Eye Clinic a Big Success

Last week, Holly & Maggie gave their mornings to help translate for American doctors providing an optometric clinic in San Cristobal de Las Casas. We never actually figured out how this diverse group came together (1 from Iowa, 2 from Chicago, 2 from Texas, 3 from Virginia and 2 from The Netherlands), but we were glad that Holly & Maggie could help them. It was really the first time that they were able to function as independent missionaries in their own right. John and I took advantage of the opportunity to get another week in language school, continuing to try to build our own skills, while Holly & Maggie were able to use theirs to really help people.

About 400 patients were served through the VOSH eye clinic. The most fun translations were those in which patients were able to receive help that really positively influenced their lives. The new glasses and/or treatment for mild ocular conditions might now allow them to read their Bibles and do their needlework. The sad translations were those in which cataract surgery would really be needed to affect any meaningful improvement of their vision. We learned that there is only one doctor in the area that does cataract surgery, and apparently, he's not very good. Patients report seeing worse after cataract removal than before. US and European doctors who have done examinations after the fact concur and now elect AGAINST referring other patients to the eye surgeon as a result.

We were grateful for the warm hospitality of Al and Sue Schreuder, longtime Reformed Church of America missionaries serving in San Cristobal. It's always great to hear stories from those who have lived and served in Chiapas for many years and to learn amazing stories of how the church has grown here. To the VOSH group, the Schreuders and the Jovel language school staff, thanks for a great week in San Cristobal.

Heartbreak Strengthens Resolve

As you recall, one of our primary goals is to help establish a Christian medical clinic here in Ocosingo for the indigenous people. Many are so afraid to go to the hospital because of the long history of discrimination, mysterious deaths and the absence of Tzeltal translators. This fear translates into families suffering great losses --- losses that seem so unnecessary and preventable.

In January, John and Pablo were approached by a young couple whose baby had been diagnosed with whooping cough. The doctor had told them that the illness had progressed too far and that there was nothing that they could do for her but pray. They had brought young Mariana to the
church for prayer. John, Pablo, the church elders, Colin Herbertson & Randy Duvall (from Va. Beach) prayed for Mariana that day and in the days to come. Tiny Mariana, just 6 months old, died 2 weeks later.

This experience leaves us feeling both heartbroken and more determined than ever to get this medical clinic open. Mariana's parents had access to vaccinations and could have gotten help
for Mariana sooner, but their fear kept them away. We know the Tzeltal people are not afraid to get help when it's offered through the Presbyterian church. When the medical caravans go into the villages for 2 weeks every year, the Tzeltal people come out in droves because they feel safe getting help through the church. This baby didn't have to die. Please join us in praying for,
financially supporting and helping to construct Las Manos de Cristo (the Hands of Christ Medical Clinic).

We now have an information site that allows online giving through Change.org. Just search for Hebron USA from the www.Change.org homepage to find out more. There’s even a short video that tells this story, shows you pictures of Mariana, and lets you see the status of the medical clinic project.

Welcome Ben!

For the first time we are blessed to have a short-term mission volunteer to join us for the Feb-May months this year! The A.C. welcomed Ben Jones from Summit, NJ for a 4-month internship here in Ocosingo. Ben was here last year with a group from Maumee, OH and also completed a Rotary International abroad study program in Thailand several years ago.

For now, Ben is working on a Spanish-translation of the Hebron USA website and exploring Mexican philanthropic possibilities to help with funding Las Manos de Cristo. Next week he'll be joining us in San Cristobal to help translate at a Clinica Oculista (eye clinic) with American doctors.

We're grateful to Ben and his family (Rev. Phil Jones and his wife, Susan) for their dedication to missions and willingness to join in to serve here in Chiapas. Please pray for Ben to have a positive and fulfilling experience and for the A.C. and the Presbyterian church here to benefit from his talents and willingness to serve. Watch for a link to Ben's own blog of his experiences here when I get the URL!

Earthquake?

They tell us there was an earthquake in western Chiapas today that was felt as far north & east as Ocosingo, but we didn't feel a thing! It apparently occurred about 6:50 a.m., and for a house-full of hard sleepers, we never flinched! Our friends, Jim & Sharon Henneveld, reportedly felt some tremors and knew what it was, so it apparently had a definite ripple-effect.

Thus far we've not heard of any casualities or need for disaster assistance, but if we do, we'll be sure to post updates. For now though, just know that all's well (and quiet) here in Ocosingo!

Responding in a New Way

The Presbyterian church here has little/no tolerance for drunkedness. Presbyterians here do not drink, even a little, and they expect the same from other Christians. So if a "visitor" to worship happens to have an air of alcohol or a slur in his voice, the typical response has been to escort the visitor outside. Instead of seeing an opportunity to show the love of Christ, the churches here have tended to cast out those whose behavior is inconsistent with the values of the church.

Our tiny mission is trying hard to encourage our members to think differently about the "burracho" who wanders in off the street. Today in worship, we had 2 men in worship who might fit the description. I suspect that the events of a few weeks ago influenced the collective decision to welcome them into our worship service today.

