Maranatha Medical Ministries: Beyond Honduras

Maranatha Medical Ministries in the United States

“Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.’ 1 Corin-
thians 2:9. In view of the glorious inheritance which may be his, ‘what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?’ he may be poor; yet he possesses in himself a wealth and dignity that the world could never bestow. The soul redeemed and cleansed from sin, with all its noble powers dedicated to the service of God is of surpassing worth.” In Heavenly Places, 367.

“The Lord wants His own property. When we have given to God soul, body, and spirit; when we have kept appetite under the control of enlightened conscience, and wrestled against every lust, showing that we consider each organ as God’s property, intended for His service; when all our affections move in harmony with the Lord’s mind, fastening on objects ‘which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God’—then we have given the Lord His own.” Our High Calling, 42.

Many think of Maranatha Medical Ministries as a foreign ministry working for the poor of Honduras; but friends, we are not confined to one geographical location. Every summer Elsa and I take the time to return to the United States and share with the brethren the work that is going on in Honduras and other countries.

This summer was a busy year as we traveled to seven different states from Tennessee to Illinois. We were richly blessed. During this time, we were invited to several churches to share the blessings of the work in Honduras.

Elsa Willis demonstrates “Healing Edibles.”

On Sundays, we would do a seminar that we called Healing Edibles. The Healing Edibles seminars are always exciting as people learn how to use fruits and vegetables from their very own kitchens to heal diseases and restore health. People attending these seminars learned that one can use the mashed leaves of a cabbage for relieving pain and inflammation in joints and muscles. The juice of the cabbage is excellent for healing peptic ulcers.

The average person spends hundreds of dollars every year on pharmaceutical medications, and we teach them that many times the things they need for healing can be found in their own kitchens. Although we may at times contribute to our own unhealthy condition, God is ever merciful and has provided natural remedies for the healing of His people.

We share with the people who come to our seminar ways in which they can help themselves have better health by working to help others. “You who are suffering with poor health, there is a remedy for you. If thou clothe the naked, and bring the poor that are cast out to thy house, and deal thy bread to the hungry, ‘then shall thy light break forth as the morning, and thine health shall spring forth speedily.’ Doing good is an excellent remedy for disease. Those who engage in the work are invited to call upon God, and He has pledged Himself to answer them. Their soul shall be satisfied in drought, and they shall be like a watered garden, whose waters fail not.” Testimonies, vol. 2, 29.

During the seminars on health, we share some simple natural treatments. We encourage those attending to seek out those in need and help them in some way. “All may find something to do. None need feel that there is no place where they can labor for Christ. The Saviour identifies Himself with every child of humanity.” Ministry of Healing, 104.

We all know of someone, a friend, a neighbor, a family member, who needs Godly kindness and love. Let us share God’s blessing of love with everyone we meet.

In every church we visited, the people were very excited about the missionary work. They were also excited to learn that they have a work to do right where they are. People were encouraged to share with those about them what they had learned about how to heal disease naturally and how to reach out to those that are in great need that are right here in our own country and be missionaries to them.

Whether in the mountains of Honduras, giving mission reports and health seminars in the United States, or visiting the sick and the shut-ins in the United States, God has allowed us the privilege of being coworkers with Him. There is no greater honor than to selflessly give of ourselves to help others in need and to show them that God does love them with an everlasting and unconditional love.

Maranatha Medical Ministries Works in Belize

Belize is a neighboring country of Honduras. Our ties to Belize are because of our friend, Hope Scruggs. Hope has been faithfully working with her Spanish neighbors in Belize.

I (Elsa) was able to go to Belize and help with the work there. Because I could only stay for one week, I took our Bible worker, Douglas Bravo, with me. During the week that we worked together, I translated for him as he presented a series of powerful and pertinent messages. After I left, he continued to work with the people by visiting and giving Bible Studies. Hope was also a great help.

The Evangelical pastor of a church in the area allowed Douglas to hold evangelistic meetings in his church. This pastor was impressed by Douglas’  preaching. We believe the pastor has a soft heart, and we are praying that he and his family will accept this message of hope.

In our short visit to Belize, we had the privilege of meeting a very special child of God. His name is Francisco, and he is homeless.The young couple that worked with Hope had taken him into their home. He was thankful for their kindness. In one of our visits to the Evangelical pastor mentioned above, Francisco surprised everyone when he stood up and began instructing the pastor on the importance of keeping the law of God. He went from scripture to scripture, giving clear explanations, all from memory.

Our hearts were touched by Francisco. His health was not good, and all he had were a few pieces of clothing and an old pair of tattered oversized boots. One of the sisters that had accompanied me to Belize bought him a new pair of shoes. He was so happy and gave her a big hug. He quoted Matthew 25:40, “Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.”

Friends, let us always be ready to give to “the least of these our brethren.”

By Joe and Elsa Willis. Email: mmm.mti1@yahoo.com. Website: www.maranathamedical.org. Donations for the Willises’ work in Honduras can be sent to Maranatha Medical Ministry, PO Box 390, Keysville, VA 23947.