Sunday in Honduras We fly today.

Wow. Want an awesome experience the Lord has given us, has given me. I could write pages and pages. Honduras is a very poor country with 110,000 families more in poverty than 5 years ago and over two thirds of children are malnourshed. The needs here are great.

We saw around 2000 people with around 140 indicating first time decisions for Christ. Wow. And me in the dental chair cleaning teeth and praying with each patient. It is so wonderful to know that the pastors will take each one and follow them up. It is great to know that we are a part of what God is doing in this country. I told the pastors that I leave this country filled with the Lord and what He is doing.

Our Madison team will be flying out later than the rest of the group so we have a little more time here. I can say that I am ready to go home to see my wife and family. I have missed them. I pray for the day when Hannah my oldest can join me on the trip.

Before I close this chapter, I have to tell you about Tom. He is a 76 year old retired pharmacist who decided a few years ago to move to the Honduras. He weights 105 lbs soaking wet and is tough as shoe leather. He goes on every trip in country trip and serves. He is a great inspiration to all. Our group was really inspired by his commitment. Tom and I really hit it off.

The bottom line is that almost anyone reading this can come and serve. It just takes a willing heart and some courage to go beyond your comfort zone. And God will do the rest.

The praise and honor and glory go to God.

Saturday in Honduras

Well, the week at the clinic ended yesterday Friday and what a week it has been. The first time that I have ever cleaned teeth and I really got the hang of it. Heidi, the Honduran 15 year old really did a great job as well. Yesterday, we closed early because we had to take every thing down. It was such a pleasure to work alongside the Hondurians. We ended at 12PM.

Just before lunch, I walked past the room where the Honduran staff maybe 30 people were having there fina meal. Our team leader was in there and the people were sharing about the week. I popped my head in and the Honduran team leader Fernando said go in. So I did. It was so wonderful to hear the Hondurans express their love and appreciation. Our team leader spoke and then asked me to speak and encourage these folks. You never know when you will have to speak so I am always ready.

Last night we had an appreciation dinner with the pastors and their wives in a Chinese restaurant. It was great eating with them. They really enjoyed it. They gave each one of the gringo team a little girl of appreciation. It was very nice. Fernando who is now sitting next to me in the computer room called all the pastors up and announced some important stats. 2000 people were seen and 143 people accepted Christ. Our team had a chance to express appreciation to the Hondurans. Many of our team shared. I told them that I am filled up by their love for Christ. Fernando gave follow up sheets to each pastor as they stood up front. It is hard to know about these decisions, but the pastors will follow everyone up which is really cool,

And then our American team came up and prayed for the pastors and their work. I touched the shoulder of Angel and he began to cry which joy I think with all the good results.

Today, Saturday, we are headed to the orphanage in town. And then some souvenir shopping to end the day. Sunday we fly out.

This has been more than a wonderful time and I am very thankful to God that he allowed me to come. Each one of the students and doctor that came really loved it as well.

Thursday night in Honduras

It is a bit of a challenge to get on the Internet. Sometimes it works and sometimes it does not. And then only one computer kind of two for the whole hotel.

Hard to believe that tomorrow will be the last day of our clinic. What a great experience it has been. I am so filled up with God´s goodness to me to allow me to serve. The last few days I have been cleaning teeth. I joke that only in the Honduras can you learn how to do something in 5 minutes and in the US you need a 3 year degree to do it. But if you are the only one who is available to do this, you do it. And God gives the strength. We have been cleaning a lot of teeth. Becky and I work in the mornings, but Becky has been helping the dentist lately. Richardo was there along yesterday and he say 24 patients by himself. He is filling cavities and putting teeth that can´t be saved. Becky even pulled some teeth. She want to be a dentist.

Yesterday, I was joined by 15 year old Heidi, one of the translators. She wants to be a Dentist and we jokingly said to that maybe you can do some. Her eyes lite up. So yesterday, I taught her how to clean teeth and she has took to it like a duck to water. I was really tired yesterday so Heidi cleaned 6 persons teeth. Today, she did around 10. She said 12, but I think it was closer to 10. At the end of the day, I am just tired. We have been telling them that we will do 25 a day, but today they just kept coming. We finally had to say that we couldn´t do any more.

It is just a blessing to be here and serve. I pray with everyone that gets their teeth clean. We just ask them what we can pray for. One woman asked us to pray that she have a baby. Several others that they find a job. The translators are believers so I have them take a turn as well. When it is just 15 year old Heidi and me cleaning teeth, I have her pray for the younger kids. And she does great.

Anyway, last day and then on Saturday to the orphanage and then to do a little souvenir hunting.

Tuesday night in Honduras

It was another great day at the Medical clinic. I am having a ball here. And so are the others that came with me. Everyone is being stretched. The Medical students have been shadowing docs and helping out. They have been working hard. We start at 8am and work until 5 or so with an hour out for lunch. So many people to see. Each doc has the freedom to openly discuss spiritual matters and pray with their patients. They are enjoying that.

For the second day, I have been doing what I have never done before. Clean teeth. With 5 minutes of training we started and God has been helping us. I work along with Becky who hopes to go to dental school after college next year. As we talked, we decided to pray with each patient who comes to us. We work with Randy, our interpreter and get him in the action as well. He is a believer and so we take turns praying for the patients.

During the cleaning (or while I have my hands in their mouth ) Randy mentions that we would like to pray with you after your cleaning so think about what you would like us to pray for. Some say, their son or daughter others, my family or my life. And so we do. We did 19 today. Our clinic say around 312 with several accepting Christ. It can´t get cooler I would say.

And then I went over to the Pharmacy to help out. Don´t worry, there is a pharmist there. They just hand me the pills and I count them. It is fun hanging out with the students and just talking. So much is happening. Great to see the way that God is working in their lives.

