Wow! October!!!

Greetings one and all!  How wonderful to join you again for an exciting update and a new bonus “Misadventure” story.

We have been busy bees!  Our MAG medical/dental brigade was engaged in a three day (and some of that next morning after) extravaganza.  The stats are below. 

We did have medical evac of a pregnant woman with a possible broken hip.  They were concerned for the baby as well.  

They couldn’t get a heartbeat.  After Wes flew her to Puerto Lempira for treatment we received good news – the baby was okay and the hip was just dislocated.  She is walking around on crutches.  What a blessing to have had this awesome team here.

Medical/Dental/Eye Brigade

Sept. 29 – Oct. 2, 2014

Medical

177 Adults

138 Pediatric

315 Total

Dental

115 Patients

238 Extractions

 67 Floride Treatments

Pharmacy

1269 dispensed

Eye

73 reading glasses dispensed

 503  Total Patient Encounters

Other October news – Wes and Carlos flew to Mocorron and Puerto Lempira for a meeting with the Alcade of Gracias A Dios.  Getting a full time teacher for the school and bridge repair were the topics of conversation.  They left hopeful that their information and pictures will bring about some help in the bridge repair project.

The alcalde is also coming out on Sunday to assess the teacher situation here.  We will fix them a tasty lunch after they visit with the villagers.

Medico, another medical organization, will be visiting toward the end of the month.  They are looking us over in anticipation of sending a possible brigade themselves sometime next year.  They want to see the facilities and get to know us a bit.  We are hopeful that they will like what they see.  If they come on board, it’s possible that we could have medical/dental brigades 3 times a year (staggered out) so the folks will have care in a more consistent basis.  

We are excited by what He is doing.  Please continue praying for the work here.  The Braxton’s will Possibly be joining us in service sometime next year.

we have another couple, the Mora’s, that will be visiting in January to see if this is where God is calling them to serve as well.  We can’t wait to see what will happen as we grow.  

Bonus- MisAdventure

“What in the world?”  I think as I am jerked awake from a sound sleep.  The monkey is pitching a fit and I can hear the dog barking with almost a full howling, and the cat meowing very loudly.  I grab up the flashlight, flip on the porch light (soft yellow lighting) and head out to the porch to see what was going on.  I can’t get the flashlight to penetrate the screen to see so I step outside.  It’s very dark, no moon or stars because of cloud cover.  The cat’s meows are even louder so I step towards her thinking she is injured.  As I get closer a stray thought enters my head since I am barefoot about fire ants being out or the big black ants that bite hard and hang on.  But….I was already out by the tree.  Ebony (dog) and Pixie (cat) are still caterwauling.  I notice they are both focused up on the tree.  I shine my light slowly up the trunk to the branches.  Poor thing, a young cat was clinging for dear life.  I firmly tell my animals to be quiet, several times.  They don’t shut up.  I head back to the porch to get a broom to “herd” Ebony to the porch, where hopefully, she will calm down.  The flashlight goes out.  Battery was dead.  I walk gingerly in my bare feet to the porch.  I put the flashlight down and get the broom and head out of the yard to the other side where Ebony is still barking and semi-howling.  It took quite a few tries, but I managed to herd her into the yard and onto the porch.  Again, speaking firmly I tell her, “Lay down and be quiet.”  She looks at me.  I don’t know if she will obey.  I shut off the porch light and close the door.  I listen intently to see if she will behave.  Things quiet down.  I notice the time.  It’s 2:15 a.m.  I head back to bed, hopefully to drift back into dreamland.  I listen a little more, but it’s still quiet so I go slip onto the cloud of dreams and float away.  But wait!  That’s not all.  A while later, I hear Ebony howling (this time the full roar howl) and she begins to whine and cry.  No kidding.   This causes the monkey to get into the act (again).  I get up with a groan.  I flip on the porch light and speak firmly to her but she is not listening.  I glance down.  Eureka!!!  I see the food storage for the animals.  I decide to give her a little food.  Surely appealing to her tummy will help quiet her down.  I give her a cup of dog food.  She is happily crunching when I shut the door and turn out the porch light once again.  It’s 3:10 a.m. as I stumble back to bed, listening to see if a happy tummy will make for a quiet Ebony.  It seems to have done the trick and even Jack creeps back to his little house to rest.  It took a little longer for me to slip away to dreamland but I managed to find the cloud and drift away, hoping that this was the end of this nighttime adventure.  J

Joyfully In His Service,

Westley and Denise Wiles

September's Shaping Up!!!

