11/14/24 Devotional and some Admin details

In my study of the book of Job, I've been struck by several parallels in our mission, which is our everyday life as well as our time overseas. 

Job has been struck by the loss of family, possessions, and health yet he proclaims - 

"For I know that my Redeemer lives

And at the last He will take His stand on the earth.

Even after my skin is destroyed,

Yet from my flesh I shall see God," Job 19:25-26

Recall that Job wrote this about the same time as Genesis. Job had no Scripture to read, he only had his faith in God.

In the Psalms, written by the sons of Korah who had the Torah (the first five books of the Bible) available, the writter says - 

"Why are you cast down, o my soul?

And why are you oin turmoil within me?

Hope in God; for I shall again praise Him,

My salvation and my God." Psalm 42:11

Reading these verses sometimes makes me angry at myself, 
I have my health (basically), my family, warm home, and friends; so why does my soul become cast down? 

Because I stop looking up to my Reeemer and focus on myself.

Then I am reminded that what I see, hear, and feel in the here and now is temporary. I have hope, my Redeemer lives!

I pray that as we will all focus on this as the nitty-gritty details pile up as our travel dates approach.

~Roxanne

These past 8 weeks, we have been going over the sufficiency and authority of Scripture on Wednesday night in GBC Kids Club. It is amazing and encouraging to witness our kids recognize that God gave us the Bible so we can know His love and how he wants us to live. 

"So faith comes from hearing and hearing through the Word of Christ." Romans 10:17

"All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness." 2 Timothy 3:16

We are witnesses of His love, grace, and mercy to all we interact with - at home, at work, at the store, at the airports, on the planes, and on our mission. May any blinders be removed and hearts be softened, and may we be aware of what God is already doing and join Him as He has prepared us to.

Now for some of the nitty-gritty admin details.  We are 63 days out of our mission, if you have not asked for someone to partner with you in prayer as we prepare, travel, and serve, please do so this week. 

For those traveling, please ensure that you have registered with Solid Rock for our mission trip on their website - www.solidrockinternational.org/missions-home/

Our next STM meeting is December 15, starting around 12:30. Some things we will be covering include prayer, signing up to lead devotions during our mission, potluck at our hotel in Chicago, and packing suitcases. I will also have my Chromebook available so we can start the online Dominican Republic immigration forms, as they need to be filled out before we arrive at O'Hare airport. 

Blessings, 

Deb

Preparation Devotion

 2 Timothy 4:1-5 

"I solemnly charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by His appearing and His kingdom: preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort, with great patience and instruction. Fir the time will come when they will not endure soon doctrine; but wanting to have their ears tickled, they will accumulate for themselves teachers in accordance to their own desires, and will turn away their ears from the truth and will turn aside to myths. But you, be sober in all things, endure hardship, and do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry." NASB

Summer has begun and so have our preparations for our Fall STM Retreat and our mission trip in January. While details for our travels, lodging, and such are important the most important thing is for us to be ready now, preparing our hearts, souls, and wills by spending quality time with God through through our quiet time in His Word and in prayer. We also need to be comfortable in sharing the gospel and our testimony with others. There are resources that are available including EvanTell, https://www.evantell.org/evangelism-videos/, to help you. Also, please get with either Lynn, Roxanne, or Deb if you have questions or need help. 

Our Fall Short-term Mission Retreat is September 13-15 at the Woodchuck Ranch, N5768 18th Lane Princeton WI. Be watching for more details in the upcoming weeks. 

There is so much to be thankful for and also to pray about:

• Scott's neck surgery on April 4, went well and though his recovery is slow (it will take at least a year) he has been making progress. We are thankful for GOd's provision i a wonderful care team who recognize what is happening when he cannot find the words and have clearly explained the importance of not overdoing it to keep recovering. he will be seen by his care team again the end of October to see how he is doing and prayerfully figure the next steps to find out the root cause(s) of his underlying poly and peripheral neuropathies and other neurological symptoms that were not from the myopathy.
• Hector has a new position as Director of Operations and the Bucher family have arrived safely in Indiana and will serve as the Executive Director and Director of Development.
• The plentiful rain the has ended our drought.
• Prayer for that Hector will be able to raise the support needed and that he and the Buchers will have a smooth transition into their new roles.
• Prayers for wisdom and discernment as we prepare and plans are moving forward. 
• Open and moldable hearts, wills, and souls as we prepare for our next missions and all God has prepared will serve as He intended. 

