Last week I returned from a wonderful, packed, 10-day missions trip to Honduras.
This was NOT a Deaf missions trip, though that will be my primary goal of moving to Honduras as a missionary next year. This was a medical missions trip.
I actually hadn't planned to go originally, but two of my brothers signed up, since it was one of the few trips that worked with their college schedule, and asked me to join them, and introduce them to my future team. After discussions with Team Honduras and my missions pastor, I agreed to go; and immediately asked my other adult brothers if they would join us. There were 5 of us Lea-Wilson's on the trip, and what a wonderful trip we had!
Medical Missions Outreach/MMO (www.medical-outreach.com) takes medical/volunteer teams to a different country almost every month, and partners with local missionaries to set up a clinic. The goal is to use the clinic as a means of connecting the public with the missionary's local church, and, most importantly, to share the gospel with every single patient that comes to be seen. Specifically in Honduras, MMO teams up with Team Honduras, so I was able to work alongside my Team most of the week, as were my brothers.
During clinic, my job was overseeing Triage; taking basic vital signs and writing
down the patient's problem. I had the privilege of working with one of my brothers in Triage, and training him - as well as 3 of the others - how to take vital signs. I became hoarse as I talked, non-stop, with the hundreds of patients that came through, asking for their "chief complaint," and explaining where they would go next to see the provider. As a whole, our team of about 50 workers treated almost 4,000 patients, and saw over 50 of them trust Christ as their Savior. Also, Team Honduras has reported many visitors to their church as a result.
I also had the privilege of meeting an educated Deaf
Honduran woman, with whom I was able to explain a little about Jesus, Heaven and Hell. She had not known who Jesus was prior to our conversation, so I didn't want to overwhelm her, and gave her more information in a picture booklet after going through it with her. Later that week, I met a Deaf man who had never been to school and knew no signs. He was fascinated as I taught him some basic signs ("brother" "house" "food" "family"), and picked it up very quickly. I was impressed.
Since returning from Honduras I have been back on the "deputation trail," and have meetings booked with several churches before I return home. Thank you for your prayers for my safety and wisdom as I travel many miles and share my passion with many different churches.