Upcoming Trips!

http://healthcareministries.org/upcoming_missions

Click on the link to see the upcoming trips in the next few months.  There are still openings!  So many different places and  needs.  Pray about it. 

Help! Help!

Yes.... I know.... I should write more.  I apologize.  Pictures and writings are forthcoming (lot's of happenings at our always crazy house).  For now though.... if you want to help missions and can't go on a trip yourself, consider helping with supplies!  See below:

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Home » Urgent Needs :: Supplies

Urgent Needs :: Supplies

HCM urgently needs the following supplies for upcoming medical outreaches --


•Large hardsided suitcases
 D batteries
•Coban & elastic bandages
•3 oz. plastic Dixie cups
•gallon-size Ziploc bags
•Kleenex
•AA Batteries
•hand sanitizer
•face masks
•gently-used glasses

To donate any of the following, please visit our Guidelines for Donations page. Ship all items to:

HealthCare Ministries
521 W. Lynn St.
Springfield, MO 65802

If you have any questions, please contact materials@healthcareministries.org or call our office at (417) 866-6311.

Friday Update

Well, you know you always hear the "numbers" or the overall "outcome" of any outreach.  Sometimes it is neat to hear just the "little" stories that show the God moments in everything in life.  The Bible is pretty clear that if God sees the sparrow fall is definitely concerned with the little details in our individual lives.  So some fun "little" stories for you today.

Thursdays update....

 Well 4 days of clinics down just the final clinic day. It will be a half day.....

The story for today. I sat in with one of the providers on one of the first patients. It was a very old lady....the kind with a very wrinkly, worn, smiling face. She said she had come Monday and was very bloated, but she needed glasses. After getting her glasses she went to spiritual counseling. She said when she was prayed for her bloating went away and she felt better. She was back today, because even with the bloating gone her stomach wasn't feeling well. She had been taking an antacid. Well, the doctor prescribed another antacid but when he check her ears - the canals were almost totally blocked by wax. He let me look and you could not see her eardrums at all - almost no canal left open. He asked me to pray for her. Surprised at this I started to pray and what I prayed was that she become a strong woman of faith and reading her new Bible would begin to reach out to young women of the church and mentor them - teach them to be Godly women. For her to not sit back in church and not do anything but to learn more and teach more. When I was done praying she looked at the translator and said she was now going to have to learn to read better to do the things I prayed about........It was a "bless her little heart" moment.

Later the provider told me when he cleaned her ears a big plug of wax came out of one ear and she said she could now hear!!!!! The other ear was cleaner, but would need to be cleaned more over several days to get everything out.

Tell [G] that I gave all of the toys away and the toys were a hit....I have several pictures. And even got a ......kiss from a 3 year old little girl that got one of the toys......

A little tiny old lady was thanking me for her medicine today and then motioned for a hug.....I also got a smack of a kiss on the right cheek.....It was another "bless her little heart" moment.

Late Friday night....

Sorry this is late. LONG DAY. Clinics this am, Pack up, Late lunch, Church to start at 3pm ..... Now for some of today's highlights.....

The little boy that is so smart, [A] that is helping the nurses.... He prayed to receive Jesus in his heart last night. He told one of the nurses that he prayed at home and he will be keeping his tracts in his secret box. The nurses asked him if he had a Bible at home - and he said no one in his home had a Bible. (Now for another story to enter in here) There is a man named [R] that is nick-named "mister fix it" because every thing that needed to be fixed he would look at it, leave, come back later with parts, and fix whatever was broken (instruments, rubber tubing on dental equipment, eye equipment, etc). [R] hears that this little boy doesn't have a Bible - well you guessed it. [R] leaves, comes back, and hands [A] a Bible.

Now for [R]. He was quiet and looks like a tall rancher - like one you would see in the states. He doesn't look Mexican. I had seen some tubing he repaired on a dental instrument and it looked familiar.......like I had seen knots like that before......late today I found out he is a Veterinarian!!! All week long he had been making coffee for me in the AM and when everyone is finishing work he would come get me, take me back to the kitchen and get me to eat hot tamales, and other insanely hot foods. We would talk some back and forth.....he with broken English and me with a word or two of Spanish. He finally got me in tears on Thurs with the hottest tamales I had ever eaten. I literally had tears streaming down my eyes - every day it was a hotter dish. But back to the vet stuff. We grabbed an interpreter and started comparing notes. He hasn't practiced vet work in 2 years because of the economy - nobody with money to pay. He has been working with a trucking firm and has accounts throughout the mid-West of the US. His wife worked at the intake desk all week. Just a real neat couple. But he literally was helping everyone all week long. And the knots on the dental equipment - they were a modified Chinese finger snare - a knot pattern that vets use!.......

Be encouraged!

Update from Wednesday...

Wow... what to post. MM shared some stories with me that I find quite hard to post.  They are in an area of [somewhat] affluence and yet spiritual bondage just abounds everywhere.  Lots of cult practice there and the divorce rate is quite high. 

Precious story of a step-parent brining a child everyday to clinics to "help" and members getting to explain the tracts he is so interested in. Also a sad story of a parent brining in a teenager that was suffering the physical effects of a demonic attack. 