Greetings from Rus Rus!

This month is shaping up to be very busy with visits and a medical brigade coming up next week.  You can look forward to a blog (or two)about that but in the meantime: 

We asked visiting couple, Joel and Abrielle Braxton, to write a little something of their time visiting here.  They are praying about their role in missions.  

I hear the whir of the engines, and as I gaze out the window watching the blue and white variations in the sky I remember where the last few weeks have taken us. We, Joel and Abrielle (a small town/big city boy from Ohio and a big city girl from Texas) now married and equipped with skills in aviation and general mechanics (Joel) and in nursing (Abrielle) found ourselves deep in the virgin jungles of hon-DUR-as (as the radio announcers say).

I eagerly joined my husband who had gone 10 days earlier to help with the annual inspection of the Cessna 206. Right away, Wes and Denise welcomed me with big smiles and warm hugs. Veteran missionaries of 16 years in La Mosquitia, Honduras, they are used to welcoming strangers from the States. This time was different though. Not only were we interested in visiting and serving short-term, but also seeking whether the Lord may be calling us to full-time service with Missionary Air Group in Honduras. 

The hot air hit me like a blanket thrown in my face - a warm welcome due to Ohio's cold summer. A 3+ hour bus ride, dinner on the beach, a night in the hotel, and a 1.5 hour flight in the Cessna later we arrived in the village of Rus Rus. Ebe-Nezer, the black lab, eagerly greeted us at the plane in her jolly way while the chickens and monkey (Jack) waited for us to introduce ourselves. Over the next 6 days, we watched, looked, and listened to what life and ministry is in Rus Rus and what they want it to be. Of course, we couldn't help ourselves from dreaming about potential realities for ourselves living among and serving the Miskito people in the jungle.

Wes and Denise are clearly in love with each other - affectionate and playful, they keep their relationship fresh, enjoyable, and strong. They have to in order to survive in this environment. Gifted with skills in hospitality and cooking, Denise (or "neecy lou" as she is affectionately called by Wes) made sure we were more than comfortable in their home with plenty of fantastic food. Wes let us rest before giving us the tour and making work available when we were ready. Joking and teasing all the way, we knew we were included. Book, movie, and family game buffs, we all enjoyed sharing our interests, and we even got in a few card games. Not without me going into shock over the numerous cards overflowing from my hands and blurring together. We laughed till our bellies and cheeks ached. 

The Wiles easily opened up about their roles, commitments, desires, dreams, and vision for Rus Rus, the airplane, and Hospital Rus Rus. 

Rus Rus Hospital

There are innumerable opportunities for ministry, but it is crucial that we are careful to seek the Lord's wisdom in all things and ensure that we follow His leading doing His work rather than seeking our own project dreams that may not be necessary. Much work has been done in Rus Rus, and much is left to be done. In the last 4 years, the Wiles have practiced more Spanish, been establishing and building relationships with the locals, repaired much of the hospital, acquired medications and supplies, repaired a building for their own lodgings and space for housing short-term teams, hosted several large and medium short-term teams, repaired/maintained the airplane, provided air ambulance service, distributed salaries to hospital employees (all locals), cared for pets (dogs, monkey, and chickens), and hosted several "big" Christmas parties. The community has a Catholic church with a lay minister and a protestant church with no pastor (the hospital's head nurse, Geraldina, is helping to keep it going). Most villagers attend one of the two weekly services, and several villagers are eagerly seeking to know Christ more. However, there is not much spiritual leadership, very few good role models, an occasional flaky teacher, and limited food varieties available. 

Our hearts' desire is that wherever the Lord leads us, we may walk alongside seeking followers of Christ in their journey so that locals can rise up to lead the people to accept God's grace and eagerly obey His precepts. In addition to spiritual ministry, we wish to use our skills and gifts to serve the people in physical ways.

Our next team is coming to have a mini-clinic with medical and dental services at the end of this month (next week and a half).  Your prayers would be greatly appreciated for all the traveling as well as for the team as they minister to the sweet folks in the surrounding area.

