THANK YOU MONTANA!

What a blessed time Pat and I had being back home in Montana this summer. Both of us love being in the beautiful Bitterroot Valley!

We personally want to express our sincere gratitude to all those who helped make this ministry trip a success. To each of you - Pastor, Home Group Leader, Family Member or Friend - thank you for your love and partnering with us in reaching souls for the Kingdom of God.

We are excited to let you know that we will be leaving for Sri Lanka this October 10 and returning home November 9.

Pat and are delighted to be expanding to a team of four!  Joining us on this trip are Pat's sister Cyndy Hull (who journeyed with us in February 2016); along with a good friend from our home church, Kim Cline.

Please be praying for a move of God with salvations, healings and deliverances as we hold the Eye Clinics and Church meetings.  We are always amazed who shows up to receive glasses and the great compassion God demonstrates by healing, delivering and saving them.

Pat and I covet your prayers for us and our Sri Lankan team.

We will be posting more as the time grows near.

Until next time!

Blessings - Gary

 

Returning to Montana!

Hi Everyone,

July is the time of year that Pat and I eagerly look forward to every year.  It means we not only get to leave the scorching heat of Las Vegas, but we get to go back (home) to Montana for a time of ministry and visiting family!

This year's schedule will be a little bit different for us.   Since I am working on staff at our church, Pat will be arriving before I do on Wednesday, July 19th and holding meetings on her own.  I  fly into Missoula, Friday, July 28th.  Both of us will be returning back to Las Vegas, Monday, August 7th.

Here is our schedule:

Thursday, July 20 - 10:30 am at "Women of Worship," Missoula, MT with Pastor Lorraine Andrusky

Sunday, July 23 - 10:30 am at "Barnabas Ministry," Hamilton, MT with Pastor Nancy Pendergast.  Worship with Cyndy Hull.
     
Sunday, July 30 - 8:45 & 10:30 am at "Christian Assembly Foursquare," Missoula, MT with Pastors Mike  and Marlene McGovern

Thursday, August 3 - evening house meeting in Victor, MT with Karl & Brenda Williams

Sunday, August 6 - 10:30 am at "House of Praise", Victor, MT with Pastors Jim & Lorraine Andrusky

Pat and I want to thank everyone for partnering with us though your prayers and financial gifts.  We want you to know that each and every one of you is important to us.  Words could never express how deeply grateful and thankful we are for you!

Looking Ahead: Pat and I will be heading to Sri Lanka, October 10 - November 9 with two other team members.  

Blessings on your journey - Gary

Mission Reflections

I am always amazed  how quickly our time ministering overseas seems to go by.  It's as if Pat and I just get settled in and then it's time for us to pack up and come back home.

When I return from a trip, I like to take some time to unwind and readjust to being back before reflecting on what was accomplished.

As I start looking back on this trip,  I am amazed at what was accomplished.

• The first two Eye Vision Clinics on this trip were very successful.
  A total of 135 people were seen, 105 pair of  glasses were given.
  One of the best results we've had for first time clinics.
  These numbers represent families and lives that were affected by God's love - the most exciting thing in the world.
  
• Teams were trained, equipment and eyeglasses left for continued eye clinics.
• Doors were opened for future eye clinics in other areas
• 15 new believers were Baptized in the Holy Ghost.
• 25  new believers are being discipled in preparation for taking Water Baptism.
• One man  had his hearing  restored, and a woman received healing for her eyesight.

Pat and I want to thank everyone who gave glasses, finances and prayed.
Your help made this trip the success that it was.

What's on our calendar?  In October we will be heading back to Sri Lanka to hold eye clinics in new areas.

Blessings!  Gary

Local Team at Work

Village Church

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