VISION CLINICS

Since coming back to the U.S. it has been a very busy and productive summer for both  Pat and I.

We have been taking Mission Training Classes to be able to perform eye exams in Third World countries!  

What an exciting opportunity to show the compassion of Jesus.  Not only will we be able to provide an essential need by helping many to see better physically; but more importantly it will give us access to help others receive their spiritual sight.  This is a great tool to preach the love of Jesus and bring souls into the Kingdom of Heaven.

When we return to S.E. Asia in the fall, we will be talking to our contacts about setting up Vision Clinics during the next visit.  There is still much work that needs to be done.  One of the most important aspects is having good local translators while giving the eye exams and also when the glasses are being given out - so the patient really understands what is happening, and their glasses fit correctly.  Then another translator, or local believer, will share with them how they can receive spiritual vision - through accepting Jesus as their Savior.

We even have a source that will supply all the glasses we need, for every type of prescription, at just $1.00 a pair! How awesome is that!  

The long-term goal is to find and train locals in doing the eye exams so that the work can be carried on without us being there.  

Please pray for Sri Lanka.  We have wonderful contacts there who Pat has ministered with.  They have had a church burned and many people hurt because of radical Hindus opposing  the spread of  the Gospel. Continue to pray for the pastors and evangelists who are risking their lives in bringing the Good News to a needy people.  Pray for healing for those that have been seriously injured; and salvation for those who did this.

Have a great rest of the Summer!  Will catch you later!

Blessings - Gary

  

Answering the Call!

One of the highlights of ministering overseas is the opportunity to minister to the Youth!

They are on fire for the Lord!  The young people pictured below are having an impact on their nation right now, starting in their teens and twenties.

Programs and political leaders will never bring change.  Change will come through the Church.

These young men and women are answering the call found in Isaiah 6:8: " Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, "Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?"And I said, "Here am I. Send me!" 

Please pray for these young people. They have made themselves available.  They are on fire for the Lord.   They are the hope of their nation!

Catch you later -  Gary

(Note specific location details are purposely vague for the safety of all)

Young Life 

Living Word Center

VILLAGE OUTREACH - Cambodia Journey Part Two

OUTREACH  Defined

Noun - The extent or length of reaching out
Verb - Reach further than
Synonyms - Transcend

It's hard to explain the experience of village outreach. Reaching out not just with human goodness - but with the love and compassion of Jesus Christ.  Going beyond what we can offer in ourselves and becoming His hands and feet on the earth.

Delivering practical help - noodles to feed their family for a week, deworming pills.  Bringing emotional strength - knowing that they are not forgotten - but cared for.  Sharing spiritual truths - a short Bible teaching, songs and games with the children.

"When he saw the crowds, he was deeply moved with compassion for them, because they were troubled and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd." Matthew 9:36 ISV

Because you gave finances. Because you prayed.  We are able to go. They are able to receive.   God is glorified and His name is praised.

Thank you - for the least of these - Pat

 

CAMBODIA JOURNEY 2013 - PART ONE

Location update: Pat is back in the United States, while Gary is still ministering overseas.

The next few Journal Posts will report on our adventures in Cambodia. While in the middle of travelling and 'doing',  it is difficult to sit down and convey to you everything that has taken place.  (Not to mention inconsistent internet access)

John and Sotey Yoder - missionaries with Reaching Kids International - Cambodia - hosted us for a week of outreach to the villages they work with on a weekly basis.  Weather was hot, the land is dry, and at the village of Phnom Basett (also called Rock Quarry Village) the swimming hole is almost  dry.  So a trip to the beach was planned. For most of the villagers - this was their first time to the beach!  Ever! 

Here is John's report of the Great Beach Adventure:

We came to Sihanoukville, Cambodia (ocean beach resort town on the Gulf of Thailand) to host 65 residents (50 children, 15 adults) from the Phnom Baset rock quarry village, for their first visit here ever!

