New Year's Eve Thoughts

New Year’s Eve 2008

Cheryl again blessed the group with words of exhortation from John. We came face to face with the command, “Do whatever He tells you to do.” We are finding our “box” being taken down one wall at a time here. The welcome and familiar footsteps and the clink of the cups announced the arrival of chai and breakfast. Sweetie, whom many of you know, came in to help serve breakfast. Andrew, taking a page from Brother Henry’s book, lay his hand on her head to pray a blessing over her before she left for school. She immediately bowed her head and closed her eyes to receive it.

Watching Andrew administer a very familiar event to her, I was overcome. Yesterday, when we were in town we saw a group of the kids from the orphanage walking home from school and Sweetie was among the cluster of Chudedahs of white with blue scarves. I couldn’t help but think that this very child whose mother and/or father was willing to throw away a little over a decade ago was blessing us with service, not to mention walking home from school. Amazing…

In the small village that hosted today’s free medical clinic and immunization camp, we were very warmly received by a small band and formation choreography from the students. We were a bit surprised to see a smaller turnout than expected for the vaccines and learned that the polio vaccine administered only a little over a week ago had claimed the lives of at least 4 children in the state of Andhra Pradesh. Parents were very cautious about handing over their child on the heels of such an experience. Notwithstanding this, the camp served over 350 people who saw a variety of doctors and received medication absolutely free.

One baby in particular caught Cheryl’s attention simply because it was lethargic and its eyes did not appear to be tracking properly. He barely even cried when he received his shot. His mother also caught my attention because of the most intense look of love and protection I’ve ever witnessed. Again, I was reduced to tears realizing many like this one never know that kind of love and protection.

We returned to camp and again feasted upon Mary and Ranga’s lunch creations and were sent off with the familiar exhortation to “Rest sister, rest brother!” in preparation for tonight’s New Year’s eve festivities. Like us, you will have to wait to see exactly what that will look like!

Mollie Myers

Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one
another. No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and His love is made complete in us.

I John 4:11-12 (TNIV)

New Year's Eve Day Medical Camp

Paul and Andrew (Henry's nephew) work diligently to register the villagers who have come for free medical attention at today's camp.





Stephen carefully preps a needle with the proper .5ml dose of Hepatitis B vaccine.

Two doctors confer over proper treatment of a 25 year old man with Muscular Dystrophy



A bell rang and it was time for lunch at the school that hosted the medical camp. The students who had just completed writing their exams, began to queue up for rice and vegetable sauce. Siezing a new opportunity, Andrew and Jerri replaced the teachers at the task of serving lunch to the students. Our queue became the line of choice, despite its length.

Honoring Staff and Evangelists

Tuesday evening, December 30, 2008

Promptly at 6(ish) we headed off to Thirapathi to the Hotel Bliss for an opportunity to celebrate and honor the medical doctors, support staff and evangelists of Good Shepherd Mission. We had the extreme pleasure of bestowing upon these amazing saints gifts Good Shepherd previously purchased just for them. We were then treated to a very HOT (as in spicy) Indian buffet. Thank goodness it was followed by vanilla ice cream pleasantly extinguishing the effects of dinner on our very American tongues! (Everyone except Andrew that is!)

(The trip over to the Hotel Bliss will be a lasting memory…the introduction to an Indian rush hour – fully awake – WOW!)

Shopping in Puttur

December 30, 2008

Taking our first jaunt into Puttur for shopping was quite an experience! First, drive over to pick up Mary, our shopping guide, (about 100 yards) and wait. Drive about a mile and a half and encounter a train crossing – and wait. Arrive at K&L Textiles, which has enough Chudedahs and Saris to clothe a small country – and wait. There’s a lot of waiting in India! But seeing the fabric, experiencing the effect we had on those around us and knowing what lay ahead for the next few days is definitely worth all the waits we encounter.

Job Site

Tuesday morning brought a change of pace and a new experiment for mission trips to Good Shepherd. We worked alongside local laborers, sifting sand to separate fine from course and lugging it up a sugarcane ladder to the rooftop of phase one of the new HIV/AIDS cottages. To look at the building and see how much has been done in three months, solely by human hands, is humbling.

What a joy and a privilege to partner with Brother Henry in seeing his vision to care for those afflicted with HIV / AIDS come to life.

Carry each other's burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. Galatians 6:2 (TNIV)

Street Service

Our team leaders report:
Monday evening we attended an evangelical service in a local village. “Church” filled the village’s main street with people of all ages. Although the temperature was cool, the hearts of the believers were warm with welcome.