People, we don't like to talk about it, but Satan is real and according to the Bible his primary goal is to destroy... lives, families, bodies... you name it.  However, we are not without hope...

1 Peter 5:7-10 (New International Version)

7Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.
8Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. 9 Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that your brothers throughout the world are undergoing the same kind of sufferings.
 ¹⁰And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast. ¹¹To him be the power for ever and ever. Amen.

Pray for the team today as they feed the hungry, pray for the broken hearted, stitch up wounds and more.... all in the name of Jesus.

Debt-Free Dreams

Great article this morning from Dave Ramsey's Website about dreams people would do if they were debt free.  Be blessed and encouraged to step out and live your dreams.... click here!

We just need a few good DENTISTS!

... and hygienists!

Know any????

Looks like there is an urgent need for some good oral care on upcoming trips!  Click on the links to see...
El Salvador (October)
South Africa (November)

It's difficult for many dentists/doctors to leave their practices.  Their time and talent are what keeps the doors open, salaries for employees and bills paid.  When they leave... so does the income. 

Be an encouragement to your dentist and hygienist.  Go get a few teeth pulled and support you local dentist/hygienist going overseas to give care to those who don't traditionally get good oral care! (O.K. better keep the teeth... maybe you should just donate towards their traveling expenses.)

------------------------------------
Oh... and urgent medical supplies needed are here.

Does sunscreen clean as well as toothpaste??

... inquiring minds want to know!!  Poor MM must be a little on the tired side....

You can tell you are tired when you start to brush your teeth with your sunscreen...
Just didn't foam well and didn't taste quite as good as toothpaste.......
both of the tubes have blue labels.........
Won't do that again..... but good for a laugh.

love ya
dl

On a more serious note....

We have seen a couple hundred. There have been 111 salvations. The total number of people is not high but that just means the doctors (providers) get to spend a lot of time with each patient. Each provider has been spending time talking about Jesus and have been able to speak into many individuals. So we have seen a number of people receive salvation with the medical providers.

One lady was in tears because she received eye glasses to read and said now she had money to eat, she didn't have to worry about not having money to purchase glasses. Another woman came in she just said she hadn't eaten all day and so the nurses fed her. Then she cried because we fed her, because she didn't have money to eat.

[The gentleman doing the eye exams] was examining a woman for glasses and noticed she had a catholic charm on her neck. [He] used to wear one just like it and knew what it meant (it meant that if you wore it and died while wearing it that you would go to heaven). So [the eye examiner] got to share why the necklace would not save her and shared who could save her and she accepted Jesus because of [his] testimony to her.

Praising the Lord for the time to stop and share this morning....

John 3:16-21 (New International Version)

16 "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son,[a] that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. 17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. 18 Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of God's one and only Son.[b] 19 This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but men loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil. 20 Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that his deeds will be exposed. 21 But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what he has done has been done through God."[c]

MEF Pictures

Last week's MEF forum and RN Training went well. There was joy in the sharing and learning. Some attending were "seasoned trippers" and some were "newbies", but all had harts for medical missions. One thank you letter from and attendee said it best....

It is with great satisfaction and admiration to your great work at HCM I am writing this to say "THANK YOU" for the tremendous job you have done as a team to uplift us in our "Spiritual Role" to be better providers of "God's Love medicine". - I.C.

Our lovely director.

My girlie and Missionary Man.

A little audience participation during MM's speech.

Getting participants ready to "walk thru" a clinic.
Check-in



Pharmacy area (do you think he is expressive?)



Triage Area

HIV training

Optical training

Dental Training

Where would our ministry be without BGMC??!!!
They provide an incredible offering each year for med supplies.

Updates from the field...

Missionary Man left for a trip the day after MEF and messages coming back from the field so far are encouraging!

"Gang member who had been severely beaten, came in with face swollen and bruised. Gave his heart to Jesus in the clinic.

Now there are 11 more gang members from that gang who got saved and are now a attending church. There is a revival going on in church and many are being saved. "

God is soooo in the restoration business!
You know... God even uses the testimonies in our lives of how we have made it through trials to encourage and change people.  Here is a message

[A] Healthcare Ministries Missionary gave her testimony in the Sunday morning service, sharing their heartbreak of a wayward daughter who spent years in drug and alcohol use. After 4 years of being addicted she experienced a bad drug trip which she felt demons that were clawing and dragging her to hell. The next evening she sat on my bed and gave her heart to the Lord. She was immediately delivered of all addictions including a smoking habit. She has been a beautiful Christian woman growing in the Lord for the 15 years. Now she is ministering to abused foster children and adopting them into a love a Christian family.


Following her testimony and another HCM Missionary's message there were three men related to members of the church’s drug rehabilitation program that made commitments to Christ. These men have been attending the church here for months but have until now resisted the invitation to accept Christ.

Later in the day the HCM missionary was asked to give her testimony to the families of those in drug rehabilitation. They were moved by her testimony and after prayer left greatly encouraged.

The Pastor and church are greatly encouraged. They are also very excited as well.

