Faithful God

One of my favorite songs is "Goodness of  God".  The words of the chorus resonate with my heart and bring me to tears: 

All my life You have been faithful

All my life You have been so, so good

With every breath that I am able

I will sing of the goodness of God.

In October, I celebrated a milestone birthday.  Looking back over 60 years of this amazing life God has blessed me with, I am overwhelmed with His great faithfulness. 

There have been challenges, heartache, disappointments and loss of loved ones. There have been victories, joys, precious relationships, and great adventures with God.  Each of you reading this is part of my great adventure.  However our lives have connected, whenever and wherever our paths crossed, thank you for being part of my life.

INDIA 2023

The journey continues as we prepare for our first overseas mission trip in three years - India 2023!  Gary and I will be travelling to India on January 23, 2023 for four months of ministry.  Airplane tickets have been purchased - which makes it official.

It's a blessing to stay in contact with our ministry partners and see the fruit of their labors for the Lord during our three years in the states.

God's Word is being preached, people are giving their hearts to Jesus and being baptized in water, children are being tutored in school work, and taught about Jesus; the love of Jesus is shown through food distributions, eye clinics, and in towns and villages. 

During this season of Thanksgiving and throughout the year, Gary and I want you to know how grateful we are for you. Your love, prayers, support, every encouraging word - are precious to us. 

May you experience the faithfulness of God in every area of your life. The Journey Continues ~ Pat

Here are just a few photos from our partners in Cambodia, Sri Lanka, Thailand,  Myanmar and  India. 

Are you shopping online this year? You can support Greater Works at no extra cost to you - by shopping at Smile.Amazon.com and choosing Greater Works Unlimited as your charity.  Amazon donates a portion of their profits!  

The easiest way to get started is: a) log into your Amazon account as usual. b) click this link and follow it through to support Greater Works Unlimited.  This setting will be part of your account until you change it.

Montana Reflections

Each return to Montana's Bitterroot Valley increases our sense of home and belonging.  There is a comfortable sense of knowing this place, and yet not knowing what new wonders await discovery.  Changeless - yet always changing.   Revealed - yet never fully known. 

Our recent visit was so encouraging.  We were able to reconnect with family, friends, and the beauty that is Montana.   The weather was perfect, the air was clear (no forest fires), we were well-fed, and well-loved.  We so appreciate the Pastors and churches that invited us to share the Word of God and what He is doing around the world - whether we can physically travel or not. Thank you to each of you!

Gary has been teaching on 'Living With Expectancy.'  Here are a couple of pithy quotes to whet your appetite:

'Expectancy is not wishful thinking or lustful desires.  It is based on God's Word and character.' Gary Richards

"Our asking, our thinking, our praying, are too small.  Our expectations are too limited." A.B. Simpson

 Here's a link to his message, as shared at Meadows Fellowship.  

There is an expectancy in our hearts.  We are praying and believing that we will be going overseas in the beginning of 2023.  Please agree with us in prayer as we seek the Lord for what that looks like and where He is sending us.

Your love, prayers and support is what makes this journey possible - we hope you will continue to pursue your Journey with God, with a Spirit of Expectancy.

Blessings -  Gary and Pat

Hungry Hearts at Youth Camp

Montana Schedule Changes

What a treat to spend time in cool, green Montana with our friends and family, sharing the love of Jesus as we minister His Word.

The Lord showed up at The Place Youth meeting.  Seeing the hunger in their hearts for more of God, for the truth of His Word, shows that God is moving in a generation of young people growing up in a world filled with turmoil. 

There are a couple changes to our ministry schedule.  If you are in Montana and can join us, here's our updated schedule with the changes underlined.

• Thursday July 7th - Awakening Youth Camp, CrossPoint Church, Corvallis

• Sunday July 10th  - 10:30 a.m. House of Praise, Victor

• Sunday July 17th - 10:30 a.m. at Barnabas Ministries, Hamilton

• Tuesday July 19th -  10:00 a.m. Women of Worship,  at Light of the Valley, Stevensville

• Tuesday July 19th - 6:30 p.m. Ladies Meeting, CrossPoint Church, Corvallis

• Saturday July 23rd - 9 a.m. Men's Breakfast, CrossPoint Church, Corvallis

• Sunday July 24th - 10 a.m. CrossPoint Church, Corvallis

Where ever your path takes you today - know that the presence of Almighty God is with you - you never walk alone.

