Thursday, April 3, 2008


International Christian Hospice in Nicaragua February 2008

God’s timing is always just right! Not too early and never too late! Thank you again for your faithful prayers which God answered just 2 days ago in making our Honduras car tags available. The next chapter of ICH in Central America began as we drove into Nicaragua on Saturday, February 9.

Our first week was spent in the northern region near Chinandega. Through contacts in N.C., which include Ron’s sister Arleen, we stayed at the mission project of Vision Nicaragua. God began to show us why He brought us to this area when we met the people of a small village nearby called Bethel. The major job industry of the entire northern region of Nicaragua is sugar cane. Hundreds of men who have been field workers are now suffering with kidney failure. Treatments such as dialysis or transplants are not an option for these men in this poorest of Central American counties. The population of Bethel is approximately 500 and 75 of the men are currently sick and dying. It is believed that the chemicals which are sprayed on the fields, while workers are present, causes this fatal disease. Labor and life is “cheap” here in Nicaragua. We met with a group of Pastors who asked us “what can we do to help these people who are dying? How can we help them and their families?” We spent two days visiting homes in the village and hearing stories of suffering but also of great faith. Brother David, who is dying, and his wife Telma and their family gathered around as Ron showed them our children’s book, God’s Plan. As Telma read aloud from our booklet Words of Comfort tears filled her eyes. Yes, God treasures His children and desires to send words of hope for eternity to those whose health is failing. He desires to give purpose and hope to those who grieve. ICH is coming to Nicaragua “for such a time as this!”

In Managua, we met many Nicaraguan Pastors and church leaders of different evangelical churches. We stayed at the Baptist Mission team house and made plans for future trips and training in partnership with the Nehemiah Center. We also received an invitation to bring our hospice training to the large new Baptist hospital.

It was a joy to meet our missionary friends, Mike and Joan Vilasi who run a children’s home, in the southern town of Rivas. They introduced us to key Pastors in this area who were eager to learn about ICH. We visited Ometepe, famous because it is an island made of two volcanoes, set in the middle of huge Lake Nicaragua. We have been invited by a group of 25 pastors to return to Ometepe and present hospice training to them and their churches. We surprised Dr. Tirza, who has a clinic for the poor on Ometepe, by visiting her clinic one afternoon. We had met her two years ago in Honduras and told her then that someday we knew God would bring ICH to her country of Nicaragua.

We ask that you join us in praying for our future plans to return to Nicaragua. We met so many people who all wanted to know when we would return. We feel as though we have merely scratched the surface during these few weeks and we are excited as we anticipate what God will do! Pray specifically for people to join us. We are hoping to bring ICH teams to Nicaragua for ministry in the early fall. Thanks for standing with us in prayer and support!

In gratitude to our faithful God,

Ron and Susan Naish