1 Thessalonians 5:11

Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.

Hebrews 3:13

But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called Today, so that none of you may be hardened by sin's deceitfulness.

Hebrews 10:25

Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.

HCM responds to Pakistan flooding

http://www.healthcareministries.org/news/hcm-responds-pakistan-flooding

Pray for the HCM missionary there and other aid workers that they may be able to fully assess what they can best do for these devastated people.   Pray they find hope in the mist of this incredibly difficult situation.

Matthew 9
The Workers Are Few


35 Jesus went through all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the good news of the kingdom and healing every disease and sickness. 36 When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. 37 Then he said to his disciples, "The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. 38 Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field."

RN Seminar & Medical Evangelism Forum

The RN Seminar has been completed and the we are gearing up for MEF starting today!

It was so neat to stand behind the doors and watch as a room full of nurses full of love for missions absorbs some great training from some great missionary nurses.

Pray for those still traveling to get here.  Pray for open minds and hearts and creativity to flow..... all to bring healthcare to the needy and "hope that heals" to the nations.

Looky, looky what we got delivered to our house! 

And it was filled with goodies!

Thank you so much for the gift for HCM! [you know who you are]

It's time for prayer....

unpacking cases of meds!

Yep... Missionary Man is getting ready for an upcoming trip.  I like to post ahead and let you guys know so that you can "keep his back covered".  I will post more info and pictures closer to the date.

There are actually several upcoming trips to varying parts of the globe just in the next few weeks.   Click here to link to HCM to see what trips and needs are coming up. Feel free to print out  a list for your refrigerator and pray for team members daily.

The team from Ecuador is back and I'm chomping at the bits to hear all the wonderful stories from the jungle! [Yes, I'm crazy... but canoeing hundreds of miles to share hope just appeals to my wild side.]

Here's a copied list from the website listing needs for health care workers and medical supplies.

Urgent Needs
HCM currently has urgent needs for the following positions on upcoming outreaches:

Central Eurasia: Optical
Philippines: DDS

Mexico: DH's  [dental hygienists]

El Salvador: DDS's, DH's, Dental Assts., Counselors, Optical

HEALTH CARE PROVIDERS: DDS, DHs, Dental Assistants, Counselors, Optometrists

MATERIALS: D batteries, Coban & elastic bandages, large hard sided suitcases, 3 oz. plastic Dixie cups, gallon-size Ziploc bags, and more.

Click here to go to a more complete listing of current needs.

As always, feel free to email us your prayer request too!  We love to hear from you.

Acts 2:42-43 (New International Version)

42They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. 43Everyone was filled with awe, and many wonders and miraculous signs were done by the apostles.
 
Acts 6:6-7 (New International Version)
6They presented these men to the apostles, who prayed and laid their hands on them.

7So the word of God spread....

Acts 10 (New International Version)
4Cornelius stared at him in fear. "What is it, Lord?" he asked.

The angel answered, "Your prayers and gifts to the poor have come up as a memorial offering before God.

Praying that miracles/wonders happen... the word of God spreads... and your prayers are a sweet offering before the God! :o)

I finished a 5K!!!

Yep.... it's on that list. I think they call it a "bucket list" now.  You know, that list of things you want to do before you "kick the bucket."   Running at least a 5K race was on mine.   So for weeks I have been going to the walking track near my home and "wogging" 3+ miles.

http://www.cherishkids.org/

Then I saw this 5K sponsored by a local church that raised money and awareness for adoption/foster children.  Viola'!  How perfect, check off an item on my bucket list and support one of my favorite causes. That was my goal until 3 weeks ago when the evil shin splints tried to stop me.  For two weeks I didn't walk at all.  Then last week I returned to slowly walk the track.  A lady who also regularly walks there stopped to ask me how I was doing.  We struck up a conversation and it turns out she attends that church and wanted to run the 5K also.  She said, "Hey!  Just walk it... with me!!!" [See... God is so good... gives me incentive and a walking buddy.]

So I woke up this morning, donned my Healthcare Ministries shirt, grabbed my hat and drove to the check in.   Ahhhh!  Powerade in the morning... better than coffee! 

It was a little intimidating to walk into a crowd of people who look as if they had all been running since birth and check in for a race.  That was nothing compared to when I was at the check in.   First, I had to tell my age...... then, the nice lady asked me if I planned to run the race under so many minutes.... I laughed!  She put me in "the second group". 

See my sweeties waiting - MM is taking the pics.

I then found my walking budding in the mass of people. [over 1000 runners] We waved and clapped for "the first group" of runners who were actually finishing their race before the rest of us even started.  Next the gun shot [yes, they still do that] to signify our start time and the mass of people started moving.  It was like being a fish in a large pack moving rapidly through the currents.... [I felt like yelling out the words from "Finding Nemo"..."Do you have your exit buddy!"... I resisted the urge though.] 

Me and my "exit buddy"!

