Well, in case you were wondering, we all made it back safely. I apologize if I left anyone hanging in suspense for the past nine days.
A quick recap: we ended up seeing 640 patients in four days of clinics, for an average of 160 patients per day. That's a busy week. Our team endured several illnesses, two IVs being given to team members, and the flooding of our medical equipment. Our team also built (from start to finish) a new house for a Honduran family in the village of Rio Lindo and continued the work on the infant/toddler housing at the orphanage operated by Pan-American Health Services. We worked hard, we prayed hard and - for those young enough to do so - we played hard.
For the first time since I have been on staff at Crossings, we intentionally recruited families to take part on an international short-term mission trip. Out of our team, we had at least six families (meaning at least one parent and one child) participate, including two entire families. It was an amazing opportunity to observe the parents and children serve, worship and grow as a family unit. It created shared memories and experiences that I think will serve as landmarks on their spiritual pilgrimage. I am already looking forward to our next family mission trip.
As a reader of this blog, you may not have ever joined one of our short-term mission trips. Maybe you have served locally in one of our many missions opportunities but you've never taken that next step to move from local to global. It's possible that you have participated in mission trips before but you have yet to find a local service opportunity right here at home. Whatever your case may be, I encourage you to visit the missions page on the Crossings website http://crossingsokc.org/missions/ and pray about where you can serve. Our faith in Christ and our devotion to the Father should make acts of service a non-negotiable part of our daily life.
So, what's next? There are still three short-term mission trips scheduled for the remainder of this year. At the end of September we have two trips: 1) a women's trip to work with Crossings missionary Deborah Hunnicutt on the island of Roatan and 2) a water well trip to Kenya with Water4 to train pastors in the drilling technique and to the pastors with some basic theological training. Our final trip of 2012 will be to India in late October, working with Helping Hands in Motion and National Fellowship. Please be in prayer for all of these remaining trips as we continue to prepare and plan for how God will use us to fulfill the Great Commission.
Soli Deo gloria.
Michael
Monday, July 23, 2012
Friday, July 13, 2012
News from Honduras
Thank you to all who have been praying. They are working...please do not cease.
Deanna is feeling better, but it seems that stomach issues have decided to run through the group on our last full day in Honduras. Several of our team have been battling queasy stomachs. Please pray for settled stomachs as we return home to the United States.
Thursday was another incredible day of ministry. Our clinic team went to Canchias and served from within the Heart to Honduras compound. Our medical providers included two Honduran doctors who joined our team for the day and the clinic saw 180 patients, many of whom were entire families of six, seven and even nine members. They worked as long as they could and saw as many patients as possible, but sadly we ended up having to turn some people away at the end of the day. Fortunately, the Heart to Honduras clinic operates on a fairly regular basis, so the people shouldn't do without treatment entirely, as was the case on Wednesday in the village of Santa Fe.
Of course, while the docs are seeing patients and healing the sick, our HEY Team of childrens ministers keep the kiddos engaged with crafts, Bible songs and games. Below are some pictures of the clinic happenings in Canchias.
Meanwhile, our two construction teams were also hard at it. Our Rio Lindo team finished the house for the family of five. On Friday, (today) our team had a chance to go and pray over the house, pray with the family and dedicate the structure before we headed to San Pedro Sula. While it may not look
like much to you and me, but to this family it was like winning the Powerball jackpot. They don't have to worry about living in a home infested with snakes, spiders and scorpions. They will no longer stress and wonder whether or not their floor will be washed away in the next heavy rain. This new house will mean a healthier future for their children. It was awesome and breathtaking to have even a small part in being used by God to bring this much joy to someone's life. Yes, I do love my job!
At the orphanage, we moved more forms and poured more concrete. I have more and more admiration and respect for those who perform this type of back breaking work each and every day. I'm not sure how it happened, but I ended up being one of the people on the top of the scaffold - along with Mitch McGinnis, an 18 year old - pour concrete into the forms. I think I will be walking hunched over for at least a week.
It has been an amazing week. Please keep praying as we travel home tomorrow. Our first flight departs at 8:18am OKC time and we arrive at about 5:00pm. We are anxious to see our families and share with you how this experience has changed our lives for the better.
Soli Deo gloria.
