I got an e-mail from Tyler yesterday that he has received from Nicholas the computer reports that he requested. I really didn't think he'd know how to do it; I guess I better get some lessons when I get back. First United Methodist Church had their first meeting Sunday to prepare for their March trip to visit us. They will have 12 team members. Because of heavy spring break traffic they're going to have to stick with the 10 PM arrival in San Pedro. We have discussed the safety and security risks involved in a late flight but there appeared to be no other reasonable options. We got a note from Denny Boersema today saying that Luis Paz finally received the donation from the church in Kalamazoo and will now continue on with the windows and pews in the new church. Today I contacted the Costa Azul hotel to make preliminary arrangements for the two groups arriving in Honduras in March. Tonight Michael and I met with the Carpenters Sunday School class from First Methodist. We gave a report of some of the highlights from last year and our hopes and aspirations for the coming year. This is always such an encouraging time.
Yesterday the missions pastor at Christ Presbyterian Church held a debriefing session for the medical team that visited us the last of October. The meeting was held at Dr. and Mrs. Green's house and I think everyone was there except for Helen Snipes. It was very gratifying to hear each of the team members relate how they were blessed by having had the opportunity to serve the people there in our villages. Last night we were invited to have dinner at the Snipes home in Claremore. Helen is an excellent cook and we were treated to enchiladas, beans, rice, and chocolate cake for dessert. We had a great evening of sharing with the entire Snipes family. The focus, of course, was Helen's recent six-week visit to our mission center in Honduras. We attended church today at Beacon Hill Baptist Church. Pastor Steve and Barbara Johnson are currently in India visiting Jacob and Elizabeth Boss so Doug Johnson preached the sermon -- very good. Afterwards was the annual Thanksgiving dinner. Jeff was here this afternoon; Miguel Bustamante, Jeff's longtime friend from Honduras, comes in tomorrow to spend the week with him. Miguel now attends college at Rutgers University. Tonight Cheryl and I are continuing to hang pictures and unpack boxes.
Dr. Green's group left today. We had a great week. Altogether the doctors saw about 400 patients. Of those, 40 accepted Christ for the first time! We were able to give most of them a Bible and have names and locations for follow-up. On Friday we were supposed to go out into the jungle but before dawn we had very high winds and torrential rains so we had to change our plan. Nicolas, Nicki Collins and I met with Flor at her house, and arranged for her to bring those with greatest need to the bridge in Campana we shuttled them back and forth in the pickup. It really worked quite well and allowed us to see others who came to the center from other villages.
Another of the patients today was a young man who seemed very cold and hard. Every chance I got I spoke with him and eventually asked him if he had a church. He said he goes to church in Campana and his pastor's name is Samuel. Well, that is the church where the 21 young men came forward in 2006 when the Baptist Chapel youth group was here. As some of you know, we have had a hard time following up on those guys because, being gang related, they are hard to find. I called him into my office where I have a large picture of them on my bulletin board. I asked him, "Do you know any of these guys?" He broke out in a broad smile and said "I know every one of them." I think he will be our contact to follow up on these guys.
The medical clinic continues; there have been several people who have accepted Christ. We have had people in medical clinics over the years who are seriously ill or how are dying, but this case breaks your heart. These twin girls, Alison Mariela and Yenesis Michel are twin born to a 17 year old mother, Ivis Osaris, One of the twins is starving to death. The other one has a large growth on her forehead. We are providing formula for the mother to give to the baby, but will need to closely monitor both the babies and the mother so she does not mix the formula with the contaminated water. Do pray this baby will make it.
Helen Mories shares Christ with all of her patients.
MARK BULLARD, TULSA BIBLE CHURCH, HELPS WITH MEDICAL CLINIC REGISTRATION
Five members came on the Continental 11 o'clock flight and another couple on the American Airlines one o'clock flight. I brought them back to the mission center for dinner and then we went and checked in at the hotel in Port Cortes. This morning we all went to church in San Pedro and then out to Pizza Hut for lunch. This evening everyone was back here for dinner and set up for the clinic which will begin tomorrow morning at nine and runs through Friday. The first four days we'll be here at the mission center and the last day out in the jungle. The members of the team are Dr. and Mrs. James Green, Dr. Paul Krauter, Nikki Collins, Helen Morie, and Mark and Linda Bullard. This is the Bullard's first time; the rest have been here before.
First United Methodist Church, under the direction of Greg Boyd (Mission Director) and Peter White (College Pastor) sent a multi-task team of nine that arrived March 15th. They made presentations in the schools, taught the sewing classes, held a pastor’s training conference, and had a children’s VBS.
Praise & Worship during Pastors' Conference
Tuesday and Wednesday they went into the local village schools to make presentations, give testimonies and evangelize while another part of the team remained at the mission center to teach the sewing class a new, marketable skill.
The Sewing Class
Presentation by Carl Lewis at a local school
In one morning they presented in seven classes…a real work-out. In the last school, close to the mission center they invited the children to attend a VBS in the mission center Friday morning.
Friday morning around eighty children attended an intense program that included stations inside and outside the mission center that provided a Bible story and hands on crafts that few children here have experienced.
Mackenzie Cordova with Children
Twelve year old Mackenzie photographed each child and placed the picture in a frame that they made in one of the stations. One mother told me that her child walked all the way home cradling her craft carefully in her hands. These crafts end up being treasure for these families.
Peter White Teaching Computer Students
Thursday Greg and Peter taught both shifts of our students here in the mission center. Since there are sixty new students this semester, this is a great evangelistic opportunity.
Praise & Worship during Pastors' Conference
Friday around twenty pastors and their wives attended the pastor’s conference. Lunch was served and then both Pastor Boyd and Pastor White taught and encouraged the pastors. This is a remarkable turnout for our small villages surrounding our center. This is in part due the efforts that Eleazar Bermudez and his wife, Carina made last month in visiting and making contact with the pastors in the various colonials
Greg Boyd was well received as he makes a presentation at a local school
Peter White, FUMC Pastor, teaches a Bible lesson to the students in the Vo-Tech Computer Class
Kathy Chenoweth working with the young children
Renee Joyner helped with the Children's program. She was also a terrific prayer warrior.
Michele and Mackenzie Cordova, mother and daughter, working together with the FUMC team
Mackenzie Cordova,12 years old, helped with the children's program. She was incredible for a 12 yr old. She took lots of polaroid pictures so each child have one to frame. They made the frames in class.