After a while the herd thinned and lengthened and we all found our pace [mine being quite slow due to getting over the evil shin splints].  My "exit buddy" and I talked and enjoyed the beautiful weather and countryside that we were traversing through.  We laughed at some of the children walking, cheered at all who passed by, smiled at the older walkers and admired very much those hard-core runners.  It was a good day.  We hit the midway point and started the return trip.  We then started to approach the finish area. I grabbed my cell to call my family and tell them I was coming.  [My "exit buddy" and I had decided to pretend to jog the last part for the pictures and the kids... so, don't let the pictures fool ya'! ;o)] 

See that cute kid following me down the finish line?!

What a thrill to see my little chickadees and Missionary Man at the finish line... waving me in and cheering for me.  I think it must be just a little of what it feels like when that "great cloud of witnesses" cheers us home and our Savior stands at the finish line smiling and welcoming us home.  Sigh....

That cute kid caught me.... awwww!

My walking buddy and I agreed that next year we shall both run the 5K... the kids want to run it too! 

One small item checked off the bucket list..... and all it took was a little encouragement from a new friend.

Hooray!  Mom made it!

Hebrews 12:1-3 (New International Version)

1 Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. 2 Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. 3 Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.

What's on your bucket list???

"Where's The End Zone?"

The last few weeks the poor high school football players have been training here in unusually hot 108 degree weather. [Truly, it is beyond my comprehension why any sane person would ever want to put on so much padding then run around sweating profusely while trying to avoid being pounced upon by men weighing in upwards of 200 pounds! If it were me out there, I'd probably just give them the ball, jog around the field a few times, then meet for an ice cream social later. However, growing up in a household full of girls, I'm probably too testosterone-challenged to understand the value of the game anyways. I digress....]

Anyways... [back to the blog].... for the football lovers out there.... we had an awesome family devotion the other day that we seem to keep referring back to. So I thought I'd share....

In his book, "Practical Happiness", author Bob Schultz tells the story of a lineman named Clyde who, in his excitement of recovering a fumbled ball, did the most embarrassing thing a lineman could do. ....

"...both teams began diving, sliding, and grabbing for the loose football like the greased pig at the state fair. Unexpectedly the ball bounced off a helmet and into the hands of Clyde Simmons. As a defensive lineman, he had never held a football in a game before. Adrenaline shot through his body. He began running with all his might for the goal.

Unfortunately, Clyde had spun around during the fumble. Instead of running twenty yards to his goal, he began running eighty yards towards the Southerland [the other team's] goal.

When the Southerland fans saw Clyde recover the football, they groaned in dismay. However, when he ran the wrong way, they roared with delight!

The Southerland players almost tackled Clyde before they realized he ran for their goal. Instead of tackling, they formed a wall of blockers escorting him to their end zone.

Clyde Simmons never ran so fast. It was a dream come true, a cheering crowd, an approaching goal line, and a football under his arm.

His teammates were shocked! The linebacker, who had caused the fumble,
attempted to tackle Clyde. Southerland blockers kept him from reaching the
runaway lineman.

Followed by five Southerland blockers, Clyde entered their end zone. What ecstasy! He dropped the ball and began a victory dance, basking in the roar of the crowd. The alert Southerland players jumped on the football. The officials raised their hands. TOUCHDOWN SOUTHERLAND SALAMANDERS!

Clyde continued to think the crowd cheered for his fabulous fumble recovery, his remarkable run and his tremendous touchdown. Only when the Southerland team began thanking him did Clyde begin to realize his mistake. Can you imagine the sick feeling that overcame him as his imaginary glory faded away? The fans weren't cheering for him; they jeered at him. Instead of
the school hero, he was the school fool! Clyde wished for a place to hide. There was none. He stood in the full view of everyone - a lone Bullet in the Southerland end zone.

Many men will come to this same experience when they reach the end of their lives. Thinking they have lived a glorious life, they'll awake to the realization that they had run with all their might to the wrong end of the field. What a devastating realization that will be."

"In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus spoke of many who will run the wrong way. 'Lord, Lord,' they will say, 'have we not prophesied in thy name? And in thy name have cast out devils? And in thy name done many wonderful works?' And Jesus will say to them, 'I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.' These folks were sure they had reached the goal, but instead found themselves standing at the wrong end of the field."

Isn't that just like the Christian life.... We just all seem to start out with good intentions and are trying to play on the "right team", then Satan sends in someone to cause a fumble in our plans... we try and recover it, but somewhere in that big mass of players grabbing and diving for the ball... we get turned around. Then off we go running with all our might, thinking the whole time we are headed for the goal..... Oh, the deceiver sends in plenty of lineman to create a wall around us so that it's much easier for us to head for the wrong goal and the crowd seems to truly be cheering us on until we are dancing in the end zone.... yet at the end of the run we look around to finally get our bearings and we are shocked into the reality of the situation....

.... Our only hope is that some holy warrior from the right team tackles us to the ground before we reach the wrong destination! Oh, at first how mad we will be at them... until we realize they did it for our good.

Bob Schultz [the author] goes on to explain that if these people who had done so much could be deceived and run to the wrong goal in life, how are we to live.

Then he explains that God gives us some pretty clear and simple road maps... so simple that many times they are just flat out ignored. "The goal in life is to delight in God.... God asks us to love him will all our heart, soul and strength." Schultz even talks about how many turn away from God because of negative experiences with religion.