Michael
Deanna is feeling better, but it seems that stomach issues have decided to run through the group on our last full day in Honduras. Several of our team have been battling queasy stomachs. Please pray for settled stomachs as we return home to the United States.
Thursday was another incredible day of ministry. Our clinic team went to Canchias and served from within the Heart to Honduras compound. Our medical providers included two Honduran doctors who joined our team for the day and the clinic saw 180 patients, many of whom were entire families of six, seven and even nine members. They worked as long as they could and saw as many patients as possible, but sadly we ended up having to turn some people away at the end of the day. Fortunately, the Heart to Honduras clinic operates on a fairly regular basis, so the people shouldn't do without treatment entirely, as was the case on Wednesday in the village of Santa Fe.
Of course, while the docs are seeing patients and healing the sick, our HEY Team of childrens ministers keep the kiddos engaged with crafts, Bible songs and games. Below are some pictures of the clinic happenings in Canchias.
At the orphanage, we moved more forms and poured more concrete. I have more and more admiration and respect for those who perform this type of back breaking work each and every day. I'm not sure how it happened, but I ended up being one of the people on the top of the scaffold - along with Mitch McGinnis, an 18 year old - pour concrete into the forms. I think I will be walking hunched over for at least a week.
It has been an amazing week. Please keep praying as we travel home tomorrow. Our first flight departs at 8:18am OKC time and we arrive at about 5:00pm. We are anxious to see our families and share with you how this experience has changed our lives for the better.
Soli Deo gloria.
Michael
Thursday, July 12, 2012
PLEASE PRAY
Thank you to everyone of you who has faithfully prayed for our team while we are in Honduras. We have felt your prayers covering us at every turn. I am asking you to say a special prayer right now for my wife Deanna.
For the past day or so Deanna has been battling an upset and queasy stomach. Today it has gotten the best of her. She is running a fever and is very weak. We are starting her on Cipro and will be giving her an IV soon. Please pray for her healing and that she will be strengthened. We are scheduled to leave our hotel tomorrow, relocate in San Pedro Sula and depart for home early on Saturday morning.
God is our Ebenezer...our rock of help. Thank you for praying.
Soli Deo gloria.
Michael
Sent from my iPhone
Thank you to everyone of you who has faithfully prayed for our team while we are in Honduras. We have felt your prayers covering us at every turn. I am asking you to say a special prayer right now for my wife Deanna.
For the past day or so Deanna has been battling an upset and queasy stomach. Today it has gotten the best of her. She is running a fever and is very weak. We are starting her on Cipro and will be giving her an IV soon. Please pray for her healing and that she will be strengthened. We are scheduled to leave our hotel tomorrow, relocate in San Pedro Sula and depart for home early on Saturday morning.
God is our Ebenezer...our rock of help. Thank you for praying.
Soli Deo gloria.
Michael
Sent from my iPhone
Photos from Honduras
Well, while I've got you here, I thought I would share some pictures from Honduras with you.
Wednesday, July 11, 2012
More Updates from Honduras
Okay, the numbers are in for Tuesday and Wednesday.
On Tuesday - the Day of the Deluge - our clinic saw 143 patients. Today, in the remote mountain village of Santa Fe (really, there's a village in Honduras by that name) our clinic medical providers saw 159 patients. Needless to say, it has been a busy week. But, it has not been all about the medical clinic.
Each day when the medical clinic sets up shop, we provide activities for the children who come to the clinic. Our HEY Team, (because that is how the children address the workers: "Hey!" "Hey!"), do crafts, sing Bible songs, tell Bible stories, play musical chairs and simply love these children unconditionally. It is often thankless duty but one that is preformed with great passion and love for the children. Our clinic process would not go as smoothly without the key servant volunteers.
The other ministry team is our construction team, which is actually divided into two groups. One group has been working each day at the orphanage run by Pan-American Health Services and is helping to build a new facility where the babies and toddlers will live. It's pouring concrete walls the old fashion way - shoveling lots of sand and gravel, using wheel-barrows and buckets to pour the concrete. I spent the day working on this site today and I can assure you that I will feel it tomorrow morning.
The other construction project is building a 14 ft X 20 ft one room home for a family in the village of Rio Lindo. This family of five purchased a meager home and soon discovered that it was infested with snacks, scorpions and spiders. Certainly not a fit place to raise a family with three children under the age of five. We have the opportunity to change their lives by building a simple structure. What's more, members of their church family are contributing a considerable amount of sweat equity in the process, so this has been a meaningful event for their entire congregation.