Gary and Pat , along with RKI volunteer Dina and Sothary (our Khmer gospel teacher/ translator) helped the children in and out of the water to have the time of their lives from mid-morning to late in the afternoon on Saturday the 16th of March.

Sotey did an incredible job purchasing all food, drinks, and beach rentals.  After Sotey handed out sea-sick medicine to all who get car sick because they're not used to riding in moving vehicles (four hour bus trip one way), the four of us spent the night in Sihanoukville then visited the Kbal Chhay Waterfall on the way back to Phnom Penh.

Praise God for showering these kids (and adults) with His love during this event, and for His provision through the generosity of our faithful donors.  It is a day they will never forget.

 Stay tuned for the next installment of CAMBODIA JOURNEYS.    

Live each day with purpose.  Pat

NATION CHANGERS! Part Two

Where ever there is darkness God will send light!  Where ever there are lies, God will bring truth!

In Part 1 we shared about journeying into nations where the government is hostile to the spreading of the Gospel of  Jesus Christ.

The second Access Restricted Nation we ministered in has been experiencing new freedom economically.  More importantly, we are eye witnesses to the new freedom coming to the nation spiritually.

Bibles and other evangelistic material are not readily available to the people of that nation. Receiving a supply of Bibles and other printed material that we brought in gave great joy to the Pastor and evangelists we met with. It was a privilege to minister the Word of God to them, and then pray for and encourage them in their service to the Lord.

What joy there was when we were taken to see a church that is under construction.  The government is allowing the church to be built because one of the local evangelists prayed for a paralyzed man that God miraculously healed!  Because of this miracle - the whole village is open to the message of Jesus Christ and a church was started.   Truth will prevail and darkness will leave!

Delivering The Good News

Thank You for being a vital part in bringing the Light and Truth of the Gospel to S.E. Asia!

Catch You Soon - Gary and Pat

Church Being Built

NATION CHANGERS! Part One

During the first week of March, Pat and I were part of a team that journeyed into two Southeast Asian nations which have been categorized as Access Restricted.   This means that the government is hostile to the spreading of the Gospel.

We are not able to mention the names of the countries, nor show the faces of the leaders that we met with because of  safety issues concerning their identity. However, the days we meet with them were empowering.

In the first country, we conducted a C.E.P. (Church Empowerment Program). Over 100  young men and women came to be instructed, activated, and receive impartation to do the work of the ministry.  Our being there brought them great joy and as Pat and I  ministered the Word of God we could see the impact the Word was having.

The program ended the last day by commissioning everyone to the work of the Lord and providing them with evangelistic Gospel materials in their language.

 At the end, one young man came running up to me sobbing and held on to me for the longest time. It was his way of thanking us for coming.  Pat and I want to thank you for helping us go - your prayers and your support have had an impact on so many that will help bring the Gospel to this Nation and change it forever!

Blessings - Gary

 

THE GOLDEN TRIANGLE

View into Myanmar

The Golden Triangle of Southeast Asia is an area of beauty, history, violence, suffering and hope.  Warm hospitable people of various tribes populate the hill country, even as many migrate to cities desperate to escape the cycle of poverty and isolation.  False hope is offered through the illegal trade of opium.  The Hall of Opium  was a heart breaking education on the tragic history of the opium wars, and the illicit opium trade that has destroyed lives for centuries. In spite of Government eradication programs, illegal activity continues to grow, and will only slow when the demand lessens, and people are given other options to adequately support their families.

As we traveled in the nations of Thailand, Myanmar and Laos, hope was evident in the faces of many who have received the love of Jesus.  Our team brought encouragement as we taught young adults and children; visited orphanages and homes; sharing the love of Jesus and a connection to 'the outside world.'  We saw first hand the daily struggles and challenges and heard their hearts' request to continually remember them in prayer.

MeKong River

Confluence of MeKong & Ruak