A difficult day

March 22, 2018; today was a hard day at the clinic for me. It was our last clinic for this trip. I am so overwhelmed at the kindness the people have shown to us. One of the ladies of the church that we had our clinic at, she opened her house for us to eat lunch and use her bathroom.

Today, it has hit me how hard people really have it here. It is different that LaCampa. There people live in the mountains, and out in the country. In Tela, people are in a large city. Grocery stores around, able to get what they need when they need it, but only one problem. Money.  Most do not have the money to just go and get what they need.

I saw 2 ladies that were single moms at this clinic. I had to work hard to keep the tears back. They told me that they had to choose whether to spend their money to feed her kids or on medications. What’s a mom to do? I am so glad I was there to help her with at least her medications for her kids. We take for granted that there is a Walmart or grocery store and that we have the money to go and get what we need. I pray for them and all the people, all 1063 people, that came through the clinic for healing, physically and spiritually.

One of the last that I saw this day was a young girl. She was 15 years old and was asking for some meds for a vaginal infection. With these types of infections, we ask if they are sexually active and if they have a boyfriend. She said that she had a husband, you heard me right. She was married, at 15. I couldn’t believe my ears. She didn’t look old enough to have the responsibilities of being married. She was just a kid. I know that some in the states have gotten married at 16 and 17, and I feel the same way about them. I got married at 22 and thought I was so grown up.  But looking at my kids who are 21 at this time, I can’t believe them even getting married now. I prayed for her so God would give her guidance in her marriage.

 

Then, after clinic, we had our women’s ministry. I gave my testimony. I was already emotionally drained, then after giving my testimony, I was even more drained. But, even though I may not know if I touched someone today, God knows and will use it for their good.

 

We did have one good thing today. At the clinic, I was talking with one of the ladies there and she was pointing to Erin’s sunburn. I was telling her that I needed to get some aloe for her. She left but came back with 3 giant aloe leaves! I believe God heard our prayer!

 

Bendiciones,

Lunch

Reading our scripture

Church

Be Flexible

If I heard it once, I heard it a million times…..Be flexible. You have to be when you go on mission. Plans change suddenly, and you have to adapt to what is happening to keep your mission on track. Our plans changed on March 21, 2018. We had planned on being at the school in San Juan for children ministry, but they had something going on, so we had to change this to Friday.  So now what to do??? We don’t want a day to go to waste not doing anything or being with the community. We decided to conduct a prayer walk in the San Juan mission neighborhood. This neighborhood is like government housing. Small houses, all clumped together. Nothing fancy. No shade, and it was very hot this day.

We broke up into groups and each of us took a street. We would knock on the door and if anyone answered, we would ask if we could share our testimony with them and pray for them. Everyone that opened their door listened to our testimony and allowed us to pray over them.  I have to say, I am very proud of Erin. She went out of her comfort zone and gave her testimony. She was so nervous, but the girls she gave her testimony to were going through something similar. She talked about her feelings and what she went through as a daughter whose mother had cancer. The girls she spoke to said that their mother was in the hospital with cancer. I believe God put her there at that moment to show them that they are not alone and that they can get through this difficult time. The girls allowed us to pray and I feel it comforted them.

After our walk, we went to the construction site at the Mission Church to check on the guys. They were working hard. It is hot and hardly any shade, but they keep working. I don’t think I could do that hard work like they do. I am proud to be on this team of great people who put others ahead of themselves and serve God.

Well, Erin got really sunburned walking around today in the sun. We didn’t have aloe, but we got some ice to help her get over the sting.

 

Bendiciones,

Out of our comfort zone

Going on mission takes you out of your comfort zone. It calls for you to dig deep into your courage bag and pull out a big handful of it.

Our first clinic in Tela was not very big. We only saw 66 people, but that was 66 people that got prayed over and was told about the love of Jesus. God knows what he is doing.

 

The next day we had our clinic at the mission in San Juan. This is a church plant that Pastor Franklin is building. Our team is working alongside the local men in building the church. Right now, this church is a stand-alone pavilion. Whenever he has services, he takes all the lights, light bulbs, electrical cords and the chairs with him.  When services are over, he takes it all down and takes it home. He does this, so the equipment doesn’t get stolen. Our guys will be helping with pouring the concrete floor and laying block for the walls.

I took me to say all this to tell you that we had our clinic under this pavilion. We saw 148 people this day. We ran out of ibuprofen and acetaminophen! Lots of sick kids. So glad God provides us with the extra money to purchase more of this med. It is very much needed with the sick kiddos.

It was definitely hot this day.  I prayed before we left for our clinic, that He would give us shade and a breeze. God answered my prayer. There was a house across the street from our clinic. The lady that lived there volunteered to open her house up to us so we could use her bathroom and she let us sit on her porch so we could eat lunch in the shade. 

