One Weekend on Mission

An eye glass clinic was scheduled in a town seventy-nine kilometers east of our home base.  People were invited to come and tokens or tickets given out. Throughout the day they came from varied socio-economic standing and religious beliefs.

Seventy-five people in all, with various beliefs and faiths. Fifty-nine people were given glasses.  The group we work with was recently started and is growing in attendance. They meet in the street level shop of a traditional 'shop-house' where grain was once distributed.

The eye clinic was a strong outreach and sign of goodwill within the community.

The weekend included a joy-filled Sunday meeting with a teaching on the four truths from the story of Jesus multiplying a little boy's lunch to feed five thousand. (John 6:1-32)

1. God knows what to do - and you don't.
2. Jesus will use anyone.
3. Whatever you have - thank God for it.
4. You can't out-give God


This is our last week - how quickly the time has gone.  We finish our time in here with a Friday evening meeting Sunday morning meeting, before flying out to Bangkok for two days before coming home.

Gary and I are continually grateful for your love, prayers and support.

Praise the Lord!   Pat

Eating Good on Mission

Mission trips may be challenging in many ways. On this trip a lack of good food is not one of them.

Indian food is as varied as the cultures that comprise the nation.

The main cultures in this area are Hindi, Nepali, Bengali and Tibetan Each has their own flavors and specialties.

All are delicious, plentiful, and hard to resist as we continue our journey.

Blessings, Pat and Gary

Foothills of the Himalayas

Definitions:  Momos      Pakora     Tandoori    Dahl Makhani    Garlic Naan

Seeing and Believing

Eye vision clinics provide a unique opportunity to serve the needs of people on both a physical level and a spiritual level.

During our first eye vision clinic this trip, sixty people came to have their eyes checked.  Eyeglasses were given to the 46 people who needed them.  A few had serious cataracts and sadly could not be helped with eyeglasses.

Each person was prayed for, and many requested prayer for a list of serious illnesses.  All asked in faith believing. 

One of the most touching stories of the day was a young Bengali woman who had invited her mother and grandmother to the eye clinic. She was very happy that they agreed to come to have their eyes checked.  In the Bengali culture women are not considered worthy or valuable enough to spend money on, so they often go without education and basic medical care.   

It was a joy to welcome these women, along with several of their neighbors, and see them receive eyeglasses for the first time in their lives.

We are expecting to hear many answers to prayer, and are excited for the next eye vision clinic.

The journey continues.  Pat and Gary

Wishing for Time Travel

Thirty hours travelling through four airports, 10 time zones and across the international date line brought us safely to Bangkok, Thailand.

Did I mention the change in climate?  From the cool desert dryness of Las Vegas, Nevada to the warm humid topics of Thailand. 

Our first day was spent sampling street food, sleeping off jet lag, and generally acclimating to our new surroundings.

More updates as the journey continues.  Pat

Bangkok Scenes
Clockwise: 1 Night Market,  2 & 3 & 4 Street Food;
5 Mango Sticky Rice; 6 Typical Traffic

Packing and Preparing

Eye glasses are sorted, labelled and packaged. Suitcases are almost ready to zip shut.  Tickets are purchased, passports current, visas secured.

And yet I find the most important preparation is inside of  my heart. 

Each time  I hear the worship song "Build My Life" on the radio, at church it challenges my heart.  

What am I building my life on. What am I filling my heart with.

Open up my eyes in wonder

Show me who you are

Fill me with your heart and

Lead me in your love to those around me

The lyrics challenge my heart and renew my resolve to fully allow the immeasurable love of Jesus to fill my heart and lead me. To not be lead by my personal desires, or societies expectations.

As we prepare to journey to Thailand and onwards this week, we appreciate your love, your prayers, your support.  Our prayer for you is that regardless of where you find yourself in life - that your eyes would be open to the wonder of our awesome God, and this would be your prayer:

I will build my life upon your love

It is a firm foundation

I will put my trust in your alone

And I will not be shaken

Build My Life - Listen  

Build My Life - Lyrics

Join us on the Journey - Pat

Here We Go!

It's quite amazing that no matter how much we try - life does not stop so that we can follow our dreams.  I've found that we are the ones who have to stop - make time - set priorities - and then do what is needed to see our dreams become reality.

In less than a month, Gary and I will be heading back overseas to our mission field. Taking this time out from daily life requires planning, preparation and a commitment to stay with the plan - even when it would be more comfortable and convenient to stop.

When I start to feel overwhelmed by expectations and responsibilities, I stop and contemplate what the Lord says in Micah 6:8, "He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?"

The only One whose approval I need, already loves me with an eternal love that is not changed by my behavior, actions or efforts.  This truth frees my heart, strengthens my soul, and sends me back on the path towards the current goal.

It's a great time to be alive and serving Jesus.

Your love and prayers and support are greatly appreciated.

Blessings, Pat and Gary

Oh Magnify the Lord with Us!

Psalm  34:1-4 reads, "I will bless the Lord at all times;

his praise shall continually be in my mouth. 

My soul makes its boast in the Lord; let the humble hear and be glad.  

Oh, magnify the Lord with me and let us exalt his name together."  

2016 was a great year!  Pat and I know it was because of the Lord.  We also recognize that it was because of your serving, giving and praying with us.  Lives were touched and changed because people experienced His Love and Grace!

Thank you for the part you are playing so that people far from God can experience His Love and Grace!  Here is a quick recap of what we were able to accomplish during 2016 - through God's grace,  your prayers and financial backing.

In Sri Lanka: Twelve Eye Vision Clinics were held when Pat, Cyndy and I were there in February.  A total of 768 Eye Exams were performed and we were able to give away 657 pairs of glasses.  After we left, two additional Eye Clinics were held by the Sri Lankan team.  342 people were examined and 310 glasses issued.  There were also many healings, and salvations at every clinic.

In Ghana: Assistance was given for church construction, Pastoral support and a Christmas Party with food and gifts for an Orphanage.

In Cambodia: Three houses were built for homeless villagers. Support was given for anti-human trafficking in Phnom Penh and the rescue of girls from sex trade with counseling and vocational training provided.

Another Nation: Preparations were made for our upcoming trip in March 2017.  A team was trained to do every aspect of doing Eye Clinics. which includes doing the exams, eyeglass distribution and evangelistic follow up. Souls were saved and healed in the church services.

Working with others that share the love of God, financial support was given for:

• Missionaries and Pastors in several nations.
• Operation Christmas Child shoe boxes for children.
• Livestock provided for sustainable income in Southeast Asia.
• Support for the Persecuted Church in Access Restricted Nations.
• Bibles supplied to the underground churches in the 10-40 Window
• Support to churches in the United States to reach their communities for Jesus.
• Food, medical care, housing and assistance to Jewish people in Israel.
• Food assistance to families in the United States.
• Support to help in ending Human Trafficking in Las Vegas.
• Salvations, healings and prophetic insight to churches we ministered in the U.S and worldwide.

2017 is going to be better than last year.  Pat and I are determined to passionately pursue the Lord; helping every nation, every church and every person He sends us to.  Our prayer for you is that in 2017 your life would be filled with the tangible presence of our Mighty God like never before!

Blessings and Happy New Year! - Gary