Last day for Medical and Construction Teams

 Yesterday, Wednesday, the medical team served in Ellias Piña which is a two-hour bus ride from the guesthouse and along the Haitian border.  The construction team worked at the guesthouse and a local church. The teams were able to visit the new clinic, which many helped in the construction of, and enjoy dinner at a local restaurant.  

Both teams are currently serving their last day either on medical or construction and will be cleaning up and restoring supplies they used, repacking their things in preparation to head back to Santo Domingo in the morning and visit with their sponsor children.  Please pray for endurance as they are tired, for continued protection from the enemy, and for soft moldable hearts for each of them, those they are serving, and those they are serving with. May God's love and grace be evident in their actions, words, thoughts, and attitudes. 

Psalm 136:23-26

Who remembered us in our low estate,

For His lovingkindness is everlasting,

And rescued us from our adversaries,

For His lovingkindness is everlasting;

Who gives food to all flesh,

For His lovingkindness is everlasting.

Give thanks to the God of heaven,

For His lovingkindness is everlasting. 

Buenas Tardes

 Good Afternoon, 

Our team arrived safely in Santo Domingo, DR on Saturday, January 20, were joined by the rest of the team, and enjoyed a good night's rest at a local hotel. 

Sunday, January 21, they had a 3 to 4-hour bus ride to their guest house in San Juan de la Maguana. Once there they unloaded the bus, had a meal, went through orientations, sorted through the donations they brought, and prepared the necessary items they would need for the next day.  

On Monday, January 22, the medical team served in a barrio in Las Matas. They were able to care for 85 patients. 

Psalm 133

Behold, how good and how pleasant it is

For brothers to dwell together in unity!

It is like the precious oil upon the head,

Coming down upon the beard, 

Even Aaron's beard,

Coming down upon the edge of his robes.

It is like the dew of Hermon

Coming down upon the mountains of Zion;

For there the LORD commanded the blessing-life forever.

Thank you for your continued prayers,

Deb

January 8 Devotion and Some Final Details

 January 8

13 days until our arrival in the Dominican Republic

The following is paraphrased from Bruce Steffes's wonderful book, "Medical Missions: Get Ready! Get Set! Go!"

Some important points that will make the whole process of going on missions easier:

• God knows exactly what and who you are, and you will not surprise HIm
• You can do all things beyond your own ability because you are doing them through Christ's power
• You are not responsible for the results, only the attempt
• "For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them." Ephesians 2:10NASB

Strength and peace about preparation, action, and follow-up will come when you pray regularly. Please have a prayer partner/and or group who you keep in contact with daily, including times during and after the mission. 

As a reminder, our team commissioning is this Sunday, January 14, please try to be at Grace Bible Church by 9:50 am. If possible please wear your team t-shirt or scrub shirt. We will have a potluck lunch after the service, finish packing, and fill out the e-tickets forms (https://eticket.migracion.gob.do/Auth/TravelRegister/). Please bring a dish to pass and a suitcase.

~Roxanne

Good Afternoon,

I will be sending out a What's App invite on Sunday to those traveling from Chicago so we can communicate with everyone on a single thread. What's pp is available using WiFi or cellular data. 

I also want to share two songs that Faith led us with last year and we would like to do again this year.  

https://youtu.be/XtvT12z18sA?si=8LU1gOJbBuLgPStR

and 

https://youtu.be/G2XtRuPfaAU?si=qJ4QCBO4wgjewoEy

Blessings, 

Deb

Philippians 4:6-7 "Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus." NASB