http://www.pettengillmissionaries.org News, updates, and book reviews from the Pettengill's, missionaries to Honduras. Sat, 04 Feb 2012 08:47:06 -0500 http://www.pettengillmissionaries.org en hourly 1 http://www.pettengillmissionaries.org/archive/title/an_emotional_medical_clinic 2012-02-03 07:16:11 Mike http://www.pettengillmissionaries.org/archive/title/an_emotional_medical_clinic Thursday we hosted our weekly medical clinic in Armenia Bonito. It was full of interesting cases and high emotions. The doctors in La Ceiba are on strike. Really? What is a sick person to do? So, when we arrived just before 9am there was a line of over 80 people waiting to be seen. Mike handed out 35 numbers and turned away 50 unhappy people, including one lady who told Mike that her husband, who was walking around and talking, was going to die and it would be Mike's fault because he is a bad person.

Erin began treating patients with some typical symptoms; rotting teeth, parasites, infected wounds, etc. Erin provided her typical compassion and expertise. A young girl was brought in who had pneumonia. Erin gave her a breathing treatment, but recommended she see a doctor…who were all on strike.

Mike and Ashley Troxell, our newest teammates, helped us so they could better learn how to implement this type of compassion in their new ministry site; the community of La Fe. Mike and Ashley prayed with each person and gave them great love and kindness.

A 15-year-old girl, who we had never seen before, came in with a six-month-old baby. “Is this your brother?” “No, it’s my baby.” This girl got pregnant when she was 13, had a baby at 14 and here she was, barely 15, with her six-month-old son in her arms. She is younger than our daughter Madison. Wow!

Because of the doctor strike we saw lots of sick people. Many were beyond our abilities. Where do you send a complicated case when there are no doctors in town?

At the end of the day a frantic mother brought in her 8-year-old son with Down syndrome. The boy had a fever and was shaking. He also had uncontrollable diarrhea and vomiting. He couldn’t keep any medicine or fluids down. The hospital had already turned them away and the mother was desperate. On the back of our truck Erin tried to start an IV. With no other options remaining we finally told the mother, “There is nothing we can do for you.” Knowing the hospital was closed the tearful mother carried her moaning son home. ]]> http://www.pettengillmissionaries.org/archive/title/kids_club%2C_catechism_and_obedience 2012-02-01 06:03:38 Mike http://www.pettengillmissionaries.org/archive/title/kids_club%2C_catechism_and_obedience On Tuesday Erin continued the new wildly successful format for our weekly Kids Club in Armenia Bonito. This new program is much more structured and the kids love it.

Following some crazy and energetic balloon games the kids sat down for their lesson. The theme of this week’s study was obedience. The kids heard a detailed story of Noah and his unwavering obedience to God. They were challenged by the extreme nature of Noah’s obedience in the face of humiliation and mocking.

The kids did a wonderful job with the bible verse memorization. The kids committed John 14:15 to memory. Erin explained how obedience is a way of showing love.

Catechism question #4 was the exam question for the day. How do you glorify God? The kids had to know the question and answer to be “signed off” for the day. The kids were each quizzed individually.

The craft for the day was gluing together and coloring the parts of Noah’s obedience. Each kid walked away with their very own depiction of Noah on the boat with the animals.

Each week dozens of kids are memorizing verses, hearing bible stories and receiving a lesson of about God. And, they are enjoying it. ]]> http://www.pettengillmissionaries.org/archive/title/school_supplies_for_467_kids 2012-01-30 06:37:23 Mike http://www.pettengillmissionaries.org/archive/title/school_supplies_for_467_kids On Saturday our team organized our fourth annual school supply distribution for the kids of Armenia Bonito. This was the least chaotic of our four school supply events. Never before have so many kids received school supplies from us. We gave school supplies to 467 kids.

The school year in Honduras begins in February and ends in November. Public school is “free” up to the sixth grade, but the kids must pay for their own uniforms and school supplies. The average person in Honduras makes $3,000/year and the unemployment rate is above 30%. Most families in Armenia Bonito are struggling to afford food. This means that if a parent sends their child to school they may have to make the choice between purchasing rice and beans for their kids' or notebooks and pencils. Because of this tough choice many parents do not send their children to school. We have been told by many parents that our annual school supply distribution is the only way their family could afford to send their kids to school.

For the first time we hosted the school supply distribution at our ministry center. We had 10 gringos and 10 Honduran volunteers. The kids waited outside and were led in, in groups of 10. They received glue, scissors, notebooks, erasers, compasses, pencils, sharpeners and much much more. Our team of volunteers did an amazing job. All 467 kids received school supplies in two hours.