Pictures are coming in the next update.
Soli Deo gloria.
Michael
On Tuesday - the Day of the Deluge - our clinic saw 143 patients. Today, in the remote mountain village of Santa Fe (really, there's a village in Honduras by that name) our clinic medical providers saw 159 patients. Needless to say, it has been a busy week. But, it has not been all about the medical clinic.
Each day when the medical clinic sets up shop, we provide activities for the children who come to the clinic. Our HEY Team, (because that is how the children address the workers: "Hey!" "Hey!"), do crafts, sing Bible songs, tell Bible stories, play musical chairs and simply love these children unconditionally. It is often thankless duty but one that is preformed with great passion and love for the children. Our clinic process would not go as smoothly without the key servant volunteers.
The other ministry team is our construction team, which is actually divided into two groups. One group has been working each day at the orphanage run by Pan-American Health Services and is helping to build a new facility where the babies and toddlers will live. It's pouring concrete walls the old fashion way - shoveling lots of sand and gravel, using wheel-barrows and buckets to pour the concrete. I spent the day working on this site today and I can assure you that I will feel it tomorrow morning.
The other construction project is building a 14 ft X 20 ft one room home for a family in the village of Rio Lindo. This family of five purchased a meager home and soon discovered that it was infested with snacks, scorpions and spiders. Certainly not a fit place to raise a family with three children under the age of five. We have the opportunity to change their lives by building a simple structure. What's more, members of their church family are contributing a considerable amount of sweat equity in the process, so this has been a meaningful event for their entire congregation.
Pictures are coming in the next update.
Soli Deo gloria.
Michael
WOW! How can I describe the events of Tuesday? The word humdinger doesn't do all that transpired justice. But through all of the high and lows of the days events and activities, it was a blessing.
Let's begin at the beginning.
Monday night was a torrential downpour. The hardest rain I have ever experienced over a prolonged amount of time. The weather wasn't severe, no tornadoes or hail or anything like that but the rain was coming down in buckets. Massive raindrops about the size of oranges. The rain washed out roads and knocked out the electricity and WiFi at our hotel...(yes, we are suffering for Jesus in Central America.) So what is the significance of this rainstorm?
In order to save ourselves some time setting up on Tuesday morning for the clinic, after we were done with our clinic at the orphanage on Monday, we decided to deliver all of the totes with ALL of our medical supplies to the site of our Tuesday clinic. Little did we know that the church - Iglesia Ebenezer - would flood.
Fortunately, one church member was concerned about the state of our supplies and went to the church to check on things. When Jessica arrived, at 12:30am on Tuesday, she saw our totes floating on almost three feet of water. Jessica rallied her pastor and the other church members and they worked ALL NIGHT to get the building cleaned and salvage what meds and supplies could be saved for us to use in our clinic.
To be honest, many churches would have thrown in the towel, but not the members of Iglesia Ebenezer. The were tireless in their efforts and their selfless acts were an inspiration to our team. We were only a few minutes late opening for clinic, and while we are having to do without some meds, much of what we brought was saved.
Following a full day of work - including construction teams at two additional locations - we returned to Iglesia Ebenezer to join them for worship. That was also a rich blessing. We didn't understand everything that was said or sung, but our hearts were joined in worship of our Lord Jesus Christ. We were blessed to have the privilege of worshiping with them, experiencing a worship style that is unique to their culture. The word Ebenezer means "Stone of Help" and on Tuesday, the Lord fulfilled His promise to be all of that and more.
Soli Deo gloria.
Michael
Let's begin at the beginning.
Monday night was a torrential downpour. The hardest rain I have ever experienced over a prolonged amount of time. The weather wasn't severe, no tornadoes or hail or anything like that but the rain was coming down in buckets. Massive raindrops about the size of oranges. The rain washed out roads and knocked out the electricity and WiFi at our hotel...(yes, we are suffering for Jesus in Central America.) So what is the significance of this rainstorm?
In order to save ourselves some time setting up on Tuesday morning for the clinic, after we were done with our clinic at the orphanage on Monday, we decided to deliver all of the totes with ALL of our medical supplies to the site of our Tuesday clinic. Little did we know that the church - Iglesia Ebenezer - would flood.
