about how much we have learned from the Hondurans today. Desperation, devotion, love, compassion, acceptance and peace are just some of the qualities revealed through their actions. I was so overwhelmed by a few of the stories shared tonight that I asked my friends to share their stories for the blog, so everyone could see them from their perspective……

Lisa Uhlemeyer:

The third day of clinic was the busiest yet. The Pharmacy was extremely busy and at the most hectic time, Jeneen came over and said, “I need you to come and pray with me”. I immediately dropped my pen and stopped what I was doing to see what or who needed this urgent prayer. As soon as I walked over to the Medical Clinic, I saw a little boy being held by his father. His lips were purple, as were his face and hands. I didn’t have to ask her what the problem was, I knew. This little boy was in very serious condition. His parents, both aware of his congenital heart condition, were told by Jeneen to “just love him and enjoy the time they have with him”. She informed them that there was nothing we could do for his physical condition except offer prayer.

Several of us prayed fervently for this boy. Although we asked for a healing, if it was God’s will, we were really praying that God would take him home and end his suffering. We also prayed for his parents, for their comfort and for the peace that only God could give in this horrendous situation. After we prayed, I was amazed at the calmness of his parents. They did not want their beautiful baby boy to suffer any longer. They had smiles on their faces. God’s grace and mercy were upon them, they had a peace and comfort about them. After that precious family departed, the rest of us fell apart.

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Dr. Jeneen Wood:

I am constantly amazed at the sheer “awesomeness” of the local interpreters that help us during our time on the mission field. Today, I had a child with a “boil” on her head. It was obvious that this beautiful little girl was in pain. She needed the sore lanced and drained so it can heal, with the help of antibiotics. As I walk to the girl with my supplies in hand I see that she has a HORRIBLE infestation of LICE. The bugs were so active that I could not see where to cut at first without moving the bugs away from the sore. Julio, without hesitating took the little girls hair in his hands and leaned her head onto his chest for support. He knew she was infested but didn’t hesitate to provide support in her time of need. His act of kindness toward his “own people” is an example we should ALL strive to follow. Thank God for people of compassion!

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Allen Hughes:

One of the most overwhelming and humbling moments of my week happened on Wednesday afternoon when Deb came running over to me and asked me to help a boy who was in a wheel chair. I followed Deb out past our bus to the gravel road where I found a young man of about 19 or 20 years old in a wheel chair. With the assistance of Joe (another team member) we picked the young man up and carried him all the way to triage. His mother followed us with his wheelchair.

About an hour later the young man and his family were ready to leave. We had asked Johnny to move the bus over enough for the wheelchair to pass but it was still rough and slick. So I took control of the wheel chair and told his mother to follow us. I turned the chair around and pulled it backwards out to the road. Once I got to the road my spirit just took over and I decided to push the boy home. His mother had two other boys, one who was about 2 years old and another who was about 5-6 years old.

I asked the young man which direction to go and we took off down the dirt road. After traveling approximately ¾ of a mile we arrived at their little house. It then hit me that most of the trip had been on a slightly down hill grade. Which meant that his mother had pushed this 200 lb boy ¾ of a mile, on a dirt road, up hill to find God! My heart began to pound and I knew I needed to say my good-byes and start walking back before my emotions took over. I could feel it coming, the tears, the trembles, etc.

God was teaching me about true devotion and love from a mother who desperately wanted her son to accept God’s love. Where have I been all my life? What have I been doing that has been more important than making sure everybody I know accepts God’s love….I’m sorry Lord.

The Power of Prayer

We had a young boy come to the eye clinic today whose eyes were crossed. As he sat in the chair, Allen came by and asked how he could help. I told him to pray, because this would be impossible for ME to get a reading. He stood behind the boy and placed one hand on his back and raised his other hand up to the sky. Allen is a big guy, so when he stood there praying, all eyes in the long line waiting for glasses, were on him. They watched and listened as this huge man cried out to God on behalf of the young boy. As God guided the machine and we received a reading, we were able to fit the boy with glasses. His eyes lit up and a smile engulfed his face. We were so excited, that we all shouted for joy and the Hondurans in line joined in with ‘Gloria a Dios!!’

We joked at the beginning of the week about the fact that three men were running hospitality. This is the area where we distribute vitamins, hygiene items, rice, beans, photos and Bibles. I have to admit that they have given a whole new spin on this area of the clinic. They have turned hospitality into a prayer ministry. A woman who had watched the miracle with the young boy from eyeglasses, came looking for Allen. She asked him to pray for her. She had seen the power of God in Allen’s prayer and wanted that power in her life. As the men gave the needed items to the families, Charles prayed with each family in Spanish. You could see the hope in their eyes and the joy on their faces as they felt God’s power through that prayer.

