To Share God’s Love You Have to Be Here
When I was making plans for my first trip to Honduras many years ago, I envisioned that we would be introducing the Good News of Jesus Christ to mountain dwelling folks that had never heard of Christmas, Easter and eternal life.
Rick (L) & Tom (R) building walls at La Casa de Rubén
I Felt Compelled To Go, I Hope To Go Back
I fell in love with Jesus only a few years ago. Until then I was completely lost. I had no hope, no light in my life. I was in deep dark depression and tried to self-medicate by abusing drugs and alcohol. Suicide was my only friend but I could not even do that right.
I wandered into One Heart Church and the changes began instantly. I felt “At Home”. The ladies of the church loved me and prayed with me and for me. I went to different women’s Bible Studies and worked one on one with some of them. As time passed my love for Jesus grew deeper and deeper. I then felt compelled to go on a mission trip to Honduras. I prayed about it and others prayed too. Finally, I made my first ever mission trip away from the United States. On February 8, 2019 I landed in San Pedro Sula, Honduras.
What an experience this was! I felt so very blessed the moment we arrived. The tears flowed non-stop with gratitude and praise and thanks to our Lord. I met the humble happy people of Honduras and fell in love with them. We went to a hospital in San Pedro Sula to visit the children’s cancer center where we prayed, sang, and gave hope. We went to “The people of the River” where we fed the children pizza and smiles. Then we traveled to Gracias and went to a few schools, bringing smiles, arts and crafts, skits, and songs of Jesus to them. We went to La Campa and what a delight the people were! There was much more sharing and getting to know people there.
In the middle of the week we went to a home that will serve as temporary housing for those in need of physical therapy that was opened by fellow missionaries Jean and Greg. They were inspired by a young man’s struggle to get the proper medical and physical therapy he needed. I was so moved by the story, the hard work, and most of all the vision of these humble servants of God to rent a place to help others be closer to the hospitals and physical therapy. The tears just fell. Overwhelmed by it all I was moved and inspired. I began to pray for the reality of La Casa De Rubén and claiming it in Jesus’ name.
This entire experience reminds me to trust in the Lord with all of my heart!
“But blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in Him. He will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream. It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit. Jeremiah 17:7-8
This is the verse that comes to mind to me when I think about the experiences Jean & Greg must have gone through to make this vision come to life.
I am in hope, love, and prayer that I will be called to serve again in Honduras.
Michelle, GA-February 2019
Michelle (L) & Kenia (R) in Honduras
The Week I Spent There Changed My Life
In the spring of 2016 I went on a missions trip to La Campa, Honduras with my church. At the time, I was 22 years old, fresh out of college, and living with my parents. I was reapplying to medical school and this medical missions trip seemed like it would be something I could enjoy and learn from. The week I spent there changed my life. That week, God revealed to me a higher calling on my life; that I would one day use medicine to reach the people of Honduras with the purpose of winning hearts for the Kingdom of God. I was accepted into medical school at the University of Louisville and started classes in the fall of 2016.
I returned to Honduras the next spring. I felt the Lord calling me to return that summer with the purpose of determining if long-term medical missions was for me, and to learn more about the healthcare system of the country. So, during my summer break I went and lived with Greg & Jean Hines in La Campa. They got me into the clinic in La Campa to work with the doctor there and I very quickly realized how incredibly blessed we are in the U.S. I knew going into the trip that what I would see and experience would be vastly different than what I was used to. However, knowing something is still very different than actually seeing it and experiencing it first hand. The doctor had to ration all medicines, supplies, and even general sanitary items. Many times, the doctor’s hands were tied because she simply didn’t have the resources to do what her patients needed. I learned a lot about the healthcare system on that trip and came back to the states with more confidence that this was where God wanted me to use my talents.
I am now in my third year of medical school and am starting to see patients, develop diagnoses, and determine treatment plans (with the help of residing and attending physicians, of course). I am blessed enough to be returning to work with Greg and Jean on a medical trip for a 4th time this coming spring. I am not fluent in Spanish, but I can be a tool for local pastors to come and talk to people who need the healing hand of the Lord more than they need any drug I could give. My trips to Honduras have taught me so much and helped me grow in many ways. I look forward to seeing how God uses medicine to spread His name across the western mountains of Honduras.
Heidi, KY-August 2018
Jean (L) & Heidi (R) in Honduras
Looking Forward to My Next Visit
I’ve had the pleasure of visiting Honduras a few times, specifically La Campa and Cruz Alta. I’m excited to see God working and opening doors for these areas. The people have been open and thankful for the small services I was able to provide as an Occupational Therapist. They are truly grateful for any and all help. I’m looking forward to my next visit and continuing to help the families of Honduras.
Mai Lee, GA-July 2018
Mai Lee in a therapy session with Delwin
In Hines Sight... 
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