Honduras 2004 — Medical Outreach to Prisons and Orphanages

A team of seven people led by Dr. Gene Smith traveled to Honduras from March 15 through April 3 for a medical/missions outreach. The team, which was joined by five American missionaries in Honduras, included Dr. Smith and his wife, two registered nurses, a school teacher, a business executive, a contractor and a teenager heading to the Air Force in June.

The team set up medical outreach clinics at the orphanage in the Valley of the Angels, on the outskirts of Tegucigalpa, as well as in various prisons, and on the island of Utila. The team spent twenty days in Honduras.

Dr. Smith and his wife Arlene, who led the medical outreach, were called into full time mission work after forty years of private practice in Longview, Washington. God opened this door through David Wilkerson and his wife Gwen, whom the Smith’s have known for twenty-nine years.

Below are some of Dr. Smith’s impressions from the trip:

“I was in prison and you visited me…”

The sun was shining brightly and the concrete prison yard seemed hotter than usual. Since there had been a murder in the prison two weeks prior, the guards were unusually cautious as we were led into their midst.

As we set up the medical clinic in the maximum security yard the 18th Street Gang came filing out. After five years of visiting the prisons of Honduras this particular group has become our home boys. A few were even bold enough to give us hugs.

Upon getting permission we were allowed to hold a simple worship and preaching time in the cell block. This came about only because by this time the leaders of the gang had begun to trust us. JK seemed very cold, hard and withdrawn. He refused to warm up to my friendship. Then God worked a miracle. When I saw JK in the clinic (he could have gone to any of the other stations for medical help), I felt impressed to tell him God had seen his abuse and rejection as a child. God had seen his heartache and tears at night and God loved him deeply. It was all JK could do to keep his emotions intact and keep from crying. As we left that day JK, on his own, in front of all his homies, came up and gave me a very tight hug and wouldn't let go. A profound miracle! He has not given his heart to Jesus yet, but soon, I pray.

We went to four prisons, Tamara, the adult and youth prisons near Tegucigalpa the capital of Honduras, San Pedro Sula, and Tela. I was allowed to preach six times at their request in one prison and one time each in the remaining prisons. Over one hundred of the 18th Street Gang are now our brothers in Christ. We saw many hearts transformed. Without changing men’s hearts you can’t change a man’s ways. Even many of the guards also have given their hearts to Jesus. We saw approximately six hundred and fifty patients in and out of prison. Over two hundred accepted Jesus into their hearts during the clinics.

We were greatly blessed by the people and the missionaries; hopefully they were equally encouraged and blessed. I also had the privilege of speaking on national radio.

All of this has been made possible by the prayers of the people, World Challenge, Inc., and my dear brother, Rev. David Wilkerson. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts.

If God can use people such as us…why not you?

Dr. Gene & Arlene Smith
Physician + Missionary at large for World Challenge, Inc.