The Hornstein’s

The Hornstein’s

On that first trip to Honduras I for sure wanted to show that Jesus Film in the evenings after the medical clinics.   Though I had participated in showing the film in many countries all over the world, I had never operated the projector, changed the four rolls, and had never done the follow-up and counseling for all those who come up after the showing to find God in their life.  Just three days before we were to leave, Hank and Maureen Hornstein walked into my office in downtown Dallas.  This couple had joined Camus Crusade (now called CRU in the US) in 1970 upon graduating from college.  They had lived in three different countries as National Directors for Crusade.  They are real “tigers” for Jesus and were still working for the Jesus Film in Orlando the last time that I heard.  I had first met them in China when they and others had taken 350 Crusade young people into China to test out how much Christianity was there and how welcome it was.

They were in Dallas to take courses at Dallas Theological Seminary and had just finished their finals.  I considered it an answer to prayer and immediately asked them if their passports were in order.  Of course, they were with this couple.  So, I asked them if there was any reason they could not go with me to Honduras and show the Film each night if I would pay their way.  They thought for only a moment, and replied:  “Sure, let’s go”!

They were very, very effective.   With permission from the Mayor, they even showed the film on the square in downtown Tela on the coast, east of San Pedro Sula.

With permission from the Mayor, they also showed the film one night at the local high school with a really large group of people in attendance.  Just as the film was finishing and it was time for the people to make a decision about God in their life, a huge rain storm hit.  I was so disgusted that I just left.  I just assumed everything was rained out.  But that was not the case when Hank and Maureen were involved. 

They promptly announced that everyone who wanted to accept Christ, should come inside to a big room in the high school.  There was a huge group that even included the Principal of the high school.  They were so serious and sincere and moved by God that they wanted to form a church right there.  And they did.

A year later I went to a dedication ceremony there where they were laying the corner stone for a new church building.  Then the year after that I attended services on a Sunday in their new facility with a lovely sanctuary and many Sunday school rooms.  The high school Principal was the Chairman of their new deacon board.

And if Hank and Maureen are reading this, I want them to know that this now thriving church was all the result of what I thought was their “rained out” counseling session.