Johnsonville church members have mission in Honduras

Dr. Charlie Maxwell of Johnsonville returned recently from his latest mission trip, this time visiting the mountain areas of Honduras, particularly the small area of El Olingo. Several area churches helped sponsor this trip in as much as they contributed to the cost of dry beans and rice at a cost to feed one family of four for a week at $5.50.

Those on this tour, which was sponsored by the Baptist Dental and Medical Mission, Inc., (BDMMI) were also assisted by many others, individuals and companies. Southeastern Freight Lines were among those, according to Dr. Maxwell, who said they helped greatly with the shipment of all their supplies, such as clothing and medical, by transporting the supplies from Florence to the shipping docks in New Orleans, which saved the team a tremendous amount of money, although they had to pay for the actual shipping.

The beans and rice had been purchased for them ahead of time by missionaries stationed in Honduras and were waiting for them to distribute on their arrival, which also was most cost effective.

There is a saying that you cannot win the heart of a hungry person to Christ, so these people believe in both, feeding the body and the soul through Christian ministry. These people, 21 men and 21 women, who made up the Moss Team 2011, believe in all types of ministry from construction projects on housing and churches, food distribution, providing clothes closets, children's programs especially through the Good Shepherd Children’s Home.

They also minister through a Bible Institute there. Most little villages have some sort of church, many without floors, Dr. Maxwell said, although natives walk for hours to get services this group provides and to their church services.

Although the medical and dental services provided to the natives are necessary, it is a means of evangelism, reaching out to them spiritually. The group treated a total of 2153 medical patients. Using an improvised chair, Dr. Maxwell and other members of the dental team treated over 400 of these patients. They distributed 384 boxes of clothes, 650 pairs of glasses and toys and filled 13,000 prescriptions. They also helped with construction on a chapel at the Bible Institute.

This group had housing accommodations at the BDMMI Mission House, although they slept on floor mats. Cows and mules strolling aimlessly in the dirt streets were a common sight with farm produce being carried on the back of mules.

Their restroom accommodations were acceptable but the showers were crude with no hot water or running water in the village. They erected their tent on a soccer field where they held four services daily, with their personal devotion being at 6:30 A.M. sharp. At these services people walk in and out with their dogs with no particular order.

Dr. Maxwell, a member of St. Paul's Presbyterian Church in Hemingway, sees the results as rewarding with 153 new converts, 13 rededications and having passed out 286 Bibles, 220 New Testaments and 350 Tracts, having ministered to at least 1000 kids through children's church. The results have encouraged him to make yet another mission trip, possibly next year.

This latest one is one of many trips he has made to this and other areas in mission ministry. He is collecting shoes to take on this next trip and will accept any type shoes, new or gently used, work or dress shoes including flip-flops, anything but high heels.