THANKSGIVING!

"And let them sacrifice the sacrifices of thanksgiving, and declare His works with rejoicing."  (Psalm 107:22)

As Pat and I reflect on all that the Lord has done and provided for this past year - we could not help but start Praising the Lord and Thanking Him for His abundant blessings and  for each of you - our  ministry partners - who have stood with us financially and in prayer.

Here is a list of what the Lord allowed us, with your help, to be a part of during the past year.  There is so much, that we might have left something out.   Join us in praising and thanking our Awesome God for all that was accomplished.

During the past 12 months, the Lord has enabled us to share His love in many different ways:
.  Four Houses Built in Cambodian Villages
.  Funding to help construct 2 Toilet Facilities in Cambodian  Villages
.  Food supplies delivered to 4 Villages in Cambodia
.  Outreach to the Ocean for 50 Cambodian Children and 20 Adults
.  Twelve Families in Cambodia received Water Filters to provide clean drinking water
.  Mango Trees supplied for Sustainable Income in Cambodia
.  Feeding Outreach  provided to children in Myanmar (Burma)
.  Financial Support to build a Training Center for Leaders in India
.  Scholarship help for a young man to serve with Operation Mobilization
.  Books, Bibles and Supplies delivered to underground churches in Laos.
.  Funding for a Youth Conference in Myanmar (Burma)
.  Church  meetings in Myanmar, Laos and India  where souls were saved..
.  Support given to Missionaries  and Pastors in Cambodia, Thailand and India
.  Eye Vision training and supplies for holding Vision Clinics
.  200 pairs of eye glasses in assorted prescriptions for our 1st Eye Vision Clinic in Ghana.

Without your help, Pat and I know these things would not have been accomplished. You are important and have a part in bringing the Good News to those who are less fortunate - Thank You!

Have a Wonderful and Grateful Thanksgiving!

Blessings - Gary and Pat

Delivering Food Supplies in Cambodia

Twelve Families Received Water Filters

Refreshing Water

Guest Blogger – John Yoder – reports directly from Cambodia on September 2, 2013.

John and his wife Sotey,  along with their young children Jayme and Anna, live in Phnom Penh, ministering to the poorest of the poor through Reaching Kids International.

Thanks to your prayers, support, and gifts - Greater Works Unlimited is able to help change lives physically and spiritually.  Here's John's report:

New Water Filters for Twelve Families at the Rock Quarry Village

This was a busy week as we traveled to three villages in rural Cambodia where RKI has been serving since 2011; building homes and relationships with the kids, their families, and single adults as well. Lately our whole family has been going out, and the kids seem to be enjoying the time spent. We are so blessed to be here in Cambodia hanging out with such incredible folks week after week.

Today, among many other cool things we got to do during our Saturday outreach to the Phnom Baset rock quarry village, we were blessed to deliver new clean water filter systems to twelve families that hadn't received one from us yet, or had one that broke or was unusable from the past. This blessing was provided by Christ through the generosity of our friends Gary and Pat Richards through their ministry: Greater Works Unlimited. 

Gary and Pat have come to Cambodia twice, and besides funding new homes in other villages we serve, through their ministry they've provided several new homes in this community, and were here in person back in March to help (physically and financially) bring 65 residents to the ocean resort of Sihanoukville, for a treat our friends here still talk about.

See more photos of village outreach at: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Reaching-Kids-International-Cambodia/254018964638104

Distributing Water Filters

Representatives from the families who
will now have clean drinking water

A simple system - results in clean water - better health and hygiene.

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!

India is a second home to Pat and I.  We have been ministering there since 1996.

One of the highlights of ministering in India 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 India!

Catch you later -  Gary

Young Life - Siliguri, India

Living Word Center - Matigara, India

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

 

NEW LIFE!

Easter Sunday morning, I was ministering in a church in India on "God's Promises".  When the service ended my interpreter, Pastor Deepak, came to me with his wife and a child.

He said, "Pastor Gary, Do you remember that  two years ago you and Pastor Pat prayed for my wife to have a child?  We had been waiting so long and look - this is Janet, God's answer to your prayer!"

What a testimony to the power of the Resurrection of our Lord and Savior who brings life when everything seems dead and barren.

Whatever you are believing for; whatever may seem dead; whatever may seem barren in your life; the Lord wants to bring Life!

May the Blessings and the Promises of our Risen Savior be yours today!

Blessings - Gary

Catch You Soon!

The joy of answered prayer.

CAMBODIA JOURNEY 2013 - PART ONE

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

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