Fortunately, one church member was concerned about the state of our supplies and went to the church to check on things. When Jessica arrived, at 12:30am on Tuesday, she saw our totes floating on almost three feet of water. Jessica rallied her pastor and the other church members and they worked ALL NIGHT to get the building cleaned and salvage what meds and supplies could be saved for us to use in our clinic.
To be honest, many churches would have thrown in the towel, but not the members of Iglesia Ebenezer. The were tireless in their efforts and their selfless acts were an inspiration to our team. We were only a few minutes late opening for clinic, and while we are having to do without some meds, much of what we brought was saved.
Following a full day of work - including construction teams at two additional locations - we returned to Iglesia Ebenezer to join them for worship. That was also a rich blessing. We didn't understand everything that was said or sung, but our hearts were joined in worship of our Lord Jesus Christ. We were blessed to have the privilege of worshiping with them, experiencing a worship style that is unique to their culture. The word Ebenezer means "Stone of Help" and on Tuesday, the Lord fulfilled His promise to be all of that and more.
Soli Deo gloria.
Michael
A QUICK UPDATE
A thousand apologies for not posting any updates. A combination of a busy schedule, losing electricity due to a severe storm and spotty internet have conspired against me.
Sunday was a long day of travel but we arrived safely and with ALL of our luggage. A minor miracle that we praise God for! We got ourselves situated in our rooms at Las Glorias and ended the day meeting as a team in the pitch black - first power outage - praying for God to do amazing things through our team.
Monday our entire team went to work at the orphanage eun by Pan-American Health Services. Our clinic team saw 115 patients ranging in age from 2 months all the way to 90 years young. We conservatively estimate four perscriptions per person which means our pharmacy crew filled 460 prescriptions in a single day. Not too shabby.
Our construction team worked - and is still working on - pouring the concrete to build the walls of a new building at the orphanage. It is hot, hard work but we are able to do it with joy, knowing these precious children will benefit.
Please continue to pray for our team. We have a few who are battling minor stomach issues due to the change in diet, but all in all we are doing well.
More to come this evening.
Soli Deo gloria.
Michael
Sent from my iPhone
A thousand apologies for not posting any updates. A combination of a busy schedule, losing electricity due to a severe storm and spotty internet have conspired against me.
Sunday was a long day of travel but we arrived safely and with ALL of our luggage. A minor miracle that we praise God for! We got ourselves situated in our rooms at Las Glorias and ended the day meeting as a team in the pitch black - first power outage - praying for God to do amazing things through our team.
Monday our entire team went to work at the orphanage eun by Pan-American Health Services. Our clinic team saw 115 patients ranging in age from 2 months all the way to 90 years young. We conservatively estimate four perscriptions per person which means our pharmacy crew filled 460 prescriptions in a single day. Not too shabby.
Our construction team worked - and is still working on - pouring the concrete to build the walls of a new building at the orphanage. It is hot, hard work but we are able to do it with joy, knowing these precious children will benefit.
Please continue to pray for our team. We have a few who are battling minor stomach issues due to the change in diet, but all in all we are doing well.
More to come this evening.
Soli Deo gloria.
Michael
Sent from my iPhone
Sunday, July 8, 2012
PATIENCE IN THE AIRPORT
As we await the next leg of our journey - the flight from Houston to San Pedro Sula - I am amazed at the shared behavior of travelers. It's all hurry up and wait.
When the plane lands, everyone rushes to gather their bags from the overhead compartment, only to wait while they "crosscheck the doors for arrival." Then the passengers race to baggage claim, and stand around waiting for their bags to be slowly loaded onto the carousel. And at the gate...mercy! It seems as if everyone crowds around the gate even if they are not eligible to pre-board, thus causing a massive bottle-neck that slows the boarding process to a glacial pace.
It can be that way in our relationship with Christ. We can become so consumed with the end product - our spiritual growth, our mission, the development of our gifts - that we miss the benefits of the process. We miss the blessings that come from walking with Jesus because we tend to run ahead of him.
Out in front of Jesus can be a precarious place to be. Usually, it means that we are relying on our own strength, rather than being dependent on the power of the indwelling Holy Spirit. The end result is usually not very pretty. We tend to crash and burn.
