This year we are sending 20 people on a medical mission to Honduras. If you are interested in joining us on our 2008 mission trip contact our church office. Call: (718) 224-3899 or send and e-mail: Peppermintpatty.8@juno.com
Read about out 2007 Mission
As time allowed, God worked his miracle of sending 10 of us to Honduras to do his work. The time finally arrived where we had enough funds. The missionary team was ready, so off we went to Honduras on March 3rd-10th. We arrived the 3rd of March and boy what a great landing we had. It was like the end of a rough roller coaster ride.
Thank God we landed safely in Tegucigalpa, Honduras. Tegucigalpa has a population of 1,435,00; 97% are Catholic, 3% are Protestant, 90% are Mestijo (Spanish & Native American), 63% are extremely poor, 28% are unemployed, 40% are under the age of 14, 30% of men are alcoholics, 22% have no access to water and 29% no access to medicine.
Thank God for missionaries like World Gospel Outreach (WGO). WGO has been serving in Honduras for 23 years. WGO was founded by Allen & Dona Danforth in 1984 to reach the children and poor people of Honduras. WGO also supports a family based orphanage and bi-monthly medical missions. The medical brigade consist of doctors, nurses and others willing to work in the areas of children evangelism, child hair washing, concrete, medical, optical, pharmacy, dental, & adult evangelism.
Children evangelism- We shared the story of salvation with colorful beads. Together we praised the Lord singing songs in Spanish. These kids were definitely singing for the Lord! So full of joy and they loved their bracelets. Andrea and Oliver were awesome story tellers.
Child hair washing- We washed children's hair to get rid of lice and then had their hair styled. Combs were given to them. After the finishing touch of some gel with a Mohawk for the boys and colorful barrettes for girls, there were nothing but smiles from ear to ear. Some kids even joined & helped with decorating each others hair.
Concrete- Some of us got to work on concrete. It was hard work but the finished job was worth it all. It was hard to mix cement by hand and do the floors without machines. The homes have dirt floors & metal roof tops, so to have a cement floor is quite a luxury. A funny story, Brett & Grace were just about done with the cement floor, when in came a chicken and a dog playing tag on the wet cement.
Medical- Sandy Moeller was our only nurse who also got to play Doctor. Sandy examined patients and treated them with the medications that were available. The medical team functioned as a field clinic. A boy had a broken arm and it was fixed with some cardboard & duct tape. Pregnant women were thankful for pre-natal vitamins. A young mom kissed Sandy for giving antibiotics to her son.
Optical- Some of our missionaries had the experience to work in this area. It was a blessing knowing that some had really bad vision and now can see a whole lot better. Donna had to help some young children up to the eye machine by sitting them on her lap so they could reach. She even helped a petite elderly woman and on Donna's lap she went. The elderly woman said "tu eres me madre" (you’re my mom). That was pretty funny!
Pharmacy- At the portable pharmacy we would fill the prescription by searching the organized bins for the medications. We would use an interpreter to explain how to take the medication and answer questions. The Hondurans were so grateful to receive medications, vitamins & children's vitamins.
Evangelism- After the patients medical need was ministered to, each patient visited a two person evangelism team where we would try to minister to their spiritual need. There were 85 whom gave there life to Christ for the first time and 62 rededications. We were nervous at first, because it was the first time one after another -vs- meeting some stranger and witnessing to them. It was all in Gods hands, he gave us the strength and wisdom and it flowed. Wendy had this incredible experience with this little boy. He was looking at the evange-cube (a little puzzle box that tells the story of Jesus). Wendy started reading scripture and he understood everything.
Dental- Some of us had the opportunity to work with Scarleth Ortiz (dentist) and her assistants, Ana and Ana Lourdes. Team members assisted with patient care during dental work and to sterilize equipment. Last year Pat had the opportunity to sterilize equipment and this year she got to assist Dentist Scarleth Ortiz. Scarleth worked on 4 young girls that were waiting since 5 am on a cold rainy day to have one tooth fixed. Pat worked out the finances with Scarleth so the 4 young girls, Yaneth, Alicia, Marisa and Tonia, were able to have all their teeth fixed. Thank God for the $1,000 in extra funds.
We all had an incredible life altering experience, we are so grateful and blessed to be part of the Missionary team to Honduras. The Hondurans were so grateful for all that was provided through the assistance of everyone's generosity, support and prayers. Praise be to God. We want to thank the congregation for all your support, generosity and prayers.
The Honduras Missionary Team
Poem: Reflections on Tegucigalpa, Honduras
By Wendy J. Vassells
Beautiful faces, smiling eyes are the dwellers
In a land of rolling hills;
A majestic piece of God's creation,
A view which makes time stand still!
Sprawling mansions with barbed wire topped fences
Punctuate a sea of tiny homesteads
With no running water, no indoor plumbing
And the earth barely making a bed.
These beautiful faces wait for prolonged hours
With patience and without complaint.
Their needs are numerous, our resources are few
And we wish we could do more to help them.
And so we share with each Christ's boundless love,
His priceless gift of salvation,
And pray that they will readily accept
This offering of hope in a poverty stricken nation!
Wendy J. Vassell
