on a mission

First of all, let me say “THANK YOU” to all of you who posted such kind comments, emails, and FaceBook messages concerning our loss of Pebbles. It was evident that you all understand the place a pet can hold in our hearts. And you made yesterday brighter. Thank you so much!

Well, the day is finally here. We’ve packed up mountains of beanie babies, lots of meds, clothing, and shoes with much anticipation about what God is going to do this next week. By ten o’clock tonight, Mark and I, along with 23 others will be in the Dominican Republic. Our group is led by Dr. Shamsey of Sarasota and includes a pediatrician, dermatologist, ER doctor, pharmacist, nurses and support staff. We will be working with long-time friends and missioanries to the DR, Bill and Priscilla Stothers in Santiago. We will be setting up a free clinic each day, ministering to the physical needs of whoever comes through the gate. Their physical needs are the first thing we tend to, but there is much love and prayer poured out on each person who we see, asking God to minister to them in body, soul, and spirit.

Everytime we have gone with a mission team, whether a work team or medical team, we remind ourselves that we can go with plans and goals, but they will usually get rearranged. So we go with a willingness to serve however God sees fit. He never fails to give us a wild and wonderful adventure. We will be changed… our perspective readjusted and our hearts filled with gratitude… just in time for Thanksgiving.

If you are the type who likes to pray specifically, here’s the specifics:

• pray that our team will stay healthy, have unity, keep our eyes on Jesus, and find joy in serving.
• pray for our families, properties, businesses that we leave behind at home.
• pray that our travel to the DR will go smoothly, especially as we go through customs.
• most importanly, pray that God’s light will shine brightly and hearts will be changed as a result of God using our human efforts.

Thank you!