I heard the Thanksgiving Proclamation that George Washington issued in 1789 for the first time yesterday. 

George Washington

Whereas it is the duty of all nations to acknowledge the providence of Almighty God, to obey His will, to be grateful for His benefits, and humbly to implore His protection and favor; and Whereas both Houses of Congress have, by their joint committee, requested me to “recommend to the people of the United States a day of public thanksgiving and prayer, to be observed by acknowledging with grateful hearts the many and signal favors of Almighty God, especially by affording them an opportunity peaceably to establish a form of government for their safety and happiness:”

Now, therefore, I do recommend and assign Thursday, the 26th day of November next, to be devoted by the people of these States to the service of that great and glorious Being who is the beneficent author of all the good that was, that is, or that will be; that we may then all unite in rendering unto Him our sincere and humble thanks for His kind care and protection of the people of this country previous to their becoming a nation; for the signal and manifold mercies and the favorable interpositions of His providence in the course and conclusion of the late war; for the great degree of tranquility, union, and plenty which we have since enjoyed; for the peaceable and rational manner in which we have been enable to establish constitutions of government for our safety and happiness, and particularly the national one now lately instituted for the civil and religious liberty with which we are blessed, and the means we have of acquiring and diffusing useful knowledge; and, in general, for all the great and various favors which He has been pleased to confer upon us.

And also that we may then unite in most humbly offering our prayers and supplications to the great Lord and Ruler of Nations and beseech Him to pardon our national and other transgressions; to enable us all, whether in public or private stations, to perform our several and relative duties properly and punctually; to render our National Government a blessing to all the people by constantly being a Government of wise, just, and constitutional laws, discreetly and faithfully executed and obeyed; to protect and guide all sovereigns and nations (especially such as have shown kindness to us), and to bless them with good governments, peace, and concord; to promote the knowledge and practice of true religion and virtue, and the increase of science among them and us; and, generally to grant unto all mankind such a degree of temporal prosperity as He alone knows to be best.

Given under my hand, at the city of New York, the 3d day of October, A.D. 1789.

Last night we visited with the wonderful, mission-oriented people of New Assembly Church in Hartford, Ky. The members of this church are very special to us! They support our ministry with Baptist Medical & Dental Mission International (BMDMI) and they sponsor many children at the Good Shepherd Children’s Home (GSCH) in Honduras.

Several years ago, the women of New Assembly Church hand-stitched quilts for each child at GSCH. These quilts brighten the bedrooms and keep the children warm on chilly nights.

Oliveth and the quilt she received from the ladies of New Assembly in December 2007.

To thank the women of the church for their labor of love, we presented them with a large canvas containing hand prints of the children.

This was a long-awaited moment! It was so exciting to finally be able to present the ladies with this gift!!!

Dean Burton, the sweet lady that organized the quilting effort a few years ago, told us after the service that she had placed her hand over some of the hand prints on the canvas. I can envision all of the people of New Assembly placing their hands on the hand prints of the children and praying for them as if they are holding their hands.

If I had the ability to quilt, I would have had the children place their hand prints on individual squares and then pieced the squares together to form a quilt. Quickly after apologizing for my inability to quilt, a quick-witted man in the congregation spoke up and said, “this is a handmade gift.”

Handmade indeed! "I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well." Psalm 139:14

Marilyn, Amy, and Haley did all of the work for this handmade project when they visited in July. Kelly's mother, Faye, put the binding on the canvas. Next time we do this, I will be equipped with fabric markers so that we can write names inside the hand prints.

Kelly & I pictured with pastor Leland Geary, the Hesters, and the Burtons

Tags: Baptist Medical Dental Mission International (BMDMI), Good Shepherd Children's Home

Cristian Samuel jumped up and down, ran in circles, and screamed when I told him that LeAnn was coming to visit. When I saw his dramatic response, I immediately wished that I had captured his reaction on video. Later we taped this message from Cristian to LeAnn.

When I heard that LeAnn would be arriving on Saturday, October 23, I got my video camera ready and planned to capture Cristian’s excitement. Camera in hand, I told him the exciting news. He didn’t jump, run, or scream…he CRIED!

So, who is LeAnn? That’s a question that I also had after witnessing the excitement and emotion in Cristian. LeAnn came to Honduras on a short term mission trip in April 2005. She was with a team with Torch Ministries. Their project was to construct a playground for kids in an area called Casitas Kennedy. While there, she bonded with a young man named Cristian Samuel, who at that time was approx 9 years old.

Cristian Samuel wasn’t happy at Casitas Kennedy. The reason is the other children were treating him badly because he is from the ethnic group called Garífuna. LeAnn’s heart was broken when she discovered that Cristian was living among prejudiced children who treated him badly because his skin color was darker and his hair was different from theirs. She left there burdened for him.

After the team completed their project, they came to visit the Good Shepherd Children’s Home (GSCH). LeAnn immediately had an idea that she acted upon. She asked Greg if it might be possible to have Cristian Samuel move to GSCH. Greg said he couldn’t make any promises, however, he told LeAnn that he would try. When LeAnn returned to the USA, the first email she read was from Greg stating that he was able to get Cristian placed in the loving care at GSCH.