On a more personal note - What a blessing to have our son, Joshua, come home for a visit during his block leave after returning from Afghanistan!  I tried not to spoil him too much but I did make a lot of his favorite meals.  It will be sad to send him off again.  What’s in store for him?  He doesn’t know when he will receive his next posting so for now he will be in Kentucky for the winter.  Brrrr!!!!

Joyfully In His Service,

Westley and Denise Wiles

August News

Summer and Fall are shaping up to be busy.  Here are some things that have been going on.

       Flight That Saved Lives

It brings great joy to our hearts to see returning mother and twins after they were flown over to Puerto Lempira to House of Hope for further treatment.  The twins (picture on the left) were “failing to thrive” at 6 months and only five pounds,  but look at them now (picture on the right).  Their lives were saved and even Mom picked up a few pounds too.  It’s a wonderful feeling when we know that we’ve made a difference.

           More Medicines

We were very thankful that more medicines were donated to our pharmacy when we were in Roatan.  It is such a blessing when the country struggles to get meds to this area especially.  Thank you, God, for making a way.

                   Church Service

We  were  recently  blessed  with  a  visit  on our porch from  the  Catholic  Church.  They  brought  an  afternoon  service  to  us.  Songs  and  a  short message  were  shared.  It’s  a  real  joy  when  the  locals  want  to  include  us.  The   service  ended  with  them  laying  their  hands  on  us  and  lifting  us  up  in  prayer.

 

        Kia Work Truck

One of our needs is to have follow up care and to get supplies in here (when things are too big or bulky to put on the plane).  Consider partnering with us on this project to raise the funds for a Kia Work Truck that we can use to go from here to outlying areas with follow up care, parasite treatments, vitamins for pregnant mothers, and bringing in supplies when needed.  

Our Blessings Update

Rachael is renewing her contract to continue teaching English in South Korea for another year.  She’s very active in her church with several programs.  We hope to go visit her sometime next year.

David is working at the Geek Squad Department at Best Buy.  He is still having some health issues so please keep him in your prayers.  

Joshua has been stationed in Afghanistan for the past 9 months.  He is being rotated back to the states this month (or early next month).  He is hoping to come home to Honduras for a visit during Holiday Block Leave but the paperwork to leave the country is pretty intensive.  Praying for favor with the powers that be for the army would be greatly valued.

PRAYER REQUESTS

We have a couple of big things coming UP!

The annual inspection and permit to fly in Honduras is due on the airplane which includes a trip to Guatamala.  The paperwork chase begins. Your prayers would definitely be appreciated.

MAG is planning its first medical/dental team to minister at the hospital at the end of September with lots to do to bring it all together.  Again, prayers requested for all those involved.

A heart felt thanks goes to you all who faithfully pray and have committed to helping us reach this area with His Love.  You are the greatest team!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Joyfully In His Service,

Westley and Denise Wiles

Life Goes On!!!

Greetings

It has been awhile since our last blog.   When Wes left for the states in June it was dry and brown.  Wes has returned and with him the rains have come and the grass is green again.   Here are some things that have been going on and also included is a bonus edition of Denise's Misadventures!

And There Was Light

The construction team that put on the roof also said, “Let there be light!”  and a new dental light now rests from the ceiling of the dental suite.  It was quite a job since it took extensive work to accommodate the light.  Praise God, our visiting dentists will have excellent light as they serve.

              Water System Installed

Wes installed a new Sawyer water filtration system at the hospital and for the village.  We had been using a temporary DIVVY system but it was not meant for the load of permanent duty.  Bill Drury with PuraViva Agua was instrumental in getting this new system for us.   It uses the similar technology as a kidney dialysis to filter the water.  It is a real blessing.  Pure water has eliminated most cases of dysentery and cholera in our village.

Helping with the Water Tank

We were blessed to have an engineering team from Kentucky, Jeremiah and Cynthia Littleton and her father Bob Cartwright.  Jeremiah is a bridge engineer so while they were here the Rus Rus Bridge received a thorough inspection.  They found many problems that will have to be dealt with.  They also did a survey of the MAG property lines, buildings and included elevations.  

Bridge about 4 years ago

Bridge now

Upcoming Activities

We have 2 activities coming in September.  The annual on the plane is due (as well as our permit to fly).  Wes and Scott Grote will be working on that.  You know how the paperwork abounds (especially here) for all that.  Your prayers would be greatly coveted during this process.

