Presentation Video

Reflections of Our Missions Trip

by Linda Blakely

Okay, so I know more than a little Spanish and can make my wants known in a Spanish speaking country. But after Kenny asked me to go with the medical mission team to Honduras, my confidence in myself as a translator fell to a very low point. I had said yes I would go, now I began to question whether that was the right decision and was on the verge of backing down. My husband had no fears with my abilities and gave me encouragement. Even Daniel Moore, pastor of La Iglesia Bautista de Statesville had confidence in my Spanish. How was I ever going to learn all the medical vocabulary! Beverly Wright had the answer to that because she had a book, Spanish for Health Care Professionals, which she loaned me. I knew most of the words for the parts of the body that one can see, but those on the inside of the body were another matter. I began using the method I taught my students in Spanish class, making small flashcards with the Spanish word or phrase on one side and the English on the other. On the flights to Honduras I was still studying.

In Psalm 34: 4 David wrote, “ I sought the Lord, and he answered me; he delivered me from my fears.” After arriving in Tegucigalpa and meeting Steve and Elaine, our North Carolina coordinators I felt that we were in God’s hands in this foreign land and they were our guides, walking along with us. They gave us advice (Do not drink the water or put your toothbrush in it.) and explained some cultural aspects that we would observe (Hondurans do not require as much personal space as we Americans do. They hug more than we do).

I am sure God prepared the way for us in every aspect, from the places we were to set up the clinics, the individual people we would see and even to the two young ladies who served as our Honduran translators. I was assigned to the pharmacy area with Paulette and Kinnan along with Linda Meadors. It was my job to tell each person who received medicine what kind of medicine they received, when to take it and for how long. If I needed a word in Spanish that I could not think of, there was always a translator or someone who could help. We were the last of the team to have contact with the people. They were so appreciative and patient. It continually amazed me how they stood in the hot sun waiting for hours to be seen in the clinic, traveled many miles on foot and yet had beautiful smiles on their faces. They always thanked us and asked God’s blessing on us. It was a blessing to be able to provide a packet of Tylenol, Advil or vitamins, some eye drops, an antibiotic or cough syrup. Often someone would ask me if we had eye glasses so they could see to read. It was so sad to tell them we did not have any. I thank God for giving me this wonderful opportunity to serve on this team and meet all those who came to the clinic. I met many new brothers and sisters in Christ. I pray the people we served who are not Christians will come to know Jesus and have a personal relationship with Him for the rest of their lives. To God be the Glory.

Honduran Impressions

by Wanda Stutts

Honduras - the name of a Latin American country known only to me as a spot on the globe prior to 2/25/09. Now the name of Honduras evokes the following images/impressions

• an 11 year old boy who walked miles on a dusty, rocky road by himself to seek medical attention for a broken arm (broken a week earlier);
• an elderly woman who rode a donkey a long distance with stroke-like symptoms to seek whatever medical attention that was available at the "clinic";
• young people with high blood pressures and little hope for healthy and long-life expectancies;
• "Housing" that would be condemned even in the poorest areas of the USA;
• a people infected with parasites, unsafe drinking water, overcrowded housing, and bodies aged too early by hard manual labor;
• a dry, parched landscape with little food for herds of malnourished livestock and chickens.

Despite these images, the ones that left the lingering impressions that will be forever imprinted in my mind are:

• a humble, gracious, and friendly people grateful for even a pack of Tylenol to give some temporary relief from aches and pains of a demanding and harsh lifestyle;
• children and adults clean and dressed in their best despite living in dwellings that lacked running water and bathroom facilities;
• hugs and smiles from some of the most beautiful children on the planet;
• a pastor whose concern for the spiritual health of his people kept him sharing the Good News over and over again from morning to evening;
• local volunteers eager to assist in any way they could.

These and so many others are the memories that I will carry with me. I have come to respect and admire these people for so many reasons, among them being their hospitality, their work ethic, and love of family. The lessons that I have learned from them have enriched my life in ways I would never have dreamed. As we leave this morning, I am so thankful to God for giving me (and all of us) this opportunity for service and for keeping us safe and healthy.

Reflections by Walt Meadors

Wow, what an experience we had this week. God took11 very different individuals who didn't know each other very well, and who were very much out of their comfort zone, and molded them into a well-oiled machine to do His work. Yes, we saw a lot of patients; yes, we gave out a lot of medicine, but more importantly we did what He called us to do. We were able to introduce the Honduran people to the God who sent us, and loves them as mch as He loves us. Even though we were different peoples who spoke different languages and had different appearances, we were all able to communicate through the language of Christ. Though this ministry was medical in name, it was spiritual in intent. We were able, through the medium of medicine, to bring many people to the church and introduce them to the word of God, probably many more than ever came to services. Hopefully we made some impression, not only about the love of Christ, but about their perception about Americans, trying to dispell the myths that are projected by the media. We are leaving this place forever changed by our experience. We will have burned into our memories the profound poverty of rural Choluteca, the smiles of the children, the lines in the faces of the elderly, the armed guards, the security walls and fences at every store and home, but also the friendliness and graciuosness of the people despite their circumstances.