Erin got a little sun playing with the kids while they waited to be seen. She has porcelain skin, so it doesn’t take much. She was taken out of her comfort zone this day. She doesn’t relate to kids very much, but she did a fabulous job playing and keeping them entertained. She was asked to give devotion, but she declined. She doesn’t like speaking in front of people. She will grow and be more comfortable with this as she gets older.

 

Bendiciones,

Day off!

Ok, so enough about pickles and back to reminiscing about my Mission trips to Honduras!

March 17, 2018; driving to Tela. I am living on the edge! I am riding without a seat belt first of all. And second, I am riding with G! It was good to ride with G and J to Tela. It gave me time with them (I don't want to share our time!) and gave us time to talk about the clinics and what their vision was. So much information! They have so many great ideas on the clinics and how they will grow.

We got to Tela, in one piece, and it is so…..HOT. I love it! It is so cold at home and may snow there. So glad I am not in the snow! We got to spend some time walking the beach and had a wonderful dinner. It is so beautiful in LaCampa and Tela. We got a little spoiled today. 

March 18, 2018; we sent off team one and waiting for team 2 to arrive. I am so excited for team 2 to arrive. Why? Well I am so glad you asked! Erin is coming!! While we were waiting, I went swimming with some of the other ladies on our team in the pool.  The pool water was so hot, we had to get out to cool off! It's amazing how beautiful the sunrise and sunset is here. God gives us beauty all around us, we just need to open our eyes to see it.

Church services was at Pastor Franklin's church and it is always a good service. His daughter is growing up and she can really play the piano! I first met her when she was 7 years old. She was awesome then. It is so amazing the friendships and family you make when you travel on mission.

 

Bendiciones,

7-24-2020; Autumn's Mission Pickles!

Present time...fundraising...PICKLES!! I have to start early in fund raising for my trips so I can make sure I have enough money for my plane ticket, food and hotel money. I get most of my trip money from my PICKLES.  I do have to admit, they are really good! This is thanks to my grandma's recipe. I have made over 100 pints of pickles in the last 2 weeks. This is a labor of love! 

My family doesn't like them. They say I stink up the house! So now I give them a warning. What's good is that they can wear their covid masks if they want! I have to wear mine when I cook. Makes for a very hot kitchen, (not that it isn't already hot cooking over the stove for 3+ hours).  I got pickles in my hallway, jars in the garage, and all my pickle pots and measuring bowls in the kitchen. My hubs not too happy about all the space being taken but he knows what it is for.

So if you are thinking of going on a mission trip, it doesn't just start with your decision. That is the first step. But the second, third, fourth and more steps are planning and fundraising. It takes time, but well worth it.

Autumn's Mission Pickles come in bread and butter, spicy bread and butter, dill and spicy dill.

I think I need a bigger kitchen and pantry!

Bendiciones,

a Busy Week; 3-14-2018

3-10-2018

Today, we went to church in Mezcallia. We were here 2 years ago in 2016, and they had never heard of Christ. Through our clinics, we were able to show them love and talk about Jesus. In 2017, we returned and had our clinics at a local lady’s house. Well, happy to report, their church is built, and we had the first service today. Not sure how many people but they think there was around 150-170 that attended!  We were inside and outside, all around the church, looking in the windows and doors. The whole ceremony was so touching with the anointing of the church. They walked through the church praying and flicking the anointing oil on the ground and putting the oil on their hands then on the walls inside and outside.  What an honor and amazing thing to be a part of!

 

3-13-2018

Another clinic today. 187 people. And we teamed up with the local clinic. Whew! They were a huge help. I was beginning to think that I was going to have to enlist the men to help out with the clinic tables! Wouldn’t that be a sight!

We had 2 nurses and a dentist! My clinic work spot was across from the dentist. It was crazy to watch him work. He was pulling teeth left and right. I lost count, but he pulled a lot of teeth.

I had to play a lot of charades in the clinic. It was kinda hysterical. I am waving my arms, or pointing to a body part to try to get them to understand me. They were just looking at me like I was a crazy woman. The kids just laughed and thought it was a game. I really need to learn Spanish.

We only had one interpreter for me and another nurse. It was hard for her to keep up with us both. So, I thought I the charades would help. It didn’t!

 

3-14-2018

Clinic in Monqueto. This was our largest so far, 231 people! Today, I saw a 7yo boy that had a stroke and a 12 yo girl that has glaucoma. I wish there was more I could do for them.

