Hanson Missions

Home is Where the Heart Is - Britney Villhauer Serving in Guatemala

2011-06-28T00:32:00.008-05:00

Note: Britney is serving Christ as a missionary in Magdalena, Guatemala. Here is part of her most recent blog post - see http://britneyinguatemala.wordpress.com for more.

Redemption by bjvillhauer

June 27, 2011

What a powerful moment I had in the clinic while the doctor was ministering to one of our patients, a middle-aged woman named Carolina. She came to the clinic because she was suffering from a lot of pain in her head, neck and shoulders: symptoms of tension and anxiety. Dra. Sara always spends plenty of time with our patients and ministers to their deeper needs, beyond physical health. We learned that Carolina was abused by her father as a kid. She was abandoned to the streets at age 17, was homeless, and raped. She eventually got married, had 5 children and six miscarriages and was sexually abused before she left her husband. She still carries all of those scars with her today. All of that pent up anger and bitterness in her heart have been haunting her for years and causing her to suffer. The doctor spent a long time with her, counseling her, consoling her and bringing her hope. This is one of the scriptures that she shared with her:

Isaiah 54:4-8

4 “Do not be afraid; you will not be put to shame.
Do not fear disgrace; you will not be humiliated.
You will forget the shame of your youth
and remember no more the reproach of your widowhood.

5 For your Maker is your husband—
the LORD Almighty is his name—
the Holy One of Israel is your Redeemer;
he is called the God of all the earth.

6 The LORD will call you back
as if you were a wife deserted and distressed in spirit—
a wife who married young,
only to be rejected,” says your God.

7 “For a brief moment I abandoned you,
but with deep compassion I will bring you back.

8 In a surge of anger
I hid my face from you for a moment,
but with everlasting kindness
I will have compassion on you,”
says the LORD your Redeemer.

What a beautiful and applicable testament of redemption for Carolina. This life that she has suffered through can be redeemed! She no longer has to be captive of her past. She can experience God’s full forgiveness when she cleans her heart of resentment. (Matthew 6:14) It was so powerful to experience this liberation with her as we cried and prayed together. I am so inspired by Dra. Sara’s ability to speak truth into the lives of her patients. She sees to their physical needs and provides the medicines they need to heal their bodies. But also leads them to the spiritual healing they need. The verses that she shares with them are so appropriate and life-giving.

October, 2010 Haiti Construction Trip

2010-04-18T18:32:00.035-05:00

Great construction/maintenance trip last October. Looking forward to going back in January, Lord willing to Pillatre Christian Center. The computer lab is now three rooms including several PCs and almost 50 thin client learning stations.

Dan praises God for life

2007-10-19T16:08:00.000-05:00

Hello, I'm Dan. I'm going with my dad on a mission trip to Haiti on Friday, October 26. I look forward to being able to see their culture and learn some Creole. I am worried about many different things, of which, hot temperatures are on top of that list. I am expecting God to touch many lives on this trip, mine possibly one of them.

Upcoming October 2007 Haiti Trip

2007-09-12T00:03:00.000-05:00

Dear Friends and Family,

God is so awesome. My son Dan and I get the opportunity to serve together as part of a team going to the Pillatre Christian Center in the village of Pillatre, Haiti, about 12 miles west of Cap Haitien. The late October, early November, trip plans to work on the new church building, the computer lab, and other maintenance activities.

This is Dan’s first trip to Haiti and my third (I was on short-term trips to Pillatre in 2006 and back in 1988). We are excited as the time approaches quickly. The crates of computers and supplies are being loaded and should ship in the next week. Most of what we need has to travel in crates to Pillatre and wait for our team to arrive.

Seeing Pillatre and Haiti in 2006 and comparing it to 1988, it is two different worlds. In 2006, we stayed mostly in the Pillatre compound or at the Laguerre home/compound. This is a huge contrast to the trip in 1988 where we traveled across Haiti in bus and camped in tents behind the Pillatre church.

When I was there last year, I was reminded the great joy and excitement with which many Haitian’s approach life. I look forward to seeing some of the same faces again this year and making new friends. In all, the most important aspect is that Christ is served. It is obvious the impact the Pillatre Christian Center is having on the village of Pillatre over the decades. I pray that Christ is glorified through an even greater impact in Haiti with many more lives surrendered to Jesus Christ.

See http://www.hcmin.org for more about Pastor Emmanuel “Manno” Laguerre, and the Pillatre Christian Center. I invite you to partner with us in prayer - please consider praying for Daniel, I, and the entire team (11 of us at this point) weekly until our trip and daily Oct. 26 through Nov. 3 while we travel to, work in, and return from Haiti.

Thank you,

Eric and Dan Hanson

Specific requests for the October 2007 Haitian Trip include:

Pray for God’s discernment in us as we witness and minister to those in Haiti

Pray that God grants us success in our work projects and goals we hope to accomplish

Pray that God uses our team and His love to encourage those at Pillatre Christian Center

Pray most that God’s work is advanced, His will is done, and new souls come to know Jesus Christ as their Lord and savior

Faith Ranch Christian Camps

2007-09-11T22:52:00.001-05:00

What do horses, cows, trees, hills, a lake, and Christ have in common?

They're all found at
Faith Ranch

Faith Ranch, in Jewett, Ohio, is a working 4,200 acre Christian ranch serving campers of all ages - children, adults, families, pastors, missionaries, anyone.

You haven't lived until you go on a roundup (yes, with real cows) or eaten a famous "chuck wagon" breakfast with "Uncle Bill." Just ask about his famous flipping flapjacks or rhubarb jam.

See http://www.faithranch.org/ to see more about this fabulous ranch and retreat center.

Visiting Faith Ranch four times this summer from June through September, I conclude it is an awesome God-lead ministry directed by "Uncle Bill" and "Aunt Phyllis." This six square mile ranch could boast its many beds, horse trails, and views or about its camping, swimming, 200 horses and many varied animals such as cows, sheep, goats, lamas, peacocks, cats, dogs, and rabbits.

But the great boasting is in Christ and dedication to God's work - changing lives. Bill sees his ministry as being with the campers and summer staff alike.

Haiti profile

2007-08-21T01:08:00.001-05:00

Haiti profile

Area: 27,750 sq km
Population: 7 million
Population growth rate: 1.42% (2002 est.)
Net migration rate: -2.31 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2002 est.)
Life expectancy at birth: 49.55 years
People living with HIV/AIDS: 210,000 (1999 est.)
GDP per capita: purchasing power parity $1,700 (2001 est.)
Population below poverty line: 80%
Main trading partners: US, EU.
Internet users: 30,000 (2002)

(CIA - The World Factbook 2002)