A small medical/dental team will be visiting toward the end of the month.  Of course it will probably be very busy.  Not as busy as the February brigade but still we hope to have a great crowd.

 Anniversary Celebration

Westley and I are celebrating 32 years of wedded bliss (did I say bliss?).  Actually we are delighted to be serving together in the land of our hearts and with each other.  We hope to make a small trip to the island of Roatan to soak in some sun and alone time.  We won’t be gone long as we have too many things going on.  I’d say “wish you were here” as we take this break, but that would be a lie.  J  

Denise’s Misadventures

Westley hasn’t even been gone for 24 hours before I had my first “Denise doesn’t know how to fix it” moment.  I woke up and it was quiet.  That was my first clue that something was wrong.  I didn’t hear Jack, our monkey.  I go out to the cage but see nothing.  I softly whisper, “Jack?”  I hear monkey noises but can’t quite figure it out where they are coming from.  I say his name louder, listening intently.  He’s at the front door shaking with cold and shivering from fear.  I let him in.  I go to his cage and see his little escape hole.  How do I fix this since I’m not wired for this type of task?  I call Wes.  He gives me directions on how to fix it, where to find the supplies then he waits for me to call him when I am done.  Yes, I overcame!  I just hope the “fix” will last until Westley’s return in the middle of the month.  Jack is making his “I’m happy to be home and eating” monkey noises.  Like I said,  it’s a new adventure every day.

My next misadventure began at 3 a.m. in the morning.  I felt something drop close to my arm and it jerked me from a sound sleep.  I grabbed up my flashlight and shined it around.  I saw a scorpion!  I jumped from the bed and turned on the overhead light.  I thought, “What do I do?  What do I do?”  My heart was beating so quickly.  After being in Honduras for as many years as we have, you would think that I would have this down.  But…in my defense, it WAS 3 a.m.  My brain was a little fuzzy.  I grab a broom from the kitchen but when I returned, he had disappeared.  “Oh, great!”  I say out loud.  “I’ll be wondering where you’re at for the rest of the night.”  I addressed the 4 inch scorpion.   I carefully move the pillows around.  No dice.  As I stand there staring at the bed, lo and behold, here he comes, striding over one of the pillows.  Instinctively I grab Westley’s tennis shoe by the side of the bed and SMACK, SMACK, SMACK!  Got him!!!  I gingerly scoop his corpse up with an envelope and summarily dump him in the trash, which I bagged right away.  I yawn and head back to bed.  Jack will be waking me early for his breakfast.  You wonder, “What happened to the broom?”  I dropped it reaching for that shoe.  So much for that idea. J  As I drifted off to sleep I remember whispering, “Thank you, Lord, for helping me.”

Picture found on internet as I totally smashed said offender.

Take 3 Misadventure - "I'm tired." I say as I get ready for bed. A quick shower and I'll be ready. As I step into the bathroom I see something scurry under the towels. I move the rack. I can't believe it! Another scorpion and this one was bigger by a couple of inches. I look around - no shoes. I see the lid to the top of my laundry bin. I grab it and throw it down on top of the scorpion. I jump onto the lid and jump, jump, jump. I gingerly pick it up. It's still trying to get away even though its tail is smashed. I drop the lid back into place. I jump, jump, jump some more. That did it! It's dead. Like a repeat of the first time, I shove his carcass onto a piece of cardboard and toss him into the trash, which, of course, I bagged right away. This is unusual. I don't often see a scorpion at all. Now, in two weeks I have seen two. I was so tired that I didn't even get excited. I took my shower and went to bed. I need my rest, for my body is healing from that pesky, nasty cold. Thank you all for covering me in prayer. It's only because of those prayers that I can overcome. You are the greatest!

Joyfully In His Service,

Westley & Denise Wiles

First Mission Trip - Guest Blogger

We were so blessed to have this eight man team come to minister in word and deed.           Enjoy this from a “first-timer”.

My name is Will Church.  May 11^th, 2014 began my first mission trip – EVER.  I first learned of the existence of Rus Rus, Honduras, at an annual Men’s Retreat put on by The Rock Church (of Southern New Hampshire).  God quickened my spirit as soon as I laid eyes on the information at the MAG (Missionary Air Group) table that they had set up.