It has been busy and sometimes I feel like it is like “get them in, get them out” so we can see everyone and not turn anyone away. It doesn’t make for the personal care that I want to give them.  Satan is working hard to tear us down. With me, I feel I am concentrating on the hard work and whining how tired I am, instead of all the good work God is doing through us. So I had to tell myself, “GET OVER IT ALREADY”! I made a list of the many blessings that I have been given so far and what God has done so far. I mean, look at all the people we have seen in the clinics and all of those we have helped. Not to mention the women’s and children ministries and the construction ministry. So many people we have touched.

Bendiciones,

3-10-2018; start of clinics 2018

Our first clinic of 2018 and we saw 133 people! It was a very long day! The local neighbors made us tamales for lunch! They were awesome. I guess if I am going to get sick from the food there, this is the way to do it. Their food is sooo good!

Our second clinic we saw 194! Our clinics are starting to grow, and I hope our team grows with them. Right now, we only have me and 2 other nurses. Hopefully, more nurses or doctors will want to come, and the local nurses and doctors will work with us. I met Dr. Maria today. She is the doctor there in LaCampa that is working with G&J. She will help us out with the clinics and what meds we will need. She is such a huge help. She has great plans for the medical clinics.

I saw 2 sets of twins at this clinic. One set was 3 months old, (they were so cute!) and the other was 10 yr old boys. They got a kick out of me telling them I had twins. Some of the other people I treated was a blind man, a woman who had a stroke, and a handicapped child. It makes me sad because they want us to fix them and we can’t. I wish I was able to bring the type of care I give here in the states to them. So many things we take for granted.

 

Bendiciones,

Mission Devotion 2018

Leave the 99 to find the one every time..Luke 15

I choose this story Saturday after hearing what Antonio said about his experience at the clinic were 4 people accepted Christ and Rick said, “this is why we come.”

 

I heard the song “Reckless Love” by Cory Asbury driving down from Santa Rosa and it touched my heart. Some of what I’m saying came from his song.

The song goes “there isn’t anything that God wouldn’t do for us. There’s no shadow you won’t light up, no mountain you won’t climb up, coming after me. There’s no wall you won’t kick down, lie you won’t tear down, coming after me.”

 

Luke 15, Jesus says the shepherd JOYFULLY puts the one sheep on his shoulders then he calls his friends to REJOICE with him. This is the reckless love of God. He doesn’t consider himself first or isn’t self-serving. He puts himself out there on the off chance that we will look back and give him that love in return. His love leaves the 99 every time to find the ONE.

 

But what if…What if he loses the 99? But what if finding that ONE lost sheep is way more important. He gives himself away again and again.

 

I have sinned terribly in my past.  My sins, our sins, pains his heart, but he opens his heart and lets us back in every..single..time. Gods sees us broken. He will pick us up and carry us in our weakness. Let him break down your walls.

Romans 10:13 says, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”

 

Call his name…

 

Bendiciones,

Kick start 2018 trip

It’s been a long year from 2017 to 2018 trip. A lot has happened with planning over the year for our trip. More events coming our way with the clinics this year. I have made more lists and check lists so far to make sure I don’t forget anything! I have packed and repacked and we have made it to LaCampa once again! I am so happy to be back. Our trip this year is a little different, we are going to Tela this year for a week!! I am so happy to be working with G&J and Pastor Franklin. Today was a busy day packing and sorting meds. We need to get ready for our first clinic of this trip that is tomorrow!

I found out that while I am here in Honduras, my mom fractured her femur and has to have surgery. It is so hard to be here when she has to have surgery. I feel like I need to be there, you know, to make sure that the doctors know what they are doing, the nurses treat her like a VIP and take care of my momma! Well, I can’t be there, but you bet your bucks I called. YES, I did, I went there. I called my connections at the hospital and told them this was my momma and to take EXTRA special care of her. And you know what?  They did. I never doubted it.

And by the way, she is doing great! Her Nurses and doctor was the best.

 

So, this week I am sharing a room with 2 of the other ladies that are nurses with the clinic. One room with 3 beds and one bathroom. Did I say there were 3 of us? (3 women??!)  It was like a great slumber party. They were great roomies!

Our shower doesn’t have hot water. It has the heater on it, called the widow maker, but it isn’t working. So cold showers it is. I figured it out and found if I take my shower when we get home while it is still hot outside, the cold water is really refreshing! So that is what I did.

(they call it a widow maker because it is something that is placed over the water shower head that plugs into the wall outlet and has wires coming out of it. You pray that water doesn’t splash on it and pray for no sparks!)

 

So, time to get real right now. We reviewed the movie we will be showing at our family movie night this week. It was about the question, do you believe? And are you not ashamed to tell others of Christ? It really impacted me. Do I live for Christ and can I say that my Christian living will convict me one day if I am accused? Right now, I would have to say NO, I am ashamed of saying that, but I know I am a sinner and need to work on my faith and trust. God loves me, and he will not give up on me. I am forgiven through Jesus.