A woman came in at the end of the day. All the other stations were finished and packing up and we were starting to pack up the glasses as well. We were hot and tired and having a hard time getting a reading on this woman’s eyes. What is usually seen as a round circle of dots for the scope to focus on was, for her, a sideways teardrop shape. It was the oddest eye either of us had seen. Trina stood behind the woman and prayed as I wondered how we could possibly get a reading on this abnormality. I heard Trina pray “Father God, we know that you can do all things and we ask that you focus this machine on her eye so that we can fit her with glasses’. I watched in awe as the abnormal shape zapped into a perfect circle of dots and the machine beeped out a reading. Overcome with amazement, I shouted Hallelujah, for what I had just seen! Others around joined in and the woman was crying with joy as we fitted her with glasses. Our God is awesome!!!!

As we shared our stories from today and all the AMAZING ways we saw God work, we reflected on the power of prayer. Our prayers were received by God and He is faithful to bless the Hondurans, but there is more than one level to those prayers. God revealed Himself to those who received the miracles AND He revealed Himself to those watching. Those watching God move …..through the power of prayer.

“For we must tell what we have seen and heard.”

Today was absolutely AMAZING! I don’t think I can possibly put into words the things that I saw God do today. Yesterday, we had spent hours scanning and filling in new glasses so that we would be fully stocked today. This gave us 1,620 pair of glasses for the computer to match with the people’s eyes. I felt pretty confident that we had lots of newer prescriptions in there and as we loaded the bus. I almost left the box of extra glasses behind, decided we would take it….just in case.

From the very first people and throughout the day, we had difficult cases that were hard to read. Strange prescriptions, cataracts and a couple of cross-eyed patients. Trina stood behind them and prayed as I tried desperately to get a reading. One time, I heard her say “Father God, straighten his eyes so that we can get a reading and fit him with glasses”. Immediately, his eye lined up in my scope and the auto refractor beeped a good reading. His prescription was not found in the glasses inventoried in the system, so I went to the box of extras to try. The perfect pair, with the exact prescription was there, just for that man!

A little boy who was terrified of the auto refractor at first, sat calmly after we prayed and allowed us to get a good reading. A young girl had an extremely odd reading of mismatched eyes which yielded nothing from the computer inventory, but the perfect little pink pair from the ‘God Box’. What are the chances that such a reading would be found in a pair of perfect little girl glasses? God is Awesome! Things such as these continued to happen throughout the day. One-third of the prescription glasses we gave out today came not from an advanced computerized glasses inventory system….but from God.

One of our last patients of the day was the Pastor of the church in El Povenier. As I handed him my bi-lingual Bible to make sure he could read with his new glasses, He read Acts 4:20 “For we must tell of what we have seen and heard.”. We talked about all the miracles we had witnessed today in the church, the eye glass station, as well as the rest of the clinic and telling others what we have seen. It doesn't take a mission trip to see God move.  He is working all around us everyday, we just need to look and listen and then tell others what we have seen and heard...so they can see and believe.

We serve an Awesome God and I can’t wait to see what He has in store for tomorrow!

  

A Time to Listen

There are times to speak and there are times to listen.

Today for me was a day of listening…..

Arising earlier than the rest, I spent some time listening to the sounds at Faith Home. God’s voice was a whisper in the gentle breeze that followed last night’s rain. His majesty was shouted with brilliance as the sun started to peak over the mountains creating a breathtaking array of the most amazing color. His peace could be heard in the silence of a campus full of amazing children, who had not yet awaken.

As we rode the bus to worship with the beautiful people of Pimiento, I listened to the team as they explained the surroundings to the newest members. Excitedly they told stories of what God has done in Honduras, as well as their lives at home.

Church service in Pimiento was Amazing! We gathered under a shade tree close to the site they are building their church and worshipped together. I listened to the team and the Hondurans singing as the spirit spoke to our hearts what our ears could not understand. Our voices together create the most beautiful sound.

The day seemed long and there were many places to go and things to do in preparation for tomorrow. Several of the team created an assembly line to help me scan, log and replenish the eyeglasses supply. Somehow we made what was a very tedious, frustrating task into a fun time of fellowship. The sound of our laughter seemed to shake the team house and replenish our spirit.

During devotion, we were singing in the dark, the thunder and lightening in the background seemed to affirm our words ‘Our God is an Awesome God’! God spoke many things to my heart today through many different ways….I’m glad I listened.

Awesome night and gorgeous morning in Honduras! Going to worship with the people in the community of Pimiento.

Here we go!

The past few weeks have been a blur.  Too many things to do and not enough time to do them.  Even as we arrived in St Louis last night, busy redistributing supplies to get everything packed, I had this uneasy feeling that I had forgotten something. 

Now here we are, on our way to Honduras to share Christ, while ministering to the medical needs of the Hondurans.  Along the way, people see our team shirts and ask where we are going....why do we do this?  Excitedly I answer "It's what we were made to do" and then I get to share about God.  There is a peace, energy and fulfillment that comes not from the trip, but from the journey.  A journey that reveals the heart of God to ourselves, the Hondurans and the people around us everyday.  

Sometimes you just gotta go.  There will always be deadlines and commitments and distractions.  There will be things that you feel are unfinished.  We trust that when God says go, He will take care of the things left behind.....so here we go!