"They begin looking elsewhere for something to satisfy their intense, God-given desire for pleasure. Since they have rejected God, they are like Clyde running away from what they really long for. If Clyde had known where he was going, he would have turned around and risked getting tackled rather than continue to run for the wrong end."

Schultz continues explaining that many well-meaning people live to preach the gospel, seek to be missionaries, give money to the poor and be good businessmen.

"All these things are good, but not the goal. You can do them all and be at odds with God at the same time. On the contrary, the man who delights in God cannot help telling the good news. He will give to the poor, but his delight and affection will be to his God; everything else is a sideline...... The man who delights in God will be a living example of a Christian in business, but his joy will be found in knowing the Creator, not in trying to act like Him."

"There is a fine line, but a major difference, between putting on Christian character and letting the the happiness of knowing God change your heart. Both may seem the same to someone looking on, but one is a put on , the other is the real thing."

"We can run all our lives seeking pleasure in toys, travel, adrenalin rushes, fame fortune, and relationships [or popularity and acceptance], only to miss the true end zone of life, the pleasure of delighting in the One who made us."

"The grandstands are full of witnesses watching us run...."

Are we willing to stop and look around to get our bearings and see what our real motivations [goals] are? Are we willing to turn around and get tackled (if necessary) for doing the right thing? Do we just keep running because of the cheering approval of our supposed 'fans'? Or will we look towards and run to the true prize in life, delighting in the Lord Jesus - author and finisher of our faith, and patiently run the race [in the right direction]?

Hebrews 12:1-2

Praying for you all to have a heart to know God, the soul to be on His team and a mind to head in the right direction!

[Hey! Knowing there can be a spiritual lesson to be learned through football, I might even learn to watch it on occassion! Bring on the peanuts and popcorn! Go team!!!]

Medical Evangelism Forum & RN Semiar

The fourth annual MEF Seminar is coming! Wow! Has it been 4 years! I looked back through the blog and realized, yep, time is a passing by so fast.

Just this past week I was chatting with some nurses I had met. They were expressing a desire they had for so long wanted to do medical missions. They felt they needed to retire first before they would be able to be a part of that work. I encouraged them to really pray about and consider not waiting... but beginning now to look at ways they could do work they had felt called to for years. I explained how we [and many others we have known] had gotten involved with missions and are still working and raising our children. Just maybe, their spark of encouragement was kindled.

So how about you. Have you ever thought, "When I get to [some far off point in life].... I'll get involved..."?

Well... come on out. Learn about how your church can play a role in medical evangelism and work together with medical providers and others all over this land. Also, this year they are doing a "pre-forum" seminar especially for the nurses!

So, if you ever have had a desire to minister in on the medical mission field and wasn't quite sure how.... :o)

Here is the link.... (just click on the "here", and there you go!)

Healthcare Ministries Building

In the pharmacy. [Anybody from Bulldog land recognize Missionary Man's T-shirt?]

In front of Headquarters.

The Candy House. [Be nice to me and I will take you there when you come for a visit. ;o)]

Z-man eating a cupcake at his birthday party.

My baby is 4!

5 Months and a new Computer

Yes, it's been five months since I last blogged. I have so much to share, but figured to ease you back in it would be better to just give a quick list then go back and fill in the particulars later.

* A trip back home for the GMA of our eldest.
* Came back to close on a house.
* Began demolition and remodeling work the day after the closing.
* Two months of working day and night to get moved in.... and the nicest carpenter that made our lives so much better in the process!
* Recitals and Tae Kwon Do testing. My our little peeps are growing up.
* Yet another move! It was just across town... but I'm telling you... two moves in 8 months was harder than I expected.
* A birthday for Missionary Man and then our youngest.
* Grandmother came for a visit... which meant sightseeing and fun.
* Honor Star crowning for our sweetie. Sigh... how did she grow so fast.
* The old desktop was finally retired after another round of viruses. (It wasn't allowing me to blog anyways.... so it was time.)

Well.... we are now up to preparing for a new school year with the chickens. This year we venture into the world of Bible Quiz Competition and hosting a home school coop at our house.

Missionary man is set for upcoming trips. The former pharmacist in charge at HCM retired and had a wonderful going away party. [I really dislike calling it a "going away" party. I think a "wonderful remembrances" party would be better.] We've enjoyed learning all the ropes and packing for trips to various countries. Exciting things are happening.... rumblings of God's moving in the mist of His people....

So much to tell.... so keep your email current with the subscribe service and future pictures and info should be a coming ...

GMA Slideshow

This is the really long version. Took me three very long days to scroll through 7 years of digital pictures. Wow! What memories.... our firstborn is growing up sooooo fast.
P.S. For any who did not receive their invitation to the award ceremony/reception, email me... I'll be happy to forward the info to you.

M&Ms and Grace

Random Ponderings of a busy life:

#1)  M&Ms

I thank God for Christian radio. I grew up on it. My kids are growing up on Saturday morning kid’s radio. When I have lived over seas it was a source of comfort and connection to hear teaching from across the ocean. You don’t have to stop what you are doing to listen to it… it’s just there…. And you can learn so much from it.