 

“Do you best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth.” 2Timothy 2:15

 

Bendiciones,

Raising money for trips

Packing and going home, again. One week is just too short. In the past, I felt 2 weeks was too long, but I think 2 weeks is better! One week is just not enough time. We are headed to 

El Progresso to spend the night then catch our plane home the next day. We met up with Pastor Franklin and his family.  They were there to send us off.  It is always nice to see them. I first met them on my first trip in 2011. Our clinics are growing, and it seems that G&J want it to be even bigger! They have such a vision for what they want to do for the people and work for God. I am glad to be a part of their team, even though it makes me nervous about how big they want this to grow! (trust, Autumn, trust, must have trust).

 

Once I get home, it is time to fund raise for next year. So, you ask, Autumn, how do you raise money for your trips? God knows, that I am not made of money!

I got my G.ma pickle recipe years ago.  I had to pry it from my cousin who didn’t want to share it. I had to promise that I would make her pickles if she gave it to me. (I had to sell my should to her!!) I started out making bread and butter pickles for my dad (and my soul stealing cousin).

 

Then I started giving them as gifts and a friend told me that this would be a great fund aiser. So, I started making pickles. My pickles are YUMMY!

 

Now I have grown to not only bread and butter, but I make dill, spicy dill, and spicy bread and butter. Every year, God pulls through and gives me enough through my fundraising.

It takes a lot of time to make them, and when my cucumbers come in, I am making pickles 2-3 times a week. But it is only for a season and I enjoy it.

I have also started in 2018, going to craft fairs. I have made essential oil accessories and roller balls.  This has helped bring some money in for my trip.

 

You have to think outside the box to raise money. I was once told, that you need to raise money and get support for your trip from others. This is a way for you to witness also. To tell others what you are doing and why you go. Yes, I could support my trip myself if I had to, but I raise money to show that I trust God to support me and show me the way.

Use your hobby and do what you like to help raise money. There are lots of ways to do this.

This year, 2020, is a little different with COVID. I had to wear a mask while cooking my pickles. Not fun and doesn’t look fancy.  But better to be safe.

 

Bendiciones,

Last clinic for 2017

I think this clinic was the best one I have experienced.  I mean, I get wonderful experiences with all of them, and feel God working, but today was a good day.

We went to this village last year, and they didn’t have a church, or have not been ministered to about Jesus.  We went back, and they now have a church being built. They are still looking for a minister, but they are building a church. This is also the same village where we met Reuben last year and was able to start helping him with the medical needs that he needs. Mrs. G let us use her house for our clinic. It was different. But she was so happy to support us and provide us with this space. We set up in a small area and used the back of a truck for our pharmacy area working out of trunks and suitcases that had our supplies in it.

We didn’t see that many, somewhere around 80 people, but our team was able to continue what we started last year and help more with their health and pray over them. I cared for people with just basic needs like allergies or infections. But, there was also some that came that had need of heart and BP issues and diabetes. We were able to teach and help give them the information they need to try to be healthier. I was able to witness and pray with some of my patients also. It is always a blessing to be able to do this.

 

When we got back, Mrs. O made us tamales for dinner. They were amazing!! Erin stayed up with all the other young kids and they sang happy birthday to her! Tomorrow we leave for home.

 

Bendiciones,

Busy but fulfilling

Today we had a small clinic, we only saw 77 people, but it was a great, fulfilling day. Not one story sticks out, but everyone has touched my heart once again.

We had the women’s ministry and I was so humbled. I always love being with the women and sharing our testimonies with each other. Today, we had the leader ladies of the church and the pastor’s wives come. We talked about Mary and Martha. Some of the ladies on our team had a basin of water set up and after our devotion, we all got in line and they washed our hands and then we prayed over the ladies and their ministries. I feel we blessed so many women today and I also got a blessing today. Afterwards, we gave out little gifts for each of them with homemade soap and lotion. 

Mrs. O was at the women’s ministry too.  She is the great lady I met last year, and she made us the pottery.  She remembered me! I was so glad that she did. She is a wonderful lady.  Then I found out that she was pregnant! She thought she was going through the change of life, but actually she is pregnant. That is awesome how God blesses us when we least expect it!

Later that night, while we were sitting around and enjoying each others company, we got a visit from our local friends around town. He makes bracelets, and we were picking over them. They are beautiful. I always enjoy building friendships, not only with each other on the team, but with our Honduran family and friends. 

A busy, but fulfilling day. 

 

Bendiciones,