A Banquet Table

After lunch, the team took time to sort all of the hospital / medical supplies that they brought, thanks to the very generous donations from Christ for Humanity, Dr. Morgan and Mr. Hogle. They had more than they realized. This banquet table of supplies brought smiles of surprise and sincere thanks from the surgeons who staff the Good Shepherd Mission hospital.

Today was a living example of why the team is in India - to touch the lives of His children and show His light to those in need.

The LORD is gracious and righteous; our God is full of compassion. Psalm 116:5 (TNIV)

Medical Camp at GSM Hospital

The team assisted Good Shepherd Mission in hosting a medical camp at the hospital. Over 150 children received their first dose of Hepititis B vaccine. There were plenty of tears but all's well that end's well. The vaccine will protect the children from this disease.

Jesus said, "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these."

Matthew 19:14 (TNIV)

A Fulfilling First Day at Good Shepherd Mission

Team leader Andrew sent the following note:

"Our first full day felt like 2 or 3 days since our arrival at the airport at 1am and our finally going to sleep around 10pm. We toured orphanages, went to two Sunday services, presented our fundraising total of $10,000 to Brother Henry and still had time to take a couple of short naps and visit with Brother Henry on the front porch. A totally fulfilling and also exhausting day!"

The two pictures are of team members Marnee enjoying a game with a mission boy and Jerri praying with one of the children. As they sleep, please pray for them as they recover from jet lag and serve the Lord with the Good Shepherd staff.

News on Team Arrival in Chennai!

Team leader Andrew reports that all went smoothly with flights today. They connected with 10th team member, Marnie, in Dallas and though the connection at London was a bit close all is well. The team was anticipating a warm GSM welcome at the Madras airport.

The plane landed at 1:00 AM and after a three hour ride to the mission the group arrived safely in Puttur. The team was greeted with a band and dancing by some of the mission children. Praise God for safe travel and arrival!

Welcome to our newest team member

Our newest team member is Flat Stanley who recently arrived from Hereford, TX. The young man shared that he was extremely interested in world travel, so, with no hesitation or deliberation, we invited him to join us on our trip to India. He gladly accepted and promptly made all necessary travel arrangements and lodging accommodations. Fortunately for us, Flat is a seasoned traveler and is quite flexible.

When you meet him, you will notice that Flat is very quiet and is also very thin. We are certain that he won't cause us any problems while in India.

Flat loves being in pictures and, in fact, that is one of the reasons we felt compelled to include him. Flat Stanley actually belongs to a 4th grade boy, Silverio Taylor, the nephew of one of our good friends here in Tulsa. Each of Silverio's classmates has made a character similar to Flat and has the assignment of finding friends or family members with whom the character can travel to different locations. While on the journey, photos are taken featuring the character in various situations. Then, when the character returns to the student along with photos, the child's assignment is to write a short story about their character on that trip.

Along with our original mission purpose, we now have a goal to to carry Flat Stanley half-way around the globe and take pictures of Flat in as many different places doing as many different things as we can think of; things like riding an ox-cart, watching Hepatitis B vaccination work, checking out the AIDS/HIV construction work, and many other things that we can't even imagine. Be sure to check back often to see what Flat is up to next!

Final preparations

T-minus-5 days; departure is just around the corner.

We've hosted our dessert fundraiser; stomachs and trip coffer are both full. (Praise the Lord!)

We've repackaged all the medicines and medical supplies into space saving containers and have distributed throughout our abundance of suitcases .

We been prayed over; we're feeling more and more ready to go.

Are we there yet?!

A Resounding "Yes"

By now, you have probably heard about the recent terrorist activity in India, and you may be wondering whether our team of 10 volunteers will proceed with the trip to Good Shepherd Mission in southeastern India.

After a day of prayer and fasting by the team and with due consideration to current events, our answer is a resounding “yes;” we are very eager to go. Of course, we will heed possible future alerts by the U.S. State Department and alter plans accordingly.


Between now and December 26, the date of our departure, please pray that we continually seek God’s guidance and wisdom about our planned travel. While we are there, please pray for our health, safety and ministry’s effectiveness. After we return on January 10, pray continually for the staff of Good Shepherd as they labor in their unending outreach to the poor and hurting.

Recent Reflections

These reflections were posted prior to our knowledge of the Mumbai terriorist attacks... read on.