Cristian Samuel came to live at GSCH on April 12, 2005. I’m not positive, but I think that LeAnn has not been back to see him since he arrived. Five years later, on October 23, a bus full of team members from Torch Ministries pulled into the gate at GSCH. LeAnn was the first person off the bus. Awaiting her embrace was Cristian! They hugged, cried, talked, walked arm-in-arm, and had a wonderful visit.

LeAnn and Cristian walking to casita #7

You can see LeAnn's and Cristian's love for one another radiating in their faces!

Cristian Samuel’s life was forever changed because of one woman, one week, and one short term mission trip.

Tags: Baptist Medical Dental Mission International (BMDMI), Good Shepherd Children's Home, Torch Ministries

BMDMI is coming to south-central Kentucky for a time of fellowship and would like you to join us!

Kelly and I will be sharing our testimony and giving an update about The Good Shepherd Children’s Home at BMDMI’s regional conference at Immanuel Baptist Church in Glasgow, KY on Monday, November 1, 2010 at 6:30 p.m.

The purpose of BMDMI’s meeting is three-fold:

1. We want to catch you up on all the wonderful things that God has done through BMDMI this year and our plans for next year. We’ve started a new hospital ministry in Honduras and the possibilities for ministry in this area are really exciting. If you have ever had a question for Dwight but have never had the opportunity to ask, now is the perfect time to do so.
2. We are considering forming a new mission team from this area; this team could include medical & dental clinics, evangelism, construction, ministry to children, and others. There are many who have traveled to Honduras with various teams in the past and some have expressed an interest in forming a new team. We’ll be able to answer questions concerning the cost of such a trip and other details.
3. Most of all, we look forward to a good time of fellowship with people who share a common love for missions and BMDMI!

Monday, November 1, 2010

6:30 P.M.

Immanuel Baptist Church
104 Western Hills Road
Glasgow, KY 42141

For more information or to let us know you’re coming, call the church at (270) 678-7729.

Light refreshments will be served.

Tags: Baptist Medical Dental Mission International (BMDMI), Good Shepherd Children's Home

Just about everyone that has visited The Good Shepherd Children’s Home (GSCH) has heard the story about Miriam Yamileth Macoto Rodas. Miriam and her sister, Rosa Maria, were the first two children placed in the loving care of Greg and Eva Vaughn at the GSCH in August 1998.

It was a Baptist Medical & Dental Mission International (BMDMI) team serving in a rural village that first discovered, Miriam, who at 4 1/2 years old, only weighed ten (10) pounds! Miriam was very weak, unable to walk and not expected to live through the night.

On numerous occasions, I have heard the story of Miriam and how she was discovered in a village by a BMDMI team, but I didn’t know which team. Just this morning I met Gil, a man that had been on the Marty Barnes team in 1998. Today Gil returned to the GSCH and had a beautiful and tearful reunion with Miriam. I didn’t have my camera when Miriam and Gil embraced for the first time, but that sweet moment is burned in my memory forever. Miriam listened intently while Margaret Carr told her the story about how and when Gil met her in 1998. She cried when she learned that Gil had an enlarged photo from their first meeting on display in his office.

Gil is going to send a copy of a photo of him holding Miriam when he met her in 1998

Gil's wife met Miriam for the 1st time today.

Miriam Yamileth Macoto Rodas, born March 16, 1994. She was so sick and full of rage when she came to the GSCH. Greg and Eva said she would kick, scream, claw, and even try to bite. If she could not reach anyone, she would bite herself. Miriam remained in the hospital for over a month after she was discovered. Greg and Eva were informed that the hospital could not do any more for her. They were told that she probably would not survive but that maybe showing her love would help.

God’s love has done wonders in Miriam’s life. Miriam is an absolutely beautiful and healthy 16 year old young lady. She is artistic and so much fun to be around.

Give thanks to the God of gods. His faithful love endures forever. Psalm 136:2

Tags: Baptist Medical Dental Mission International (BMDMI), Good Shepherd Children's Home, Marty Barnes Team

A huge prayer was answered when Sergio Gomez agreed to serve as school chaplain at the Good Shepherd Christian Academy (GSCA). He has been serving in this role on a part-time contract since June 2010. Kelly and I, along with three other missionary families, are paying his monthly salary out of our ministry accounts.

Sergio Gomez, School Chaplain

Sergio is majoring in Foreign Languages at a local university and only has eight classes to complete. He has also completed three years of theological studies and is also studying at his church, Impacto.

At the GSCA, Sergio teaches the Word of God, disciples, mentors and evangelizes the children. He is also a youth minister of another church.

Sergio served previous as Honduran representative for ITAM ministries in 2008 and was an IMB leadership training assistant in 2009.

Jesus Christ saved Sergio almost eight years ago. Since then, God made it clear to him what was His purpose for his life, which was to make disciples of all nations. He desires to invest his life in proclaiming the gospel of truth, teaching the Word of God (in word and example) to those who believe and helping them prepare until they are ready to go and do the same with others.

