Group Trips for the Summer of 2011

What blessings have members received from serving God's people in Honduras?

"I appreciate the staff's dedication to showing Christ to all they meet"---Former Elder James Wagner of Northlake Church of Christ, Tucker, Georgia and member of North Lake Church since 1986, when the mission was founded.

"Community and family mean so much to Honduras that the network of spiritual and physical reliance cannot be put aside."---Megan Reed, Northlake Church member and group participant.

"Spirituality, the Holy Spirit permeates every aspect of life. This trip was a good reminder."---Erin Reed, Northlake Church member.

Taking Action to Prevent Illness and Save Lives

Many churches and volunteers have come from all over the United States for years to be a part of the future
of Honduras. They have stepped out of their comfort zones and have braved a new country,
sometimes crossing difficult terrain and enduring the demands of physical labor to be a part of something
greater than themselves--- to be a servant for God and to help a nation. These
groups are the hands and the feet of Predisan. Without them, Predisan would not be possible.
At the heart of these trips is sharing the word of God with His people. When they share
the Bible with the people of Hondurans, the communities know why they have come to serve.
These trips have built lasting relationships and eternal memories. Forever the word of God will a part
of the people's lives. Isaiah 55:11 says, "so is my word that comes out of my mouth; it will
not return to me empty, but accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it."
The Bible studies and seminars that these groups have completed are a valuable part of the ministry and will
accomplish far beyond what we can imagine. Some might speak God's word, not thinking people
are hearing it. However, sometimes we cannot see the work God doing in peoples lives
and the prayers being answered in Honduras. Each trip becomes an adventure with the Lord, and many come
back with a new perspective on life because of the things God has taught them on
trips. What have group members been saying about these trips? To view any pictures from these trips, please visit our photo gallery by clicking here, or become a Facebook fan by clicking here to view our group updates and recent and past photos.

GREAT QUOTES FROM VOLUNTEERS

Medical and surgical brigades, teen volunteers, group leaders have all had great things to say about their trips in 2010 and the opportunity to partner with local citizens to do bring help and hope in the name of Jesus. Here's a sampling:

Leedy Smith,(below with Honduran friend), Tulsa, OK., Park Plaza Church:

I am a Spanish teacher and through God's abundant blessings I have my summers free and the language skills to travel on mission trips. God blessed me this year in sending me to Honduras to work with Predisan. I worked with members of the church and Predisan by visiting with the people there and sharing the good news of Jesus Christ. … The church is a community of believers — Hondurans, Americans, men, women, children, rich, poor, literate, and illiterate who are all being built together so that the Spirit of Christ Jesus lives within us.

I did not travel to Honduras to build the church. I traveled to be built together with my brothers and sisters over there with Jesus as the cornerstone of our foundation.

Carey Robertson, Tulsa, OK., Group Leader, Park Plaza Church:

The people of Las Cabas are so gracious to us, and we have come to love them and have built some meaningful and lasting relationships. They served us cake again this year at our going away ceremony, we so love the way they show their appreciation. Natalio had us going every possible minute as well. He had planned an evangelistic outreach event or activity every day in a different village. This year we evangelized in Las Delicias, Wasparani, Neuvo Union, La Florida, and of course Las Cabas. And as usual one of our greatest moments was to be able to worship with the Church in Las Cabas on Sunday. Once again the people of Predisan, Las Cabas, and Honduras, have blessed us richly. We look forward to next year and many more years.

Carla Morgan Thomas, Corbin, KY., Jackson Healthcare Surgical Brigade:

I was at Predisan in January as part of a WONDERFUL group with Jackson Healthcare. It was one of the best experiences of my life. You are doing a great work, and I pray God continues to bless your efforts!

Chris Williams, Chesapeake, VA., Ministries Director, The Potter's School:

I just wanted to say thanks again for the work being done at  Predisan. We consider it a  privilege to be able to serve with Predisan as we support and serve the people of San Antonio. I speak often about the great ministry that Predisan is doing in Honduras, and especially about the way you help other organizations, like ours, join in the work. So, thanks again for a great trip. We look forward to continuing our partnership with Predisan and the village of San Antonio.