Blessings - Gary and Pat

Montana Bound

 Hi Everyone!

Summer is here and that means one thing - we are returning to Montana!

Montana is where we met at Bible School, got married and started in ministry over 40 years ago. We lived there for 10 years before moving to Las Vegas.

It is such a treat to get back to "Big Sky Country" and enjoy the beauty of the Bitterroot Valley.  It will be a time of ministry and visiting with friends and family.  We'll be in Montana from June 10th until July 25th.

There are still a few open dates on our calendar; if you or your church would like to have us speak - please send an e-mail to gary@gwunlimited.com.

Here's our ministry schedule so far. Visit the links for the the specific church or ministry to check for  changes and updates on locations and times.

• Wednesday June 22nd -  6 p.m. The Place Youth Group, Hamilton 
  
• Sunday June 26th - 10:30 a.m. at Barnabas Ministries, Hamilton 
• Thursday July 7th - Awakening Youth Camp, CrossPoint Church, Corvallis
• Sunday July 10th  - 10:30 a.m. House of Praise, Victor
• Tuesday July 12th - 6:30 p.m. Ladies Meeting, CrossPoint Church, Corvallis
• Sunday July 17th - 10 a.m. CrossPoint Church, Corvallis
• Tuesday July 19th -  10:00 a.m. Women of Worship,  at Light of the Valley, Stevensville
• Saturday July 23rd - 9 a.m. Men's Breakfast, CrossPoint Church, Corvallis
• Sunday July 24th - 10:30 a.m. at Barnabas Ministries, Hamilton 

Thank You for faithfully standing with us through your prayers and financial gifts as we walk out the destiny the Lord has set before us.  Words can never express  how important you are to us.

Our continual prayer for you is that our Heavenly Father will give you the spirit of wisdom and revelation of Him and that you would be continually overwhelmed by His goodness and love towards you!

Blessings - Gary & Pat

Enjoy more Montana scenes at www.Montana1aDay.com.  Thanks Cyndy for sharing your talent.

   

  

A Time For Harvest

May God be gracious to us and bless us 

and make his face to shine upon us, 

that your way may be known on earth,
your saving power among all nations.

let all the peoples praise you!" Psalm 67:1-3  ESV

Although war is in front of our eyes, God's declaration is: 'Its not time for war but its time for HARVEST!'

Pat and I are receiving tremendous reports from our Partners in  Southeast Asia.  People are open to the Gospel. Rejoice as we share these praise reports with you.

From Cambodia our pastor reports, 'God is working amazingly!  God has healed many people and delivered many that were demon possessed.  Now the whole community is turning to Jesus.  Lots of people are waiting for me and my church planters to come back. We did baptism for 15 families and 10 more families want to get baptized. God is doing miracles and many are wanting to hear about Jesus. Praise God for your financial help.  The harvest is ready to reap.  Thank you everyone for their help and prayers.'

From Myanmar, after two months of silence, they report "We are safe at this time, even though there is fighting in the hills around us. We are planning to have a seminar to share the gospel to the youth during April. Please pray for their salvation."  (Read our previous report on Myanmary's military takeover)

From India, our Partners are continuing Gospel outreaches to villages and neighborhoods. Children receive help with school work and Bible teaching.  New outreach has begun in an area where the people are all unbelievers. An outdoor meeting was planned, but was strongly opposed by the BJP (the current radical Hindu ruling party) so they rented a hall to hold meetings. 

From Sri Lanka, government curfews, shortages of food, electricity and cooking oil (gas) affect life for everyone, especially the poor.   Our Partners recently held an eye clinic and are distributing food to many families.  Sharing the love of Jesus, as they encourage, pray, and bring hope.   

It's harvest time.  "So let's not get tired of doing what is good.  At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don't give up. Galatians 6:9 NLT

People need hope.  People need Jesus.  Be encouraged.  Reach out and share Jesus love and hope with those in your circle of influence.   You are a blessing to us, and to many around the world.   