A few weeks ago, a man showed up for an evening worship service, obviously under the influence. The schedule for the evening included the evening worship, a meal and an evening of fun-and-games at the home of one of our members. Well.... he participated in the evening worship service without being too disruptive then joined the group as we walked on to the family's home. Sure enough, he stayed throughout the evening....shared in the meal, watched with some degree of amusement as we played Bible trivia games, and joined in our singing and praying. As the night went on, he sobered up pretty well and seemed to appreciate being welcomed for the evening. I'm ashamed to say that he left without my ever knowing his name, but he left with the knowledge that there was an alcoholism counselor at this church if he ever decided that he wanted help.

The truth is that we never know how our responses to people will or will not affect their lives. This gentleman may never return to worship with us again. He may never accept Christ into his heart. He may continue to drink himself to death or turn to the church for help recovering. We just don't know. What we do know is that our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, taught us all to welcome and care for the least of these just as we would for Jesus (Matthew 25: 40). It's hard to receive the outcast when we're focused on our agenda, and yet we're clearly called by Jesus to do this. God, help us to embrace the outcast instead of casting them out even further.

Have Church --- Will Travel

No, this is not about a tent, portable worship facility or any thing like that. This story is about taking worship to a disabled member of our congregation in Mexico. Hermano Miguel is probably about 50 years old, and he is confined to a wheelchair. His modest home is just a few blocks from the place that our church worships but he apparently has no way to get to worship services. So we take worship to him! About once a month, after worship or after a mid-week prayer service, a group of usually 10-12 of us head up to Hermano Miguel's house for worship.

After the usual pleasantries, we settle into a circle of chairs in his home. There is a small table and a couple of pictures on the block walls. He has a dozen or so foldable chairs but the room is otherwise sparse. This time together is truly worship! We sing praise songs, traditional hymns, read scripture together, pray together and hear a short message from Geyner. Indeed God is among us there, just as promised!

For where two or three are gathered in my name, I am there among them.
Matthew 18:20

And truly Hermano Miguel is touched by the determination to allow him to participate in worship despite his disabilities. His smiles, eyes and words convey such joy when we are with him. We are just as blessed as he, and we are all reminded that our church is not a building, but rather a body of people. We are a body of people free to move and go --- to serve ---- to worship --- to celebrate the love of Christ wherever and whenever we choose.

This, of course, is true in most of Mexico and all of the US, but we must remember that, in some parts of Mexico and many other parts of the world, Christian worship cannot occur whenever and wherever we choose. Join us in praying for safekeeping for those Christians in parts of the world where persecution is rampant.

And join us in saying thank you to God that we can and do pick up and take our church for worship, praise, service and celebration to Hermano Miguel and other places that God calls us in Chiapas.

What are those boxes on the side?

As a parent to two teens, I'm a bit more aware of the social networking tools that are used by teens and young adults every day. FaceBook, MySpace and other social networking sites are how they stay connected to each other as their lives change and grow. More and more nonprofits are recognizing the power of the internet to "Network for Good" and to promote "Change." As Hebron USAs representatives in Chiapas, we are incorporating as many online resources as possible to help you stay aware of what's happening here and how you can be a part of changing lives in Chiapas.

Our site on Change.Org allows people to give online using our credit cards to help get the medical clinic built. If you click on the link to the left, you'll go to the Hebron USA page on Change.org. Even if you might be willing to donate. It's a classic use of social networking for good!

The other link offers a way for people to make contributions to their favorite cause without having to spend a dime! How, you say? Well....

On the left margin of this blog you see a new feature --- a Good Search button. GoodSearch.com is a new Yahoo-powered search engine that donates half its advertising revenue, about a penny per search, to the charity you designate. Use it just as you would any search engine, get quality search results from Yahoo, and Hebron USA will benefit.

Similarly, GoodShop.com is a new online shopping mall which donates up to 37 percent of each purchase to your favorite cause! Hundreds of great stores including Target, Gap, Best Buy, ebay, Macy's and Barnes & Noble have teamed up with GoodShop and every time you place an order, you’ll be supporting Hebron USA.

Just click on the button to the left to go to www.goodsearch.com. Be sure to enter HEBRON USA as the charity you want to support. Each time you use it, Hebron USA will get a little change.

Ideally, you'll then make Good Search.Com your homepage. Even if you have another homepage or search engine you prefer, you can really help raise money for the clinic and Hebron USA by adding a few more clicks. It's like this...

• Make GoodSearch.Com your homepage.
• When it comes up each time, just type in your preferred homepage or search engine into the search field, and Hebron USA gets a penny.
  
• Even if you prefer Google, go to GoodSearch.com and enter Google into the search field and click through to Google from the search findings.
  
• It's that easy!

Just remember this....

There are over 1 million people in Chiapas without access to basic healthcare. Many have never seen a doctor, and many are scared to go because of stories they've heard of discrimination and neglect in the traditional healthcare systems. Hebron USA has partnered with the Maya Synod of the National Presbyterian Church of Mexico and the Council for the Holistic Development of Our Communities, A.C., to help build and run a Christian medical clinic for indigenous people, run by indigenous people. There's lots of hope and excitement about this in the area. We hope you'll do everything you can to make it happen!