Getting Around Myanmar

Depending where we are and what we are doing, getting around is always an important consideration.

Motorcycles and scooters are prevalent in Myanmar - so we might jump on with a friend to head across town to lunch.

Within the city of Kalaymyo, tri-shaws are common and practical.  Basically it's motorcycle with a custom-built side car.  One passenger faces forward, the other faces backward.  Packages can be stored under the seat and the roof works to shield you from either sun or rain.    (For those of you concerned about safety - they don't go very fast, and their three wheels make them quite stable.) (For you grandparents who immediately notice the little guy photo-bombing us - he is the son of Anna & Khai Pi - our friends and ministry partners.)

You can hire a vehicle - our driver Mr. Dal safely navigated the windy mountain roads.

And when it's not too hot or too wet - we prefer to use the original mode of transportation and walk.

Wherever your travels take you today, and however you get around - know that we appreciate you!

Blessings ~ Pat

Where in the World - Thailand

Welcome to Chiang Mai Thailand.    It's the largest city in Northern Thailand - 2 hours by plane from the capital city of Bangkok.   We've been here for about two weeks now. Settling in and adjusting to the 15 hour time difference. We found an English speaking church and are reconnecting with missionary friends.  We are also enjoying Thai street food.

Myanmar is our next stop - we will be conducting a Bible camp in a remote mountain village with Anna and Khai Pi and their adorable son.  They have asked us to teach on the Kingdom of God.  There will be an eye clinic, Sunday services, and nightly fellowship - can't wait for the last night when they roast a pig!

Then we fly directly to Sri Lanka for 10 days of eye clinics and revival meetings.  It's going to be a busy and fruitful month.

Your love and prayers and generous support is so vital, and so encouraging to us.

The Journey continues ~ Pat

Here's a brief video update - hot off the press!
Video not showing? click this link.

Thai Street Food

Thai Street

Sunday Greetings from Thailand

What a glorious Sunday we've had here in Chiang Mai Thailand.

The easiest way to get around the city is with a ride-share app called "Grab".  Similar to Uber or Lyft in America.  The app automatically translates your ride requests into Thai!  What a great use of technology.

Our driver dropped us off at "House of Praise" for Sunday morning service.  As we walked in we met another missionary that we had planned to connect with while here.  What a God-coincidence to have us choose their home church to attend today.  We shared a coffee after service and made plans for lunch later in the week.

After walking to a nearby mall to pick up groceries and have lunch we 'Grabbed' a ride back to our condo.

It's been a restful day - looking forward to the week ahead.

The Journey Continues ~ Pat

WHEW! We made it!

The tiny plane on United Airlines' Flight Sky Map screen slowly traces our path across the Pacific Ocean.  We sleep, eat, drink water (trying to stay hydrated), watch a movie or two, and eventually land at our next destination. Catch another flight and do it again!

Early Morning Las Vegas Departure

It is almost midnight when we arrive in Bangkok Thailand. One more flight to go! The last layover seems the longest. Curled up in the darkened waiting area, we sleep a little. When the Air Asia counter opens at 4:30 a.m. we check our bags and find a coffee shop.

Finally after four flights; 39 hours; 14 time zones: we arrive safely in Chiang Mai Thailand, our home base for the next 2 months. (The last 2 months of this trip we will base in India).

Street Food Carts

There is a sense of 'being at home' as we explore a profusion of street food carts and choose an afternoon snack of Thai ice tea and banana roti (similar to a stuffed crepe). Then it's time to sleep off the jet lag.

A lifetime of praying, seeking God, planning and dreaming and we have literally stepped into our destiny.

Our hearts are grateful - to you for your loving, prayerful support. To God - for using us to share His love and salvation.

The Journey Continues ~ Pat   

Banana Roti & Thai Ice Tea  

Abundant Blooms

You Will Go Out With Joy

"You will go out in joy and be led forth in peace; the mountains and hills will burst into song before you, and all the trees of the field will clap their hands."  Isaiah 55:12 NIV

The next step of our journey with the Lord is fast approaching and our anticipation and excitement is growing.

Much like Christmas Eve as a child. The anticipation of what Santa would bring to my sister and I was always heightened.  We knew that Santa would never bring us underwear and socks. (Only our parents did that!)  Under the tree we found things that would thrill us.

That’s how it feels as we prepare for the Great Asia Adventure.  We know the Lord has gifts waiting for us to unwrap during the next four months and we excitedly anticipate what He has in store!   Each new development in our schedule causes us to rejoice and thank God for His amazing plan.

Your prayers, encouragement and generous support are a vital part of this trip being a success.  Thank you!  Our hearts' desire is to fulfill the purpose of God for this trip.  And to enjoy every part of it.

Blessings - Gary

I left my heart ... Montana Reflections

As Tony Bennett’s classic song intones, a piece of our heart, our essence, remains behind in the places where we feel at home and secure.  (I Left My Heart ... by Tony Bennett)

Each return to Montana's Bitterrroot Valley increases my 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. 

We were so encouraged during our recent visit.  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 as we travel around the world. Thank you to each of you!

It was especially important that Gary and I have this time of refreshing and rest before we embark on our next great adventure!!!  

On August 27, 2019 we will be packed up and journeying to Southeast Asia, Sri Lanka and India for a four month mission trip. Our life-long dream has been to pursue the direction and calling of God for our lives and serve Him on the mission field.  We've been able to do that on a limited basis.  At the end of June, I retired from my job, so now we are full-time for Jesus.  This frees up our schedule to travel more, and for longer periods of time.

It's exciting! It challenges our faith and definitely disrupts the status quo.  Is it uncomfortable at times? Absolutely!  We wouldn't have it any other way.

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

Blessings -  Pat

Early Morning Reflections 

The Beauty of Montana

Trunkfuls of Eyeglasses!

What would you do with a trunkful of used eye glasses?
What about several trunkfuls of eye glasses?

Why not host an "Eyeglass Sorting Party"?  Invite a few friends over, offer to feed them lunch and put them to work.

A friend from church generously donates the excess eyeglasses from her business.  Our crew sorts out the single vision glasses (lenses for both eyes are essentially the same).  Then we label them, bag them by strength, and they are ready to go on our next mission trip.

Eyeglasses that we are not able to use are donated to two other non-profit organizations that are able to replace the existing lenses with new prescriptive lenses.

Thank you to the crew - you know who you are!
Sorry to the workers who left before photos were taken!

Click on any of these links to see reports from some of the eyeglass clinics we do in developing nations:

Sri Lanka Eye Clinic          Mexico Eye Clinic        Ghana Eye Clinic

"... and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that there will not be room enough to store it." Malachi 3:10b

We can't wait to see the lives that will be changed for good, touched by the love of Jesus, through these eyeglasses.

Stay tuned for reports as the journey continues.....