For all of us, one of the most heartening rewards was to see so many — from children to adults — accept Jesus as their Lord and savior.
While adults waited to see Dr. Bill Dudney, pharmacist Mike Freeland, or “opticians” Charles Hembree and Tom Byers, 40 or so children participated in a Bible-learning environment, led by Linda Shoemaker and Sondra Reeder. Itzel Hernandez Ortega provided translation there and so many other situations. She has been a real blessing to us on this VIM trip.
Meanwhile, Betty Hembree, Nyla Carr, and Vivian Reeder — the amazing 90-year old mother of Jack Reeder — lead a women’s craft class, where village women created jeweled boxes that represented God’s treasures within their own hearts and lives.
Charlie and Tom, through the help of translators, fitted more than 30 villagers with glasses provided by First Methodist. We expect even more patients in the clinics tomorrow.
Kelly Junk and Tim Colwell greeted patients to the clinic and offered personal prayers to those waiting to see the triage nurse. It was here so many were led to Christ. Meanwhile, in the children’s ministry, several young people answered Linda Shoemaker’s invitation to have a personal relationship with the Lord. We ask for prayers for these new believers in grow in their faith.
Throughout the day the sounds of construction were heard as local crews continued work on the Gathering Heart dormitory, where future mission teams will stay, as well as outside groups like medical and dental missions and Engineers Without Borders. It is here too, Cheryl and Gary Kuney hope to raise up and train local pastors to be sent throughout Honduras and Central America.
Overseeing construction and working with the local contractor are Jim Redyke and Larry Voight, both veterans of FUMC construction missions here in Honduras and throughout the world. On this trip also is Jack Reeder, a mechanical engineer who works with manufacturing companies. He is helping the Kuneys with planning and set-up for Gathering Hearts future sewing production center.
Each night, following a delicious dinner served in Cheryl’s welcoming kitchen, our team gathers for a review of the day and we have taken turns leading devotions and prayer. This has been a highlight of each day, where we feel the Holy Spirit among us in a powerful way.
It seems like on each trip to Honduras, Charlie Hembree is in charge of kids’ fun. Last year it was paper airplanes, this year it’s frisbees and kites. We’re including some pictures of today’s kite flying in the gentle breeze.