Our team's level of commitment and excitement for this project has blossomed. It is one month from today that we depart for India. Here are some recent reflections of some of our team members:

From Andrew (co-leader):
I've reflected on one of the many reasons we are going: to share words of our Lord who said, "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light." (Matthew 11:28)

Where we are headed, the workforce labors hard and from what I've seen, many are weary. For instance, during our early morning drive from the airport just after arriving in India, we will undoubtedly pass an endless parade of laborers trudging along even before the sun rises to go work in the fields. They will put in a full 10 or 12 hour day and then walk back home only to do it all over again the next day.

What can we possible bring to such an existence that will be in any way meaningful? We bring that which we have to share: medical care, a touch of kindness and best of all, The Word of God. I pray that the Word of God becomes real to those whom we touch and lives on forever.

From Jerri (nurse):

God is so faithful! I was asking Him for a promise for all of us and for our families at home that do have some concerns about our safety, as we going into a country with some ongoing violence. Here is what He gave me just today.

Psalms 105: 13-15
When they went from one nation to another;
From one Kingdom to another people,
He permitted no one to do them wrong;
Yes, He rebuked kings for their sakes,
Saying, "do not touch My anointed ones,
And do My prophets no harm."

This made my day, hope it brightens your too! Jerri

From Cheryl (nurse), who homeschools her two children:
Our curriculum reading this morning was on the cycle of poverty in India and brainstorming ways we could help "break it." There was a true story (complete with great photos) about a young homeless couple with a sick child in Mumbai. The husband is a rickshaw driver and the wife sells lemons on the street.

Our discussion of possible ways to help led both my kids to the conclusion that instead of wanting to purchase items here to send to India, they want to send more money to be used to buy from the people there.

Of course, we can still purchase some items here that may not be available there, but they have made me PROMISE that I will buy lemons from any street vendor I see and, if I ride in a rickshaw, I will pay the driver extra, and if I see any little girls sick with diarrhea, I will give them water and medicine at "no charge". Their compassion is real and their connection to the people we will serve is getting stronger every day.

Follow-up to the previous email from Cheryl:
I don't in anyway want this to sound like I'm bragging but...Bryce wrote an "ending" to the story of the family we read about where a "tall white man" paid the mother 500 rupees for one lemon, read to her from a Book, led her to Jesus, healed her daughter, then came back every day to teach the family to read and write so they could earn enough money to send their daughter to school.
I asked Bryce if he thought this was a realistic/practical ending to the story and he answered with an emphatic "YES!" Then he asked if there was any way I could maybe go through Mumbai on my way home in case this family was still living in the slums.

I didn't actually get to the lesson on "Underlining vs. quotation marks to set titles of books/articles apart in a sentence" but somehow that doesn't seem to matter...Cheryl

From Daleen, (co-leader):

Here is my “anchor” for the trip, the one the Lord led me to about 3 weeks ago:

Zechariah 2:5 (don’t ask me how I got here – it’s convoluted):

“I will be a wall of fire around her (me, us) and I will be the glory in her (my, our) midst.”

2008 Trip Brochure

Please click here to view the brochure which describes the mission trip's focus and ways you can contribute to this worthy project.

And Where Are We Going??

If we didn't tell you this is legit, you'd think it was Anywhere USA. But really, it is the Good Shepherd Mission compound prior to the hospital, which was constructed in 2004. Even if Google Earth doesn't think it's that important to capture GSM more than every 4 years, we think it is --- it's the heartbeat of Puttur, because it reaches out in love to the hurting. We cannot wait to go (back for some...).

Hospital, below left; primary compound and lodging quarters, below right.

Team Members' Bios

Here are tidbits of information on the team members who have committed to serve at Good Shepherd Mission in Puttur, India from December 26 to January 10, 2009:

Name: Marnee Downing

Occupation: servant of the Most High God

City where you live: Yorba Linda, CA

Spouse/children: Husband, Keith; Kathryn and Liam, 13 yr. old twins; Connor, 9 (and Daleen's cousin)

Describe the process, the leading by which you came to the decision to go on this trip:
From childhood, service has been my passion and it has taken many shapes over the course of my life; helping my Nana out of the car, pouring punch at a church social event, teaching 7th grade Sunday school, and most recently serving the professional development needs of the team reporting to me. The future is in God's hands; what I know is I desire to be of service to Brother Henry, the people who live at or come to Good Shepherd for care (in what ever form it takes). I am eager to know what God has next for me, but will wait for His timing, albeit impatiently at times.

