1 John 4:19

Here is our team verse for 2023. Don’t worry if you can’t learn the Spanish but please memorize it in English.

1 John 4:19

We love, because God first loved us.

1 Juan 4:19

Nosotros amamos, porque El Señor nos amó primero.

The most important preparation is Bible study and prayer each day. Many of you are veterans of short terms but that doesn’t lessen the importance of preparation.

Remember, God goes with us.

Team Meeting

Team Meeting and Packing Party

The Dominican Mission Team will meet December 11 at 12:30PM at Grace Bible Church for prayer, study and packing party.

Lunch  will be provided

Bring your Team handbook and a suitcase  =-}

Now is the time to find, or update, your Prayer Partner. 

We Begin

This is it for those of us flying out of Madison:

Please be at Grace Bible Church no later than 5:00PM

The bus rolls at 5:30

Thanks to our Grace family who have lifted this mission up in prayer. Things may seem out of control but God is absolutely in control.

Just got a text from Jerry Spears showing his negative covid test!!

But those who wait on the Lord

Shall renew their strength;

The shall mount up with wings like eagles,

They shall run and not be weary

Isaiah 40:31

Prayer Request

Please lift up our nurse, Laurie, who is joining us from Ohio. She is facing the decision of whether to fly to the DR or not. Her father is very ill.

Next Meeting January 16

 A big thank you to all the folks who donated items for the mission. We will continue to collect school supplies, clothing, shoes and small toys till January 16.

And a huge thank you to all who helped pack up supplies! Each team member “adopted” and packed suitcases, will inventory their contents, and bring them to San Juan de La Maguana.

The next team meeting is January 16. The team will be commissioned during the service. Afterwards we will complete the final packing.

A tasty lunch will be provided of course 😊

Prayer Request:

Though we will be flying out of Madison, it may be wise to get the team there the night before. Our flight departs at 6:45 Saturday morning and we need to be at the airport by 4:30AM.

We’re asking for wisdom over an additional $400 cost for the entire team.

The Good Fight

 

Corrie ten Boom is pictured above in Egloffstein, Germany.

What makes this photo incredible is that Corrie is a survivor of Ravensbrück concentration camp during World War II. She says:

Yes, God is good when He sends good weather. But was also good when He allowed my sister Betsie to starve to death before my eyes in the German concentration camp. (emphasis added).

I remember one occasion when I was very discouraged there. Everything around us was dark, and there was darkness in my heart. I remember telling Betsie that I thought God had forgotten us.

 "No, Corrie," said Betsie, "He has not forgotten us. Remember His Word: 'For as the heavens are high above the earth, So great is His mercy toward those who fear Him...'  Psalm 103:11  (NKJV)

Here was a woman that has since traveled to more than 60 nations to share God's love, even Germany.

For as the sufferings of Christ abound I us, so our consolation also abounds through Christ. 2 Corinthians 1:5 (NKJV)

May we treasure these words from God as we prepare for our mission, both here at home and while we travel.

(Photo and quote from: Clippings from My Notebook, ten Boom, Corrie. Nashville, TN, Thomas Nelson, Inc. 1982) 

 

Team Meeting

 Gather your spare suitcases, questions, and appetite!

We will have our team meeting on Sunday December 19 at Grace Bible Church after the worship service, starting about noon.

With our humanitarian airfare we can each check 3 suitcases. We have 6 large boxes of medications and supplies to distribute as well as some school supplies, toys and clothes for distribution.

And we’ll have some delicious barbecue!

Update on the 2022 Dominican Mission:

The fee per person for the Dominican Mission will be $1150/person traveling from Madison Wisconsin. 

The fee for those traveling on their own will be $710/person.

These fees include room and board, in-country transportation and the extra cost for those doing construction.

All payments and donations should be made to:
Grace Bible Church
P.O. Box 534
Portage, WI 53901
(For payments by check please designate the area for the money to be used in the memo line: -Team Member, DR or -DR mission, general)

Or online at: gbcportage.com

I need some ideas for fund raisers to cover the cost of our prescription medications and a Dominican physician to help at the Barrio Clinics: approximately $4,500 for the mission (in addition to the amounts listed above for individuals).

Contact me for ideas for individual fundraising ideas.

For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.

Ephesians 2:10

Answered Prayer

 Thanks be to God!

He answered our prayers and re-instated our fares to fly out of and return to Madison for the Dominican mission!

Prayer Request

 I just got an email late last night that American Airlines has cancelled the flights we were booked on.

Please pray that Katrina (Mission Nation Travel) will be able to make similar arrangements.

We love because God first loved us.

1 John 4:19

Ukraine Update

After much prayer we have decided to cancel the mission to Ukraine. Many of the original volunteers have had to step back and new travel restrictions have caused concern.

Please keep the Christmas program for the orphans and underprivileged children in your prayers. And consider a financial gift to the Open Door Foundation (Vitaliy’s mission organization) for the program. The donations may be made through Grace Bible Church with a note on the memo line “Ukraine”

The Mission Retreat was a great success, with plenty of food left over :-}

The mission to the Dominican is still on. In fact I have several thousand dollars worth of medicines from Blessings International sitting in our family room waiting to be packed :-}

Unfortunately due to new customs regulations we are unable to count and individually pack the meds before we arrive in country. Please pray that the team is able to complete this once we are there (and still have time to participate in evening activities).

As each one has received a special gift, employ it in serving one another as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.

1 Peter 4:10 (NASB)