Team India 2018 ~ A Prayerful Send-off And Safe Arrival

Team India 2018 received a prayerful send off from Meadows Fellowship, home church to three of the team members.

As Pastor Ronnie, the church elders and congregation laid hands and prayed for the India team, a surge of love and support lifted each of our hearts.

Then we wheeled our suitcases filled with outreach material across to Children's Church for sincere prayers spoken in faith from tender hearts.

Countless hugs, blessings and homemade cookies rounded out the day.

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Early the next morning we began our fifty (50) hour journey from Las Vegas, Nevada to Bagdogra West Bengal, India. Five flights took us from Las Vegas to San Francisco, through Tokyo, Japan: Bangkok, Thailand; Kolkata, India and finally to Bagdogra where we were warmly welcomed by our Indian Family who will host us during our time here.

The Journey Continues ~ Pat

  

Ready for India!

WOW!  The trip that started with buying airline tickets in July is finally about to begin.  We are just a few days away from leaving for India. Where does the time go?

Airline tickets have been purchased, hotel rooms booked, visas obtained and our itinerary set. Well to be honest, as set as can be.  Pat and I have experienced last minute itinerary changes more than once, but all the team members are ready for whatever unexpected changes might occur.

During August our church collected children's clothes and glasses for us to take on the trip. This proves that Meadows Fellowship is generous in giving - we literally had half our living room filled with bags of clothes!

Clothes were sorted by size, gender and age;  glasses were labeled and packaged by prescription strength; children's craft materials were procured. Then all of it was packed into suitcases ready for the Eye Clinic and Community Outreach Services. (Thank you energetic volunteers!)

We leave for India on Monday, September 10 and after 50 hours of traveling we will arrive in Siliguri, West Bengal, excited to start ministering  with the love of Jesus.

Thank you all for your support by praying, giving and words of encouragement.

Blessings - Gary

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Sarah's Thoughts Weeks Before the Trip

You are in for a special treat today.  Team India 2018 member Sarah Jacobs will be sharing her thoughts, impressions and unique experiences during this trip. Let's see what she has to say as we count down to our departure on September 10th.

Sarah brings a fresh perspective to missions, travel and life and we are all looking forward to seeing what God will do as we follow His heart to India.

The Journey Continues - Pat

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I am very excited for my first mission trip with Pat and Gary. Although, I have traveled internationally before, I have never been somewhere quite like India and definitely haven't done any kind of ministry while I was traveling. This is a very big and new experience for me. I can't wait to see where it leads. 

With only a couple weeks to go until we leave, I am constantly racking my brain for what to bring and wondering what I'm bound to forget. I am incredibly gifted at doing things last minute. I think and I think, I talk about it and talk about it and then before I know it, it's time to go and I still haven't done a single thing. Fingers crossed, I am actually proactive about getting everything laid and planned out. I need to be prepared for this trip.

I'll have to be ready in more ways than just what I am going to pack since this is more than a vacation. I am going over VBS lessons to help out and teach the kids. I'm thinking about what colors I'll need for the bracelets I'm going to make with them if there's time. I am praying and trying my best to spend some quality time with God so I can be spiritually prepared for what He has waiting for me.

I have a feeling it's going to be a one-of-a-kind experience. At Pat and Gary's request, I will be making periodic posts along with her sister, Cyndy, about our fantastic trip.
                                                                                 Adventure is Out There -Sarah

Your Goodness is Running After Me

As the voices of the youth mission team from Montana filled our house, my heart swelled with joy, love and amazement at the greatness of our eternal God.

This group of 15 young people and adult leaders had just spent a week working in 107 degree heat at a Mexican Orphanage.  Back-filling a huge septic drainage field, playing with the children, doing community outreach, picking up trash, sharing the compassion of the Lord.