What you hope to experience on this trip:
To share the love of Jesus with those who know Him and those who do not. To be used of God to expand His kingdom and be a blessing however He chooses to use me. To meet Brother Henry and those who work along side of him, and hopefully to meet Sweetie.

What is one of your favorite Bible verses:
One?? Psalms 118:13-14: “You pushed me violently, that I might fall, But the Lord helped me. The Lord is my strength and song, and He has become my salvation”(NKJV). Joshua 1:9: “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go" (NIV).

Any Fun Factoid:
Yo atendida Colegio de Idiomas de Baja California en Ensenada, México por seis semanas, dos años pasado. ¿Habla español?


Name: Jerri Messner

Occupation: RN, presently working at Tulsa Spine and Specialty Hospital

City where you live: Tulsa, Ok

Spouse/children: Husband, Jerry; Daughter, Jamie and son-in-law, Bryan; Son, Brad and daughter-in-law, Rachel

Describe the process, the leading by which you came to the decision to go on this trip:
After being asked to consider being part of the team going to India by Andrew and Daleen, I struggled to overcome some doubts and fears about my own abilities. Then one evening while talking with Andrew by phone God let me know He wanted me to go on this trip and would give me what I needed to meet the challenges. From that point all the doubts and fears were gone for good!

What you hope to experience on this trip:
I want to experience being part of the team and ministering to the Indian people. I want to use my Nursing experience to aid in the medical outreach there.

What is your favorite Bible Verse?
My favorite Bible Verse is Psalms 46:10 “Be still and know that I am God.” God has used this verse many times to assure me that He was at work in my life.

Any Fun Factoid:
I have enjoyed being a nurse for more than 30 years but my greatest joy has been being a wife and mother and now a grandmother to my three beautiful grandsons, Logan 5, Landon 3, and Max, 8mo. I also enjoy traveling with my husband.


Name: Cheryl Nelson

Occupation: RN; most recently, school nurse for a developmental preschool for children with special needs

City where you live: Tulsa, OK

Spouse/children: husband, Curtis; son, Bryce, 10; daughter, Nora, 7

Describe the process, the leading by which you came to the decision to go on this trip:
During a season of praying, "Lord, use me. Show me what more I can do for you," I received the invitation from Global NIM to be a part of this team. I had been telling God I was willing to sacrifice my own comfort in order to win more souls for His kingdom, and I knew that this would be an opportunity to put that promise into action.

What you hope to experience on this trip:
1. The overwhelming and over abundant joy that comes from totally emptying myself out and allowing God to use any and every part of this trip for His glory.
2. A deeper appreciation of His creativity as I experience the rich Indian culture and the vibrancy of the Indian people that He loves so much.
3. A whole lot of side splitting laughter with this team that seems to have no end of humorous comebacks, insights and observations.

What is one of your favorite Bible verses:
This changes regularly, but right now it is 1 Peter 4:10, "Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God's grace in its various forms."

Any Fun Factoid:
The Bible, the world's best-selling book, is also the world's most shoplifted book. Every person has a unique tongue print. Eskimos use refrigerators to keep food from freezing...These have nothing to do with me, I just can't seem to come up with anything else at the moment :)


Name: Stephen Nimick

Occupation: Student at the University of Tulsa

City in which I live: Tulsa, OK

Spouse/children: None that I can remember

Describe the process, the leading by which you came to the decision to go on this trip:
I suppose it was part God, part destiny, and part other people always asking me when I would be going. I had never considered it until this June. Both my parents have already been twice, and they have told Bro. Henry and the staff there a lot about me. I have met Bros. Henry and Praveen when they visited the States, and so I'm sure all of GSM is expecting me at some point. And so here I am.

What you hope to experience on this trip:
I am most looking forward to seeing and experiencing daily life in India and at GSM and helping with the construction project. Oh, and I forgot to mention the plane rides…and getting back to Tulsa two days before going back to school. How Exciting.

What is one of your favorite Bible verses:
I have several favorite Bible verses...so how about Jeremiah 29:11.


Name: Andrew Nimick

Occupation: Business Development at Williams Companies (Midstream)

City where you live: Tulsa, OK

Spouse/children: Wife, Daleen; son, Stephen (university student)

Describe the process, the leading by which you came to the decision to go on this trip:
Having been to Good Shepherd Mission in '03 and again in '07 with groups organized and led by a church in St. Joseph, MO, I felt lead to step out and organize a Tulsa-based trip to increase the awareness of the great outreach that is being done by Brother Henry and Good Shepherd in southern India.