Tonight I was driving home and I was flipping through the stations (we are blessed with many stations to choose from here). I listened to one pastor describe how his wife had cooked the most awesome Sunday dinner one day. Everyone in their family inhaled the food, except one of his daughters. He found out later that she had consumed a huge package of M&Ms before the meal and simply was not interested in eating anymore food. Then he went on to explain how we as Christians are like that – we are so full of “junk food” that we do not have even a remote hunger page for “healthy food”. We spend so much time in the “world” learning and filling up our time/energy/resources that we have no desire/energy/time for things of God.

Hmmmm….. Think I’ll go on a diet…. a “heavenly diet”!

[Ouch! When I get past my own personal convictions, I’ll get back with you on this one.]

P.S. Please take no offense all you M&M lovers out there.
P.S.S.  A little plug to support Christian radio if you can. :o)


#2)   Grace

I’m learning more and more everyday how much grace we truly live under. A friend shared with me from her Bible study about how “God is sooo much more patient than we can even comprehend.” It’s not just about us… it’s about His big plan. He truly has put up with so much from mankind yet He waits (like a patient gentleman) because He loves us so.

[I’m praying to be a much better reflection of that love…..]

Matthew 22
The Greatest Commandment


34Hearing that Jesus had silenced the Sadducees, the Pharisees got together. 35One of them, an expert in the law, tested him with this question:

36"Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?" 37Jesus replied: " 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.'[b] 38This is the first and greatest commandment. 39And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.'[c] 40All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments."


Revelation 22:20-21 (King James Version)


20He which testifieth these things saith, Surely I come quickly. Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus.

21The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.

Full Circle

Most days life seems to be so routine and our focus seems to be intent on doing “the next thing”. It is truly hard to see past the moment/ week/ month/ year that we are in. Then, there are those extraordinary times when we get offered a chance to catch these small glimpses of pieces of God’s big picture in life… and it is awesome!

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This is a story about a boy, a boy from a remote village in mountains halfway around the world. His father died when he young. His uncle took him to another country where the uncle worked and paid for the boy to go to school. It was a missionary school. This young man accepted Jesus as his savior and left behind teachings of slavery and harshness from his area’s religion. It was a hard thing to do in his culture.

Fast forward to the present, the boy is now a man with a family of his own. Yet he still has a heart for his remote village he left those years ago and has begun reaching out there and sharing his faith and care. He asked a missionary to request a medical team to visit his beloved village (that had seldom seen or welcomed a “non-local” in its history of existence). It would be a hard trip and a sensitive one. Outsiders were not openly invited to the village. If the villagers did not accept the visitors, it would shut doors of opportunity that had taken a lifetime to open.

HCM took a small team of seasoned medical missionaries there. Missionary Man was on that team. The team was warned that the conditions would be rough (sleeping in building built overtop animal chambers, open cook fires, no heat, no running water, no electricity, cold....). It took two days of traveling for the team to arrive in the village. They crossed rivers where water was at the hood of the vehicle and took the “road” straight up the mountain to make it there. They were welcomed by children staring at them in awe (they had never seen 10 outsiders at once in their village).

MM said that he was truly humbled by the graciousness and hospitality of these people.

“They gave up their homes for us to stay in and their beds for us to sleep in. The women and children walked one and one-half hours down the mountain everyday to fetch water from the river. They walked back up that mountain with the water in vessels on their backs, balanced with a band around their forehead. They cooked three meals a day for us over open fires. Breakfast was usually started around 4 a.m. so it would be ready for us when we awoke. One of the men would come around and bring us a cup of hot tea while we were washing our heads each morning [the only baths they took for over a week, a fresh dunk in the 20 degree weather]. They gave the best they had.”

The medical clinic was a well received. Many needs were seen and treated. One man walked 2 days to come to the clinic to be seen by the doctors. Then he walked back another 2 days home.  There were three deaths in the area while the team were there [unrelated to the health clinic], which would cause the entire village, as well as the clinic, to have to stop so that proper respect could be given to the dead.

It was truly two cultures coming together in a unique way at a unique time. At the end of the week the village governing counsel met with the missionary and the now Christian man (who was originally from the village) for several hours. They asked many questions of them and asked about their God. [Not a topic to broach lightly] The missionary used a word picture to describe knowing God to the counsel. He talked about what it was like the first time they had a solar light or battery lamp turned on in their home – it was so much brighter and they could see clearly in their home. It was a light much brighter than a cook fire or candle. One woman on the counsel laughed and said to this, “Yes and I can see all the dirt inside the house!” The missionary knew he had connected to them and that they would think about how God could shine in their lives and even help them see any “dirt” that needed cleaning out. [A message I think we all need daily to understand.]

Permission was given for a Bible study to be held in the village with one of the primary leaders to attend. They wanted to learn more and ask questions. This was such a tremendous miracle of an open door! Had the primary leader said “No.” it would have been a very difficult trial for anyone else who had wanted to attend the Bible Study.