Well, we will see what Day 3 has in store. Thanks for praying.

1. Pray that God would be glorified and that we would love each Honduran. We don´t want the numbers to stop us for the love that each should get and needs.
2. Pray for Julia´s camera. She was really upset yesterday and crying. It is known who took the camera, but it is delicate getting it back. Sad, but these things happen.
3. Pray for Becky and me as we continue to clean teeth. That we do so for the glory of God and pray with many.
4. Pray for our whole team - a great bunch. For the four med students - Luke, Sean, Julia and Ruth. Dr. Bob Woodson and Becky, niece of Ruth.

Good night.

Tuesday in Honduras

Thanks so much to each of you who are thinking of us and praying.

So far it is a great trip. Every one is getting along very well. We have a team of around 25. They say it is a small team. Yesterday, we saw around 320 people. Such a need down here and we are in the heart of poverity. But Hondurans are very nice folks. We are doing Medical, eyes and Dental. The people were lined up to see the Docs and some had to be turned away. Rats. We will do a better job of timing today.

The eye clinic is cool. We have a lot of reading glasses. One woman said how happy so was to get glasses so that now she can read her Bible. How cool is that!

One never knows on such a trip what you will be called on to do. I along with Becky cleaned teeth like the dentist office. There is no one skilled to do it and so here we are. Not that hard. And we cleaned teeth. Yes, with 5 minutes training, we are now cleaning Honduran teeth and giving them brushing tips and recommending tooth extraction when necessary. Today, we hope to enter more in the spiritual end of things. Yesterday, we were just figuring it out. The first thing every Honduran does after he enters the clinic is to recieve a gospel presentation with the gospel cube and given an opportunity to accept Christ. And we know from the paper they give us when they come to our station where they are spiritually. So we plan on praying with each patient. We are dealing with mainly younger kids. .

They said that 41 people accepted Christ yesterday. And how cool is that. Your continued prayers are deeply appreciated.

1. Pray for our team that we continue to love and share the gospel with these folks.
2. One girl got her camera stolen and was very upset. One doc came up to me and told me that he would give her the money to replace the camera. Really cool.
3. Pray for our dental cleaning station. We are way over our heads but are eager to serve the Lord.

Sunday in the Honduras

Yesterday, Sunday, was a good day as well. In the morning after devotions and breakfast, we went over to the clinic sight and helped with set up. We are in a very, very poor area. Dirty roads, and because it is the rainy season, muddy. Most people are living in very humble circumstances. We have 3 doctor stations, 1 pharmacy, 1 dentist and one eye station. Not sure how that one will work.

I will be helping with the dental station. I am working with a Hondurian dentist and another girl in college who wants to be a dentist. The Hondurian dentist is setting her up to clean teeth even though she has never done it before. It is either her or no one.

In the afternoon, we will be doing Vacation Bible School. Prayer is needed her as we need to get this figured out. Who and when and how it will work. The space is not big enough for all the kids.

Last night we joined area Hondurian pastors in a joint worship service. Several of us were asked to give testimonies. I was asked and it was fun to do it. I love the enthusiam of the Hondurians in their worship. Full of life. But as in Latin cultures, the men are lacking.

Our first clinic day starts in a few hours. There will be many Hondurians there to help. Each patient is screened and the gospel is shared with them. We hope to be a great encouragement to the Hondurians and see many come to Christ.

We have arrived in the Honduras

Our group made it here about 2 hours ago. It was a very easy trip. There were several stops Guatamala, El Salvador and Honduras. All of our luggage came. PTL. Today we will take it easy as we left my house last night at 830pm. A 14 hour day with little sleep as we boarded at OHare @ 3AM. It is going to be a great trip. Pray for us.

Rich

We are off to Honduras

I along with 4 med students, one doc and the niece of one of the students are headed to Honduras. We leave tonight (Friday) to fly out of O'Hare in Chicago for a 3AM flight. We have a stop over in El Salvador.

Your prayers are greatly appreciated.

Hannah's concert

Tonight was Hannah's end of the year choral concert. Mary Alice and I just decided to go. It was a fun evening. It is hard to believe that Hannah will be in 11th grade next year.

Dad and Mom had a geat time. 

Hannah and Dad after the concert. Can you say " I am sick of pictures and I want to hang out with my friends." 

Mom and Hannah after the concert. 

Close up of Hannah in her concert. 

Hannah in concert at Abundant Life Christian School tonight. 

Med graduates take an oath of faith.

Last Friday was the graduation of Medical students whom I have known for four years. I remember each one when they first started Medical school and they are putting Dr. in front of their name. Dr. McKinney is a long time physician of faith. He delivered the charge in which he encouraged the graduates to practice what Jesus commanded: Heal the sick, preach the gospel.

Dr. Bob Woodson, facilty advisor of our group lead in prayer and the oath.

It was wonderful to have standing room only for this ceremony. It is a great way to send my friends off into their career.

They are now MDs. 

Dr. Bob Woodson leads the students in the Christian oath. 

Dr. Archie MacKinney delivers the charge to the graduating seniors. 

Law group ends with an oath

We ended our law group this semester with an oath ceremony. When Law students graduate, they usually repeat an oath to the state. We took this one step further and did a Christian oath ceremony in which students committed themselves to practice law for the 'glory of God.' It does not get better than this.

The Christian Legal graduating seniors. 

Last night of Christian Legal Society group. Here is a photo with all of our students and two lawyers on either end. 

Goodbye to Nursing students

Tonight, we said good bye to 3 graduating nursing students. It was Christian nursing oath night. Bonnie from Nurse's Christian Fellowship was present to encourage and lead the students in an oath to serve God. Medical oaths are nothing new. It is a verbalized desire to serve God and give your self to Him through your profession. It was a great time.