What you hope to experience on this trip:
There are many things I look forward to on this my 3rd trip to GSM (which will feel a little like a homecoming): seeing Brother Henry and each of the wonderful staff members; seeing the smiles of the children; trying to learn another an Indian worship song; working along side the Indian doctors and nurses, driving through the rural countryside; and, of course, sharing cup after cup of strong Indian chai (hot tea)!

What is one of your favorite Bible verses:
My favorite bible verses are any for which I can actually remember both the verse and the reference! How about Psalm 23. That's always a good one.

Any Fun Factoid:
Someday, I hope to summit all of Colorado's 14,000-foot peaks. There are 58 of them and so far; I’ve been atop of 42 of them.


Name: Daleen Nimick

Occupation: Professional volunteer; treasurer of Global Network of Independent Missions, a nonprofit organization Andrew and I began in 2004 (http://www.globalnim.org/)

City where you live: Tulsa

Spouse/children: Husband, Andrew; son, Stephen (19)

Describe the process, the leading by which you came to the decision to go on this trip:
Once someone has visited Good Shepherd Mission and played with the children prospering at the orphanages, or assisted in giving care to the hurting and poor, or taken part in an evangelical service at a Mission village church, it is incredibly difficult Not to return, and you desire to bring others with you!

What you hope to experience on this trip:
The ways that God inspires and uplifts us physically and mentally to serve others even when dead tired; the joy expressed on the faces of the people served by Good Shepherd because 1) they either already know Jesus, or 2) they are amazed that total strangers from another land care for them with the love of Jesus; the awe, dismay, laughter and tears encountered by my team members as they walk through this “experience of India…” especially things like seeing blue eye shadow on oxen.

What is one of your favorite Bible verses: Isaiah 41:10 – “Do not fear, for I am with you; do not anxiously look about you, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, surely I will help you, surely I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.”

Any Fun Factoid:
I am the proud owner of 9 elephants.




Name: Warren “Kellen” Myers

Occupation: Undergraduate research through Dec. 2008 (University of Tulsa)

City where you live: Tulsa

Spouse/children: hahahahahahahahaha

Describe the process, the leading by which you came to the decision to go on this trip:
I have always been interested in different cultures and languages, and I am enthralled at the prospect of going to a place where I am a complete foreigner. I hope to observe and learn a good deal about the ways that the people we meet over there relate to our own experiences, and more specifically about the ways that the people over there relate to each other. In our ever shrinking world it is imperative to learn about the differences between cultures and peoples and to ultimately accept the fact that everybody on this big blue planet belongs to the same group of people. When the opportunity arose to join this trip I leapt at it for two reasons; that I hope to be of some use- and I believe will put us to work, and also that I’m graduating this fall and believe this will be an excellent experience towards learning what is at the heart of service.

What you hope to experience on this trip:
1. I hope to be of service to the people that we meet.
2. I hope to meet some very interesting people.
3. I hope to learn how Brother Henry goes about serving his community.
4. I hope to see some monkeys/tigers/elephants/other indigenous megafauna.

What is one of your favorite Bible verses:
Faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not
see- Hebrews 11:1. Faith itself has always been my greatest struggle, and this
definition places all of the pieces of my puzzle in one statement. I’m only now beginning to understand the incredible implications of faith itself on life in general- and may I just say, wow.

Any Fun Factoid:
I am blond, but have a black spot of hair on my head.




Kory Myers

Occupation: I am a student of Jenks High School, and proud of it!

City where you live: Tulsa, OK

Family: I live with my mom, Mollie, and my dad, Karl. I have an older brother and sister, Kellen and Mandy. I am an uncle of four: Spencer, Miah, Allison, and Beau. Other occupants of my house include Brandon, my dog I adopted in 2000, and Tanner, my mom’s dog.

Describe the process, the leading by which you felt called to go on this trip:
My mom went to India in 2007. She came back with a different passion than I have ever seen out of anyone. She spoke of the miraculous, the precious, and the strange. I have felt a calling toward mission work outside of the country. With a recently found love for architectural design I would like to end up designing and drawing the floor plans for Christian outreach buildings. I hope to work hand in hand with the people my dreams would affect.

What you hope to experience on this trip:
I hope to experience Christ, culture, and the church being the church outside the walls of the church.

What is one of your favorite Bible verses?
Jeremiah 29:11: “For I know the plans I have for you, declares The Lord, plans to prosper you, and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”

Any fun factoid: In second grade, at seven years old, I became an uncle.



