Picture from Helene

Great picture from a home in Helene. 

A dislocated ankle, a baby shower, and a ministry of healing and hope

Last Wednesday night, Nate Clark dislocated his ankle and broke his fibula while playing basketball with the islanders of Helene. He hit a wet spot on the outdoor basketball court on the Point. Immediately, his left foot was no longer pointing north and south but east and west. It was nasty to look at. The staff at the Clinic was informed and they sprung into action. I got to watch the Alternative Missions staff do what they do best, take care of medical emergencies. Two staff members came with the stretcher, another ran to get the boat driver, a fourth got money to pay for expenses in Roatan, a fifth member called Roatan to make arrangements, the last got passports and medical releases. Everyone had a function to perform. Within a few minutes, Nate was in the Clinic and the nurses were splinting his leg. Medications were administered. Within forty minutes, we were in a boat heading down island for Roatan. Greg our driver, steered through the reef in the dark of night. Nate was a champ and never spoke a word of complaint even though he was in obvious pain. The seas were calm even though a squall was trying to catch up with us. Marty meet us at the dock in Roatan. All went well, God was with us. We had a long drive to the hospital. Plenty of time to talk. I asked, " how did islanders take care of medical emergencies before the Clinic was established?"

Joe Morris (the coolest missionary in black) replied that a number of islanders died and the infant mortality rate was high. The mothers of newborns were afraid to nurture or even name their infants until they had reached the age of two fearing their child would die young and break their hearts. Fear had filled the parents hearts. Generations of islanders had been raised without deep emotional bonding to their parents. Death was a regular occurrence.

Recently, the new practice of having a baby shower, has taken hold on the island. During our two week mission trip, the females on our team were invited to an island baby shower. This is a new event on Helene. The mothers are now starting to have hope that their pregnancies will lead to a normal birth and their children will live a long, healthy lives. Certainly a reason to celebrate. Hope has replaced death and fear.

Our two weeks service mission in the Bay Islands has ended. But the memories of serving God and the islanders remains in our hearts. Once again, I am deeply touched with affection and admiration for the staff of Alternative Missions in Helene. The staff of Team Helene are all God filled individuals faithfully carry out a ministry of healing, teaching, and offering the message of hope. We love you guys!

Posted by Scott, back in Portland, Oregon 7/19/06

A blessing named Ruby

Dean, our island guide, said he was taking our visitation team to see an elderly woman that no one ever visits. We travel pass Seco, Mangrove Byte, and the Pond. The path to her house curves back and forth through swamp land created by the mangrove trees. Her house is the farthest way from the Clinic and is isolated from her neighbors, as well. She lives in a small shanty by the sea. There are two small sheds nearby. Broken and useless pieces of junk are scattered all around. This is poverty that touches the heart.

Ruby is listening to static on an old portable radio as we introduce ourselves. Ruby is the most destitute person any of us has ever met. Ruby states she is lonely but never alone. She explains that she was recently in the hospital with a heart condition. After talking with her for a while, we all lay hands on her to pray. Soon, her whole body is shaking as she has become overwhelmed by God's goodness in her life. We become overwhelmed by our own lack of gratitude for our blessings.

Two days later, Dean leads another visitation team to see Ruby. When they arrive, Ruby jumps up and kisses each person on the cheek. She prays for each member of the visitation team. Then Ruby reminds each person there how much their parents loves them. Everyone is moved to tears. As the visitation team prays for Ruby, they are all aware that they are laying hands on a special woman of God. Dean leads the team back to the Clinic, As they walk back through the swamp land, they can hear Ruby singing loudly a hymn of praise. More tears from the visitation team.

Ruby is a blessing, an unforgettable blessing.

posted by Scott in Helene July 11, 2006

Helene is surprisingly dynamic

Twelve months ago, I was in Helene. On my return this week, I expected very little to change in this sleepy unknown island. I was wrong. Helene is surprisingly dynamic. Some examples of recent changes....

The Methodists Church has added a new building as large as their church. They use it for church camps and conferences. Daniel, has Youth Night twice a week. There are over thirty islanders in attendance. It is wonderful to hear the praise songs coming from that new building.

Helene is increasing bi lingual. In a Sunday night service, the song leader, Tanya, switched from English to Spanish when two Honduran man entered the church. It seems in comparison to last year that our island guides speak more Spanish to their Honduran friends as we pass them on the trail.

There are more new houses and sheds on Helene than I expected. Albert, one of our island guides was telling me that he is building a concrete brick house. He knows five other families that are rebuilding with concrete.

Classroom Two is no longer piers and a newly built floor. It is an active classroom for 21 students in fourth though six grades. I volunteered to assist there for three afternoons. We studied math, spelling, reading skills, and Bible knowledge. My favorite part of the afternoon was the students singing along to Christian CDs as they worked on a Bible Time line project. Blessings to everyone who helped make Classroom Two a reality.

A nearby island recently installed a cell tower. Helene now has cell phone reception. Everyone here is buying a new cell phone. Even, Teddy and Willis have them. Even out here, there are those annoying ring tones!

Earlier this week, I saw surveyors from the mainland making surveyors marks and maps of the island. There is talk of investors wanting to purchase parcels of land. Very big changes are ahead for Helene in the next few years.

We visited John Bowman at his shanty by the sea in Seco. He is dying. He is being carefully monitored by the staff of the Clinic. He was smiling and glowing with praise as he talked about his vision for Clean Sweep and his walk with Christ. He has been receiving a lot of love back from those villages that he has been sweeping the past three years. We went to encourage him and we ended up being the ones blessed by John. John is a testimonial what one man can do with a God vision and a broom. Please continue to pray for John, his wife, and his two young children

OK? Alright!


posted by Scott in Helene, July 8, 2006