I have been thinking about a mission trip for some time, but I always had some excuse or other priority--something that you talk about but you never really intend to do. This time God would not let me "wimp out". God has moved in all of our lives to bring us to this point where we could be used by Him. We have all received so much more than we have given on this trip. The 11 individuals who left Charlotte on Feb. 25th are not the same individuals who return today. We have all grown closer, not only with each other, but in our walk with Christ. We have seen that He helps us overcome all of our fears and doubts; He deals with whatever problems occur along the way. We just have to trust Him. I am so thankful that He did not allow me to do my ushal disappearing act when it comes to committing. Words can't adequately express how I feel. It will take some time to sort out my reaction. But let me encourage whomever may read about our experience to be still, listen to God's call, and follow and receive the blessings that He has promised us as His children. He will work a major change in your life. I look forward to Him continuing to work to change me, and bring me more fully into His will. Praise God for all He has done.

A Few of My Thoughts

A few of my thoughts: Honduras by Jackie Swope

Coming to Honduras has caused me to reevaluate my thinking about life as I know it. This week eleven of us have lived on whatever fit in a small suitcase and a "personal item". We are all happy and quite comfortable. I might add that I have decided that all those things back home I thought were essential are not only unnecessary but also cumbersome-weighing us down. How so? We spend time buying them, taking care of them, finding places to store them, being responsible for them, sometimes buying one for each member of the family, and replacing them when we deplete our supply.

I understand better what Jesus meant when HE said not to worry about our food or clothes in Matthew 5:25-34. JESUS admonishes us to seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all your needs will be met. How true--we can come here to help people in Jesus' name and He has provided our every need, kept us safe, happy, and to our relief--well-fed! In fact, we have laughed more this week than I remember in a long time. Could it be that we took the time to talk and enjoy one another? This week we clearly saw GOD at work: Just think about eleven people with different personalities and habits living together in tight quarters, bunk beds, and cold showers; yet, no one was irritable. Instead, we worked together as one team in 100 degree weather, treating 1100 patients in 4.5 days from headaches to all types of infections and rashes, including chickenpox, pregnancy, newborns, fractures, tumors, and seizures, adjusting our clinic sometimes every hour in order to accommodate the masses of people needing medical care.

This has been such a fun and rewarding week--I highly recommend it to everyone I know. It will help you get back in touch with what life is meant to be about--getting to know God better and loving Him more, for to know Him is to love Him and to serve Him is very rewarding.

We have bonded together like a family this week. In fact, when we moved to another city and house, three of our ladies had to sleep in another room and we missed them, preferring that they crowd into our room so we could all be together again.

When you get the chance to go somewhere--anywhere--for God, do it! Please don't stop to think about it--just trust God and do it! God is your faithful Father, and He will take care of you as He did us. He runs the entire universe and is intimately acquainted with every detail of our lives. Go--you'll be glad you did. It is truly a highlight in my life and a privilege to serve our great God!

Insights from Lynn

by Lynn Baynes

When I saw Kenny Lamm on my caller ID one day, I thought he must have been calling about school. Returning his call and him telling me about this trip, I only had one question--"Why me?" What made Kenny call me about a missions trip Front Street was going on? I asked him for a few days to pray about it and clear my calendar, but I had barely hung up the phone before I knew the answer. Too many times before I had asked God to wait for my timing and when it would be convenient for me to serve Him. This time I knew I had no choice, I needed to answer His call without excuses. I never thought until after I said, "Yes," that "Wow, I may not know anyone but Kenny on this trip." It turned out that I knew several already and after the first Sunday meeting, I knew I was with family.

God has started working before we left Statesville. I truly did not know what to expect in Honduras, I knew we were in God's hands to protect, guide, and use us for His purpose. As the people were pouring into the clinics each day, and telling me thing I totally could not understand, I would take a deep breath, say a prayer, and could feel an instant calming hand on my shoulder, and I knew I was not alone.

Treating patients from two weeks to ninety-four years old was interesting and challenging. Their needs were great and our numbers were few. However, they were grateful and never complained.

A smile is a universal language. Our poverty is their luxury. I would like to thank each team member for allowing this new kid on the block to tag along and be a part of this experience.

I love you all and look forward to working with you all again.

Kim's Thoughts

by Kim Mayberry

There is so much to be said about this Honduran trip, I hardly know where to begin. I can say that this has been a wonderful and memorable experience, and I am fortunate to have had this opportunity.

I had always thought I would like to go on a mission trip, particularly a medical one. I knew some trips were coming up and was happy to find out there was a place for me. I signed up, and then thought, "What in the world have I done?" I had so many doubts, and there was that fear of the unknown. I wondered how my family could possibly get along without me, and what my father would think about the entire idea. I wondered if I could afford to go, and then someone at work asked me if I could afford not to go. Where would we stay? Would we be able to eat the food? Would we stay safe and healthy? I had to remind myself what I know to be true. I was not in control, but God was, and He already had all the details of the trip planned. All I had to do was to trust and obey. I had to turn it all over to the Lord, and know that He would take care of all of our needs.

The thing that impressed me most was how humble the Honduran people were and how grateful they were, for even the smallest things that we take for granted. We are so fortunate! For example, I cannot imagine having a headache and not having medicine to take or needing medical care and being turned away because I could not pay. This was the case with the people we saw. People walked for miles and waited for hours to get their needs met, while we complain when we have to wait, even for a short while in the U.S. This was quite humbling.
Again, this has been an experience I will never forget. I feel I know what is important. I worked hard and also had a lot of fun. I want to thank everyone that prayed for us and helped in any way to make this mission trip possible.