Thanks so much to the individuals and churches from the U.S. who sent school supplies and money to make this event a reality. Watch the 2 minute 30 second video HERE. ]]> http://www.pettengillmissionaries.org/archive/title/what_i_want_for_all_missionaries 2012-01-28 07:41:48 Mike http://www.pettengillmissionaries.org/archive/title/what_i_want_for_all_missionaries I have often been asked, "How can our church, small group or family better serve missionaries?” I get lots of churches that ask similar questions. They start with great intentions and have poor follow through.

Missionaries...obviously...are human...we miss home, we sin, feel neglected, raise our kids poorly, have bad prayer lives, etc. Just like we did when we weren't missionaries. The hard-to-swallow truth is...out of site, out of mind. Our friends, family and brothers in Christ don't see us every day, their lives move on without us, and we become forgotten by those who used to care for us and love us.

Most missionaries knew this would happen when we left for the mission field. People don't sign up to be missionaries for the fame, glory and additional friends. It is no surprise, but I am shocked at how much it hurts me. I am surprised how much it hurts to be forgotten.

If I could ask for one thing of a church or small group or a family it would be for them to show some interest in my family and me. Send a small care package of stuff we miss twice a year. Give me a call once every other month. Send my kid an electronic iTunes certificate on her birthday and Christmas so I can be reminded someone other than me cares a little about her. Ask me about my marriage and my spiritual life...because, both are probably suffering. Send me an occasional e-mail and tell me you prayed for my family today.

That being said, my family and I would continue to do missions work if we never heard from another person in the U.S. And, I know that is the same for all eight missionaries on my mission team. But, we are sinners, we want to be loved and we want to know people are thinking and praying for us. If my team members were reminded that others care and pray for them, they would have the strength to go on, on the hard days.

As a Team Leader of a mission team and an ex-Elder in my home church I would love to see each missionary on my mission team have at least one church that loves them and shows interest in them. In my four years on the field half a dozen churches have told me that their church has a new plan to better care for their missionaries, and, "...I have been assigned to care for your family." And, few have followed through. I pray that each missionary serving on the field has one church, or small group, or pastor that shows interest in them...their lives...their faith...their struggles.

When William Carey volunteered to be a missionary, he implored those who sent him, "but remember that you must hold the rope." Missionaries must go and senders of missionaries must remember to hold the rope.
]]> http://www.pettengillmissionaries.org/archive/title/puerta_de_esperanza_opens_its_doors 2012-01-26 06:29:36 Mike http://www.pettengillmissionaries.org/archive/title/puerta_de_esperanza_opens_its_doors Puerta de Esperanza (or Door of Hope) is a brand new ministry offered by our team here in La Ceiba, Honduras. Under the hard work and guidance of our teammate Shannon, Puerta de Esperanza is a home for teenage mothers and their babies. The facility started operation on Wednesday by receiving its first two teenage residents.

In Honduras 50% of children are born to single parent homes. The average age for first pregnancies is 15.3 years and 80% of birth certificates do not have a father’s name. Puerta de Esperanza provides hope for girls escaping substance abuse, violence and the streets. Living with the girls in the home will be a House Mother who will mentor the girls and enforce the rules.

The name Door of Hope is derived from Hosea where God provides a door of hope through the wilderness. It is our prayer that, for these young mothers, this home will provide a glimpse of the hope, love and mercy that can only be found in Jesus Christ.

If you’d like to see a brief video of this new ministry click HERE. ]]> http://www.pettengillmissionaries.org/archive/title/summer_internship_in_honduras 2012-01-24 06:53:51 Mike http://www.pettengillmissionaries.org/archive/title/summer_internship_in_honduras Do you know somebody who would make a great missionary intern? We are looking for summer interns who want to engage their heart, mind, and hands while being an active part of the ministry in Honduras.

An ideal candidate will have graduated high school, have a firm grasp of Spanish, have experience with international travel and love the Lord. Our interns don’t just take out the trash and sweep the floor. Our interns work alongside experienced missionaries as equals. Our interns take ownership of ministry and build relationships with Hondurans.

Interns typically work from late May to early August and greatly impact our ministry and the people of Honduras. This is a wonderful opportunity to investigate the Great Commission and explore God’s call on your life.

If you are interested in serving as a summer intern in Honduras go to THIS LINK and fill out the “General Interest Form” at the top right. The deadline is February 15th…so act fast. ]]> http://www.pettengillmissionaries.org/archive/title/book_review%3A_a_place_of_healing 2012-01-22 08:35:29 Mike http://www.pettengillmissionaries.org/archive/title/book_review%3A_a_place_of_healing This 2010 tome is Joni Eareckson Tada’s 48th book. Eareckson Tada is a radio host, a conference speaker and founder of the worldwide ministry Joni And Friends. At age 61 she is a 44-year survivor of a swimming accident that left her a quadriplegic.