Time flew (about 9 months) between the time I gave my information and our departure date.  It was evident that God put the team together because the team of 8 was not completed until just a couple of weeks before the departure date.  He made a way for each member to have the needed funds for both travel and the materials for the projects.

We needed to add a garage to the existing hangar and to replace the roof covering the guest house.  The latter entailed the removal of clay tiles, removal of bats and bat guano, installation of the metal roof and to protect all openings with wire mesh to prevent re-habitation by bats.

Here are some of the highlights:

May 11^th, we left the states and arrived in Honduras.  We arrived on site, May 12^th.  We started the garage work detail with no materials.  We toured the hospital and saw twin babies being treated.

May 13^th, the materials arrived and it was all accounted for.  Wes flew the twins and family to Puerto Lempira for further treatment.  We swam in the river.

May 14^th, Craig, our lead carpenter fell through the guest house roof, contacting the cement counter en route to the floor.  We rushed to see what happened.  Craig came limping out, face bloodied, and arm bleeding.  He was rushed to our hospital.  It turned out all his injuries were minor – no stitches in either head or arm.  He had a bruised foot.  He was back on the roof in less than 3 hours later.  Later that night, Carlos held our first Bible study with the villagers.  There were just under 20 of us.  We started with a series on 1 John.  Earlier that evening, we noticed a wild fire in the distance.  We were at Geraldina’s house (Senior Nurse) when we noticed the fire had moved closer to the village.  We rushed to give aid and were successful in containing the fire (we thought).

May 15^th, Both projects were continued.  The front side of the guest house was completed yesterday, so we ripped out the back side and started it.  We completed the install of the metal roof with the exception of the roof cap.  We started putting up the posts for the garage wall and all the footing work was completed.  We had to fight wild fires again today.  It was very smoky all day.

May 16^th, We put in the wire mesh in the openings of the porch and eaves on the guest house.  In the afternoon, we were treated to a double rainbow with the runway right at the center of them both.

May 17^th, The work progressed – we got the roof beams across the wall posts on the garage.

May 18^th, We walked an hour to the village of Mabitah, where Carlos preached about Bartemaus.  At least one person asked Christ into their heart and two others recommitted their lives.  Mabitah is a United Nations sanctuary for Macaw Parrots.  We saw many of them, even in the church.

May 19^th, We got some much needed rain.  We worked on the garage roof.  We went to another Bible study wrapping up the 1 John series.  We all took select verses and spoke our thoughts while Carlos translated.

May 20^th, We got news that the twins were much improved – praise God!  We started putting on the metal roof for the garage and the wall.  Carlos and Angel traveled to another village, Suhi, to make contact with the churches there and to minister where they could.

May 21^st, We finished the garage.  We picked up left over material, debris, and trash.  We thanked Wes & Denise for everything – Denise is an outstanding cook.

May 22^nd, We leave Rus Rus and begin our trek back to the states.  Leaving – bittersweet as I expected.

What this trip meant to me:  I came here, not knowing what to expect – where and how we were sleeping, what and how often we would be able to eat, where would we go to the bathroom, etc.  But then my thoughts turned to the people of Rus Rus.  What is their life like?  How bad/good is it?  Where and how do they sleep?  What and how often do they eat?  Where do they do their necessities? 

Our time here was temporary.  I know how to rough it when I have to, which is not that often at all.  They do it every day.  I came here already appreciating what I have and I leave here with an even deeper appreciation of what I have.  I am unsure if the reality of this experience has set in.  It is almost like a dream I had, but it wasn't.  It was real and so is the need in this remote place.

What about all the other remote places of the world?  They have real needs too, but God asked me to come to Rus Rus.  This trip is a milestone in my walk with Christ.  It has stretched me.  It reminded me of how much He loves us.  It reminded me of how much He wants us to love.

If you would like to participate, whether you are a veteran missions trip “go-er” or a first-timer like Will Church, contact the Encouraging Servants and they can get you started.  Another way to be involved is to be a prayer partner with us.  We can’t do what we do without all of you.  It’s a team effort.

Praise the Lord

We   received   our   residency   cards,   good   for another   5   years   before   we   have   to   renew them   again.  

Joyfully In His Service,

Westley and Denise Wiles