Blessings ~ Gary & Pat

Giving Joyful Thanks to God

You are a blessing in our lives, and to those God has called us to minister to.  Because of your heart of love, your faithful prayers, and generous giving, the love of Jesus continues to be shared with many people in countries around the world. 

Most of the nations we travel to remain closed to international travel.  Through the generous support of our donors, we have been able to send finances to our ministry partners in Thailand, Cambodia, India, Sri Lanka, Myanmar and Ghana.  They are taking the opportunity to reach out with practical help, food, medicine, all in the name of Jesus. Families are being cared for, the Gospel is being preached, people are receiving Jesus as Savior and receiving water baptism.

So, two good things will result from this ministry of giving—the needs of the believers … will be met, and they will joyfully express their thanks to God.   2 Corinthians 9:12 NLT

The nation of Myanmar (formerly Burma) is heavy on our hearts. 

Myanmar is the scene of the longest civil war in the world, which began in 1948. Christians are vulnerable to persecution by insurgent groups and the army, and more than 100,000 Christians in the north live in Internal Displacement Camps (IDPs) where they are deprived of access to food and health care. 

On February 1, 2021, the Myanmar military took over the nation, arresting and deposing the elected officials.  The Burmese people protested, and the military responded with violence and death.  Communication and news were cut off for weeks at a time.  Our contacts have been in touch when they have internet access.  Photos they sent show villages being burned, people fleeing through the jungle. They remain safe for the moment, even while packing and preparing if they need to flee their village.

Why? It’s a combination of persecution against primarily Christian tribes, and the military’s goal to consolidate their power and rule through fear and oppression.

Will you pray with us for Myanmar and the Nations: Lord Jesus, bring peace to the ongoing conflict impacting so many nations, and provide ways for Christians who’ve been internally displaced to return home. Comfort, strengthen and heal all believers affected by violence. Thank You for the many people who’ve boldly given their lives to You, despite opposition from their family and local community. Help them to stand strong and grow in their faith, and may their transformation touch the lives of their loved ones. Amen.

Against all odds, the church is active and alive. Persecution is rising – but that only happens where Christians are living out their faith and taking a stand for the gospel even when it costs the most.

Regardless of what changes in our world, in our lives; when things don’t look the way they used to; when challenges and loss overwhelm our hearts; or during seasons when things are going well – we rejoice in the unchanging love and faithfulness of our amazing God.

Jesus told his disciples to rejoice that their names were written in Heaven (Luke 10:20). It is the greatest blessing of all - the gift of eternal life through Jesus.

What Church Looks Like

During this season of Thanksgiving, may your heart be encouraged and renewed as we rejoice together giving joyful thanks to the Father, because He we share in the kingdom of His light. 

We pray this so that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God,  being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience,  and giving joyful thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of his holy people in the kingdom of light. Colossians 1:10-12 NIV

With thankful hearts - Gary and Pat

Food Distribution and Sharing Jesus' Love

Eye Vision Clinic

Good News To Share!

'Thank you' cannot convey the gratitude we feel for your ongoing support in finances and prayer.

Although we are unable to travel overseas at this time, we are able to send financial support to our ministry partners in Thailand, Cambodia, India, Sri Lanka, Myanmar and Ghana.

Here's a brief update on Sri Lanka, which has been in lockdown for several months. Food supplies are hard to find, food shortage is an issue as only a few shops are open, the cost of living has gone up drastically.  

Our ministry partners sent this report:
    We managed to get 25 packs of food stuff for the students at Adara Sevana (School for the Differently-Abled). They were really blessed and we told them that it was from you, and they wished blessings to both of you.  Special thank you and greetings from Chanuka, the blind boy.

    God is really good to us. We are thankful to him.  As we are in lockdown and the government is trying to stop importing stuff, we have a scarcity of some food.  God lead us to the place where we can get what is needed, milk powder was a blessing.

Pat and I want you to know how much we value your love, your prayers, your support and every encouraging word;  it all makes an impact in the lives of those you help  minister to and brings glory to God!

"This service that you perform is not only supplying the needs of the Lord’s people but is also overflowing in many expressions of thanks to God. Because of the service by which you have proved yourselves, others will praise God for the obedience that accompanies your confession of the gospel of Christ, and for your generosity in sharing with them and with everyone else." 
2 Corinthians 9:12-13

Blessings  - Gary