Ready for Some Good News?

With all the chaos going on in our world, it’s wonderful to report positive news.  God is moving by His Spirit in ways that we will never fully know, touching lives and bringing hearts to Jesus. Through your generous support, and the faithful partners God has given us in every nation He takes us to, the work of His kingdom continues whether we can travel there ourselves or not.

Ghana, West Africa: Children at Bosco Orphanage were treated to a New Year’s Day celebration with a delicious meal, music and games.   Plus, they were left with a generous gift of fresh fruit, groceries and needed supplies.

Cambodia

• The border conflict between Cambodia and Thailand has brought great suffering to thousands of innocent people in both nations
• Children in one village now receive food and education at the Children’s Center and School
• Local evangelists continue to visit remote villages, sharing the gospel, baptizing many and establishing house churches

Motorbikes

Two evangelists in Gospel Restricted countries were able to buy motorcycles to travel from village to village on rough dirt tracks that serve as roads.  One had been walking; one had been riding a bicycle. 

Both are excited to use their motor bikes for the glory of God as they share the Good News of Jesus in rural areas.

Every exclamation of joy and delight, every word of gratitude is possible because of your generous support, love and prayers. 

WHAT'S ON OUR CALENDAR

> March 24 - April 7th:  Thailand ministry with the Akha People and some time at the beach

From Thailand we head directly to the Northern shores of Sri Lanka: 

> April 8 - April 19th to teach Legacy Discipleship Training

This area was torn apart by 26 years of civil war that ended in 2009. We believe it will be a strong base for the move of God in Sri Lanka as Pastors and Leaders are further equipped to boldly share the message of Jesus.

The places we are going are 'off the beaten track' and the logistics to get there are a little convoluted, involving several airline flights, long layovers, a 7+ hour road trip, and an overnight sleeper bus.   Whew! The process was a little frustrating and we are grateful that the pieces of the puzzle finally came together.

As I write this, we are completing a week of teaching at Legacy Bible School, about 40 min from where we stay.   It’s an incredible joy to pour into the lives of young people who have said 'yes Lord' I hear you calling my heart and I will follow. 

Do you hear Him calling to your heart? Calling you to come and just be with Him today?   I strongly encourage you to stop and heed His voice. Find your place of peace at His feet: put on a favorite worship song, read His Word, share your heart with Him.  Now let him share His heart with you. 

His eternal peace will keep your heart and mind in the middle of the unrest and turmoil that floods our world. 

The Journey Continues ~ Pat

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.

Overseas Mission 2023

The journey continues as we prepare for our first overseas mission trip in three years!  Gary and I will be travelling overseas 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 overseas.

Past the Halfway Mark

So far on our journey we have crossed the International Dateline; the Tropic of Cancer, 15 time zones, taken 18 flights on 9 different airlines, 2 bus rides,  countless Grab taxis, tuk-tuks, vans, motorcycles and walked more than our daily 10,000 steps in 5 different nations.

We are more than halfway through our four month trip. Whew!!!!

Lunchtime at the Church Home.

Our week in Cambodia was rich and rewarding.  We spent time with two ministries we work with closely plus had a really fruitful time with Ted and Sou Olbrich and their ministry - "Foursquare  Children of Promise." They have an amazing ministry and a great group of people working with them. We visited two of their church homes and saw their rice fields.  They are a church planting movement that cares for widows, orphans and separated children in need.  This is a work we are thrilled to endorse wholeheartedly.

Plus we already talking with them about bringing short term mission teams to Cambodia in the near future.

We are now in another nation where we will be celebrating Christmas with our longtime friends who are really family. 
 
As 2019 draws to a close we look ahead to 2020 and find ourselves so very grateful for what God has allowed us to do - the amazing people and ministries He has connected us with around the world.  It is because of your love, prayers, and faithful support that we are able to 'go' when God says 'go.'

May your December be blessed with His presence.  The Journey Continues  ~ Pat

Compassionate Pastors and House Parents

long time friends

New Smile of Hope Children's Center - Cambodia

Guest Blogger - John Yoder - reports directly from Cambodia.

John and his wife Sotey, along with their children Jayme and Anna, live in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, ministering to the poorest of the poor through Reaching Kids International - Cambodia.  Thanks to your prayers, support and gifts - Greater Works Unlimited is able to help change lives physically and spiritually.  Here's John's report:

GREAT TIME OF OUTREACH TODAY with friends and longtime supporters of Reaching Kids International - Cambodia: Gary & Pat Richards at the RKI-Cambodia sponsored New Smile of Hope Children's Center, in Takeo Province.

Generous packets of noodles and fish (canned sardines) were given to nearly 150 families from the village, and loaves of bread distributed to the kids and many of their parents who attended.

Gary and I were blessed to see how well-run this Children's Center is.  The Pastor and his family live on the property with the children and flocks of ducks, geese and chickens. After the outreach program the villagers returned to their homes and we enjoyed lunch with the children and workers at the center.  The children were served first - a simple meal of rice and duck stew from the flocks they raise.  Even though they were hungry, all the kids waited to give thanks for their meal before digging in.  Our lunch included a few more dishes, all deliciously prepared by the workers and older girls who are learning the useful skill of large scale food preparation.

Some of the girls took me on a tour to see their shared dorm rooms: typical girl's rooms with colorful sheets on the bunk beds, photos of models and drawings of flowers covering the walls; books and clothes piled up in their limited space.

As the children get older, the center needs more space and are praying for the ability to build a second level of rooms soon.

Join us in agreeing with their prayers and the heart of Father God to see each of these thirty-four children and young people provided for physically and spiritually so that they will fully walk into their God-given destiny and purpose.

The Journey Continues ~ Pat

Airport Send-off - until next time!

My Cambodian Birthday

The morning of my birthday finds me in Phnom Penh, Cambodia,  on a hotel balcony overlooking a market street.  The sun is up, but our little balcony is shaded by the surrounding buildings.  Which is great because it's already 79 degrees Fahrenheit (87% humidity)  with a forecast of 92 degrees and 90% humidity by noon.

The street is waking up with vendors at Phsar Kandal Market, early morning shoppers, tourists and residents of the apartments across the street.  The murmur of daily life surrounds me, and I realize that each person starting their day has a story.  Each one is a life that Jesus died for.  My heart is overwhelmed.  My human understanding cannot comprehend the depth of His love.

That I am here, doing what I love, amazes me.  Gratitude overwhelms my heart for this - the best birthday gift ever.

The journey continues ~ Pat