Las Vegas is their last stop on the road back to Montana and they had just been excitedly discussing plans to ride the Big Apple Roller Coaster at New York, New York Hotel.  Yet they settled into an extended time of worship and testimonies.  As they sing this powerful song "The Goodness of God", one line seems particularly appropriate - "With my life laid down, I’m surrendered now, I give you everything  ….."
Our mission field is wherever our feet are at the moment - and tonight our home became a mission field as they unrolled sleeping bags in any available, corner. We are overjoyed to be a part of their lives.

Praying that each day - you are deeply aware that 'His Goodness is truly running after you'.

Blessings - Pat

Montana Schedule Update

Montana here we come!  

A couple additional meetings have been scheduled, and we've correct the meeting details for House of Praise on July 29th.  If you need additional information or addresses on any of these meetings - please e-mail us.

If you would like us to come and share with your small group or church about what the Lord is doing in Southeast Asia through "Greater Works Unlimited", please email us at gary@gwunlimited.com. 

Here is our Montana schedule so far:

• Thursday, July 19th @ 10:00 am ~ Women of Worship,  Missoula, MT
• Saturday, July 21st @ 6:00 pm ~ Small Group with Robin & Sue Hawkinson, Stevensville, MT
• Sunday, July 22nd @ 10:30 am  ~ Barnabas Ministries, Hamilton, MT
• Wednesday, July 25th @ 6:30 pm ~ Crosspoint Christian Fellowship, Corvallis, MT
• Sunday, July 29th @ 10:30 a.m ~ House of Praise, Victor, MT 
• Sunday, July 29th @ 6:00 pm ~   Revive Church, Downtown, Missoula, MT

Looking forward to reconnecting with our Montana family.

Blessings to all - Pat & Gary

July in Montana!

Hi Everyone!

It's that time of year for Pat and I to leave the heat of Las Vegas and travel back home to the beautiful Bitterroot Valley of Montana!

Once again it will be a time of ministry along with visiting family and friends. We'll be in Montana from July 16th to the 30th.

There are a few open dates in our ministry schedule.  If you would like us to come and share with your small group or church about what the Lord is doing in Southeast Asia through "Greater Works Unlimited", please email us at gary@gwunlimited.com. You will not be disappointed!

Here is our schedule so far: 

• Thursday, July 19th @ 10:00 am ~ Women of Worship,  Missoula, MT
• Sunday, July 22nd @ 10:00 am  ~ Barnabas Ministries, Hamilton, MT
• Wednesday, July 25th @ 6:30 pm ~ Crosspoint Christian Fellowship, Corvallis, MT
• Sunday, July 29th @ 10:30 a.m. ~ House of Praise, Victor, MT     

Preparations are underway for our trip to India coming up September 10th - October  9th. Details will be sent out soon.

Thank you for partnering with us in ministry through your prayers and financial gifts.  We cannot express how important each and everyone of you is to us  and what the Lord is doing in Southeast Asia.

We want you to know that Pat and I are here for you.  If you have any prayer requests, please contact us at the above email address and we will pray and stand with you for all that the Lord has for you!

May you be overwhelmed by His goodness, mercy and love towards you!

Blessings - Gary

Montana's beauty draws us back for a time of refreshing.

Photos Courtesy of Cyndy Hull www.Montana1aDay.com
Thanks Sis!

Behind the Scenes Preparation

What a fun time we had on a Saturday in March, when a dozen friends gathered at our home for an eyeglass sorting party.

They were lured in by the promise of 'Friends,  Food & Fellowship - with a purpose.'

The day was spent, sorting, labeling and organizing eye glasses and frames donated over the past few months.

Praying that each pair will make a difference in someone's life

Although our next overseas Mission trip is a few months off, the preparation is ongoing.

To see where these donated eye glasses may end up - why not come along with us to an Eye Glass Clinic in Sri Lanka.

(NOTE: If you have trouble viewing this video - please go directly to Sri Lanka 2017 Video.)

There is a sense of excitement as we look forward to our next trip.  Our hearts are grateful for each person who gave of their time and energy. And for each one who prays and gives so that we can sahre Jesus' love with the Least of These.

Blessings and love - Pat & Gary