The full circle had come. What started out as a tragedy in one young boy’s life decades before has turned into a meeting of two cultures. And even more, it has turned into an open door for the Creator of all to connect with His people whom He loves so dearly. For us to be a small part of that in anyway is just astounding. God has not forgotten any of his people and works in ways that we could never put together in our human wisdom. He sees the “big picture” and has this plan that is above just our personal comforts.

Was the trip a success? Well, we always believe anytime we can help even one person to relieve some physical suffering that the trip was worth it. However, when doors are opened for the ultimate healer… well, we stand humbled and amazed.

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Genesis 50:19-21 (King James Version)

19And Joseph said unto them, Fear not: for am I in the place of God?

20But as for you, ye thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good, to bring to pass, as it is this day, to save much people alive.

21Now therefore fear ye not: I will nourish you, and your little ones. And he comforted them, and spake kindly unto them.

A few pictures to tide you over...

Well you know Missionary Man....

I ask for a few words from the trip to put on the blog.  This morning he wakes me up with a smile and says, "I have written some information for you and left it on the table."

I say, "Great!  How long is it?"

MM says, "Just four pages."

Me: "What just a short report?"  [hahahahahahaaa!!!  A man of few words... he is not. Gotta' love him though!]

Well, today the little chickens have kept me busy.  Therefore, I have not had time to condense down his report into a "bloggable" form.  So.. you shall just have to be satisfied with a few traveling photos.  :o)

(gorgeous mountains - isn't God good?!)

(yes... that is a truck crossing a river... in DRY season!)

(maybe they should have used one of these instead)

(they did get to use one of these!)

And you think you your morning commute is pretty rough! ;O)

Preparing for Rain

This morning was an awesome service in church.  You know, one of those services where you realize the whole purpose of needing to congregate and "edify" each other in the body of Christ. Yea, all us church people were there... but I tell you the Spirit of the Lord moved.  When you have half the church at the altar and the other half in their pews praying (quite frankly there just wasn't enough room down there)... you know the Lord has come into His House to worship that day. 

The Word for the day....
Do what you have KNOWN for so long that the Lord has called you to do.  Let God worry about the overwhelming circumstances.  We were made and called to do His service and fellowship with our Creator.  We let those cares and diversions of this life drag us away from what we KNOW we should be doing.

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Anybody seen that movie "Facing The Giants"???  If you haven't, get it.  It's a football movie... so even your man will watch it. ;o)

There is a sceen in the movie where an older gentleman is conversing with the main character.  He gives this parable...

There  was a drought in the land where two farmers lived.  Everyday they both looked for rain, but none came for a long time.  One farmer went out and looked each day and went back inside in disgust.  The other farmer went out every day and prepared his fields for planting.  Who do you think was ready when the rain came???

The gentleman goes on to ask what the main character was doing to prepare for the rain for harvest?? [Yes, I know this sounds a bit weird for a football movie... but get the movie, watch it and you will understand how it applies.]

When all seems lost and we feel like giving up... we should continue preparing for the work God has placed us here for.  I don't know about you.. but in our society it sures seems much easier to quit and move on most of the time.  We have no idea what God is doing in the "background" (that we cannot see) to finish His work.  What if we quit too soon?

What if Joshua had given up on the 6th day?  What if Moses quit after the 9th plague?  What if Joseph gave up in jail in bitterness over what his own brothers had done to him?  What if David decided Goliath wasn't worth the risk?

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Nehemiah 6:9
They were all trying to frighten us, thinking, "Their hands will get too weak for the work, and it will not be completed." But I prayed, "Now strengthen my hands."

Acts 14:26
From Attalia they sailed back to Antioch, where they had been committed to the grace of God for the work they had now completed.

Colossians 4:17
Tell Archippus: "See to it that you complete the work you have received in the Lord."

James 1:4
Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.

James 2:22
You see that his faith and his actions were working together, and his faith was made complete by what he did.

Lord help me to remember.... [1.Zechariah 4:6] "... Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the LORD of hosts." 

Jan '10 Trip (Testimonies and update 2)

[Note: This is straight from the field email and usually has a lag time of a day or two.  I edit out some of the long parts and personal info. God is working in people's lives all over the World! Keep up the prayers.]

Medical Update: Since the opening of the camp on Wednesday afternoon, the team has seen at least 880 patients, 230 on the optical side and 650 on the medical side. The most common complaints have been muscular/skeletal pain, gastrointestinal problems, respiratory problems (mostly due to the way they cook over open fire inside their homes with no outlet for the smoke), optical issues, and women's health issues.


Spiritual Update: The team has had opportunity to pray with many of the patients, and 20 people have requested and received spiritual counseling after the clinics by the [local] pastors that are serving as translators.

Travel Update: So far, patients have travelled from 12 different [districts (which are like counties in the US)]. They treated one man yesterday that had walked for two days to receive treatment and expect that this travel time will only increase as the days pass during the camp.

Testimonies:
1. Dr. P treated an older lady with a huge knot on her knee. She could barely walk and had sever pain in the joint. He was able to drain the fluid, administer an injection and she walked out of the clinic pain free!