Name: Karl Myers

Occupation: Blessed with a few companies, and a wonderful team that keeps me out of trouble.

City where you live: Tulsa

Family: Pretty much the same as Mollie’s, except that I got the girl. Pastor Mollie, alias Hunny is one of God’s most loveable creations. Smart, funny, and adorable…I’d marry her again.

Describe the process, the leading by which you felt called to go on this trip:
This will be my first trip to India. I love seeing first hand, how different cultures respond to the immense love of our Lord Jesus Christ. My wife, Mollie has visited India, and fallen in love with its people. I had the pleasure of meeting Henry and Praveen last year, and we’ve worked with our best friends, the Nimicks on Global NIM. God has given these people a great vision, and I hope to fulfill my part of realizing that vision.

What you hope to experience on this trip:
I go to experience the culture, the flavor, the scent, the sounds, the color, and the love of Christ through our brothers and sisters.

What is one of your favorite Bible verses:
James 1:2 - 8 Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him. But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. That man should not think he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all he does.

Any fun factoid:
Been in 25 countries, and I’m ever amazed by how different, and how much the same we are.


Name: Mollie Myers

Occupation: I am a wife of one, mother of three, Hunny of four, child of God who is on a continual quest to exercise and develop the gifts, skills and talents God has given me. Sometimes that’s in Tulsa, Oklahoma, at our home, sometimes at church where I’m on staff, and sometimes on the way to the ends of the earth.

City where you live: Tulsa, OK

Family: Husband - Karl (handsomest man on earth!); Daughter - Mandy; Sons - Kellen & Kory (on this trip with us); Grandchildren - Spencer, Miah, Allison & Beau (we are lovingly referred to as Hunny & Poppy); Um, two four-legged family members named Tanner and Brandon.

Describe the process, the leading by which you felt called to go on this trip:
It took just one time of holding a tiny brown eyed jewel looking trustingly up at me to anchor my heart to India. As if to secure it, I met Daniel, the boy our family sponsors and his brother, Satrick in person at Kolladam where the boys orphanage is located. After meeting Satrick, we now sponsor two boys…Sitting cross legged on the steps of the Ashram, Andrew and I taught Daniel and several other boys how to play “cups”, a rhythm game played with, well, plastic cups! I was reminded how internationally transcendent a smile can be and just how beautifully it fit on the faces of those boys. I can’t wait to introduce my sons to their Indian brothers!

What you hope to experience on this trip:
I hope to experience being usable in God’s hands in order to accomplish exactly what He has in mind, and that just possibly, one of the people we encounter will see a bit of Jesus in me.


What is one of your favorite Bible verses?
Romans 12:21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

Any fun factoid:
I once had three birthday celebrations on the same day in two different states!

The Ball is Rollin'

Just how far will $10 stretch in India? Read on to learn how you can partner with us on our journey to the other side of the world - Puttur in Andhra Pradesh, India to serve alongside the staff of Good Shepherd Mission
(http://globalnim-gsm.blogspot.com/).

With airline tickets purchased, we've officially started the ball rolling. Although the actual trip begins after Christmas and ends in mid-January, the journey has begun.

Buying the airline tickets was a major milestone. With that behind us, we can focus on the long list of things yet to be done; things like checking passports to make sure they don't expire while we are in India, making sure our immunizations are current and applicable, determining when it is best to send our applications for a tourist visa, and of course, doing a bit of fund raising for the cause.

While there, we will work shoulder to shoulder with Good Shepherd's medical staff to host several rural medical camps. We will offer Hepatitis B vaccinations while the local doctors will offer other medical services, all of which will be free to the recipients.

If you are reading this, chances are that you’ve already committed to help out financially or prayerfully, or both. With all sincerity, we are very grateful for your support!

If you are still considering your participation, it may be helpful for you to know that just $10 provides one child with the 3-round series of Hepatitis B shots AND it allows us to stock a free pharmacy during each of the 6 to 8 free medical camps that we will host. As you can see, your contribution of any amount would get stretched quite far. BTW, donations to Global NIM are tax deductible and will NOT go toward team member travel expenses as these have already been covered. Thanks very much for considering it.

Whether or not you are able to make a contribution financially, just knowing that you will be praying for us is very important. We believe in the power of prayer and we are looking forward to God blessing the team with health, safety and effectiveness. Your words of encouragement can be sent at any time to globalnim@cox.net.