God has been good and faithful, and has allowed Sergio to serve Him in several ways during the years. The result of His work in and through his life has been:

• Personal spiritual growth
• People who have listened to and responded to the Gospel
• People healed and restored emotionally and spiritual
• Believers trained and involved in spiritual leadership

Sergio’s mother, a strong christian, raised Sergio and his siblings in the Lord’s path. Sergio is dating a strong Christian young lady with a passion for souls and devoted to the study of God’s Word. She works as an attorney. Sergio’s younger brother married a north American girl and lives in the USA. His sister is in her sixth year of an eight year medical school program in Honduras.

Please pray for Sergio and the children and youth that he is teaching at the GSCA.

Tags: Good Shepherd Children's Home, Good Shepherd Christian Academy

Profe Glenda’s car rolled backward this morning after she went inside the school. Thank God there weren’t any children in the path of this vehicle.

I happened to be on the way to school with my camera and video camera to capture some footage of the children at their culture day event. As I turned the corner en route to the school, I noticed that everyone was standing around looking at a vehicle that had rolled backward. I immediately started taking pictures. I was wondering how I might be able to capture photos and video at the same time. The Lord sent Dennis Carcamo Elvir, a 16 year old young man, that has been living at GSCH since 2002. He walked up and offered to take video footage.

That’s when I got the idea that we should start reporting the news on a daily basis. I’m already kind of doing that via Facebook, but I am thinking about doing this on a new GSCH blog that I just created.

In addition to news for our friends and family, I am thinking about an internal newsletter for the casitas, tias, and children. Be in prayer about this; I certainly am not a photojournalism major, nor have I ever worked in this field. I do take a zillion pictures and I enjoy writing about our experiences. Neither of these things qualify me to teach others, however, I am the one here with the idea, so I guess I will give it a shot.

My mind is going wild with things that we can put in the internal newsletter for GSCH. I am so excited that the Lord planted this seed in my mind this morning. Dennis is also excited and is brainstorming an idea for a newsletter name. Submit your ideas if you have any. Click on the picture above to view a brief video clip by Dennis.

…is 55 minutes, up steep hills, over slippery rocks, under fences, and through deep sinking mud, two creeks, and tall weeds! For months, I have been wanting to experience the difficult route that Abigail, our tia, walks 6 days each week. The other morning, we fully expected that Abigail would not be able to arrive due to tropical storm Matthew. Even with major rain each day, she forged rising waters in the creek in order to come work in our casita.

In the drizzling rain this afternoon, Kelly, Rhodes, Sarahi, and I, walked in the footsteps of Abigail. It was a tough walk over the most rough terrain that I have experienced. We walked over lots of rocks, up/down steep hills, through creeks, and through extremely deep mud that seemed more like quicksand.

After arriving and while sitting in their bedroom (they don’t have a living room), Abigail said to us, “I never complain while walking through the mud or through the prickly weeds because I am so happy to have this job.”

On numerous occasions, Abigail has told me that she feels blessed to work at GSCH and that she typically praises the Lord while walking through conditions that I cannot adequately describe with words.

Abigail is a true blessing to us and we are so grateful that the Lord provided her to work alongside us with the children at The Good Shepherd Children’s Home in Honduras.

Tags: Good Shepherd Children's Home

Meet Victor Enrique Urquia Colindres, a 12.6 year old boy that came to live at the Good Shepherd Children’s Home (GSCH) in February of 2007, along with his two younger sisters, Jasmin and Genesis. Victor arrived at the home with a major eye infection, that without proper care, could have taken his eyesight. Since his arrival, he has been receiving constant treatment for chronic eye conditions.

Victor

In July we noticed that Victor’s eyes were very red and that he was hypersensitive to light. Kelly asked a visiting team doctor to take a look at Victor’s eyes on August 5. The doc pictured below prescribed antibiotic eye drops and advised us to seek follow-up care if the condition didn’t clear-up.

Note that Victor can barely open his eyes in this picture. Normally he wears a baseball cap to protect his eyes from the bright light.

On September 1, Kelly and I took Victor to see a highly recommended eye specialist in Tegucigalpa. He reviewed his history, examined Victor, and diagnosed him with atopic keratoconjunctivitis. The doctor injected steroids into Victor’s eyes, prescribed two eye drops, and an allergy pill. He also ordered additional medical tests to determine the cause for Victor’s chronic eye problems. Another symptom he has is hair loss. We’re not sure of the cause of his condition, but we ask that you continue to pray for healing.

Kelly and Victor enjoyed big hamburgers at Chili's after the eye appointment. Victor was very brave when the doctor injected the medicine in his eyes.

The name Victor, by the way, is of latin origin and means champion. So far, he is responding to the treatment. We believe, that with your prayers and the Lord’s healing, that Victor will defeat this chronic eye condition. If you are interested in helping provide monthly support for Victor’s care or for another child, click on this link..