So as I sit on the plane waiting to depart the gate, my prayer for our team is that we will embrace the pace of life in Honduras. That we will be just as intentional about enjoying the process of our projects as well as the end result. That we would be patient enough to allow the Holy Spirit room to work in the middle of our schedules.
Soli Deo gloria.
Michael
Sent from my iPhone
As we await the next leg of our journey - the flight from Houston to San Pedro Sula - I am amazed at the shared behavior of travelers. It's all hurry up and wait.
When the plane lands, everyone rushes to gather their bags from the overhead compartment, only to wait while they "crosscheck the doors for arrival." Then the passengers race to baggage claim, and stand around waiting for their bags to be slowly loaded onto the carousel. And at the gate...mercy! It seems as if everyone crowds around the gate even if they are not eligible to pre-board, thus causing a massive bottle-neck that slows the boarding process to a glacial pace.
It can be that way in our relationship with Christ. We can become so consumed with the end product - our spiritual growth, our mission, the development of our gifts - that we miss the benefits of the process. We miss the blessings that come from walking with Jesus because we tend to run ahead of him.
Out in front of Jesus can be a precarious place to be. Usually, it means that we are relying on our own strength, rather than being dependent on the power of the indwelling Holy Spirit. The end result is usually not very pretty. We tend to crash and burn.
So as I sit on the plane waiting to depart the gate, my prayer for our team is that we will embrace the pace of life in Honduras. That we will be just as intentional about enjoying the process of our projects as well as the end result. That we would be patient enough to allow the Holy Spirit room to work in the middle of our schedules.
Soli Deo gloria.
Michael
Sent from my iPhone
Saturday, July 7, 2012
This time tomorrow our team will be in Honduras. Months of planning, numerous meetings, hours of prayer and a seemingly endless line of totes to fill with supplies...and it all comes down to this.
Please be praying for us as we travel tomorrow. Ask the Holy Spirit to remind us that we are ALWAYS to be ambassadors for Christ. Whether we find ourselves in the world's slowest TSA line or our bags end up in Regina, Saskatchawan, we should always point others to the Savior.
But while you're praying please keep in mind that we would like to travel with minimal delays, arrive with all of our luggage, clear customs easily and make it to Pena Blanca safely. For a God as great and mighty as our God that's really not too much to ask.
Soli Deo gloria.
Michael
Sent from my iPhone
Please be praying for us as we travel tomorrow. Ask the Holy Spirit to remind us that we are ALWAYS to be ambassadors for Christ. Whether we find ourselves in the world's slowest TSA line or our bags end up in Regina, Saskatchawan, we should always point others to the Savior.
But while you're praying please keep in mind that we would like to travel with minimal delays, arrive with all of our luggage, clear customs easily and make it to Pena Blanca safely. For a God as great and mighty as our God that's really not too much to ask.
Soli Deo gloria.
Michael
Sent from my iPhone
Thursday, July 5, 2012
Honduras Trip - July 2012
Only three days until we leave on our next trip to Pena Blanca, Honduras. Once again the trip will be a mixture of medical clinics, childrens ministry activities and construction projects.
I invite you to be praying for our entire team of 28 adults, teens and children as we make our way to Honduras early Sunday morning. (How early, you ask? Try a 4:15am check-in time at the United ticket counter. Yeah, the team loves me for that one.) Here is a list of items you can be praying about as we make our final preparations to leave:
Thanks for your prayers. We will need them.
Soli Deo gloria!
Michael
I invite you to be praying for our entire team of 28 adults, teens and children as we make our way to Honduras early Sunday morning. (How early, you ask? Try a 4:15am check-in time at the United ticket counter. Yeah, the team loves me for that one.) Here is a list of items you can be praying about as we make our final preparations to leave:
- That God will use each of us to reveal Himself and His glory to the people we meet, whether in the airport, on the plane and while we are in Honduras.
- God will prepare the hearts of the people we encounter to receive His unconditional love and mercy.
- Safe travel to Honduras, in Honduras and for our journey home next Saturday.
- That all of our supplies will arrive when we do in Honduras and there will be no problems or delays in customs.
- Flexible and willing spirits of the team members; that we would each make ourselves available to be used in whatever manner God chooses.
- Transformed lives - ours and the people we meet.
Thanks for your prayers. We will need them.
Soli Deo gloria!
Michael
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