Following 40 years of quadriplegia Joni writes this book in the middle of one of her greatest battles. As she writes this book she is suffering minute-by-minute battles with chronic lower back pain. While she has written previous books on suffering she states that she wanted to write this one while she was in the middle of the battle so the reader could benefit from her suffering.

Joni reminds us of the sovereignty of God and the fact that his hand is in everything. Even though we don’t see His wisdom it is in everything. We may not understand why we have discomforts, trials and suffering, but we must see them as God’s will, and therefore perfect.

She acknowledges that she frequently asks God for relief from her pain and she asks God for the strength to endure the pain. But, what separates her from most of us is, like the apostle Paul, when God says “no, you will keep your pain” she thanks Him. She takes joy in her suffering knowing that God has a plan.

Towards the end of the book Joni provides the reader with numerous stories of people who have benefited from reading her books, hearing her speak or from her ministry. She tells the reader that her 40+ years of quadriplegia and her current suffering from pain have benefited thousands if not millions of people. And, these blessings were a direct result of God’s “no” to Joni’s prayers for healing.

This book is a rare look into a soul laid bare by the 40 years of suffering that Joni has endured. She provides an insight that only she can share. ]]> http://www.pettengillmissionaries.org/archive/title/medical_clinic_staffed_by_hondurans 2012-01-20 06:42:00 Mike http://www.pettengillmissionaries.org/archive/title/medical_clinic_staffed_by_hondurans On Thursday we hosted our weekly medical clinic in Armenia Bonito. But, we were short on gringo workers. Mike stayed home sick and Kathy worked for four hours, but had to leave early to tend to the family. So, how do you run a medical clinic with so few workers? Honduran volunteers.

There were more Honduran volunteers helping us at one time than ever before. Why is that so important? We have always said that we don’t want to teach people to become dependent on us, but that we want to train Hondurans to help each other. We want to work ourselves out of a job. To see so many Hondurans helping Hondurans is big deal.

With the help of a Honduran pastor, a nurse, a few local kids and some people who just stopped in, we were able to treat 25 patients. Each person had their vitals taken, they were prayed for and evangelized, received medical treatment and education and received medicine…almost exclusively from Honduran volunteers.

No, we’re not ready to move on to another community just yet. However, this was a good day. It may be temporary and some of them may not have had pure motives. But, the bottom line is that our team created an opportunity where Hondurans can be trained to serve each other and provide basic medical care and evangelism. Yep, it was a good day. ]]> http://www.pettengillmissionaries.org/archive/title/new_formal_english_class 2012-01-18 05:27:31 Mike http://www.pettengillmissionaries.org/archive/title/new_formal_english_class This week Mike began teaching a new “more formal” English class in the community of Armenia Bonito. This class will be run a little stricter than past classes we’ve taught. This weekly class will run for 10-weeks straight. We are requiring regular attendance and administering weekly exams.

The students have been informed that after the 10-week course is completed, those students who attend at least eight of the 10 classes will receive a “Certificate of English” and will be rewarded with a formal dinner at our home.

The first class was attended by 22 students. Mike taught on the topics of sounds, the alphabet, pronunciation and fruit. The students were instructed to focus strongly on lip and tongue placement to help with proper pronunciation. At the end of class each student was given an individual oral exam on the memorization of 10 English words for fruits and their proper pronunciation.

English classes provide several valuable things; 1) help us build relationships, 2) provide an important skill for employment and 3) provide opportunities to share the gospel as we use the bible as a reading primer. ]]> http://www.pettengillmissionaries.org/archive/title/meet_our_teammate%3A_john_clow 2012-01-16 06:30:38 Mike http://www.pettengillmissionaries.org/archive/title/meet_our_teammate%3A_john_clow John and his family arrived in La Ceiba in May of 2010. He and his wife Kathy joined our team for four years, but they are here for the long haul. John earned a degree in Welding Engineering from LeTourneau University and he grew up in Clute, Texas.

Before serving fulltime in Honduras John and his family had served as fulltime missionaries in Reynosa, Mexico since 2002. In Mexico they worked alongside the Isaiah 55 Deaf Ministries where John hosted short-term mission teams and coordinated construction efforts.

John is gifted in the areas of giving, mercy, service and compassion. The Lord has been preparing John for years for his work in Honduras. He serves as our construction and building coordinator in La Ceiba. John is instrumental in working with the many short-term teams we host and directing our Honduran construction workers.

Our team and the people of Honduras are very fortunate to have John serving in La Ceiba. He genuinely loves serving others. John has a great knowledge and understanding of construction, building and design. He uses these gifts to provide Christ’s mercy and justice to the poor.

Please pray for John and his family as they approach their two-year anniversary of serving by our sides in Honduras. ]]>