Things to look forward to - Volume 1

Well it has certainly been a long time since I've entered the "blogosphere" but I'm glad to be back and pumped about our upcoming trip! I'm writing to get our creative juices flowing - yes we are still months away from our trip, but there is still a lot of planning to do, and we want to get everyone involved!
With such a large group this year, we are going to have to think outside the box on some of our projects and daily operations. We have already started putting together ideas and we want you to get excited with us about our activities! Over the next several months, I will be posting information about specific service opportunities and I want you to be thinking about how God can use you. (Including those of you who might not be able to go with us this year - Please don't forget how important you are in our work in Honduras! We need your help with fundraising, donations, and most importantly - PRAYER!)
Volume 1 of Things to look forward to is new to TORCH - The Patch Adams Crew. Every year we certainly send multiple teams to local hospitals to spend time with children and families who are dealing with illness. I have always found this to be one of the most difficult days for any TORCHER, whether it is your first year or a veteran, the hospital is a place that really tugs at your heart. To see children, so innocent, so young in these desparate situations, it is tough to stay positive sometimes. I think for many who have been to Hospital Escuela, the experience hits so hard personally, and affects us so deeply, that we can miss out on what our mission is. I will be the first to admit that I have walked out in tears, sobbing over the conditions, knowing that for many of the children there, there is little hope. And it is a struggle to look a child with cancer in the eyes and bring them cheer and be a source of hope. Of course, we pray over them and their families. And sure, we bring them toys and stuffed animals, crayons and bubbles, but I believe that we can do just a little more than that! So with the introduction of The Patch Adams Crew, we bring a different kind of cheer and a different kind of hope.
For those of you who don't know Patch Adams, it was a film based on the life of a man named Hunter "Patch" Adams. Robin Williams played to role of Patch, and to give a brief overview, Patch saw an opportunity in the medical field - an unorthodox approach to patient treatment. They say that laughter is the best medicine, so he began bringing humor and ammusement into the hospital. Unfortunately in the movie, his medical professors and "higher ups" didn't appreciate his methods.
Luckily for us - we don't have to worry about Medical Jurisdiction and Precedent - we can just be FUN! So you might be wondering what The Patch Adams Crew will involve? Plain and simple - BE GOOFY! We are going to have clown suits, wigs, red noses, big shoes, face paint, and most importantly - BIG personalities!!! We are literally going to bring Joy and Smiles and Laughter into the hospital and be a huge blessing to everyone we come in contact with! Think about it - what would be more fun to an ill Honduran child than some gringos dressed up with face paint and running around like the 3 stooges?! The cool part about The Patch Adams Crew is that where in most situations like this, language is a barrier. But everyone in the world speaks GOOFY! Sure, we'll teach some key words along the way, but I guarantee no words will be necessary to bring laughter into the hospital wards! I believe with all of my heart that THIS is the medicine that these kids need, then we follow up with love and prayer. There is nothing greater than bringing joy to a child, and if only for a little while, give them a break from the real world and let them be a kid. Let the parents see their children happy, give them a moment of peace. God is going to work WONDERS through this team - Are YOU Ready To BE a part of it?

What we need- Supplies supplies supplies! We are in the process of rounding up clown costumes and wigs, but if you can help, we need all we can get! We need face paint, and A LOT of it! Clown noses, wigs, oversize shoes; anything that says "Wacky", we need it! Simple magic tricks, bring it on! We welcome your ideas, there is no established standard for The Patch Adams Crew, so if you have insight, please share with us!

How can God use you in this ministry? What doors will he open, and will you have the faith and the confidence to walk through them?

NCR