2. Dr. K treated a pregnant woman who had an infection in her uterus which was likely to end the pregnancy within a few weeks. She treated the infection and the lady should be able to complete a normal pregnancy!

3. Dr. K also treated a 28-day old baby with severe pneumonia. If untreated this would have almost certainly taken the baby's life within a week. The baby was treated and the mom was given medicine and instructions for caring for the baby. If the mother follows the instructions, the baby is likely to recover completely.

4. There was a [political situation] scheduled to begin on Sunday. We had been considering options for completing the camp, even the possibility of needing to end it Saturday and quickly bring the team [out of the area]. However, this morning the..... news indicated the [situation had resolved] and the camp can proceed as planned.

The team is doing great and none have had any major problems as of today. This is a miracle in itself since they have been eating village food for 4 days! Please continue to pray for health and strength.

Each morning they have an amazing view of [the remote mountain area] and it is a great backdrop for their prayer time. Thank the Lord for the majesty of His creation!

God is good! :o)

Yay! An Update!

Just a tiny bit of info from earlier in the week...

.............. the team is doing great....used the late morning and early afternoon to set up the clinic treatment rooms and medicine. They began seeing patients from Wednesday afternoon and [it was] estimated that both the optical and medical sides saw around 100 patients each. On Thursday, the medical side treated around 200-300 patients and the optical side made the decision to limit the number of patients to 60 per day in order to have enough supplies for the entire camp. They have treated many different kinds of medical issues, performed several minor procedures as necessary, and have been able to give spiritual counseling and pray with many of the patients. PTL!

Isn't God good???

Keep up the prayers....
James 5:15-17 (King James Version)

15And the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up; and if he have committed sins, they shall be forgiven him.
16Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.
17Elias was a man subject to like passions as we are, and he prayed earnestly that it might not rain: and it rained not on the earth by the space of three years and six months.

(Lord...Help us to have that kind of faith!)

"No News Is Good News"

Ever heard that saying??? I always disliked it so much. I am a "want to know" kind of gal. Just give me some information and I'm happy. However, after this past year's news from dear people we know and lots of sad happenings in the world, I am thinking I may like the phrase a bit more.

First:
No updates from Missionary Man. I did not really expect any. When you go where there is no electricity and potties... well... you don't really expect email. However, no news means that the team has not had a need to contact Headquarters with any bad news. So, I'll take it!

Second:
This years Christmas/End-of-the-year Letter didn't happen. "Why?” you say. Well, quite frankly every time I sat down to write the thing it was so "heavy" and "sad" that I couldn't bring myself to post it. No, we are fine. It is just that sad news from those you hold dear can really shake you sometimes and make you stop and really think through some things in life. This (I have decided) is a good thing in the end. It makes you truly contemplate and attempt to understand what you believe and why... and scrape out all those misguided understandings you stood on for so long. (See... I told you it was heavy.)

'Tis all for now. I'm a working on catching up on all this bloggy stuff, so check back. Pictures and happenings are forthcoming.

James 1 (Aw, just go on and read the whole chapter... it's really good stuff!)

2 Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3 because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. 4 Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.

12 Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.

(p.s. The last verse in the chapter always gets me! Sigh... so glad God is still working on me. ;O)

Convoy of Hope

For those of you who aren't aware of Convoy of Hope.  Here is a link to their site. 

While we tend to work with the medical arm of the missions, Convoy brings in a lot of the practical care.  Right now they are working on the needs in Haiti (including blood and food/supply drives). 

A picture from their site.

Disaster relief in Haiti

I'm posting a link to HCM's site for Haiti info updates.  We already have some people there and the first distaster team has been filled.  They are working out the logistics of getting them there.  They are working on a second team to leave out in less than a month.  If you are a healthcare provider and interested in helping, go to the website and fill out an application.  [If you have been on a trip before, you will be processed a bit faster.]  Then call HCM to be placed on their mass email list for future details.

Click here for HCM and look down to the left under "Urgent Needs" for the Haiti info.

We are still here....

(Since I have started receiving personal emails wondering if we are "o.k." from several of you guys, guess I better get on the stick and update things around here. )

Life is good. We have just been phenomenally busy! I had thought that I would have all this spare time around the holidays to update and do some things to the blog I have planned. [Yea, right.]

I am giving just a quick update today. Missionary Man is leaving this weekend for a very long trip overseas. Pray for him and the team. It will be a physically challenging trip to some rather remote places. Pray for protection and health for the team. Healing for those they will be able to treat. And, as always, God's peace and Spirit to go before them in all they do. [Call me if you would like more details.]

Also, HCM is in the midst of its annual Vision Casting. I and the kids had the privilege to spend some times with some of our team members from around the States and the locals yesterday. They are all such unique people with deep hearts. I also got volunteered to answer the phones for the morning. I have to tell you that was an experience. With Haiti in the news recently, healthcare providers and churches were calling in to volunteer and ask how they could help. What an experience to hear the concern and compassion in the voice of a doctor/nurse/layperson over people in need in another part of the world.

I have many pictures and more things to update. Since Missionary Man will be gone, perhaps I will be able to spend some evening working on the website. I want to overhaul it a bit.

New Year's Blessings to all!