Reagan Thomas, Garland, TX, Richardson East Church:

I absolutely loved being there. It made me seriously consider long-term missions in the future. I fell in love with the people there. And now that I'm back home in the U.S., I don't feel home. I have realized that the people in the U.S., surrounded by luxury and comfort, are more miserable than the people who are isolated from conveniences. The trip opened my eyes to the comfort that is received through a community dependent on their Savior.

Shawna Hood, R.N., Oklahoma City, Faculty, OC HonduraServe:

"… the things they enjoyed the most were working in the schools doing general health assessments, and working in the clinics providing acute care.  The trip was a great learning experience and provided opportunities for personal and spiritual growth.

Park Plaza Church- Leader, Carey Robertson

Park Plaza Church, Tulsa, Oklahoma traveled to Honduras, as they have many times before, to make a
huge impact on the town of Catacamas. From June 4 -11, 2011 Park Plaza performed many projects including
building latrines for families in need.  Besides evangelistic house visits they simply dug holes and laid
bricks for latrines. To perform the needed projects, volunteers first had to go
through difficult terrain, sometimes crossing deep rivers with the Predisan land-cruiser.

Memorial Road Church- Leader, Sheldon Adkins

Dan Lovejoy, a group member of Memorial Road Church, participated with CEREPA patients,
PREDISAN staff, and other group members to inaugurate the swinging log. A group from Memorial
Road Church, Edmond, Oklahoma visited with the purpose of training and sharing a 6 day seminar
at CEREPA, 1 of Predisan's 7 clinics on June 9-17, 2011. The seminars leaders held group sessions,
which were called the “Program to Celebrate Recovery” for 2 hours every day and an additional
group session was held for 3 hours 3 days a week. During the sessions, groups were invited
to discuss and share their experiences, and leaders of local churches and organizations were
invited to participate. Also, on June 11 -15, 2011, these groups worked on constructing 5 elements
for a Low Rope Course in CEREPA installations. They had a week of great blessings for PREDISAN
staff and Christian communities in Catacamas.

New Hope Church-Leader, Rhonda Fortenberry

A group from New Hope Church in Edmond, Oklahoma has started a new partnership with the community
of Corozales de Rio Blanco, who are an isolated community with a large population and who
have high rates of preventable sicknesses.  This group came to Honduras June 26-July 1, 2011.
Predisan is excited to have made this link between community and church to accompany community leaders
in goals and activities they are conducting.  9 latrines were built for needy families.
Education and spiritual activities were accomplished in the schools.  Others visited homes
with Predisan chaplains to share the Bible.

North Lake Church- Leader, Shawn Duncan and Doris Clark

On July 19-26, 2011, a group of 5 members from North Lake Church from Tucker, Georgia, came
to visit the community of El Cacao, one of the rural communities served by the Agua Caliente, to work with the
"Healthy School Program". This program is a latrine project, and helps to build spiritual development.
Doris Clark, this group’s leader, participated in a Predisan staff meeting with other
leaders on July 25th. At this special meeting, the leaders were recognized and the work of Executive
Director Martha Rivera was celebrated. Martha finished a four year term of courageous leadership
and Dr. Amanda Madrid will take over Martha's position as the new Executive Director. Predisan
staff and supporters welcome Dr. Amanda Madrid, who will once again lead the organization
forward as the Executive Director.  North Lake is the founding church for the Predisan mission.
hey have sent groups for 25 years and they supported Doris Clark's 21 years of mission work and
currently support Kyle Huhtanens and his family's work with Mission Predisan.

Dayspring Church- Leader, Linda King

Pictured here are group members from Dayspring Church celebrating the construction of basic needs.
This family pictured had a latrine built for them on this trip. Dayspring Church, Edmond,
Oklahoma traveled to La Florida, a Village in Las Cabas, to help assist Predisan with the
Healthy School Program, evangelism, and latrine project for a family. Board member Eric King helped
build a latrine for a family and many others worked with school children, sharing words from
the Bible and teaching science concepts to children in schools.